Assessing the effects of climate variabilty on sorghum production in Ngoleriet subcounty in Napak district, Uganda.
| dc.contributor.author | Lomele, Vivian | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-11-12T09:12:14Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-11-12T09:12:14Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026 | |
| dc.description | Undergraduate research report | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study assessed the effects of climate variability on sorghum production in Ngoleriet Subcounty, Napak District, Uganda, an area where sorghum is the primary staple food crop and rainfed agriculture remains highly vulnerable to erratic rainfall and rising temperatures. The study was guided by three specific objectives: to identify the sorghum varieties grown in the subcounty, to determine the growth stages of sorghum most affected by climate variability, and to examine the adaptation strategies used by farmers to cope with its effects. A cross-sectional research design and a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data, were employed. Data were collected from a sample of 90 respondents drawn from four sorghum-producing villages Kangole Chini, Naguleangolol, Too Ekitela, and Nakiroma —selected using simple random and purposive sampling, and analyzed using SPSS. The findings revealed that sorghum production in Ngoleriet Subcounty remains dominated by local landraces such as Natum, Naterekune, Akirikir, and Akareut, with most farmers relying on saved seed rather than formal seed distribution channels; only a minority had adopted improved varieties such as Olal. Climate variability was found to affect sorghum most severely during the flowering and vegetative growth stages, resulting in stunted growth, poor germination, and premature harvesting. Although formal awareness of adaptation strategies was low, a considerably larger share of households were already practicing informal adaptation, most notably crop diversification, planting of drought-tolerant varieties, and adjusted planting dates. Farmers' capacity to adapt further was constrained mainly by limited education and awareness, inadequate extension services, and limited access to finance. The study concludes that climate variability has a measurable and specific effect on sorghum production in Ngoleriet Subcounty, and that farmers are responding through low-cost, informal adaptation largely unsupported by formal extension services. The study recommends strengthening agricultural extension, delivering climate education in the local language, improving access to drought-tolerant seed, targeting support to the most vulnerable growth stages, and expanding access to affordable credit. These measures would contribute to enhanced sorghum resilience, improved household food security, and progress toward Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land) | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Ms. Nyangoma Immeldah ; Busitema University | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Lomele, V. (2026). Assessing the effects of climate variabilty on sorghum production in Ngoleriet subcounty in Napak district, Uganda. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://bdears.busitema.ac.ug/handle/123456789/11808 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Busitema University | |
| dc.title | Assessing the effects of climate variabilty on sorghum production in Ngoleriet subcounty in Napak district, Uganda. | |
| dc.type | Other |