An investigation into the efficacy of adaptation strategies to climate change impact on food security: the case of ward 28 of Chivi District

Abstract

This study investigated the adaptation strategies to climate change impacts on food security in Chegova and Madziva villages, Ward 28 Chivi district. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used to address the objectives which are to investigate the impacts of climate change on food security, analyze the adaptation strategies of the community and assess the challenges faced in addressing food insecurity. In this study 21 household heads, key informants interveews and randomly selected villagers were participants in this study. Findings revealed that climate change has a significant impact on food security through the drought hazard, pests and diseases and diminishing pastures. These climate change aspects were affecting the various means of livelihood which are mainly farming and livestock production prevalent in the community. Thus, small scale irrigation, inter-cropping, communal gardens, crop rotation, and complimentary agriculture and cross breeding are amongst the several adaptation strategies adopted by the residents of the 2 villages. This study concludes that the most adopted strategies are use of drought resistant crops, communal and market gardening and non-farm activities. Moreover, the research highlights the greatest challenge of food security faced in the attempt to ensure food security both on household and community level as predominately lack of access to economic assets and capacities. The main recommendation of the study is that government and/or non-governmental interventions must be strengthened and monitored in order to build the different dimensions of community capacity and also to make interventions technically sound so as to reduce the impact of climate change on food security.