Socio-economic factors influencing the choice of climate change adaptation strategies by small-scale maize farmers : a case study in Strydkraal Fetakgomo-Tubatse Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to the livelihoods and food security of small-scale maize farmers, particularly in climate-vulnerable rural areas of South Africa. This study analyses the socio-economic factors influencing the choice of climate change adaptation strategies among small-scale maize farmers in Strydkraal Village, Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality, Limpopo Province. Specifically, the study profiles farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and examines how these factors shape their adaptation choices. Data were collected from 149 small-scale maize farmers using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, while a multinomial logit model was employed to analyse the influence of selected socio-economic factors on farmers’ choice among climate change adaptation strategies. The analysis was conducted using SPSS version 29.0. The results indicate that farmers’ adaptation choices are significantly influenced by socio-economic factors such as education level, access to extension services, access to credit, farm size, and climate-related training. These factors increase the likelihood of adopting adaptation strategies within the farming sector, while limited resources and restricted access to information are associated with a higher probability of non-adaptation. The findings confirm that socio-economic conditions play a critical role in shaping small-scale maize farmers’ adaptation decision-making under climate change. The study concludes that policies aimed at improving access to education, extension services, financial support, and climate-related training are essential for enhancing farmers’ adaptive capacity and promoting resilient and sustainable maize production in Limpopo Province.