Determinants of Farmers’ Decisions to Adopt Adaptation Technologies in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Using the Heckman sample selectivity model, this study identified farmers’ perception and adaptation to climate variability in Eastern Uganda, in order to support development of public policy and investment that can help increase adaptation to climate variability. The study was based on the premise that farmers who perceive change in climate and respond (or fail respond) share some common characteristics, which are important in understanding the reasons underlying their response (or failure to respond). Stratified random sampling was used to obtain a sample of 353 households across the three agro-ecological zones in Eastern Uganda, from which data was collected. In addition, 9 focus group discussions and 23 Key Informants Interviews were conducted, targeting smallholder farmers and agricultural stakeholders in the region. Results indicate that farmers’ decisions to adopt adaptation technologies are primarily determined by their perceptions of rainfall adequacy (subjective index). The probability of adoption of adaptation technologies by male headed households and those with more members showed a 12% and 23% higher chance of adaptation respectively as compared to their counterparts. These factors relate to labour endowment, implying the need to build strong social protection mechanisms at household and community levels.    The probability of responding to climate variability also varied by location with a 15% and 6% smaller chance for location in Mbale and Sironko respectively as compared to Pallisa. Access to weather information is the single most important factor affecting farmers’ perceptions of climate variability, implying the need to develop and dissemination appropriate weather information to guide farmers in making adaptation decisions.

Key words: Adaptation, Climate Variability, Eastern Uganda