Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for Small Holder Farmers: A Case of Nyanga District in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Climate change encompassing mostly hydro-meteorological hazards is a reality affecting the world in diverse ways. It is manifesting in various ways such as increases in frequency and intensity of floods, droughts, and extreme temperatures. In recent years, climate change has induced droughts, other extreme weather events and meteorological disasters in many countries including Zimbabwe. Effective management of climate change induced challenges require localized strategies which may vary from one part of the world to another and even within a country. In view of the need to understand localized impacts and responses to climate change, the main objectives of the study were to (i) assess the impact of climate change on livelihoods and food security, (ii) identify and evaluate adaptation and mitigation strategies that small holder farmers in Ward 17, Nyanga, Zimbabwe have developed. The research used both qualitative and quantitative approaches with data collection methods comprising of questionnaires (56), observations and interviews (8). The tools were used to gather information which included encounters with extreme weather events, climatic trends as well as adaptive responses. The findings showed that climate change had a significant negative impact on the livelihoods and food security status of small holder farmers in ward 17 of Nyanga district. The identified climate change adaptation strategies implemented in the study area included food aid, use of traditional grains and other drought resistant crops, early planting, multiple planting, barter trade and livelihood diversification. The mitigation strategies used included afforestation and reforestation programs, avoiding veld fires and preservation of wetlands. The research identified challenges to climate change adaptation which include lack of markets to sell farming produce, inefficient institutions, poverty and high climate variability and increased uncertainty in the behavior of seasons. The findings of this study indicated the need for similar assessment in other parts of the country as impacts of climate change and responses thereof should vary from place to place.

Ethno-Scientific Strategies to Cope with Climate Change Adopted by Dakamela Small Holder Communal Farmers in Nkayi District, Zimbabwe

“…use crop diversification, early planting, livelihood diversification, cultivation of drought-tolerant crops and dry planting as climate change coping strategies. Similar findings were reported by Mushore et al (2021) in a study that was conducted at Nyanga district in Zimbabwe. The study revealed that smallholder farmers in Nyanga district cultivate drought-tolerant crops and practice early planting and crop diversification.…”

“…Furthermore, corroborating the outcomes of this study, Mashizha (2019) observed that farmers in Zimbabwe's Zvimba district cultivated drought-resistant crops like pearl millet, sorghum, and rapoko to mitigate the impacts of climate change. In support of early and dry planting as climate change adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers, Mushore et al (2021) posited that farmers in Nyanga district, Zimbabwe, practiced early and dry planting of crops like pearl millet and sorghum to mitigate the uncertainties associated with rainfall patterns. These findings collectively underscore the importance of livelihood diversification and adaptive agricultural practices in the face of climate change.…”

The psychosocial impact of climate change among smallholder farmers: a potential threat to sustainable development

“…Changes in climate that have more bearing on individual smallholder farming manifest as higher than normal temperatures, altered patterns of precipitation and intensity, and increased frequency of extreme events such as droughts and floods (Field and Barros, 2014). This trend has been observed in Zimbabwe (Mushore et al, 2021;Nciizah et al, 2021). Rainfall seasons have become unpredictable, erratic, and volatile and varying with long dry spells compounding to shorter and drier growing seasons (Chikodzi and Mutowo, 2012).…”

Effectiveness of Drought Indices in the Assessment of Different Types of Droughts, Managing and Mitigating Their Effects

“…Drought mitigation and preparedness refer to the actions usually undertaken by both governments and societies in advance aiming to reduce potential vulnerabilities in society, economy, and environment (see Figure 2). At the same time, response and recovery are actions taken in reaction to drought events aiming to help people face the effects of drought and restore the pre-drought living conditions of the drought-stricken region [55,128,129].…”