Abstract
The aim of the paper was to identify the adaptation strategies used by Limpopo province farmers against climate variability and change. 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. Focus group discussions, questionnaire and observations were used to identify climate variability and change adaptation strategies in Limpopo province.The paper presented adaptation strategies of selected Limpopo province farmers. Some of their adaptation strategies included: (a) Use of DACOM system for monitoring, (b) Use of Indigenous Knowledge practices (c) Use of wind directions and clouds to determine rainfall expectation , (d) Use of nets to monitor temperature level etc. Other important adaptation strategies 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 adaptation strategies identified in this paper are potentially valuable to the agricultural sector considering the threats that climate change poses across climate sensitive sectors.
Highlights
According to IPCC (2007) Africa will be hit hardest by climate change as larger areas could be stricken by yield decreases of over 50 percent by the year 2020 as results of increasingly hotter and drier climate
We present various adaptation strategies being used by some Limpopo province farmers in response to changing climatic conditions based on the survey
The adaptation strategies are grouped into Colds, Heat, Frost, Abnormal Wind and Hail; Extension Support; Drought; Rainfall; Temperature and Nematodes, Insecticides and Worms
Summary
According to IPCC (2007) Africa will be hit hardest by climate change as larger areas could be stricken by yield decreases of over 50 percent by the year 2020 as results of increasingly hotter and drier climate. This will threaten food security and people livelihoods in most parts of Africa. At district level (Capricorn and Sekhukhune) there is evidence that people are developing adaptation strategies to changing patterns of water availability and the ever-prevalent stress of limited finance, for instance some small scale farmers in Sekhukhune district have set up traditional food seed banks to help maintain food security and at the same time help curb climate change (GSDM, 2011). There is an inability among farmers to understand potential impacts and to take appropriate action www.ccsenet.org/jas
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