Integrating local indigenous knowledge to enhance risk reduction and adaptation strategies to drought and climate variability: The plight of smallholder farmers in Chirumhanzu district, Zimbabwe.

Mashoko S Grey,Current Masunungure,Amanda Manyani

doi:10.4102/jamba.v12i1.924

Abstract

This article focuses on drought risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies adopted by rural households to sustain their livelihood activities. The overall objective was to understand the local household’s responses to the changing climate especially drought. The study was carried out in Chirumhanzu district in Zimbabwe and used a mixed methods approach combining 217 household surveys, targeted focus group discussions, participatory learning actions methods, key informant interviews and a document review. Household data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and thematic content analysis was used for the qualitative data. We found that the majority of households showed awareness of several risk reduction and adaptation strategies to implement during and/or when drought was predicted, with 56% of the respondents stating stocking of grain as initial strategy. Other strategies adopted at household level included early planting (at first rains), conservation farming, planting small grains and dry planting. Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems and practices, including local people’s holistic view of the community and environment, were a major resource for adapting to climate change and drought risks. However, these indigenous knowledge systems and practices had not been consistently used in the existing adaptation and risk-reduction efforts. Indigenous knowledge was not sufficiently acknowledged and integrated into formal risk reduction and adaptation strategies, which resulted in limited success for external interventions. There is need for integration of local and indigenous knowledge systems and external interventions to build household livelihoods that are resilient to climate risks.

Highlights

Two of the main challenges facing communities and governments in the Global South are the risk reductions related to hydro-meteorological hazards and adaptation to climate change
Different drought risk-reduction and adaptation practices for subsistence crop production and small-scale livestock rearing were used at the household level when drought was predicted and/or during drought events
Some households adopted practices based on local knowledge whilst others adopted practices advocated through development partners’ interventions and agricultural extension services

Summary

Introduction

Two of the main challenges facing communities and governments in the Global South are the risk reductions related to hydro-meteorological hazards (disaster risk reduction, DRR) and adaptation to climate change (climate change adaptation [CCA]; England et al 2016; Peek 2016:8). Given this scenario, the disaster risk community encourages the use of tools, methods and policies that enhance the reduction of vulnerability to climate variability and change (Birkman & Teichman 2010:1–15; Gaillard & Mercer 2012:93–114; Schipper et al 2015). In an empirical study in Zimbabwe, Nyamwanza (2014:23–33) shows that policy frameworks need to be formulated and, most importantly, interpreted and implemented within an understanding and acceptance of local realities, if rural households are to build adaptive capacity or recover from drought disasters In this regard, the recovery process requires adequate time and depends on the extent of adverse impacts of the previous disaster, referred to as unsafe conditions in the PAR model, and accessibility to available local resources and assets. In such cases as evidenced from this study, household recovery becomes difficult if not impossible, as the households face challenges to reduce risk and adapt to climate risks, that is, drought and climate variability

Methodology

Methods

Findings

Seed Banking

Conclusion

Data availability statement