Successful CBA or LLA in my community
An example of a successful Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) within my community is the MWARES project, executed in the Manafwa watershed, located in eastern Uganda, by Africa 2000 Network Uganda (A2N) in collaboration with Wageningen University. This initiative specifically addressed the recurrent issues of landslides and soil erosion, which are exacerbated by intense rainfall on the steep slopes of Mt. Elgon. These environmental hazards have frequently resulted in the loss of lives, displacement of individuals, destruction of homes, and a decline in agricultural productivity within the Manafwa watershed.
Local people were actively engaged through participatory vulnerability assessments, wherein farmers identified the climatic challenges they faced, as well as the potential causes, impacts, and solutions. Community dialogues and farmer-led planning were also integral to the process. Elders, local leaders, women, and youth contributed indigenous knowledge regarding slope management, settlement patterns, and rainfall behavior. Community members selected priority adaptation actions and participated directly in their implementation. The project was executed in the four most vulnerable communities, with 30 farmers in each community receiving training in the first cohort. Upon completing their training, these farmers trained their peers, thereby ensuring comprehensive community coverage.
The project has improved slope stability and lessened erosion through the implementation of soil and water conservation practices. Households that have adopted these practices have reported increased crop yields and decreased susceptibility to landslides. Additionally, the initiative has bolstered community awareness regarding disaster risk reduction and early response measures. (See attached videos which I obtained from the NGO as their worker, then).
These practices remain critically important as the intensity of rainfall increases due to climate change. Although some practices had diminished because of population pressure and land scarcity, the project facilitated their revival and adaptation to contemporary conditions by integrating them with modern conservation techniques.
