Uganda Coat of Arms

Ministry of
Water and Environment

Republic of Uganda
DRESS-EA

Strengthening Drought Resilience for Small Holder Farmers and Pastoralists in the IGAD Region

Project Overview

The project is funded by the Adaptation Fund through the Sahara and Sahel Observatory. The overall objective of the project is to increase the resilience of smallholder farmers and pastoralists to climate change risks mainly those related to drought, through the establishment of appropriate early warning systems and implementation of drought adaptation actions in the IGAD region. The project targets to consolidate synergies and adopt innovative and resilient drought management actions from selected IGAD region countries including Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. More specifically, this project is intended to strengthen the drought resilience of smallholder farmers and pastoralists by:

  1. Developing and promoting regional investments in early drought warning systems (EWS) and improving the existing ones.

  2. Strengthening and improving the capacity of key stakeholders in drought risk management at regional, national and local levels.

  3. Facilitating smallholder farmers and pastoralists inputs to undertake innovative adaptation actions that reinforce their resilience to drought.

  4. Enhancing knowledge management and information sharing on drought resilience at the considered levels.

Project implementation arrangements

The project is implemented in collaboration with mandated institutions, such as the Department of Meteorology (MWE), the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and Nabuin Zonal Agriculture Research and Development Institute (ZARDI).

DRESSEA Project Area:

Moroto (All sub counties), Napak (Ngolereit, Matany, Lopeei, Lotome, and Lokopo), and Nabilatuk (Lorengedwat)

Estimated Project Cost: USH 9,236,379,840

Project Duration, 4 years, launched in 2021 at national level, now in extension period.

Project Coordinator:

Name: Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, Commissioner, Water Resources Planning and Regulation

Mobile Phone:  0772521413

Email: Callist.tindimugaya@mwe.go.ug

Achievements

  • 2 weather stations have been installed in Moroto (Rupa) and Napak (Matany).

  • 1 Early Warning Information Center has been renovated and equipped at the Department of Meteorology.

  • Non-Smart Phones and solar radios have been distributed to 115 farmer groups to improve their access to early warning information.

  • Drought Management Plan and Emergency Response Plan has been prepared for Lokere Catchment.

  • 115 farmer groups have been trained in drought adaptation measures and provided with seeds and seedlings of drought tolerant crop varieties.

  • 4 water harvesting structures have been constructed in Moroto (Lotisan and Tapac), Napak (Lopeei and Lokopo).

  • Soil and water conservation measures have been implemented in Moroto, Napak, and Nabilatuk to improve crop productivity.

  • 3 water boreholes have been protected following the guidelines for the protection of groundwater sources.

Impact:

Early waring information sharing and feedback collection meetings

Innovative soil on farm soil and water conservation techniques in Vegetable growing in Katikekile Sub County

Perma-gardens in Moroto (Nakonyen and Lotisan)

Distribution of seeds in Lokopo Sub County