Climate Change and Agricultural Production in South Africa: Impacts and Adaptation options

Abstract

The primary aim of the paper was to identify the impacts and adaptation options of climate variability and change on agricultural production in Limpopo province. The following objectives were identified: to understand the impacts of climate variability and change on agricultural production in Limpopo province ; to assess the impacts of climate variability and change on agricultural production in Limpopo province and to identify adaptation measures that reduces the impacts of climate variability and change on agricultural production in Limpopo province. A representative sample of 300 farmers aged 16 -65+ years (46 percent males and 54 percent females) participated in the study. The study involved Sekhukhune and Capricorn districts, with 56 percent farmers in Capricorn and 44 percent in Sekhukhune district. The following 11 local municipalities were visited: Elias Motsoaledi, Makhuduthamaga, Fetakgomo, Ephraim Mogale, Tubatse, Lepelle Nkumpi, Blouberg, Aganang, Polokwane, and Molemole. Statistics was used to determine climate variability and change impact on agricultural production. Results indicate that farmers are aware that Limpopo province is getting warmer and drier with increased frequency of droughts, changes in the timing of rains, observed trends of temperature and precipitation. This paper also confirmed that being full time farmer, gender, information on climate change, information received through extension services and adaptation to climate change are some of the important determinants of agricultural production, food scarcity and unemployment. The paper also presented perceived adaptation strategies of selected Limpopo province farmers. Some of their perceived adaptation strategies included: (a) soil management strategies, (b) water management strategies and (c) others like use of subsidies and use of insurance. Other important adaptation options being used by farmers were also discussed in this paper including different adaptation measures against colds, heat, frost, abnormal wind, hail, lack of extension support, nematodes, insecticides, worms, temperature and rainfall. The results of this paper are potentially valuable to the agricultural sector considering the threates that climate change poses across climate sensitive sectors

Perceptions of Climate Change and the Potential for Adaptation in a Rural Community in Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…Further explanations of climate change are persistent rainfall hazards such as drought which resulted in loss of livestock, fallow fields and deteriorating water levels in the rivers and boreholes; soil erosion, dust and depletion of biodiversity. These perceptions are corroborated by observation and projections on climate alterations in the form of increased temperature and erratic rainfall patterns by scientists worldwide [4,27,28]. Remarkable changes in temperature patterns were reported between the years 1960 and 2009 where the mean annual temperature increased by at least 1.5 times the global average of 0.5˝C over the past five decades [11].…”

“…These climate alterations resulted in frequent windy weathers, increased heat and drought [11,27,30]. Observations of change in rainfall and temperature patterns in the study are supported by justifications of drastic increase in temperatures with perceived impacts on agricultural production [15], ecological variability [4] and road infrastructure in the local communities [28,31,32]. Table 1 presents the scientific and local names of subsistence crops produced in Mogalakwena community.…”

Climate Change Awareness in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

“…The situation observed in Mpumalanga province is not different from a research conducted in Limpopo province by Maponya & Mpandeli (2012) that women play a vital role in supporting households and communities, thus, they are more aware and adapt to climate change through experience gained in agricultural production and the fact that the majority of these women spend most of their time in the field ploughing, removing weeds, monitoring the crops, harvesting etc. Often, women are more vulnerable to climate change than men.…”

“…The risk aversion strategy is very important in area such as Mpumulanga. It has been reported in several studies that crop diversification is good in an area where the rainfall distribution is below normal as was indicated by Maponya and Mpandeli (2012). It looks like farmers in the Belfast area are not worried about the impact of climate variability and change unless if they are www.ccsenet.org/jas Journal of Agricultural Science Vol.…”

Science as a Subject of Learning in Islamic University

“…Trying to understand the overall effect of climate change can be difficult (Maponya and Mpandeli, 2012). Global climatic change has been influencing all aspects of agricultural activities.…”