Skip to main content
Review | Sustainable Environmental Insight | Volume 3 - Issue 1 - 2026 | 98–115 | https://doi.org/10.53623/sein.v3i1.1014
© 2026 by the author(s), and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License

Strengthening Climate Resilience for Smallholder farmers in Isingiro District, Uganda: A Documentary Review

Author(s): Judith Nahabwe 1 ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0771-2330 , Francis Akena Adyanga 2 ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5277-7175 , Doctor 3 ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2577-6780
Author(s) information:
1 Faculty of Social Sciences, Kabale University, Uganda
2 Faculty of Education, Kabale University, Uganda & the University of South Africa (UNISA), South Africa
3 Department of English, Literature Unit, Kabale University, Uganda

Corresponding author

Sustainable Environmental Insight

Volume 3 - Issue 1 - 2026

 About the journal
Submit your article

Climate resilience was a lifeline for millions of smallholder farmers amidst the escalating climatic crises. This paper aimed to evaluate several resilience approaches utilized by smallholder farmers under underlying constraints and enabling environments in the Isingiro District. A documentary review was utilized in which secondary data were gathered from peer-reviewed articles and other credible sources. The study findings revealed the continued utilization of agronomic practices such as mulching, intercropping, and crop rotation, while transformative practices were adopted to a lesser extent despite high levels of climate change awareness. This indicated the presence of structural and institutional constraints that hindered the translation of climate awareness into practice. Various institutional and systemic barriers emerged throughout the analysis, with limited access to finance, inadequate extension services, and poor land tenure systems appearing recurrently in most of the reviewed literature. Climate resilience was found to be a highly dynamic and evolving process, implying the need for flexible and adaptive local governance to allow the integration of local realities into policies, plans, and budgets. It was further revealed that the adoption and effectiveness of resilience approaches depended heavily on governance structures and institutions that moderated the options available and affordable to smallholder farmers. Therefore, creating sustainable resilience for smallholder farmers in Isingiro required approaches that addressed underlying limitations, created a supportive environment, and blended traditional and technical solutions.

Read Full-Text
Previous article
Next article

Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (accessed on 1 February 2026) Available online: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/.

Serdeczny, O.; Adams, S.; Baarsch, F.; Coumou, D.; Robinson, A.; Hare, W.; Schaeffer, M.; Mahé Perrette, M.; Reinhardt, J. (2017). Climate change impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa: from physical changes to their social repercussions. Regional Environmental Change, 17, 1585–1600. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-015-0910-2.

Nhemachena, C.; Nhamo, L.; Matchaya, G.; Nhemachena, C. R.; Muchara, B.; Karuaihe, S. T.; Mpandeli, S. (2020). Climate change impacts on water and agriculture sectors in southern Africa: Threats and opportunities for sustainable development. Water (Switzerland), 12(10), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102673.

Aturihaihi, C.; Tumwesigye, W.; Opio, F.; Beyihayo, G. A. (2023). Knowledge, Attitude and the Practice of Climate-Smart Agriculture among Smallholder Farmers in Isingiro District, South Western Uganda. East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology, 6(1), 82–97. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajab.6.1.1154.

Climate Change: Uganda National Adaptation Programmes of Action. (accessed on 1 February 2026) Available online: https://repository.eac.int/items/c26eba7d-e9e5-43eb-bad8-ed266006a84e.

Kisambira, Z. N.; Songcai, Y.; Bomuhangi, A. (2025). Climate change policy landscape in Uganda: assessing the extent of implementation of adaptation policies at the sub-national level. Climate Policy, 3062, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2025.2539976.

Mastenbroek, A.; Gumucio, T.; Nakanwagi, J. (2024). Gender, agricultural risk perceptions, and maize seed systems: A case study of drought-tolerant maize varieties in Uganda. Agricultural Systems, 217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2024.103912.

Nagasha, J. I.; Mugisha, L.; Kaase-Bwanga, E.; Onyuth, H.; Ocaido, M. (2019). Effect of climate variability on gender roles among communities surrounding Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda. Emerald Open Research, 1, 7. https://doi.org/10.12688/emeraldopenres.12953.1.

Bwengye, E. T.; N. G. (2023). Contribution of Dry Spell Adaptation Technologies to Crop Productivity in Isingiro Town Council, Isingiro District, Uganda. African Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 2(1), 102–116. https://doi.org/10.37284/ajccrs.2.1.1236.

Conway, D.; Schipper, E. L. F. (2011). Adaptation to climate change in Africa: challenges and opportunities identified from Ethiopia. Global Environmental Change-Human and Policy Dimensions, 21(1), 227–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2010.07.013.

Kumara, A. S. (2022). Researching with Secondary Data: A brief overview of possibilities and limitations from the viewpoint of social research. Munich Personal RePEc Archive, 112639. https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/112639/.

The Future is a Choice: Absorb, adapt, transform- Resilience Capacities. Oxfarm International. (accessed on 1 February 2026) Available online: https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10546/620178/gd-resilience-capacities-absorb-adapt-transform-250117-en.pdf.

Birchall, S. J.; Villeneuve, K.; Rose, D.; Baran, N.; Adams, S. (2026). Exploring the modifying effects of adaptive capacity on resilience to climate change across 4 coastal cities in British Columbia, Canada. Cities, 169, 106559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2025.106559.

Folke, C.; Carpenter, S. R.; Walker, B.; Scheffer, M.; Chapin, T.; Rockström, J. (2010). Resilience thinking: Integrating resilience, adaptability and transformability. Ecology and Society, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-03610-150420.

Mfitumukiza, D.; Barasa, B.; Kiggundu, N.; Nyarwaya, A.; Muzei, P. J. (2020). Smallholder farmers’ perceived evaluation of agricultural drought adaptation technologies used in Uganda: Constraints and opportunities. Journal of Arid Environments, 177, 104137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2020.104137.

Martikainen, A.A. (2025). Assessing the Resilience of Farming Systems: Insights from the Common Agricultural Policy and Polish Fruit and Vegetable Farming Challenges. Agriculture, 15, 990. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090990.

Mugagga, F.; Nakanjakko, N.; Nakileza, B.; Nseka, D. (2020). Vulnerability of smallholder sorghum farmers to climate variability in a heterogeneous landscape of south-western Uganda. Jamba: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 12(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.4102/JAMBA.V12I1.849.

Mzyece, A.; Ng’ombe, J. N. (2020). Does crop diversification involve a trade-off between technical efficiency and income stability for rural farmers? Evidence from Zambia. Agronomy, 10(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121875.

Adhikari, L.; Voil, P. De; Dreccer, M. F.; Rodriguez, D. (2025). Benefits and trade-offs from the diversification of rangeland farms in Northern Queensland, Australia. Agricultural Systems, 226(March), 104331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104331.

Byaruhanga, B. M.; Bashaasha, B.; Turinawe, A.; Nakanwagi, T.; Tumusiime, D. (2024). Association between foreign agricultural investments and adoption of soil and water conservation practices in Uganda. Agriculture and Food Security, 13(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-024-00482-4.

The Role of Local Institutions in Adaptation to Climate Change. Paper prepared for the Social Dimensions of Climate Change, Social Development Department, (accessed on 1 February 2026) Available online: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/28274/691280WP0P11290utions0in0adaptation.pdf.

Mfitumukiza, D.; Mwesigwa, G. Y.; Kayendeke, E. J.; Muwanika, V. B. (2024). Local Context Capacity Building Needs for Climate Change Adaptation among Smallholder Farmers in Uganda: Policy and Practice Implications. Climate, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12010010.

Rural livelihoods, food security and rural transformation under climate change. (accessed on 1 February 2026) Available online: https://gca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/RuralLivelihoodsFoodSecurityRuralTransformation_V2.pdf.

Wang, J.; Brown, D.G.; Agrawal, A. (2013). Climate Adaptation, Local Institutions, and Rural Livelihoods. Global Environmental Change, 23, 1673-1683, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2013.08.014.

Khatibu, S.; Ngowi, E. (2025). Effectiveness of climate information services in Sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural sector: a systematic review of what works, what doesn’t work, and why. https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2025.1616691.

Ogisi, D. O.; Dengho, T. (2023). Adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices in sub-Saharan Africa: A review of the progress, barriers, gender differences and recommendations. Farming System, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100019.

Muzira, R.; Wentaro, A. A.; Kankwatsa, P.; Natuha, S.; Nabasumba, D. (2025). Socio-Economic Determinants of Soil Fertility Management Practices among Small-Scale Farmers in Semi-Arid and Humid Subzones of South-Western Uganda, 12. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1114274.

Etana, D.; Snelder, D. J. R. M.; van Wesenbeeck, C. F. A.; de Cock Buning, T. (2020). Dynamics of smallholder farmers’ livelihood adaptation decision-making in Central Ethiopia. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12114526.

Dorji, T.; Rinchen, K.; Morrison-Saunders, A.; Blake, D.; Banham, V.; Pelden, S. (2024). Understanding How Indigenous Knowledge Contributes to Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience: A Systematic Literature Review. Environmental Management, 74(6), 1101–1123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-024-02032-x.

Singirankabo, U. A.; Ertsen, M. W. (2020). Relations between land tenure security and agricultural productivity: Exploring the effect of land registration. Land, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/LAND9050138.

Atube, F.; Malinga, G. M.; Nyeko, M.; Okello, D. M.; Alarakol, S. P.; Okello-Uma, I. (2021). Determinants of smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies to the effects of climate change: Evidence from northern Uganda. Agriculture and Food Security, 10(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-020-00279-1.

Climate Smart Agriculture Insights: Paving the way for Uganda’s agricultural transformation. (accessed on 1 February 2026) Available online: https://www.agriculture.go.ug/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Climate-Smart-Agriculture-Insight-Vol-1-Issue-1-2025.pdf.

Ampaire, E.; Jassogne, L.; Happy, P.; Acosta, M.; Twyman, J.; Winowiecki, L.; Van Asten, P. (2017). Institutional challenges to climate change adaptation: A case study on policy action gaps in Uganda. Environmental Science & Policy, 75, 81–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2017.05.013.

Isingiro District Local Government Draft Five Year District Local Government Development Plan Iii 2020/2021-2024/2025. (accessed on 1 February 2026) Available online: https://www.scribd.com/document/917167104/Isingiro-District-Approved-5-Year-Plan-2020-2021-2024-25.

Mubiru, D. N.; Radeny, M.; Kyazze, F. B.; Zziwa, A.; Lwasa, J.; Kinyangi, J.; Mungai, C. (2018). Climate trends, risks and coping strategies in smallholder farming systems in Uganda. Climate Risk Management, 22, 4–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2018.08.004.

Vounba, C.; Precillia, I.; Tata, N.; Harbouze, R.; Yaboki, E.; Nenwala, V.; Ai, P. A. (2025). Differentiated Adaptation Dynamics to Climate Change in the Cameroonian Sahel: Local Perceptions and Agricultural Resilience in a Context of Multidimensional Vulnerability. Agricultural & Rural Studies, 3(3), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.59978/ar03030016.

Eshetie, G. G. (2025). Responsible land tenure governance in relation to land degradation neutrality: A research synthesis, October, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.70212.

UN. (2020). UN Common Guidance on Helping Build Resilient Societies. United Nations Sustainable Development Group. https://doi.org/10.37284/ajccrs.2.1.1236.

Amorim-Maia, T. A.; Olazabal, M. (2025). Beyond adjustment: A new paradigm for climate change adaptation in a complex world. Global Environmental Change, 93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2025.103027.

Shilomboleni, H.; Epstein, G.; Mansingh, A. (2024). Building resilience in Africa’s smallholder farming systems: contributions from agricultural development interventions—a scoping review. Ecology and Society, 29(3). https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-15373-290322.

Selje, T.; Schmid, L. A.; Heinz, B. (2024). Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change: Core Issues and Implications for Practical Implementations. Climate, 12(10), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12100155.

Read Full-Text
About this article

SUBMITTED: 26 January 2026
ACCEPTED: 02 March 2026
PUBLISHED: 7 March 2026
SUBMITTED to ACCEPTED: 35 days
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53623/sein.v3i1.1014

Cite this article
Nahabwe, J., Adyanga, F. A., & Ocan, J. (2026). Strengthening Climate Resilience for Smallholder farmers in Isingiro District, Uganda: A Documentary Review. Sustainable Environmental Insight, 3(1), 98–115. https://doi.org/10.53623/sein.v3i1.1014
Keywords
sustainability effectiveness smallholder constraints enabling environment policy
Citations
0
Share this article