Vulnerability of smallholder sorghum farmers to climate variability in a heterogeneous landscape of south-western Uganda

Climate variability is probably the most complex and challenging environmental problem facing the world today. The effects of climate variability are predicted to be more felt by the largely vulnerable smallholder farmers. Smallholder farmers in developing countries are highly vulnerable to variations and changes in climate because of poverty and high marginalisation. Smallholder sorghum farmers in the Kigezi highlands of Uganda are highly vulnerable to climate variability hazards, though to differing degrees with respect to altitude.

The vulnerability of these areas could be as a result of limited access to weather information and extension services. This study, therefore, recommends targeted extension services such as access to customised weather information and better agronomic practices to reduce smallholder sorghum farmers’ vulnerability. Extension services, argues the paper, are a key factor in strengthening adaptive capacity through knowledge building.