The Effects of the Food Crisis on the Livelihoods of Northern Uganda Residents.

Abstract

OPIO MICHAEL AMBROSE (2006-M033-10009)

The Effects of the Food Crisis on the Livelihoods of Northern Uganda Residents

The specific objectives of this research were; a) to assess the main causes of the food crisis, b) to examine the effects of the food crisis on the livelihoods of northern Uganda residents, and c) to document how northern Uganda residents were copying with the effects of the food crisis. This research covered ten northern Uganda districts. The sample population was one hundred twenty respondents; of these, twenty were key informants, seventy responded to questionnaires and thirty were questionnaire non-responses. The researcher used documentary alongside questionnaire and key informant interviews; and was thus able to validate data gathered from various sources by cross referencing conflicting information from one source with another. The main causes of the food crisis included harvest failures as a result of climate change, increased bio fuel demand, and growing world population. While the major effects of the food crisis included hunger, starvation, and in worst cases death, riots, school drop outs, and poverty. Northern Uganda residents should capitalise on their comparative advantage and produce excess food for sale in the national and regional markets. The government should increase investments and promote innovative research in the agriculture sector and support northern Uganda residents to build sustainable livelihoods. Key words: Livelihood, Food, Crisis