80
reduces feed intake and results in poor growth performance in animals, even though
indigenous cattle are known to be tolerant to high temperatures (Walter et al. 2010).
Extremely high temperature caused by extreme weather events experienced at this
era may still affect B. indicus, resulting in reduced milk and meat production and
reduced time for foraging, as they prefer to remain in the shade (Robertshaw and
Finch 1976). Additionally, heat-related mortality and morbidity would increase.
Climate change is also expected to increase the risks of drought and floods that
occur with El Niño in the future, and this could result in serious high mortality of
livestock. Drought will lead to pasture shortage and water scarcity, which will
aggravate the existing conflicts rotating around natural resources and food insecurity in the region. Similarly El Niño may result in the outbreak of diseases related to
flooding (Van den Bossche and Coetzer 2008).
Other Effects of ECV on Livelihoods
Other effects of ECV, as perceived by respondents across the zone, were deforestation and swamp reclamation as a result of population pressure and limited sources
of income. The respondents reported that they are forced to clear natural forests for
charcoal burning and reclaim swamps to increase their acreage for the production of
rice and other crops. The changes in vegetation cover observed in the zone were
attributed to weather changes. The respondents further observed that they had
cleared off most natural forests and their rivers were drying while some weeds like
“Olukozi” (couch grass – Elymus repens) and “Olubembe” (spear grass –
Heteropogon contortus) were gradually disappearing. Most of the farm land was
now covered by different types of weed species locally known as “Kafadanga”
(milk grass), “Olukozi” (couch grass), “Kayonga” (Striga weed – Striga hermonthica), and “Obukala” (blackjack – Bidens pilosa) in the case of the upland rice
production system. Swampy areas had weeds such as “Enkengeenene,”
“Olukalabwe,” “Olubembe” (spear grass), and “Kayonga” (Striga weed). In addition to weather variations, farmers believed that the declining soil fertility, coupled
with the lack of crop rotation and fallowing, and improper use of herbicides were
also factors contributing to changes in vegetation cover.
3.3 Coping Strategies Employed Under Different
Consequences of ECV
This section looks at the various coping strategies employed by the respondents to
adapt to the effects of climate variability and hence improve their livelihoods. As
observed, ECV greatly affected agricultural activities in the zone, resulting in low
crop and livestock production. The ability of the respondents to respond to, cope
with, or adapt to ECV events and stresses placed on their livelihoods and well-being
depends on resources available to them. Results generated from focus group discusT. Akongo and C. Chonde
reduces feed intake and results in poor growth performance in animals, even though
indigenous cattle are known to be tolerant to high temperatures (Walter et al. 2010).
Extremely high temperature caused by extreme weather events experienced at this
era may still affect B. indicus, resulting in reduced milk and meat production and
reduced time for foraging, as they prefer to remain in the shade (Robertshaw and
Finch 1976). Additionally, heat-related mortality and morbidity would increase.
Climate change is also expected to increase the risks of drought and floods that
occur with El Niño in the future, and this could result in serious high mortality of
livestock. Drought will lead to pasture shortage and water scarcity, which will
aggravate the existing conflicts rotating around natural resources and food insecurity in the region. Similarly El Niño may result in the outbreak of diseases related to
flooding (Van den Bossche and Coetzer 2008).
Other Effects of ECV on Livelihoods
Other effects of ECV, as perceived by respondents across the zone, were deforestation and swamp reclamation as a result of population pressure and limited sources
of income. The respondents reported that they are forced to clear natural forests for
charcoal burning and reclaim swamps to increase their acreage for the production of
rice and other crops. The changes in vegetation cover observed in the zone were
attributed to weather changes. The respondents further observed that they had
cleared off most natural forests and their rivers were drying while some weeds like
“Olukozi” (couch grass – Elymus repens) and “Olubembe” (spear grass –
Heteropogon contortus) were gradually disappearing. Most of the farm land was
now covered by different types of weed species locally known as “Kafadanga”
(milk grass), “Olukozi” (couch grass), “Kayonga” (Striga weed – Striga hermonthica), and “Obukala” (blackjack – Bidens pilosa) in the case of the upland rice
production system. Swampy areas had weeds such as “Enkengeenene,”
“Olukalabwe,” “Olubembe” (spear grass), and “Kayonga” (Striga weed). In addition to weather variations, farmers believed that the declining soil fertility, coupled
with the lack of crop rotation and fallowing, and improper use of herbicides were
also factors contributing to changes in vegetation cover.
3.3 Coping Strategies Employed Under Different
Consequences of ECV
This section looks at the various coping strategies employed by the respondents to
adapt to the effects of climate variability and hence improve their livelihoods. As
observed, ECV greatly affected agricultural activities in the zone, resulting in low
crop and livestock production. The ability of the respondents to respond to, cope
with, or adapt to ECV events and stresses placed on their livelihoods and well-being
depends on resources available to them. Results generated from focus group discusT. Akongo and C. Chonde