Mayanja, Maureen, Morton, John ORCID: 0000-0002-8013-5794, Bugeza, James and Rubaire, Akiiki (2022) Livelihood profiles and adaptive capacity to manage food insecurity in pastoral communities in the central cattle corridor of Uganda. Scientific African, 16:e01163. ISSN 2468-2276 (doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01163)

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Abstract

Adaptive capacity is the capabilities, resources and institutions of a country or region to implement effective adaptation measures. This article aims to highlight pastoral communities’ differential adaptive capacity to buffer household food insecurity. We use mixed methods including case households and key informants to provide qualitative data on determinants of adaptive capacity. Subsequently cluster analysis is applied to combine survey data from respondent households on the basis of the livelihood capitals. Three distinct, heterogeneous livelihood profiles are identified. The Minimally-endowed face uncertain access to livelihood capitals; Large-herd Landlords are endowed with physical and financial capital – ownership of land and large numbers of livestock; while the Land-rich are endowed with natural capital – access to large sizes of land. This denotes different types of adaptive capacity and underscores the need for agricultural extension, technology transfer and other interventions to be differentiated based on the variance in adaptive capacity and challenges of the existing heterogeneous livelihood clusters. We argue that if such differences are not first identified, development strategies including those of agricultural extension could fail in their attempts to ensure sustainable household food security. Rather than being a homogenous community, pastoralists in the central cattle corridor of Uganda
belong to three heterogeneous livelihood profile clusters. Each cluster is differentially endowed with livelihood capitals which denote different types of adaptive capacity. As an empirical study done at household level, this work contributes insights that can be considered in designing and undertaking studies of other rural communities, prior to planning and execution of interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	adaptive capacity; pastoralists; food insecurity; livelihood clusters; agricultural extension
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) S Agriculture > SF Animal culture
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Development Studies Research Group Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Livelihoods & Institutions Department
Last Modified:	11 Apr 2022 08:30
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/35787

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