Strengthening adaptive capacities for drought-induced feed stress in Nakasongola

NAKAGGWA Flavia

Agency For Inter-regional Development (AFID)

22-26 July 2013, Rider Hotel

Background The ECA is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to climate

variability and change due to its predominantly semi-arid and arid climate that constitutes more than 70% of the land mass and confronted with extreme climatic events such as droughts and floods.

 The frequency and magnitude of drought events are increasing (IPCC, 2007; Morton, 2006; Seo and Mendelsohn 2006), taking lives of people and livestock and affecting livelihoods.

There are at least eight severe drought episodes in Africa in the last four decades: 1972-74, 1981-84, 1986-87, 1991-92, 2000-2001, 2005-2006, 2008-2009 and more recently 2010-2011 with Sub-Saharan Africa is currently experiencing severe droughts at intervals of less than 5 years with severe consequences on people livelihoods and their livestock.

The severe droughts are catastrophic to economy and livelihoods of pastoralists today, because they have limited options for livelihoods.

Background contd Nakasongola district is located in Uganda’s dry

land areas commonly referred to as the cattle corridor.

The cattle corridor is characterized by irregular and low rainfall, experiencing periodic droughts.

These areas are facing challenges in population pressure, diminishing access to pasture and water, fencing of land and conflicts between livestock owners and crop farmers.

Location of Nakasongola District in the cattle corridor

Background contd Nakasongola is well endowed with water

resources in form of direct precipitation, ground and surface water.

The district borders with share L. Kyoga, shares three rivers i.e. Kafu, Victoria Nile, and R. Sezibwa, and river Rugogo.

The water sources are unevenly distributed due to the area’s relief.

Nabiswera

Nakitoma

Wabinyonyi

Nakasongola D/HQ

Source: Directorate of Water Resources , 2010 (modified)

Water Sources Distribution

Environmental concerns in the District

Drought leading to pasture and water stress Overstocking has contributed to declining quantity and

quality of pastures and stock (Nabiswera and Nakitoma Sub-counties).

Overgrazing This is as a result of over stocking and other factors that have led to overgrazing are communal grazing, growth in human population, poverty, bush burning, immigration

Soil erosion and lack of soil conservation practices by smallholder farmers, who are the majority.

AFID INTERVENTION

Project : Women in Haymaking for Agro-pastoral

Dry Season Feeding in Nakasongola District

Why? Attenuate the Effects of Dry season feed

stress Vulnerability of Agro pastoral Women-

engaging in night grazing

Coping Mechan

ism

Wom

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DF

PRO

JEC

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AFID INTERVENTION

Strengthening adaptive capacities for drought induced feed stress through “capacity building of women in hay making for dry season feeding”.

Activities: Logistical support (procurement and distribution of hay

making equipment for harvesting, drying and baling hay) and construction of hay storage facilities.

Training: Hay making demonstrations, pasture identification and management, promote re-vegetation by providing farmers with pasture seed and tree seedlings

Knowledge sharing using platforms like exhibitions and publications

PARTNERS UNDP- SLM / MAAIF: Women in Haymaking for

Agro-pastoral Dry Season Feeding in Nakasongola District

ASARECA : Livestock and fisheries program: Exploiting market opportunities of dairy products value chain

NARO/ BULINDI: Up-scaling feed packaging and feed conservation innovations to increase feeds availability and mitigate effects of Drought crises in pastoral systems in ECA”.

Evidence of the drought

Achievements- Capacity Building Package Built capacity for hay making to reduce the impact of

feed stress among the agro-pastoralists with ;1. Training 101 farmers trained in hay making (45 men and 56

women) at the eight PLSs

87 farmers were trained in pasture identification and management (46 women and 41men)

 

2. Infrastructure Support Hay making technologies were procured distributed among

the target beneficiaries 8 (Eight) Hay storage facilities were constructed

Knowledge sharing with partner organisations like world vision and the local government

Pasture seeds of glycine and centrosema were distributed and planted by a few farmers. In addition, tree seedlings of calliandra and leuceana were planted

Animals have adapted to feeding hay

Trainings

Training in hay making

Training in pasture identification and management

Participatory Pasture identification and management

Hay storage facility

Pasture rejuvenation

Knowledge sharing

Lesson learned

Attenuating pasture stress is not enough as water access is very vital in livestock productivity and uptake of knowledge

The attitude and practice to hay making is still low but with lots potential to be improved

The technology used is labour intensive. Less labour technology should be employed

Actions taken

Partnership with other organisations like ASARECA, Local government, NARO BULINDI and World vision.

“Up-scaling feed packaging and feed conservation innovations to increase feeds availability and mitigate effects of Drought crises in pastoral systems in ECA”. Activities to be included are: Mapping vulnerability in pastoral and agropastoral, baseline survey, training farmers in conservation areas. Resources monitoring and establishment of a community based early warning system Strengthen herd splitting strategies to cope with droughtEnhance appropriate feed conservation strategiesPolicies to facilitate wide adoption of feed conservation and other resource management strategies to minimize livestock losses and ensure prompt recovery of the livestock sector recommended and advocated

Conclusion

A holistic approach is relevant in project design to integrate IWRM practices

IWRM in very vital in ensuring feed conservation

Climate change is real

Thank you very much for listening