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2.1 Rationale for the Selection of the Study Area
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) demarcated
the country into agricultural zones, each with specific production features. The
purpose for the demarcation is for each zone to undertake a set of agricultural
enterprises with the best comparative advantage. In this regard, the eastern agroecological zone was selected on the basis of rice production. The zone comprises
of two rice production systems, namely, the upland rice production system found
in Teso and Bukedea region and lowland rice production system found in Doho
and Butelega.
2.2 Description of the Study Area
This region was selected for the survey because it is the largest rice production
area and also because it is one of the earliest rice-growing regions in the country.
Zoning of the area was based on rainfall, soil, vegetation, main crop, and population. Rainfall in this region is higher in the southern part, although drought-prone
pockets exist and soils become lighter as one moves further north. The population
density is highest in the south, falling toward the north, which borders the pastoral
area of Karimojong. The Karimojong are often dependent on the region for food
when they migrate in with cattle to search for water and pasture during the dry
season. This dependence is partly what makes parts of the region prone to seasonal famine and civil strife. The region lies on a flat plateau with gentle slopes
punctuated by isolated rocky granite outcrops. The altitude ranges from 1000 to
1880 meters above sea level. The area is divided by numerous wide grass swamps
that fill with water in the rainy season and dry up in the dry season. These swamplands, which drain into Lake Kyoga, represent a valuable grazing area to local and
neighboring livestock farmers, particularly in the dry season of November to
February.
The area receives a total of 1000–1100 mm of rainfall per annum, with a bimodal
distribution. This region is unique in Uganda in its use of draft animals for cultivation, and it is this that enabled it to have the highest cultivable acreage in the country, prior to 1986. As such, it is described as an integrated crop-livestock system in
which livestock provided farm power and manure for crop production. In return,
crop residues provided an important source of fodder for animals, especially during
the dry season.
2.3 Map of the Study Area
Figure 1 shows the position of the study area on the map of Uganda indicated by the
red area.
Gendered Adaptation and Coping Mechanisms to Climate Variability in Eastern…
2.1 Rationale for the Selection of the Study Area
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) demarcated
the country into agricultural zones, each with specific production features. The
purpose for the demarcation is for each zone to undertake a set of agricultural
enterprises with the best comparative advantage. In this regard, the eastern agroecological zone was selected on the basis of rice production. The zone comprises
of two rice production systems, namely, the upland rice production system found
in Teso and Bukedea region and lowland rice production system found in Doho
and Butelega.
2.2 Description of the Study Area
This region was selected for the survey because it is the largest rice production
area and also because it is one of the earliest rice-growing regions in the country.
Zoning of the area was based on rainfall, soil, vegetation, main crop, and population. Rainfall in this region is higher in the southern part, although drought-prone
pockets exist and soils become lighter as one moves further north. The population
density is highest in the south, falling toward the north, which borders the pastoral
area of Karimojong. The Karimojong are often dependent on the region for food
when they migrate in with cattle to search for water and pasture during the dry
season. This dependence is partly what makes parts of the region prone to seasonal famine and civil strife. The region lies on a flat plateau with gentle slopes
punctuated by isolated rocky granite outcrops. The altitude ranges from 1000 to
1880 meters above sea level. The area is divided by numerous wide grass swamps
that fill with water in the rainy season and dry up in the dry season. These swamplands, which drain into Lake Kyoga, represent a valuable grazing area to local and
neighboring livestock farmers, particularly in the dry season of November to
February.
The area receives a total of 1000–1100 mm of rainfall per annum, with a bimodal
distribution. This region is unique in Uganda in its use of draft animals for cultivation, and it is this that enabled it to have the highest cultivable acreage in the country, prior to 1986. As such, it is described as an integrated crop-livestock system in
which livestock provided farm power and manure for crop production. In return,
crop residues provided an important source of fodder for animals, especially during
the dry season.
2.3 Map of the Study Area
Figure 1 shows the position of the study area on the map of Uganda indicated by the
red area.
Gendered Adaptation and Coping Mechanisms to Climate Variability in Eastern…