Small-scale maize farmers' perceptions and willingness to adopt conservation agricultural strategies in the face of climate change : a case study of Moletjie Community, Capricorn District, Limpopo Province

Abstract

The agriculture sector remains a fundamental pillar of South Africa’s economy, contributing significantly to national GDP, food security, employment, and rural development. Small-scale farming plays a critical role in sustaining local food production and supporting livelihoods. However, climate change poses an increasing threat to agricultural productivity, adversely impacting both yield stability and crop quality. Conservation Agricultural Strategies (CAS) provide a viable approach to enhancing resilience and sustainability in maize production, yet their adoption among small-scale farmers remains inconsistent due to various socio-economic and perceptual barriers. This study sought to address the gap in knowledge regarding CAS adoption by assessing small-scale maize farmers’ perceptions and willingness to integrate these strategies in response to climate change. The main aim of the study was to investigate small-scale maize farmers' perceptions and willingness to adopt conservation agricultural strategies (CAS) in the face of climate change. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to profile the socio-economic factors of small-scale maize farmers, assess small-scale maize farmers' perceptions of conservation agricultural strategies (CAS), and determine socio-economic factors influencing small-scale maize farmers' willingness to adopt conservation agricultural strategies (CAS) in the face of climate change. Despite numerous studies examining the broader impacts of climate change on agricultural production, limited research has documented farmers' willingness to adopt CAS and its potential benefits for maize production. Data collection employed a simple random sampling technique, targeting a total of 198 small-scale maize farmers in Moletjie Community. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 29.0.0.0) was employed to analyse the data collected through structured questionnaires to generate information on socio-economic profiles, perceptions of conservation agricultural strategies, and willingness to adopt. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed that 53% of respondents were male and 47% female, with an average age of 41 years. Perception analysis, based on a 5-point Likert scale, indicated that 78% of farmers recognised the benefits of CAS. The binary logistic model was employed to address the factors that influence the small-scale maize farmers’ willingness to adopt CAS in the face of climate change in Moletjie within the Polokwane Municipality. In this study, willingness to adopt is defined as the readiness or openness of small-scale maize farmers to embrace and implement new ideas, technologies, practices or innovation within their farms. The results indicated that 91% of the small-scale maize farmers are willing to adopt CAS in the face of climate change. However, a minority (9%) of the sampled small-scale maize farmers reported that they are not willing to adopt CAS. Furthermore, the logistic model revealed that factors such as, age, educational level, farming experience, extension services, credit accessibility, CAS awareness, household income, rainfall perception, climate change information are statistically significant in influencing the small-scale maize farmers’ willingness to adopt CAS. The findings underscore the need to enhance access to credit facilities for small-scale farmers and strengthen extension service outreach through targeted farmer education programmes, demonstration plots, and interactive training sessions on climate-smart techniques. Additionally, capacity building initiatives should incorporate peer led workshops and hands-on demonstration projects to emphasise the economic, environmental, and long-term sustainability benefits of CAS. To help address the challenges that small-scale farmers face, a comprehensive integrated agricultural support policy, combined with microfinance programmes, enhanced agricultural extension services, improved market infrastructure, and continuous capacity building, will ensure that financial resources, knowledge and market opportunities are equitably accessible to all farmers. By improving these strategies, small-scale farmers will be empowered to adopt and sustain CAS, leading to enhanced agricultural productivity, greater climate resilience, improved food security and long-term rural development.