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Drought Bulletin

KOTIDO DISTRICT DROUGHT BULLETIN REPORT MARCH 2012

Table of Contents Page

District Map 1

Drought Bulletin summary 2

Vegetation Condition/ Rainfall/ Temperature 3

Humidity / Weather forecast 4

Livestock Body Condition / Migration / mortality / abortion 5

Livestock Diseases / animals in the market/ grazing areas 6

Crops planted/ Crop Condition / Crop Yield 7

Household water / water sources / time spent / safe water 8

Malnutrition / type of food / migration of people 9

Price of Firewood , Charcoal and Labor/ Terms of Trade 10

Freedom of Movement / Coping Mechanisms 11

Seasonal Calendars 12

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The month was characterized by windy conditions that were spread across the various areas of the district; wild fires were also imminent in the various locations; however, cloudy conditions were observed in the 1st week of the month that gave way to below normal rains, 3mm of rain were received in the first dekad of the month. The vegetation started to change with fresh leaves developing on the trees that shaded off their leaves earlier, an indication that the wet season is about to start. The weather prediction also predicts that rains are currently getting established, and that the month of April is most likely to receive normal rainfall amount. These conditions have sparked off small scale agricultural activities in most of the sub-counties, farmers started opening up their land and dry sowing of sorghum has also been observed. Migrations to wet belts were also noted mainly in search of fertile land for cultivation. Labor demands were low explaining the decrease in the price of labor from 1233UGX-1021UGX. On the other hand, the price of Charcoal remained high at 5000UGX because its scarcity on the market, Bull prices increased from 925,000UGX to 1,000,000UGX as result of increased demand of livestock from external markets whereas Sorghum prices dropped from 80,000UGX-70,000UGX because of supplies from external markets. This overall situation contributed to an improvement in the bull and charcoal terms of trade across the district. However, the coping mechanisms reflected in this month indicate that household's food stocks are getting exhausted and that this improvement in the purchasing power of communities may not last till the next harvest. The livestock condition was generally normal during the month; however, there was a slight deterioration in the body condition of livestock because of the long distances moved to access pastures and water. Endemic diseases, mainly Tick borne diseases (Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis) were observed. Brucellosis and Rabies have also remained rampant during the month. It is also important to note that some suspected cases of PPR have been identified. Household water accessibility has continued to be a challenge amongst communities during the dry spell. This was further amplified by the breakdown of most of the boreholes, the only reliable safe water source serving 98% of the population. The 2% of the population relying on Natural ponds has also continued to face reduction in the water levels of these sources. Nevertheless, the month experienced an increase in the volume of water collected per day from 83L-96L. This increase is attributed to the break-down of many boreholes in most of the sub-counties and the drying up of alternative water source, hence enough water for cooking, brewing, washing and for the animals has to be stocked. This is also reflected by a high time spent to fetch water (1.8h from boreholes) due to congestion and long waiting time.

RECOMMENDATIONS Water sector

Water users are urged to; Have a functional

water committee for maintaining water sources.

Follow water chain system to avoid water contamination.

Veterinary sector Due to the prevalence of the Brucellosis in the district, communities are still encouraged to: Consume properly cooked

Milk and Meat. Avoid consumption of dead

animals Slaughter and skinning of

animals by individuals with broken wound is still discouraged.

Agriculture sector Farmers urged to start preparing for the onset of the wet season by: Clearing bushes, removing stumps and

any unwanted plants in the gardens. Repairing and buying farm tools ready

to start cultivation, Set ready their seeds/planting material.

Starting negotiations with land owners for those that hire land for cultivation so as to avoid embarrassment during planting.

This drought bulletin report is representative of the sub-counties of Rengen, Nakapelimoru, Kotido and

Kacheri.

DROUGHT BULLETIN SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2012

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Vegetation Condition

Observation %HH

Desert dates (Ekoteete) becoming yellow 0

Neem Tree becoming yellow 28

Desert dates (Ekoteete) shading leaves 58

Neem Tree shading leaves 32

Mosses and mushrooms are appearing 0

Rainfall (mm)

Temperature °C

Temperature information could not be ascertained due to technical problem with the automatic weather link at the District.

The month experienced below normal rains with 3mm of rain in the first dekad of the month. Cloudy covers were also visible during the month, another sign that the rainy season is about to start.

During the month, the vegetation condition has changed. Some Neem and desert date trees continued shading off their leaves. But it was also observed that in other areas, other Neem and desert date trees started developing fresh leaves and this is a sign that the wet season is imminent.

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Humidity

Weather forecast

The information on humidity could not also be ascertained due to technical problem with the automatic weather link at the District.

.

According to the seasonal weather forecast issued by ICPAC, there is high chance that the next season (March to May 2012) shows near normal rainfall amount. It is also added that in Karamoja region the seasonal rains are currently getting established, and that the month of April is most likely to receive normal rainfall amount.

Source: Department of Meteorology

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Livestock Body Condition

Livestock Migration

Calves mortality / abortion (%)

Although the actual number of animals that moved during the month was not ascertained, several herds moved in search for pastures and water. Livestock moved from various locations of the district to areas of Alerek in Abim district and areas bordering Amuria district.

The body condition of livestock was generally fair during the month although the percentage reduced as compared to last month. 51% of the animals were in good shape, 30% in fair state and 19% poor. This slight deterioration has been attributed to the distances moved to get the grazing areas as shown in the time to reach grazing areas.

The month recorded no abortion amongst livestock and a sharp increase in the rates of calves’ mortality. This data are not displayed in a graph because according to the District Veterinary Office, the information collected from the kraal respondents do not reflect the reality on the ground and shouldn’t be considered this month.

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Livestock Disease Incidence

Disease Type of animals affected

Location No. of animals affected

Brucellosis Cattle and Shoats All sub-counties Not ascertained

Anaplasmosis Cattle All sub-counties Not ascertained

Babesiosis Cattle All sub-counties Not ascertained

Worm infections Cattle and Shoats All sub-counties Not ascertained

PPR Shoats Losilang and Regen Not ascertained

Rabies Dogs All sub-counties Not ascertained

Type and number of animals in the market

Type of animal Number Type of animal Number

Bulls 17 Bull calves 9

Cows 8 Heifer 10

Accessibility to grazing areas (Time in Hrs)

The Tick borne and Worm infections that were spread across all sub-counties of the district still remained rampant as reported last month. Brucellosis has also remained rampant throughout the district as per reports from the various health units. Suspected cases of PPR have prominent in Losilang and Rengen parishes.

The month recorded an increase in the livestock sales compared to last month. This increase in livestock in the market is attributed to the high market price for Bulls and hence communities are attracted to sell to benefit from the good price.

The month registered a generally long time to access grazing land due to scarcity of pasture and water at the end of this dry season. This shows that animals had to move long distances to access the scarce pastures and water and explain the deterioration of the livestock body condition. Nevertheless it is important to note that the situation is better than last year at the same time when the average time spent to reach the grazing area was 7.1h as compared to 6h this year.

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Type of crops planted

Crop Condition

Crop Yield

The crop yield was not ascertained during the month. Agricultural activities like opening and fencing of land, seed preparation as well as dry sowing (clay sowing) of sorghum continued. This has been observed in all sub-counties in Kotido though total land acreage opened has not been established. Farmers are also advised to consider planting both local and short maturity varieties.

No crops were planted during the month.

This information could not be ascertained since no crops so far have been planted during the month.

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Quantity of water fetched daily per household (Litres)

Average amount of water fetched daily per household February 2012

March 2012

83 96

Type of water sources and time spent to fetch water (hrs)

Boreholes were the only recommended safe water collection points during the month.

Safe water points

There has been a continuous decrease in the diversity of water sources. Boreholes still remained the most accessed water source serving 98% of the population as compared to 96% of last month. The rest of 2% were using natural ponds. It was noted that households spent between 1 and 1.8 hours to fetch water both Natural pond and boreholes respectively. This long time is generally attributed to the congestion at the water sources that are serving both livestock and people. It’s recommended that community should have functional water user committees to maintain water sources.

There has been an increase in the volume of water fetched per day per household from 83L-96L. This increase has been attributed to the fact that many boreholes have broken down in most of the sub-counties and alternative water source have dried up, hence households had to stock enough water for cooking, brewing, washing and for the animals.

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Type of Food Eaten

Incidence of Malnutrition

Out migration of people

Total number of households who migrated February 2012

March 2012

0 26

The incidence of Malnutrition was not ascertained during the month under review.

The month recorded a variety of food stuffs consumed in the households. Sorghum was still the most consumed at 17%, followed by wild fruits, leaves and game at 16%, Beans at 15%, maize flour at 13%, groundnuts at 11% and then meat at 10% among others. This good variety of the diet is attributed to the fact that communities still have some food stuffs from the previous harvest.

Cases of out migration took place during the month. This was in places of Kacheri, Lopuyu, and Rengeni to Kaabong district, from Panyagara to Nyakwae in Abim. The cases of out migration were attributed to the fact that communities are searching for fertile areas to prepare for cultivation since the rainy season is imminent.

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Terms of Trade (ratio)

Price of Firewood and Charcoal (UGX)

Price of Labor (UGX)

Charcoal prices remained high at 5000UGX per basin whereas those of firewood increased from 1000UGX to 2000UGX. The charcoal prices remained constant due to the fact that communities still have food hence less engaged in charcoal making. Firewood prices on the other hand increased due to high demand for brewing alcohol while others were stocking as they expect rain soon that may affects the supply on the market.

The month registered a stable decrease in price of labor from 1233-1021UGX, this is attributed to low demand for labor during the month. This price is expected to increase as soon as the land preparation intensifies.

The month registered an increase in the terms of trade with respect to Bull and Charcoal to sorghum ratios from 11-14 and 0.06-0.07 respectively. This increase is attributed to the decrease in the prices of sorghum from 80,000UGX-70,000UGX. However, the labor to sorghum ratio dropped from 0.02-0.01 because of the decrease in the prices of labor. The latter ratio is expected to increase over the next 3 months, provided the price of sorghum do not increase sharply.

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Freedom of Movement

Coping Mechanisms

Generally, security has been calm during the month. 98% of the interviewed people were free to move during the day while 2% not free to move due to fear of thieves. Whereas 83% not free to move in the night due to fear of thieves and inter-clan conflict between Dodoth and GIE, 17% agreed that they are free to move during the night

Coping mechanisms that were adopted by communities during the month includes; splitting

of herds, destocking, consumption of weak animals amongst the pastoral communities,

sending households for food elsewhere, hunting, relying on gifts, reducing the number of

meals and portions of food eaten per day. Borrowing of food was also observed amongst

households that have run out of food staff. Slaughtering of old animals, Looping of trees and

begging for food was noted as the most coping mechanism adopted by communities during

the month.

Compare to last month, the number of households implementing coping strategies and the

varieties of strategies used have increased which shows that the available resources are being

depleted. This is a normal situation at this time of the year and should remain as such until the

beginning if the harvesting season.

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Seasonal Calendar