South African National Climate Change Response Policy Sensitization: An Assessment of Smallholder Farmers in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province

Abstract

The South African National Climate Change Response Policy (NCCRP) was instituted in October 2011. Amongst the policy’s priorities is building capacity and resilience in the country’s agricultural sector, with the public agricultural extension system being a principal component for climate change sensitization, education, and capacity building. This study, therefore, investigated the level of the policy awareness amongst smallholder farmers in the study area and the sensitization and response implementation. A multistage sampling procedure was used in the selection of the study population, with a cross-sectional household survey conducted using semi-structured questionnaires. Findings revealed that there was an extremely low awareness of the policy, and a dearth of sensitization campaigns and capacity-building training by extension officers in the study area. The practical and policy implications outlined could aid an increase in the resilience of farmers, with support from extension advisers and other relevant stakeholders.

Assessing South Africa's institutional adaptive capacity to maize production in the context of climate change: Integration of a socioeconomic development dimension

“…Respondents, document analysis, and literature did not show major changes in current institutional patterns, so the double‐loop criterion was scored low (−1). Popoola et al (2020) also affirmed that the role of the extension services in disseminating up‐to‐date climate change information to farmers is mostly overlooked. These conditions informed the overall score for this dimension as low (+1).…”

“…This dimension was scored low (−1), because some of the interviewed respondents reported that more frequent reporting as well as data collection and dissemination are required to facilitate effective adaptive responses. Factors such as the annual reporting systems and some level of an early warning guide from the South African Weather Services strengthened the scoring in this criterion (National Response White Paper on Climate Change [NRCCWP]; Popoola et al, 2020). The system for delivering these early warnings is still a work in progress, as some of the warnings are delivered late or disseminated through media that are not necessarily available to all maize farmers (i.e., emails).…”

Home gardens in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: A promising approach to enhance household food security and well-being

“…Research by Hamann and Tuinder (2012) showed that at least 87% of the inhabitants in the Eastern Cape province are traditional Xhosaspeaking people who are highly dependent on natural resources for their livelihood needs. The vegetation of Mbhashe Local Municipality is described as a grasslandwoodland-forest mosaic characterized by a clear distinction between the grassland, woodland and forests because of the effects of clearing for cultivation and recurring fires (Popoola et al 2020). Jari and Fraser (2012) and Manyevere et al (2014) described the climate of the study site 3 in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality as mild characterized by annual rainfall ranging from 500 mm to 1000 mm with low to medium areas characterized by low to average annual rainfall while mountainous areas receiving the highest annual rainfall.…”

Assessing and Prioritizing the Climate Change Policy Objectives for Sustainable Development in Pakistan

“…Moreover, SDG 14 (life below water) and 15 (life on land) also assert the importance of nature for survival. Similarly, the Paris agreement (2015) [4] aims to strengthen the global response to the threats posed by climate change. It also aims to strengthen the capability and ability of national economies to deal with climate change through a new technology framework, enhanced capacity building framework, and appropriate financial flows.…”

“…The objectives set in the global climate agreement and the 2030 agenda for SGDs could be achieved through a comprehensive climate change policy (CCP) and its strict implementation [4]. However, the promulgation and design of a CCP, and its effective and productive implementation, is a huge challenge especially for developing countries like Pakistan characterized by low growth trajectories, high levels of poverty, and a vulnerability to climate change.…”