Climate change and variability is one of the most serious global problems affecting many sectors of the world. The main objective of this study was to determine how local smallholder farmers perceive climate change and variability and the influence of indigenous knowledge systems in decision-making and adoption of coping and adaptation strategies.
- Rationale of the study
- Conceptual framework
- Importance of the study
- Hypothesis
- Objectives
- General methodology and study approach
- Organization of the Thesis
The introduction of climate-smart crops will increase the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change and variability. Research into local vulnerabilities and the development of adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change and variability.
Introduction
Ifejika (2010) indicated that there are several ways to adapt to climate change at the practice level. The inability to adapt to climate change could lead to negative impacts on key food crops at farm level and in the region (Lobell et al., 2008).
Sources of seasonal climate forecast information
Environmental observables tend to guide farmers' actions, including soil moisture and expected weather conditions (Goddard et al., 2010; Moeletsi et al., 2013). Failure to plan for a good season, but only for a poor one, causes farmers to miss out on profits in a good year (Goddard et al., 2010).
Problems of scientific forecasts
Locally specific information tends to be more uncertain and making this information more accurate requires sufficient observational data to be meaningful (Goddard et al., 2010; Gong et al., 2003). There is also a lack of specific information on the timing of rainfall and the onset or duration of the season, including the late distribution of the information (Hansen et al., 2011; Kolawole et al., 2014).
Indigenous knowledge systems seasonal forecasts
Early fruiting (November to early December) indicates low rainfall and late fruiting (February/March) indicates a good season and no fruiting at all indicates a severe drought (Kolawole et al., 2014). Signs that there will be rains within a few weeks include the flowering of trees, especially coffee trees in Uganda (Orlove et al., 2010).
Potential for integration of indigenous knowledge with climate science
38 A tripartite agreement between users, scientists (interdisciplinary) and policy makers is important to create partnerships that maximize the use of available climate information through the near-universal use of local climate indicators and the construction of culturally relevant analogies for decisions under uncertainty. in the climate. communication process (Kolawole et al., 2014; . Ogallo 2010; Phillips and Orlove, 2004; Sivakumar, 2006; Suarez and Patt, 2004). This can be done through outreach workshops, public lectures and through mass media (Kolawole et al., 2014).
Challenges facing IKS and potential integration with scientific knowledge
This explains the suggestion that indigenous knowledge needs to be documented in the context of weather and climate prediction (Goddard et al., 2010; Ouma, 2009) in order to maintain its relevance in the face of accelerated modernization. In recent decades, scientific knowledge has increasingly taken precedence over local knowledge and practice in agricultural systems research and development (Walker et al., 1999).
Social capital and indigenous knowledge adaptation systems
41 Further research is needed especially in providing empirical evidence to support the current claims of traditionalists and farmers about changes in seasonality and the role of spiritual ceremonies in reducing vulnerability (Mapfumo et al., 2015). Another area that needs further research and in which scientists can collaborate with farmers is the connection of the physical climate system to the environmental indicators that farmers have highlighted in a number of documented studies (Goddard et al., 2010), of integrated with the use of local knowledge and spiritual ceremonies.
Adaptation strategies
This is an area where climate scientists (biophysical and social) can collaborate with traditional farmers to achieve the integration of science and social capital. This will be an interesting area of research that needs further explanation as to how forecasts are used by smallholder farmers and to what extent this is actually the case.
Conclusions
Building Indigenous Knowledge to Strengthen the Capacity of Smallholder Farmer Communities to Adapt to Climate Change and Variability in Southern Africa. Integrating climate change and variability information into planning and policy development for Africa.
Introduction
Already severely and disproportionately affected by climate change and vulnerable to future variability, sub-Saharan Africa has the least capacity to respond (Boko et al. 2007). Indeed, the low resources and poor technology that characterize rural populations result in limited opportunities to adapt to climate change (Mendelsohn et al. 2000). One of the most important applications of IKS includes using various forms of traditional indicators to predict weather and climate and also to respond to climate risk (Joshua et al. 2011).
Materials and Methods
In the same context, farmers are more willing to use seasonal climate forecasts when these forecasts are presented in combination with and compared to local indigenous climate forecasts (Gana, 2003; Patt & Gwata, 2002). The aim of this study is to investigate the use of indigenous knowledge systems by communal farmers to predict seasonal quality and subsequent adaptation to climate variability and change. The average annual rainfall ranges from 300 mm in the southern parts of the district to 400 mm in the northeastern parts.
Results
- Socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents
- Indigenous people observations of climate change and variability
- Limitation to agricultural production
- Season quality prediction by the indigenous people
- Coping and adaptation to climate change using IKS
The results show that 86.6% of the respondents believed that there had been some changes in the climate in the past 20 years (Figures 3.3 and 3.4). Although farmers were familiar with meteorological weather forecasts, they did not associate them with climate change and variability. More than 50% of farmers indicated that the lack of pasture and low rainfall affect animal husbandry (Figure 3.5).
Discussion
The magnitude of these impacts in local communities will be affected by their vulnerability to climate change (UNDP, 2010; However, increased climate variability has weakened farmers' confidence in the local forecasts of rainfall patterns based on tree phenology and tree phenology. The predictions of an increase in average temperatures and a decreases in rainfall in southern Africa (Thornton et al. 2011) project an increase in the frequency of occurrence of crop failure.
Conclusion
Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Leautier F (2004) Enhancing Indigenous Capacity: Community Knowledge Development in Indigenous Knowledge and Local Pathways to Development, Knowledge and Learning Group, African Region. Nyong A, Adesina F, Elasha OB (2007) The value of indigenous knowledge in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in the African Sahel.
Introduction
However, the effects of climate change and variability vary across regions, farming systems, households and individuals. However, these smallholder farming communities have coped with and adapted to the effects of climate change and variability over the years (Li, Tang, Luo, Di, & Zhang, 2013). 75 Over the years, smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe and other parts of southern Africa have developed strategies to adapt to climate change and variability.
Materials and methods
However, smallholder farmers' decisions to implement any meaningful agricultural adaptation strategy are largely influenced by their perceptions of the weather, among other factors (Patt and Gwata, 2002; Patt et al. 2005). The objective of this study was to infer smallholder farmers' perceptions of climate change and variability, and its impact on subsequent adaptation strategies in Chiredzi District, Zimbabwe. Four of the 24 wards in Chiredzi Rural District, two on either side of the Runde River, were selected for this study.
Results
- Household and demographic information
- Farmer perceptions on long-term climatic changes
- Farmer perceptions on crop yields
- Farmer perceptions on other climate change indices
- Smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change and variability
- Factors influencing farmers’ adaptation options
About 62% of farmers observe an increase in the abundance of crop pests, while about 2% and 6% observe a change in seasonality of some crop pests and the emergence of new crop pest species, respectively. About 46% of farmers observe an increased prevalence of crop diseases, while 5% observe a change in seasonality of crop diseases and the emergence of new crop diseases. About 43% of farmers noted an increase in the prevalence and severity of livestock diseases, while 3% observed new types of livestock diseases.
Discussion
In many rural African farming societies, married male farmers do not usually discuss farming decisions with their wives (Obayelu et al. 2014). This is consistent with most studies indicating a significant positive relationship between farmer age and the level of adoption of conservation measures on farms (Bayard et al. 2007; Apata, 2011). However, the size of the dry land area owned has a significant positive effect on the adoption of a combination of agronomic and livestock farming practices.
Conclusions
Factors influencing the perception and choice of climate change adaptation measures among farmers in Nigeria. Smallholder farmers' perceptions of climate change versus meteorological data in semi-arid areas of Iringa District, Tanzania. Farmers' perceptions of climate change and variability in semi-arid Zimbabwe in relation to climatological evidence.
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Results
- Defining local vulnerabilities
- Assessment of exposure to climate change
- Assessment of sensitivity
- Sensitivity of main crops to rainfall
- Assessment of adaptive capacity
- Weighting of vulnerability
- Discussion
- Exposure of rainfed farming to climate variability
- Sensitivity of rainfed farming to climate variability
- Farmers’ adaptation to climate variability
- Conclusion
Farmers (in focus group discussions) and key informants indicated that vulnerability to climate change is widespread. Increased food insecurity and poverty have been identified as key indicators of vulnerability to climate change and variability. Vulnerability of the South African agricultural sector to climate change and variability: an indicator approach.
Introduction
Nhemachena and Hassan, (2010) underlined that adaptation measures are important to help communities develop adaptability and resilience against climate change (Klein et al., 2014; Smit & Wandel, 2006). Adaptation moderates vulnerability to climate change and helps farmers guard against losses due to increasing temperatures and. This study evaluated adaptation options as a way to increase resilience to climate change and variability, thus increasing adaptive capacity.
Methodology
The study used a binomial logit model to analyze the socio-economic factors that influence households' decisions to adapt or not to adapt to climate change. This method has been used by several authors to study the decision of households to adapt to climate change (Apata et al., 2009; Mandleni and Anim, 2011; Seo and Mendelsohn, 2006). A farmer who is employed full-time mainly strives to be productive in his agricultural activity and is therefore more likely to adapt (better resilience).
Results
- Adaptation determinants for resilience
- Development of resilience, farmer adaptation strategies
- The likelihood of farmers adapting, developing resilience and adaptive capacity
- Development of resilience
Young farmers were more likely to adapt to climate change and variability than older farmers. The chances of a farmer adapting to climate change are expected to increase by a factor of 13 if a farmer gets access to credit. Influence of Household Access to Extension Services on Adaptation and Resilience This positively influenced a household's decision to adapt to climate change.
Discussion
- Household characteristics
- Adaptation strategies
- Determinants of adaptation choices
Drought-tolerant varieties of common bean, groundnut, Bambara nut and pigeon pea are also grown in areas with highly variable rainfall in Africa (Verchot et al., 2007). Thornton et al (2007) and Deressa et al (2008) found that livestock endowment has a positive effect on farmers' choice to adapt to climate change or not. Soil nutrient depletion has become one of the major obstacles to food security in sub-Saharan Africa due to low crop productivity, which causes a decline in per capita food production (Sanchez et al., 2004; Stocking, 2003).
Conclusion
The value of indigenous knowledge in climate change and adaptation strategies in the African Sahel - Springer. Understanding Farmers' Perceptions and Adaptations to Climate Change and Variability: The Case of the Limpopo Basin, South Africa. The value of indigenous knowledge in climate change and adaptation strategies in the African Sahel.
- Introduction
- Materials and methods
- Results
- Season rainfall characteristics
- Cereal and legume growth and yield
- Tepary bean yield
- Discussion
- Cereal crop yields
- Legume growth and yield
- Complementarity of cereal and legume grain for human nutrition
- Growth, yield and importance of tepary bean, a climate smart crop option
- Conclusion
This is attributed to tepary bean being one of the most drought resistant legume species worldwide according to Weil (2015). Extremely drought-tolerant legumes such as tepary bean can be grown in small farmers' drought-prone agricultural areas. Descriptions and articles on Tepary Bean (Phaseolus acutifolius as classified by the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)) - Encyclopedia of Life.
Conclusions
These perceptions have influenced the adoption of agronomic practices, livestock practices or socio-cultural practices to cope with and adapt to climate change and variability. While climate change and variability is an environmental problem, the extent of its impacts is strongly determined by underlying socio-economic variables. Consequently, to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience to climate change and variability, climate smart crops can be adopted by poor farmers with small resources to achieve triple wins in food nutrition and health security.
Recommendations
Future research
Indigenous Knowledge Systems Questionnaire
You get the seasonal forecast on time and during the season you get updates. Revai pamunoona pachipindiana kana mati hongu). 24. Considering forecasts generated by the MSD, do you think you want to continue using your own ways of predicting seasons or want to switch to climate science. Do you get the seasonal forecast on time and do you get updates during the season?).
Farmers perceptions and adaptation questionnaire
2. What adjustments have you made in your farming to these long-term temperature changes. 4. What adjustments have you made in your agriculture to these long-term changes in rainfall. 11. What adjustments have you made to your farming in response to these long-term changes in pest abundance and seasonality.
Vulnerability and resilience questionnaire
