Farmers in Kabarole district are setting up measures to adapt to the irregular changes in climate.
This is in line with the 2010 production ordinance, which was passed by Kabarole district local government. The ordinance requires all farmers to build up grass and rock barriers around their crops to protect them from soil erosion.
Farmers are now growing drought resistant crops and constructing granaries where to store their produce.
Scovia Kabahenda, a farmer in Rwengaju village in Busoro Sub County has been a victim of the changing patterns of the climate. Kabahenda says that last year, all her two acres of maize and a banana plantation were washed away by the heavy rains.
Kabahenda says that with the heavy rains expected in two months time, she is now prepared. She has constructed barriers around her crops to avoid rains washing them away.
In Kabende parish, Hakibale Sub County, farmers have on several occasions been hit by long dry spells followed by heavy rains.
Roger Nkojo, the chairperson of the maize and rice farmers in the area says that the farmers are being encouraged not to focus on only maize but also drought resistant crops like cassava.
He also says that farmers in the sub county have started constructing food granaries, where to store food for consumption incase drought breaks out.
Nkojo says that last year, all the rice and maize fields were affected by the drought and heavy rains, and the farmers were left with no food for sale and consumption.
//Cue in: “we are mobilizing farmers…”
Cue out: “…prepared for any eventuality.”//
Professor Edward Rugumayo, the chairperson of the Rwenzori region Think Tank on Climate Change however says that government has neglected farmers on climate change.
Rugumayo says that government should set up irrigation schemes in all parts of the country and introduce local irrigation technologies to farmers so as to improve on the productivity of crops or else the country will experience famine. He says that several farmers have lost crops due to the heavy rains.
Rugumayo further notes that the government should help farmers access high yield and quick growing seeds which can survive the heavy rains.
//Cue in: “irrigation is our saviour….”
Cue out: “…mitigation measures are critical.”//
Amos Mugume, the district production coordinator Kabarole says that during the Rwenzori region climate change week which starts next week, farmers will be sensitized on how to adapt to climate change.
