Climate Change Effects, Adaptation Strategies and Factors Influencing their Adoption among Smallholder Farmers in Kagadi Sub-County, Uganda

Abstract

This study examines climate change effects and adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers in Uganda through a mixed-methods approach combining survey data (N=348) with statistical analyses. The research had three key objectives: assessing climate change effects, identifying adaptation strategies, and analyzing adoption factors. Findings revealed that farmers experience severe climate impacts, with 82.2% reporting prolonged droughts and 79% facing soil erosion. Agroforestry emerged as the most widely adopted strategy (88.5%), followed by early planting (63.5%) and use of early-maturing varieties (67.5%). However, technologies like rainwater harvesting (37.9%) and irrigation (50%) showed lower adoption rates. Regression analysis identified extension services (p<0.001), education level (p=0.020), and household labor availability (p=0.005) as significant factors influencing adoption decisions. The study highlights critical gaps in resource access and knowledge dissemination that hinder effective adaptation. These findings suggest the need for integrated interventions combining financial support, capacity building through extension services, and improved climate information systems to enhance smallholder resilience. The research contributes to the growing literature on climate-smart agriculture by providing empirical evidence on adoption patterns and barriers in Uganda's smallholder farming context.