Evaluation of climate variability impacts on vegetable production of smallholder farmers in Ga-Mphahlele, Lepelle Nkumpi Local Municipality, Limpopo Province of South Africa

Abstract

Climate variability poses significant challenges to agricultural production, particularly among smallholder farmers in susceptible areas. This study evaluates the impacts of climate variability on vegetable production in Ga-Mphahlele, Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Using qualitative approach, the research investigates the impacts of climate variability on vegetable production. The findings highlight the need for context specific interventions to enhance resilience and support smallholder farmers in addressing climate related risks. The study's insights can inform policy and practice aimed at promoting climate resilient agriculture and improving food security in similar environments. The objectives of the study includes: to describe the socio-economic characteristics of smallholder vegetable farmers; to identify climate variability impacts that affect vegetable production of smallholder farmers and; to investigate strategies to adapt climate variability impacts on vegetable production of smallholder farmers. Using a random sampling technique, 110 smallholder vegetable farmers were selected. The collected data used qualitative research approach through face to face interviews, with 110 farmer’s participation in the study via random sampling. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to address the study objectives. The data collected regarding the gender of the smallholder vegetable farmers within the research domain showed that females are more dominant than males in the sample. The results showed that smallholder vegetable farmers in the sample who had lower levels of education had a reduced likelihood of adapting to climate variability, most likely because they had less access to information about it. The significance of the study constitute a basis for further improvement in the vegetable production of smallholder vegetable farmers in Ga-Mphahlele, Lepelle- Nkumpi local municipality. It focuses towards the theoretical contribution of the study as well practical contribution to the identified problem. The study recommends government assigning extension officers to advise farmers on climatic variability, encouraging young people to engage in agriculture, investing in technology, creating research institutes, and providing educational lessons. Key words: Climate variability, Smallholder farmers, Vegetable production