Effects of floods on smallholder crop production in Eastern Uganda

Hellen Kongai 1, *, Geoffrey Ochom 1, Asero Diana 1 and Patrick Rubaihayo 2

1 Department of Agribusiness and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Science, Busitema University, PO Box 203, Soroti, Uganda.
2 College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
 
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2022, 03(01), 032–037.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjms.2022.3.1.0072
 
Publication history: 
Received on 15 December 2021; revised on 14 January 2022; accepted on 16 January 2022
 
Abstract: 
Smallholder farmers encounter crop losses consequent to floods in eastern Uganda. It is envisaged that with increasing climate variability, flooding effects on smallholder crop production will increase. Yet, information to guide adaptation and resilience building strategies is limited. This study used cross sectional data to determine the effects of floods on agricultural production in Bukedea and Kapelebyong Districts. Findings showed that grain and root crop losses consequent to floods approximated 35 and 60% of expected output, respectively. This significantly effects crop output and smallholder household food security. Therefore, interventions targeting reduction of output loss and drudgery consequent to floods would unravel flooding effects on crop production.
 
Keywords: 
Floods; Smallholder; Crop; Output; Loss
 
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