Government to lose Shs260 billion due to climate change- UN
Mr Alhaji Jallow
What you need to know:
- Dr Ambrose Agona, director general of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), said: “The drought we experienced this year caused many farmers to lose up to 100 per cent of some their other crops.”
- The increase in temperatures increases transpiration and water loss from soils, thereby destroying seedlings and crops.
LIRA. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned that Uganda could lose Shs260 billion to rising temperatures by 2050 due to climate changes.
While at the World Food Day celebrations at Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute in Lira District last Sunday, the UN agency noted that more than 90 per cent of all natural disasters facing humanity today are climate change related, further warning that climate change and its effects will continue to impact “negatively” on the environment, natural resources and development initiatives.
Poor affected
This according to the agency will impact on the poorest and hungriest who will continue to suffer the most explaining that majority of poverty-stricken families live in rural areas, earn their livelihood and feed their families from agriculture sector that bears the brunt of climate change.
According to FAO, there has been a 0.2 degree Celsius increase in temperatures every decade in Uganda since 1960 and may increase by up to 5.3 degree Celsius by 2080.
The increase in temperatures increases transpiration and water loss from soils, thereby destroying seedlings and crops.
“There are projections of rainfall decrease by 133mm to 188mm by 2080 and also a shift of seasons. The cumulative losses and damages could cost Uganda Shs260 billion between 2010 and 2050,” Mr Alhaji M Jallow, FAO’s country representative said.
Under these circumstances, the UN agency urged the government of Uganda to address food and agriculture in climate action plans and invest more in rural development.
Through strengthening the resilience of smallholder farmers, the organisation, said food security for planet’s increasingly hungry population and reduce emission could be guaranteed.
Briefing Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda during the celebrations Mr Jallow said FAO envisages a world in which food and agricultural systems and dependent livelihoods become resilient to impacts of climate change, through appropriate measures and positive options.
Dr Ambrose Agona, director general of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), said: “The drought we experienced this year caused many farmers to lose up to 100 per cent of some their other crops.”
