Effects of subsistence farmers' knowledge and perceptions on climate change adaptation using assets: ǂb a case study of Ward 24, Polokwane Local Municipality

Abstract

Climate change is one of the biggest threats confronting humanity in the 21st century. There has been an increase in global average temperatures by about 0.85°C between 1880 and 2012. In South Africa, mean annual temperatures have increased by at least 1.5 times the observed global average over the last 50 years. Climate change is thus already a measurable reality in the country where it is negatively impacting on water resources, biodiversity, ecosystems, health and food security. Subsistence farmers especially, are envisaged to be facing challenges from climate change due to their limited knowledge, assets and financial resources. Little, however, is known about the adaptation process involving subsistence farmers. This study thus sought to assess the effects of subsistence farmers’ knowledge and perceptions on climate change adaptation and the role played by assets in enhancing farmers’ adaptive capacity. To collect data, the study used quantitative and qualitative research approaches which consisted of a questionnaire survey as well as in-depth interviews. Data was collected from 148 households in Ward 24 of Polokwane Local Municipality. Survey results indicate that 58% of the farmers were engaged in crop farming only, 3% in livestock farming only and 39% in mixed farming. Generally, subsistence farmers had knowledge of climate change. Their knowledge and perceptions were in line with current scientific observations on climatic and environmental changes in the country. Even though some farmers were adapting to climate change, the majority were hindered from adaptation by lack of financial resources. Assets played a significant role in climate change adaptation as households possessing different assets were using these assets to enhance their adaptive capacity and reduce their vulnerability. The study concludes that farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate in the ward was primarily influenced by the knowledge and perceptions that the farmers had on climate change. Additionally, possession of household assets played a central role in the adaptation process. The more assets that a household possessed, the more adaptive and resilient to climate change that the household was likely to be. Given this conclusion, the study recommends deploying agricultural extension officers in the study area to provide more information on climate change regarding causes, effects and the range of adaptation strategies available. Improved farming approaches should be instituted to enhance farming output, which will enable farmers to buy assets that are central to the adaptation process. Poverty alleviation programmes should also be introduced to reduce poverty and enhance the subsistence farmers’ capacity to adapt and secure their livelihoods.