Enhancing Resilience of Cassava and Sweet Potatoes to Climate Change and Variability

Donor:  START Grant Awards for GEC Research in Africa; START Secretariat.

Duration: Three years.

Introduction. There is a growing consensus in the scientific literature that over the coming decades, higher temperatures and changing precipitation levels caused by climate change and variability will be unfavorable for crop growth and yield in many regions and countries. This will have major impacts on agricultural productivity and community livelihoods and food security. The magnitude of this impact on cassava and sweet potatoes, believed to be drought tolerant, have not been fully assessed particularly in dryland areas such as the cattle corridor of Uganda.

Aim and Objectives. The overall objective of the project is to examine the impacts of climate change and variability on cassava and sweet potato production in the Uganda cattle corridor. AfrII has successfully

(1) determined the importance and roles of cassava and sweet potatoes  in the farming and food systems of communities in the cattle corridor,

(2) undertaken studies to  understand how the importance and roles of cassava and sweet potatoes has been affected by climate change and variability and other factors

(3) developed predictive crop and climate models and is applying these to predict the impact of climate change and variability on yields of cassava and sweet potatoes (the major food crops)  in Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts and recommending best strategies to enhance resilience and adaptation to the changes.