Adapting to climate change: Reflections of peasant farmers in Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe

Abstract

Climate change is projected to have negative impacts on agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa and this is likely to continue for decades, unless adaptation measures are implemented. The changing climate is a global challenge to sustainable livelihoods and economic development. Peasant farmers in Zimbabwe depend entirely on rain-fed agriculture, a situation that makes agriculture and rural livelihoods vulnerable to climate change. This paper discusses the findings of the study carried out in the Zvimba District amongst peasant farmers on their knowledge of climate change impacts and adaptation strategies. Semi-structured interviews, observations and document analysis were used as methodologies for data collection for the study. Purposeful sampling technique was applied to 40 peasant farmers. Qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussion were analysed using context analysis. Households acknowledged that rainfall amount has decreased over the last 30 years. Such changes have reduced agricultural productivity, and in response, communities have developed multiple adaptation strategies such as harnessing social capital, crop and livelihood diversification, engaging in small businesses and water harvesting for livestock keeping. The study concludes that there is a need to recognise the validity of indigenous knowledge and an inventory should be created for future use. The paper notes that diversification of adaptive strategies is vital for sustainable livelihood in a changing climate. Keywords climate change; adaptation; Zimbabwe; livelihood diversification.

Factors Determining the Adoption of Strategies Used by Smallholder Farmers to Cope with Climate Variability in the Eastern Free State, South Africa

“…The results suggest that knowledge and awareness were the main prerequisites for smallholder farmers to be able to adopt adaptation strategies in the study area. The findings of this study are in agreement with previous studies that showed that knowledge and awareness were the main variables determining the adoption of adaptation strategies by smallholder farmers in Africa [6,29,60,61]. Focus group discussions revealed the low awareness of the feasible adaptation strategies in the study area, although some smallholder farmers were already practising these strategies without knowing their effectiveness in building a climate-resilience farming community.…”

Building adaptive capacity: Reducing the climate vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe

“…Adapting to climate change requires a range of investment, policies, and planning (Mashizha, forthcoming). In each case, access of information remains a pillar of all activities.…”

“…People in rural areas of Zimbabwe depend heavily on agriculture as their primary source of food and livelihood (Fanelli & Dumba, ). According to the report, which took into account climate science from the IPCC and elsewhere, Africa is currently facing the greatest threats from climate change, both to its people and to local environments (Mashizha, forthcoming). The poverty levels in rural communities are high, and most of the extreme poor are located in rural areas.…”

“…The heavy reliance on rain‐fed agriculture renders many sub‐Saharan countries vulnerable to negative consequences of climate change and variability, such as increased occurrence of extreme events such as droughts. As illustrated by Mashizha (forthcoming), Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world, particularly because of widespread poverty and its limited coping capacity. Zimbabwe is particularly vulnerable due to its heavy dependence on rain‐fed agriculture and climate‐sensitive resources (Chagutah, ; Mashizha, Monga, & Dzvimbo, ).…”

Risk Detection of Curly Red Chili (Capsicum annum L) Production with House of Risk

“…Supari et al, explained that changes in weather patterns during the warm ENSO period, prolonged drought, and the delay in the rainy season resulted in higher and more vulnerable agricultural risks (Supari et al, 2017). Climate change and pest attacks have a negative impact on the agricultural sector (Mashiza, 2019), especially horticulture such as red chili and shallots (Zuhriyah, 2012). The unsustainable supply of red chili from production centers to the market fluctuates quite high and influences inflation (Andayani, 2016).…”