An analysis of smallholder farmer’s perceptions on climate change and changes in weather patterns compared to meteorological data in uMziwabantu, Ugu District, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

In most cases smallholder farmers’ perceptions to climate change and weather variability are less researched on and yet smallholder farming forms the backbone of rural community livelihood and food security. Climate change is hampering smallholder farmers’ progress in food sustenance as they rely on rain-fed agriculture. Objective of this study was to assess smallholder farmers’ perceptions to climate change and weather variability in relation to meteorological data from South African Weather Services (SAWS), for the period 2005-2019 in uMziwabantu Local Municipality, Ugu District, KwaZulu Natal. Structured questionnaires were administered randomly to 150 smallholder farmers, as well as key informant interviews and focus group discussions in uMziwabantu and the results were compared to daily weather information collected from SAWS. The results showed that most household heads in uMziwabantu were female headed who were between the ages of 50-69 years. Between the years 2005 to 2019 smallholder farmers observed high temperatures and increased rainfall. Majority of smallholder farmers had access to climate/weather forecast information through the radio/television, newspapers, government extension officers and also IKS. Most of the farmers indicated that seasonal and climate information timeliness was good but daily information timeliness was ranked fair. In terms of reliability all categories were ranked fair by smallholder farmers in uMziwabantu. The results from the smallholder farmers’ perceptions to climate change and weather variability were corroborated by the meteorological data which showed also that temperature and total rainfall increased for the period studied. It is therefore imperative for policy makers and donors to engage smallholder farmers in the decision making process in matters that affect them as they proved that they are aware of what is happening around them. Most solutions are effective if the beneficiaries are involved in decision making known as the bottom-up approach rather than the top-down approach. More-so where smallholder farmers are conscious of climate change and weather variability it enhances their adaptive strategies.

Keywords: Smallholder farmers, meteorological data, perceptions, climate change.