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Vulnerability and Adaptation to Drought Hazards in Mopani District Municipality, South Africa: Towards Disaster Risk ReductionNembilwi, Ndamulelo 22 October 2019 (has links)
MENVSC / Department of Geography and Geo-Information Sciences / South Africa was badly affected by the recent 2015/16 severe drought. Water levels in dams
declined drastically resulting in decimation of livestock herds and widespread crop failure.
Mopani District Municipality is comprised of many agricultural activities that contribute to the
economy and social development of the country. The study evaluated the nature of the drought
hazard - its impacts, vulnerability and adaptation strategies employed by rural communities of
Mopani District. The study used a mixed method approach with both quantitative and
qualitative datasets. The district was divided into two distinct climatic areas, the eastern
lowveld which includes the Greater-Giyani, Ba-Phalaborwa and Maruleng Local Municipalities
and the western highveld which includes Greater- Tzaneen and Greater- Letaba Local
Municipalities. Questionnaires were administered among community members whilst key
informant interviews were conducted among relevant government and municipal officials.
Anomalies in long term climate data were analysed to determine the frequency and intensity
of drought in the district. Drought characterisation was done using a Standardised Precipitation
and Evapotranspiration Index whilst vegetation anomaly maps, maize yields and dam level
data were used to analyse the impacts of drought across the district. Levels of vulnerability to
drought were determined using the Household Vulnerability Index. Spatially distinct patterns
of drought conditions across the district were remarkable with wet conditions on the western
highveld along the escarpment and harsh dry conditions towards the eastern lowveld. It was
found that nearly half the time there is some form of drought or another in the district which
may be linked to the remote El Nino phenomenon. Community vulnerabilities have a direct
impact on human welfare and different strategies are employed to adapt to drought hazards
both at community and district levels. The study showed a link between drought hazard extent
and vulnerability. Community members are adapting using conservation agriculture, selling
fire-wood, accessing boreholes and rearing chickens, amongst other means to survive in these
harsh climatic conditions. Local government intervention strategies include supply of seeds
and fertilisers, selling fodder at a cheaper price and supplying water using trucks. The findings
of this study contribute to disaster risk reduction efforts in Mopani District Municipality / NRF
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Adaptation strategies for climate change-induced household food and nutrition insecurity in smallholder maize farming within Thulamela Local Municipality, South AfricaMahlawule, Khanyisa Dorris 18 September 2017 (has links)
MRDV / Institute for Rural Development / See the attached abstract below
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Assessing the impacts of climate change and adaptation strategies on smallholder farming in the Vhembe District, South AfricaKom, Zongho January 2020 (has links)
PhD (Geography) / Department of Geography and Geo- Information Sciences / One of the major challenges facing all categories of farmers globally is climate change. African smallholder farmers are the most vulnerable to changes in climate. In most parts of South Africa, empirical evidence indicates the level to which climate change has impacted negatively on agricultural production. Rising temperatures, prolonged drought and decreasing rainfall have affected local farmers’ livelihood and crop production. In the Vhembe District of South Africa’s Limpopo Province, smallholder farming predominates and its vulnerability to climate change has increased for the past decades. This study, therefore, assesses the impact of climate change and adaptation strategies on smallholder farming systems in the Vhembe District To achieve this aim, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were employed. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 224 smallholder farmers to elicit data on perceptions; climate change impacts, adaptation and IKS based strategies to deal with climatic shocks. Focus group discussions (FGDs), semi-structured interviews with the extension officers elicited thematic data that complemented the interview survey. Climate data were obtained from the South Africa Weather Service (SAWS) for the period 1980 to 2015. Smallholder farmers’ perceptions about climate change were validated by an analysis of climatic trends from 1980-2015. A thematic analysis of qualitative data and the Multi Nominal Logit (MNL) regression model was used based on socio-economic and biophysical attributes such as access to climate knowledge, gender, farm size, education level, and farmers’ experience, decreasing rainfall and increasing temperature as farmers’ determinants of their adaptation options to climate change. Furthermore, farmers’ perceptions tallied well with climatic trends that showed flood and drought cycles. Most of the smallholder farmers were aware of climate change and its impacts over the past decades. The study further indicated that, due to the marked climate change over this period, farmers have adopted different coping strategies at on-farm and off-farm levels. In terms of adaptation, the major adaptive strategies used by smallholder farmers included the use of drought-tolerant seeds; planting of short-seasoned crops; crop diversification; changing planting dates; irrigation and migrating to urban areas. The study recommends a framework that would include water conservation (rainfall harvesting); investment in irrigation schemes and other smart technologies that integrate indigenous knowledge systems and modern scientific knowledge to enhance crop production. / NRF
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