Smallholder Farmers' Perceptions of Climate Change and Adaptation Options for Sustainable Agriculture: Evidence from Itombwe Massif, Eastern DR Congo

Abstract

Climate change affects agriculture and agriculture also affects climate change. Rural farmers, whose livelihoods depend on the use of natural resources, are likely to bear the brunt of adverse impacts. Higher temperatures, reduced rainfall and increased rainfall variability reduce crop yield and threaten food security in Itombwe massif low income and agriculture-based economies. In particular, climate change is expected to intensify existing problems and create new combinations of risks, particularly in Itombwe massif. The situation is made worst due to factor such as widespread poverty, over dependence on rain fed agriculture, inequitable land distribution, limited access to capital and technology, inadequate public infrastructure, such as agricultural service roads, long term weather forecasts and inadequate research and extension. By lessening the severity of key damages to the agricultural sector, adaptation is the key defensive measure. This paper reviews agricultural adaptation strategies employed by farmers in various villages in Itombwe massif in cushioning the effects of climate change. This study explored smallholder farmers' knowledge on perceptions, vulnerability, adaptations and coping strategies, coupled with scientific analysis of the prevailing climatic regimes in the study areas and established enhanced adaptations of the agricultural systems. Lack of modern early warning systems, inflexible cropping calendar and narrow choice of crop varieties should aggravate the climate vulnerability. Hence, improving forecasting and dissemination of climate information, developing drought resistant varieties and promoting farm-level adaptation measures like use adjusting planting dates should be prioritized to improve community resilience to climate change. This study examined farmers' perceptions of long-term climate change, adaptation measures undertaken, and the determinants of adaptation decisions based on household surveys conducted in Itombwe massif. The information accrued from the study is expected to be used by smallholder farmers to strengthen understanding about farmers' decision-making process to enable policymakers and other stakeholders, including scientific communities and policy makers to support adaptation to climate change at the farm-level and address issues related to climate variability and change in similar agro-climatic conditions.