Climate hazard adaptation in Uganda’s tropical highlands: an actor-network theory perspective on gendered smallholder strategies and the role of non-state actors
Climate hazards continue to worsen smallholders’ livelihoods, demanding synergy and multi-level climate adaptation strategies. While non-state actors (NSAs) increasingly support local adaptation, limited understanding exists of how gender shapes farmers’ perceptions and engagement with these actors,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Food & Agriculture |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2025.2519806 |
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| author | Yeeko Kisira Martin Nabaasa Flavia Nnyanzi Irene Josephine Nayiga |
| author_facet | Yeeko Kisira Martin Nabaasa Flavia Nnyanzi Irene Josephine Nayiga |
| author_sort | Yeeko Kisira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Climate hazards continue to worsen smallholders’ livelihoods, demanding synergy and multi-level climate adaptation strategies. While non-state actors (NSAs) increasingly support local adaptation, limited understanding exists of how gender shapes farmers’ perceptions and engagement with these actors, especially in Uganda’s highland farming communities. By applying the actor-network theory, we explored the gendered adaptation among smallholder farmers. We used a cross-sectional survey of 147 household interviews, two focus group discussions, and seven key informant interviews to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and one-sample t-tests; qualitative data via content analysis. Men and women engage differently in adaptation: men focus more on tree planting and livestock, while women lead in crop production and marketing. Women also prefer resilient, indigenous crop varieties that are easier to manage and pest-resistant. Compared to men, women rely more on savings groups and informal networks to build social and financial capital. NSAs strengthen local adaptation through advisory services, soft loans, grants, agricultural diversification, and conservation practices. Actor-Network Theory offers a valuable lens for understanding gendered climate adaptation by highlighting the synergies between actors within structured networks. Aligning interventions with gender-specific strengths is essential for fostering inclusive, climate-resilient livelihoods and advancing global climate goals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7e5f5f6eb53d4c8fa4ef7a13e5727885 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2331-1932 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Food & Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj-art-7e5f5f6eb53d4c8fa4ef7a13e57278852025-08-20T02:35:54ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Food & Agriculture2331-19322025-12-0111110.1080/23311932.2025.2519806Climate hazard adaptation in Uganda’s tropical highlands: an actor-network theory perspective on gendered smallholder strategies and the role of non-state actorsYeeko Kisira0Martin Nabaasa1Flavia Nnyanzi2Irene Josephine Nayiga3Department of Geography, Gulu University, Laroo, UgandaDepartment of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climate Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, UgandaFaculty of Science and Technology, Victoria University, Kampala, UgandaFaculty of Science and Technology, Victoria University, Kampala, UgandaClimate hazards continue to worsen smallholders’ livelihoods, demanding synergy and multi-level climate adaptation strategies. While non-state actors (NSAs) increasingly support local adaptation, limited understanding exists of how gender shapes farmers’ perceptions and engagement with these actors, especially in Uganda’s highland farming communities. By applying the actor-network theory, we explored the gendered adaptation among smallholder farmers. We used a cross-sectional survey of 147 household interviews, two focus group discussions, and seven key informant interviews to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and one-sample t-tests; qualitative data via content analysis. Men and women engage differently in adaptation: men focus more on tree planting and livestock, while women lead in crop production and marketing. Women also prefer resilient, indigenous crop varieties that are easier to manage and pest-resistant. Compared to men, women rely more on savings groups and informal networks to build social and financial capital. NSAs strengthen local adaptation through advisory services, soft loans, grants, agricultural diversification, and conservation practices. Actor-Network Theory offers a valuable lens for understanding gendered climate adaptation by highlighting the synergies between actors within structured networks. Aligning interventions with gender-specific strengths is essential for fostering inclusive, climate-resilient livelihoods and advancing global climate goals.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2025.2519806climate hazardsgendered adaptationActor-network theorysmallholder farmersKigezi highlandsUganda |
| spellingShingle | Yeeko Kisira Martin Nabaasa Flavia Nnyanzi Irene Josephine Nayiga Climate hazard adaptation in Uganda’s tropical highlands: an actor-network theory perspective on gendered smallholder strategies and the role of non-state actors Cogent Food & Agriculture climate hazards gendered adaptation Actor-network theory smallholder farmers Kigezi highlands Uganda |
| title | Climate hazard adaptation in Uganda’s tropical highlands: an actor-network theory perspective on gendered smallholder strategies and the role of non-state actors |
| title_full | Climate hazard adaptation in Uganda’s tropical highlands: an actor-network theory perspective on gendered smallholder strategies and the role of non-state actors |
| title_fullStr | Climate hazard adaptation in Uganda’s tropical highlands: an actor-network theory perspective on gendered smallholder strategies and the role of non-state actors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Climate hazard adaptation in Uganda’s tropical highlands: an actor-network theory perspective on gendered smallholder strategies and the role of non-state actors |
| title_short | Climate hazard adaptation in Uganda’s tropical highlands: an actor-network theory perspective on gendered smallholder strategies and the role of non-state actors |
| title_sort | climate hazard adaptation in uganda s tropical highlands an actor network theory perspective on gendered smallholder strategies and the role of non state actors |
| topic | climate hazards gendered adaptation Actor-network theory smallholder farmers Kigezi highlands Uganda |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2025.2519806 |
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