IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v10y2020i9p410-d414479.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Factors Determining the Adoption of Strategies Used by Smallholder Farmers to Cope with Climate Variability in the Eastern Free State, South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Lindumusa Myeni

    (Agricultural Research Council-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, Private Bag X79, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Mokhele Edmond Moeletsi

    (Agricultural Research Council-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, Private Bag X79, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
    Risks and Vulnerability Assessment Centre, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa)

Abstract

This study was undertaken to understand the smallholder farmer’s perception of the effects of climate variability, their adaptation strategies to cope with climate variability and factors determining the adoption of their adaptation strategies in the eastern Free State Province of South Africa. Adaptation strategies were grouped into two categories, i.e., traditional adaptation strategies and scientific adaptation strategies. Traditional adaptation strategies consisted of practices that require minimal technical expertise and less external inputs such as changing from crops to livestock, crop diversification, increasing land under production, changing crop type and water harvesting. Scientific adaptation strategies consisted of practices that require additional external inputs, labour, and some level of technical expertise such as changing crop variety, improving soil fertility and soil conservation. Data were collected from 391 smallholder farmers using a structured household questionnaire and were verified through focus group discussion meetings with key informants. Data were analysed using the descriptive statistics, frequency analysis and a binary logistic model. Results indicated that the majority of smallholder farmers perceived that climate change had triggered food-related impacts in the study area and had adopted at least one adaptation strategy. This study showed that awareness and knowledge were the key factors that determined the adoption of traditional adaptation strategies in the study area. The adoption of scientific adaptation strategies was additionally determined by the availability of external financial investments. It is recommended that the promotion of traditional practices should focus on raising awareness of climate change and adaptation strategies while the promotion of scientific practices additionally requires the provision and accessibility of financial institutional support and incentives.

Suggested Citation

  • Lindumusa Myeni & Mokhele Edmond Moeletsi, 2020. "Factors Determining the Adoption of Strategies Used by Smallholder Farmers to Cope with Climate Variability in the Eastern Free State, South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-16, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:9:p:410-:d:414479
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/10/9/410/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/10/9/410/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mulwa, Chalmers & Marenya, Paswel & Rahut, Dil Bahadur & Kassie, Menale, 2015. "Response to Climate Risks among Smallholder Farmers in Malawi: A Multivariate Probit Assessment of the Role of Information, Household Demographics and Farm Characteristics," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 212511, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    2. Michael Aliber & Ruth Hall, 2012. "Support for smallholder farmers in South Africa: Challenges of scale and strategy," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(4), pages 548-562, October.
    3. Trinh, Thoai Quang & Rañola, Roberto F. & Camacho, Leni D. & Simelton, Elisabeth, 2018. "Determinants of farmers’ adaptation to climate change in agricultural production in the central region of Vietnam," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 224-231.
    4. Pienaar, Louw & Traub, Lulama, 2015. "Understanding the smallholder farmer in South Africa: Towards a sustainable livelihoods classification," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 212633, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    5. Maddison, David, 2007. "The perception of and adaptation to climate change in Africa," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4308, The World Bank.
    6. Clifford James Fagariba & Shaoxian Song & Serge Kevin Gildas Soule Baoro, 2018. "Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Constraints in Northern Ghana: Evidence of Farmers in Sissala West District," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-18, May.
    7. Mpandeli, S. & Nhamo, Luxon & Moeletsi, M. & Masupha, T. & Magidi, J. & Tshikolomo, K. & Liphadzi, S. & Naidoo, D. & Mabhaudhi, T., 2019. "Assessing climate change and adaptive capacity at local scale using observed and remotely sensed data," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-26:100240.
    8. Lindumusa Myeni & Mokhele Moeletsi & Mulalo Thavhana & Mulalo Randela & Lebohang Mokoena, 2019. "Barriers Affecting Sustainable Agricultural Productivity of Smallholder Farmers in the Eastern Free State of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-18, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Lelethu Mdoda & Ajuruchukwu Obi & Zoleka Ncoyini-Manciya & Mzuyanda Christian & Anele Mayekiso, 2022. "Assessment of Profit Efficiency for Spinach Production under Small-Scale Irrigated Agriculture in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Mbongeni Maziya & Busisiwe Nkonki-Mandleni & Nandipha Mbizana & Precious Tirivanhu, 2024. "The Perceived Impact of Climate Change on the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Ullah, Ayat & Zeb, Alam & Liu, Jinlong & Mahmood, Nasir & Kächele, Harald, 2021. "Transhumant pastoralist knowledge of infectious diseases and adoption of alternative land use strategies in the Hindu-Kush Himalayan (HKH) region of Pakistan," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    4. Batizi Serote & Salmina Mokgehle & Christian Du Plooy & Sylvester Mpandeli & Luxon Nhamo & Grany Senyolo, 2021. "Factors Influencing the Adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies for Sustainable Crop Productivity by Smallholder Farmers in Arid Areas of South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Agnieszka Kurdyś-Kujawska & Agnieszka Strzelecka & Danuta Zawadzka, 2021. "The Impact of Crop Diversification on the Economic Efficiency of Small Farms in Poland," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-21, March.
    6. Batizi Serote & Salmina Mokgehle & Grany Senyolo & Christian du Plooy & Samkelisiwe Hlophe-Ginindza & Sylvester Mpandeli & Luxon Nhamo & Hintsa Araya, 2023. "Exploring the Barriers to the Adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies for Sustainable Crop Productivity by Smallholder Farmers: Evidence from South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-19, January.
    7. Joshi, Ganesh Raj & Bhandari, Ramchandra, 2022. "Climate Adaptation in Rain-fed Agriculture: Analyzing the Determinants of Supplemental Irrigation Practices in Nepal," Research on World Agricultural Economy, Nan Yang Academy of Sciences Pte Ltd (NASS), vol. 3(4), December.
    8. Stanley Y. B. Huang & Kuei-Hsien Chen & Yue-Shi Lee, 2021. "How to Promote Medium-Sized Farms to Adopt Environmental Strategy to Achieve Sustainable Production during the COVID-19 Pandemic?," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-8, October.
    9. Perelli, Chiara & Cacchiarelli, Luca & Peveri, Valentina & Branca, Giacomo, 2024. "Gender equality and sustainable development: A cross-country study on women's contribution to the adoption of the climate-smart agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Thu-Huong Nguyen & Oz Sahin & Michael Howes, 2021. "Climate Change Adaptation Influences and Barriers Impacting the Asian Agricultural Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Lindumusa Myeni & Mokhele Edmond Moeletsi & Isaiah Nyagumbo & Salome Modiselle & Lebohang Mokoena & Ikalafeng Ben Kgakatsi, 2021. "Improving the Food and Nutritional Security of Smallholder Farmers in South Africa: Evidence from the InnovAfrica Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-11, September.
    3. Mfanufikile Mabuza & Jorine T. Ndoro, 2023. "Borich’s Needs Model Analysis of Smallholder Farmers’ Competence in Irrigation Water Management: Case Study of Nkomazi Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-17, March.
    4. Hazem S. Kassem & Abdel Raouf Suleiman Bello & Bader M. Alotaibi & Fahd O. Aldosri & Gary S. Straquadine, 2019. "Climate Change Adaptation in the Delta Nile Region of Egypt: Implications for Agricultural Extension," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-22, January.
    5. Lindumusa Myeni & Mokhele Moeletsi & Mulalo Thavhana & Mulalo Randela & Lebohang Mokoena, 2019. "Barriers Affecting Sustainable Agricultural Productivity of Smallholder Farmers in the Eastern Free State of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-18, May.
    6. Ha, Thi Thuy Nong & Gan, Christopher & Hu, Baiding, 2021. "Farmers’ perception of and adaptation to climate change: An Investigation in Northeast Vietnam," Journal of Economic Development, The Economic Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, vol. 46(4), pages 65-85, December.
    7. Jin, Shaoze & Zhang, Lijuan & Min, Shi, 2021. "Regional Climate Extremes and Farmer’s Perception: Impact on Acceptance of Environmentally-Friendly Rubber Plantations in Southwest China," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 314949, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    8. Tashiana Beharielal & Joyce Thamaga-Chitja & Stefan Schmidt, 2022. "Socioeconomic Characteristics Associated with Farming Practices, Food Safety and Security in the Production of Fresh Produce—A Case Study including Small-Scale Farmers in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-17, August.
    9. Philip Antwi-Agyei & Hanson Nyantakyi-Frimpong, 2021. "Evidence of Climate Change Coping and Adaptation Practices by Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-18, January.
    10. Obvious Mapiye & Godswill Makombe & Annelin Molotsi & Kennedy Dzama & Cletos Mapiye, 2021. "Towards a Revolutionized Agricultural Extension System for the Sustainability of Smallholder Livestock Production in Developing Countries: The Potential Role of ICTs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, May.
    11. Ashish Sharma & Subir Sen, 2022. "Droughts risk management strategies and determinants of preparedness: insights from Madhya Pradesh, India," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 114(2), pages 2243-2281, November.
    12. Tuan Nguyen‐Anh & Shawn Leu & Anh Nguyen‐Thi‐Phuong & Thanh Ngo‐Dang & Nguyen To‐The, 2023. "Adapting to the new normal: A sustainable livelihood framework for the informal sectors during COVID‐19," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(2), pages 1092-1112, May.
    13. Thennakoon, Jayanthi & Findlay, Christopher & Huang, Jikun & Wang, Jinxia, 2020. "Management adaptation to flood in Guangdong Province in China: Do property rights Matter?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    14. Seydou Zakari & Germaine Ibro & Bokar Moussa & Tahirou Abdoulaye, 2022. "Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change and Impacts on Household Income and Food Security: Evidence from Sahelian Region of Niger," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, March.
    15. Dang, Hoa Le & Pham, Thuyen Thi & Hong Pham, Nhung Thi & Pham, Nam Khanh, 2024. "Gender differences in adaptation strategies to salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: An intra-household analysis," EfD Discussion Paper 24-2, Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg.
    16. Pangapanga, Phiriinnocent & Thangalimodzi, Lucy Tembo, 2012. "Participation in pro poor agro based enterprises in Malawi: do households’ poverty levels change automatically?," MPRA Paper 39446, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Dang, Hoa Le & Pham, Thuyen Thi & Pham, Nhung Thi Hong & Nam, Pham Khanh, 2022. "Gender-Differentiated Determinants of Rice Farmers' Choice of Strategies to Adapt to Salinity Intrusion in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam," EfD Discussion Paper 22-9, Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg.
    18. Usman Alhassan & Emmanuel Umoru Haruna, 2024. "Rural farmers’ perceptions of and adaptations to climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa: Does climate-smart agriculture (CSA) matter in Nigeria and Ethiopia?," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 26(3), pages 613-652, July.
    19. Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo & Abiodun A. Ogundeji & Chijioke U. Emenike, 2022. "Does Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Improve Food Security? A Case of Rice Farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-16, October.
    20. Cook, Aaron M. & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob E. & Sesmero, Juan P., 2013. "How do African households adapt to climate change? Evidence from Malawi," 2013 Annual Meeting, August 4-6, 2013, Washington, D.C. 150507, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:9:p:410-:d:414479. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.