Abstract:
In order to document the potential and limitations in adapting dryland communities to climate
change in Mwanga district a study was carried out in late March 2012. Because the project
focused on crops production and livestock production and natural resources management
(beekeeping in particular), potential and constraints of these three sectors were identified. The
data were collected from households situated in four proposed project villages of Kiruru
Ibwejewa, Kirya, Kwakoa and Kileo and a structured questionnaire was used in this regard.
The questionnaire was administered to 64 respondents, 16 for each study village. Along with
the survey, other methods used were observation transect walks, key-informant interview and
literature review. The main identified constraints in crops production were unreliable rainfall,
high costs of inputs, unavailability of the improved seeds and prevalence of pests and diseases.
Marketing constraints for crops included low price, lack of buyer within the village, and
market inaccessibility. Regarding livestock production, the main constraints were bush
encroachment, poor vegetative cover and shortage of water. On the other side, beekeeping had
large but unexploited potential because of lack of improved beekeeping and honey processing
knowledge, and ineffective organization. Also, theft of honey and beehives was among the
reported constraints. It is recommended that the understanding of contextual realities is
important before implementing any climate change adaptation interventions because such
understanding will provide a pointer on the appropriate and feasible interventions based on the
field realities. From such understanding it will be possible to plan appropriate use of scarce
financial, social and human resources in a profitable way.
