Effect of drought early warning system on household food security in Karamoja subregion, Uganda

Abstract Background Drought is regarded as a leading cause of food insecurity affecting about 220 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Drought early warning systems (DEWSs) have the potential to strengthen capacity of communities in managing and reducing drought effects through building preparednes...

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Main Authors: Damalie Akwango, Bernard Bonton Obaa, Nelson Turyahabwe, Yona Baguma, Anthony Egeru
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2017-08-01
Series:Agriculture & Food Security
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40066-017-0120-x
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author Damalie Akwango
Bernard Bonton Obaa
Nelson Turyahabwe
Yona Baguma
Anthony Egeru
author_facet Damalie Akwango
Bernard Bonton Obaa
Nelson Turyahabwe
Yona Baguma
Anthony Egeru
author_sort Damalie Akwango
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Drought is regarded as a leading cause of food insecurity affecting about 220 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Drought early warning systems (DEWSs) have the potential to strengthen capacity of communities in managing and reducing drought effects through building preparedness and providing coping strategies. The Karamoja subregion is the only region with a functional DEWS in Uganda. The subregion suffers from effects of recurrent episodes of drought with negative impacts on food security. Despite having DEWS in place, the subregion remains the most food insecure in the country. The extent to which DEWS has contributed to household food security in the subregion remains unclear. This study determined the effect of DEWS on agro-pastoral household food security in the subregion. The study was conducted in Nakapiripirit and Kotido districts of the Karamoja. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 305 participating and non-participating households in DEWS. The effect of participating in DEWS on food security was analyzed using the generalized linear model. The level of food security and nutrition were measured using the household food insecurity access score and household dietary diversity score (HDDS), respectively. Results Findings showed that all respondents had experienced food insecurity during the course of the year. Drought was indicated as the main cause of food insecurity in the households. Participation in DEWS significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the threat of food insecurity by 23.7% and increased the level of household nutrition by 30%. Better nutrition was realized in DEWS participating households (HDDS = 9.0) compared to non-participating households (HDDS = 6.6). Conclusion Owing to intermittent drought events in the Karamoja subregion, DEWS contributes to household food security and nutrition by providing households with information on timely planting, crop diversification, farm equipment, drought management and drought-tolerant crop varieties. There is need for DEWS practitioners to focus on information dissemination, provision of drought-tolerant crops and provision of training opportunities to communities for increased production in semi-arid areas.
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spelling doaj.art-8ca1e7dfc64b435aa0c3155addc26b1b2022-12-22T00:56:46ZengBMCAgriculture & Food Security2048-70102017-08-016111210.1186/s40066-017-0120-xEffect of drought early warning system on household food security in Karamoja subregion, UgandaDamalie Akwango0Bernard Bonton Obaa1Nelson Turyahabwe2Yona Baguma3Anthony Egeru4Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere UniversityDepartment of Extension and Innovation Studies, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere UniversityDepartment of Extension and Innovation Studies, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere UniversityNational Agricultural Research OrganizationDepartment of Environmental Management, School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical SciencesAbstract Background Drought is regarded as a leading cause of food insecurity affecting about 220 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Drought early warning systems (DEWSs) have the potential to strengthen capacity of communities in managing and reducing drought effects through building preparedness and providing coping strategies. The Karamoja subregion is the only region with a functional DEWS in Uganda. The subregion suffers from effects of recurrent episodes of drought with negative impacts on food security. Despite having DEWS in place, the subregion remains the most food insecure in the country. The extent to which DEWS has contributed to household food security in the subregion remains unclear. This study determined the effect of DEWS on agro-pastoral household food security in the subregion. The study was conducted in Nakapiripirit and Kotido districts of the Karamoja. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 305 participating and non-participating households in DEWS. The effect of participating in DEWS on food security was analyzed using the generalized linear model. The level of food security and nutrition were measured using the household food insecurity access score and household dietary diversity score (HDDS), respectively. Results Findings showed that all respondents had experienced food insecurity during the course of the year. Drought was indicated as the main cause of food insecurity in the households. Participation in DEWS significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the threat of food insecurity by 23.7% and increased the level of household nutrition by 30%. Better nutrition was realized in DEWS participating households (HDDS = 9.0) compared to non-participating households (HDDS = 6.6). Conclusion Owing to intermittent drought events in the Karamoja subregion, DEWS contributes to household food security and nutrition by providing households with information on timely planting, crop diversification, farm equipment, drought management and drought-tolerant crop varieties. There is need for DEWS practitioners to focus on information dissemination, provision of drought-tolerant crops and provision of training opportunities to communities for increased production in semi-arid areas.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40066-017-0120-xDrought early warning systemHousehold food insecurity access scaleDietary diversity scoreKaramoja subregion
spellingShingle Damalie Akwango
Bernard Bonton Obaa
Nelson Turyahabwe
Yona Baguma
Anthony Egeru
Effect of drought early warning system on household food security in Karamoja subregion, Uganda
Agriculture & Food Security
Drought early warning system
Household food insecurity access scale
Dietary diversity score
Karamoja subregion
title Effect of drought early warning system on household food security in Karamoja subregion, Uganda
title_full Effect of drought early warning system on household food security in Karamoja subregion, Uganda
title_fullStr Effect of drought early warning system on household food security in Karamoja subregion, Uganda
title_full_unstemmed Effect of drought early warning system on household food security in Karamoja subregion, Uganda
title_short Effect of drought early warning system on household food security in Karamoja subregion, Uganda
title_sort effect of drought early warning system on household food security in karamoja subregion uganda
topic Drought early warning system
Household food insecurity access scale
Dietary diversity score
Karamoja subregion
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40066-017-0120-x
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