Small Scale Farmer's Attitude and Perceptions of Climate Change: An Exploratory Study
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Abstract
Climate change and variability are as much of a reality as the very air we breathe yet most people do not acknowledge it as so, in spite of the fact that it is rocking the very foundations of African society as subsistence agriculture is not only the main economic activity but it is the very essence of livelihoods. Slight disruptions in climate then become a major cause for concern, much pain, and suffering and even in some circumstances death due to hunger and starvation as farming is a climate sensitive activity. These slight changes in climate affect rural populations the most yet they are least able to take them in their stride, adapt, adjust and move on. Even though this is a major concern this side of the planet, there is a dearth of information on climate smart practices that have been undertaken in this region, that can be embraced by farmers, or any indication that farmers are actually aware of the changing climate and are mitigating to it. To address this gap, this study looked at the perceptions of small scale farmers of climate change, the factors influencing adaptation and the adaptation strategies they implemented. The study was exploratory in nature hence had a leaning toward qualitative paradigm, hence the data was collected using interviews, and was analysed for thematic content using the nVIVO statistical package for qualitative data analysis. The data was collected at Nswazi village in Matebeleland south, a semi-arid region that is prone to semi drought conditions and is no stranger to the scourging sun, one of the major findings of this study was noted when the respondents were quizzed on climate change and immediately launched into along anecdotes about the position of the ‘'gods'' in their culture, which is indicative of the fact that to the African, everything is viewed through religious lens, the climate notwithstanding.