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

Abstract

Perceptions of climate change by rural communities are centered on observations of variations in temperature and rainfall patterns supported by observations and projections on climate alterations in the form of increased temperatures and scarce rainfall by scientists worldwide. The present study documented perceptions of climate variation and the community's ability to adapt to climate change hazards threatening the production of subsistence crops. Data were collected through interactions with 100 participants. In the study, climate change is explained as variations in temperature and rainfall patterns which resulted in excessive heat, erratic rainfall patterns and drought negatively impacting on subsistence crop production. Community members have the potential to limit the impacts of climate hazards on subsistence crop production. The negative impacts of climate hazards are limited by community members' indigenous knowledge of rainfall prediction, the seasons, crop diversification and mixed cropping. Mulching and the application of kraal manure improve the soil structure and fertility to reduce crop failure. These adaptation measures are resilient to the negative impact of climate hazards and may be helpful in the development of adaptation policies to assist rural communities vulnerable to climate change hazards.

Indigenous Knowledge and Farmer Perceptions of Climate and Ecological Changes in the Bamenda Highlands of Cameroon: Insights from the Bui Plateau

“…[18] argued that local knowledge lacks support from development practitioners and even households themselves may have little confidence in their own knowledge that might provide a solution to their environmental problems, even though it has done so for over generations. This makes local knowledge gradually disappear in most African countries without any tangible efforts to recognize or manage it [60].…”

Climate change and variability perceptions in Ga-Dikgale community in Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…However, it was reported that these practices have gradually disappeared as people have lost faith in such rituals; they understand rain scarcity as a problem caused by the changes in climatic change. Rankoana (2016) attests to the fact that climate change is explained in terms of cessation of cultural activities and important livelihood patterns. These include consumption of traditional fruits and vegetables, brewing of traditional beer, production of traditional crops and livestock, celebration of the first-fruit rituals, communal labour and hunting and fishing.…”

Effect of Planting Density and Harvest Interval on the Leaf Yield and Quality of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) under Diverse Agroecological Conditions of Northern South Africa

“…However, the prospect of climate change poses a serious threat to food security and feed supply, whereby some farmers will lose their livestock owing to a shortage of fodder. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns due to drought, excessive heat with temperatures which can rise beyond 30 ∘ C on three or four consecutive days, and unpredictable rainfall and strong wind are the major threats to the production of food by smallholder farmers in South Africa [1]. More resilient food crops therefore need to be investigated to cope with changing weather conditions.…”