Climate Change Vulnerability and the Use of Indigenous Technologies for Adaptation among Smallholder Farming Communities in sub Saharan Africa

Abstract

It has been established that climate variability and change has tremendous impacts on agricultural production and productivity especially in developing societies. Unfortunately, the extent of this change and the adaptation capacity in African agriculture has not been well determined to guide adaptation, policy and development efforts. This study aimed to obtain empirical evidence on whether and how smallholder farming communities are experiencing climate change variability and impacts and the indigenous technologies they have adopted to cushion the effects. The study was conducted in three sub Saharan African countries namely: Nigeria, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone. Primary data were collected through participant observations, questionnaire instruments, and focus group discussions while secondary data were obtained through in-depth literature reviews. Analysis of data was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Major findings revealed that the farming communities in the case study countries were indeed experiencing climate change variability and impacts. The most common indigenous technologies that have been continually applied by these farming communities include; multiple cropping to diversify production; early or late planting; mulching to retain soil moisture, texture and fertility; terrace building to prevent soil erosion; use of fertilizers; and prayers for God’s intervention among others. Although most indigenous technologies have been considered effective in coping with climate variability in the past, it remains unclear on how effective they will be in the light of further warming. However, it was recommended that the most effective and sustainable indigenous technologies used by the farming communities could be incubated with a view to upscale and out scale them in other areas so as to enhance adaptation to climate change and variability.