The Socio economic impacts of climate variability on smallholder farmers: a case study of Mwenezi district

Abstract

The study set out to analyze the socio-economic impacts of climate variability on smallholder farmers in Mwenezi district in Masvingo province, Zimbabwe. The three objectives that guided this study are as follows, to examine the social impacts of climate variability on farmers in Mwenezi District in Zimbabwe, to assess the economic impacts of climate variability on smallholder farmers in Mwenezi District, Zimbabwe, and to identify strategies employed by smallholder farmers in Mwenezi to adapt to climate variability. A qualitative research approach method which targeted eighty three (83) respondents was adopted to gather relevant data for the study. Focus group discussions, household and key informant interviews were used to gather primary data; while reports and review of other literature from previous authors was considered in secondary data collection. It was established in the study that, smallholder farmers face a significant number of shocks which are both climate and non-climate related. These include drought, animal diseases, floods, and market shocks such as increase in input prices and scarcity of agricultural inputs. The severity of these shocks varies by gender and class mainly due to different resource endowments in each household. Drought was used as the key climate risk under the research into the impact of climate variability on agricultural production, as this was reported by many households. All households suffered decline in crop yield, reduction in meal consumption frequency, household income, death of livestock, inadequate water sources and general food insecurity. With regards to climate risk management, smallholder farmers coped by reverting to seeking off-farm employment, selling livestock and participation in food for work offered by the department of social welfare and NGOs. In some instances the smallholder farmers received food from NGOs and Government under the Mundende project. The study revealed production of small grains such as millet and sorghum, Conservation Agriculture (pfumvudza), crop diversification, soil and water conservation as key adaptation options. AGRITEX and NGOs were noted to be the key actors in climate risk management. The constraints to adaptation is centered on lack of information, inputs, labour as well as the absence of reliable water sources. The study recommended that the ministry responsible for agriculture must ensure great support towards water supply for farming and provide adequate education through trainings and knowledge sharing on new technologies to enhance adaptation to the climate change and variability. Key terms: Socio-economic impacts, Climate variability, Mwenezi, Smallholder farmers