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Smallholder Farmer Perceptions on Climate Change and Variability: A Predisposition for their Subsequent Adaptation Strategies

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Relation http://oar.icrisat.org/9297/
http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2157-7617.1000277
 
Title Smallholder Farmer Perceptions on Climate Change and Variability: A Predisposition for their Subsequent Adaptation Strategies
 
Creator Jiri, O
Mafongoya, P
Chivenge, P
 
Subject Climate change
 
Description Smallholder farmers are facing several climate-related challenges. Projected changes in climate are expected to
aggravate the existing challenges. This study was conducted in Chiredzi district, Masvingo, Zimbabwe. The study
objective was to examine farmer perceptions on climate variability, current adaptive strategies and establish factors
influencing smallholder farmers’ adaptation to climate change. A survey was conducted with 100 randomly selected
respondents from four wards. Additionally, data was collected through focus group discussions and key informant
interviews. The results showed that farmers perceived that there has been a decrease in annual rainfall and an increase
in average temperatures. A linear trend analysis of rainfall and temperature data from 1980 to 2011 corroborated the
farmers’ perceptions. Farmers’ adaptation options included adjusting planting dates and crop diversification. Off-farm
income has reduced the dependence of the farmers on agriculture. A multinomial regression analysis showed that socioeconomic
factors such as gender, age, number of cattle owned, land size and average crop yields influenced farmer
adaptation strategies. The study concludes that although farmers are diverse in their socio-economic attributes, they
exhibit homogeneous perceptions on changes in climate, which are consistent with observations of empirical climate
data. These perceptions help to shape smallholder farmer coping and adaptation strategies
 
Publisher Earth Science journal publishing
 
Date 2015
 
Type Article
PeerReviewed
 
Format application/pdf
 
Language en
 
Rights —
 
Identifier http://oar.icrisat.org/9297/1/JESCC_2015.pdf
Jiri, O and Mafongoya, P and Chivenge, P (2015) Smallholder Farmer Perceptions on Climate Change and Variability: A Predisposition for their Subsequent Adaptation Strategies. Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change, 6 (5). pp. 1-7. ISSN 2157-7617