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By Timothy Eodu-Karamoja
As the new season is returning, climate information is very vital to help farmers plan for their season to avoid risks that may be associated with the changes. Along the Karamoja cluster 1 for instance, changes in the climate tend to be harsh in both wet and dry seasons.
For proper crop output and or better animal survival, farmers along this belt need to be provided with adequate information to tackle pests, diseases and the season ahead of them. Food security in Karamoja has been a big challenge due to limited output because of climate related issues but also rudimentary farming methods.
To survive the harsh weather conditions, areas along the Karamoja Cluster 1 rely on drought resistant crops, especially sorghum as the main cultivated grain. This limits the area’s choices on cultivating nutritious crops like vegetables which are fast maturing but, if provided with other relevant information, will sorghum be the only option every season? I think not!
As the season is nearing, what other options and possibilities do we have that can ensure nutrition, food security and production sustainability while navigating the climate change with its effects in the region?
According to the Moroto district Agriculture Officer Mr. Mark Lolii, with the Uganda National Meteorological Agency forecast of March to May, farmers have options of growing vegetables and other fast growing crops like beans, green grams among others. He said this can do well to boost nutrition during the wet season but also supplements during the dry season if the output is much.
To him, last season people harvested fairly much of maize, sun flower and sorghum which will make seedlings readily available to plant. Lolii said the land clearing will begin around March due to the changes in climate and planting to begin around April. He added the people also do share seeds within the communities because government’s support is no longer reliable but also some prefer to buy from the markets.
With the harsh climate, vast virgin lands and limited labour force, planning for the season may seem challenging because most farmers along the Karamoja cluster 1 still rely on rudimental methods of farming. In recent times, government is encouraging transformation into mechanized methods of farming for better crop production.
According to Mr. Lolii, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries has provided the region with a tractor scheme to help farmers open up their farm lands at affordable rates but also some farmer groups have been supported by development partners to procure tractors. He said this has since gathered momentum as most people are preferring tractors to the rudimental use of bulls to open up gardens.
He also said some communities dig small sub-standered valley tanks to harvest water during the rainy season which is used for watering crops and animals in the dry season, although their management is poor. He said the demand for mechanization is increasing due to the benefits as seen with high yields registered in the previous two seasons.
Recently, the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) officially released the March to May (MAM) 2025 seasonal climate forecast. This season is critical for the equatorial part of the Greater Horn of Africa region, contributing up to 60% of the annual rainfall in many parts. The MAM forecast indicates a higher likelihood of below normal rainfall conditions over the eastern and western parts of the region.
