SHARP is part of two projects in Uganda:

• Cross-cutting capacity building, knowledge services and coordination project for the Food Security IAP

The IAP is reinforcing the commitments of the participating countries to implement the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in an integrated manner that maximizes synergies and generates multiple global environmental benefits across conventions. The program will also ensure that food security benefits underpins the achievements of GEBs, by working in concert with the African Union’s Environment Action Plan (EAP) and Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP), and its pillars on (i) extending the area under SLM and reliable water control systems; (ii) improving rural infrastructure and trade-related capacities for market access; (iii) increasing food supply, reducing hunger, and improving responses to the food emergency crises; and (iv) improving agriculture research, technology dissemination and adoption.

The project will assist countries to bridge, on the policy level, the gap between agriculture and environment; that is, the purely negative view of agriculture and its effect on the environment and the increasingly recognised role of ecosystem-based solutions for sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and wider gender participation.

• Integrating climate resilience into agricultural and pastoral production in Uganda, through a Farmer/Agro-pastoralist Field School Approach

The Ugandan economy is largely based on its natural resources. Agriculture and fisheries employ over 70% of the work force, 80% of export earnings, and 40% of the manufacturing sector (through food processing). Animal husbandry is a considerable source of income, representing 7.5% of the GDP and 17% of the agricultural GDP. However, agricultural productivity is showing declining trends in part due to climate change and over use of agricultural lands. Uganda has the third highest population growth rate in the world which will exacerbate the pressures on agriculture. Within Uganda, the highest growth rates are in the most fragile environments, those expected to be most impacted by climate change (CC), e.g. the north eastern (Karamoja), eastern (Teso and Mount Elgon Ecosystems), south western, northern (Acholi/Lango) and north western (West Nile) regions.

Food security and nutrition in Uganda has already been, and will continue to be, seriously impacted by CC and extreme climatic events. The magnitude and frequency of these hazards have increased, with further increases expected. CC has significantly impacted the resilience of communities, leading to unsustainable productive and livelihood practices, which in turn has exacerbated environmental degradation, migration and resource-based conflicts. Uganda has been identified as one of the most unprepared and vulnerable countries in the world, with 38% of the population below the poverty line. Women are especially recognized as more vulnerable to climate change, with asymmetries between men and women in many livelihood aspects including knowledge sharing (both traditional and formal).

SHARP will be used as a baseline assessment and integrated into the FFS activities to help better understand resilience and assist in learning once the project is operational.