Nkulumo Zinyengere

Crop model usefulness in drylands of southern Africa: an application of DSSAT

Crop models are useful tools for simulating impacts of climate and agricultural practices on crops. Models have to demonstrate the ability to simulate actual crop growth response in particular environments before application. Data limitations in southern Africa frequently hinder adequate assessment of crop models before application. The DSSAT model was used to test the usefulness of crop models under data-limited dryland conditions of southern Africa by validation using data from experimental trial reports and district-wide crop yield estimates. Two crops each were selected in three locations to represent varying cropping and physical conditions in southern Africa, i.e. maize and sorghum (Mohales Hoek, Lesotho and Big Bend, Swaziland) and maize and groundnut (Lilongwe, Malawi). DSSAT performs well in simulating crop yields obtained from experimental trials. District-wide simulated mean crop yields were acceptable (relative difference ranged from −12.2% to +2.36%). However, the models capture of seasonal yield variation for some locations and crops was uncertain due to climate extremes. It was concluded that satisfactory crop model testing before application is possible and that DSSAT crop models are useful even under data-limited conditions.

Climate change, household vulnerability and smart agriculture: The case of two South African provinces

The impact of climate-change disasters poses significant challenges for South Africa, especially for vulnerable rural households. In South Africa, the impact of climate change at the local level, especially in rural areas, is not well known. Rural households are generally poor and lack resources to adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change, but the extent of their vulnerability is largely not understood. This study looked at the micro-level impact of climate change, evaluated household vulnerability and assessed alternative adaptation strategies in rural areas. The results indicate that climate change will hit crop yields hard and that households with less capital are most vulnerable. These households consist of the elderly and households headed by females. Households that receive remittances or extension services or participate in formal savings schemes in villages are less vulnerable. The results suggest that households need to move towards climate-smart agriculture, which combines adaptation, mitigation and productivity growth.

Chapter 13 – Conclusion: Localize Responses to Climate Change Impacts

Abstract Climate change is already posing a major threat to agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); threats may intensify in the near future. This book has presented and assessed various approaches to assessing climate change risks and adaptation in Africa. These assessments are approached from multiple lenses that include climate model-linked biophysical modeling, multilogit analysis, and social approaches (e.g., focus group discussions and interviews). The focus of the book was predominantly dryland agricultural systems in which resource-constrained smallholder farmers operate. The results from different cases highlighted in the book give a strong indication that climate change is already having significant impacts on agricultural systems in SSA, especially smallholder crop and pastoral farming systems. However, it is apparent that there are considerable differences in the impacts from one place to the other and across farming systems, states, crops, etc. As such, although it is clear that adaptation is imperative, the direction and scope of such actions should not only be guided by regional and national imperatives, but also take into account local specificities. For smallholder crop farmers and livestock keepers, climate change is experienced within the context of their livelihood, which is tied to their past, present, and future. They have historically had to deal with the vagaries of climate and have developed several strategies to cope with and adapt to climate change and variability.

Introduction: Grounding Climate Change, Vulnerability, and Adaptation in Africa

This chapter introduces the volume by setting the scene for the agriculture and climate change nexus in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It shows that agriculture is central to economies and livelihoods in SSA, yet considerably vulnerable to climate change and variability. The impacts of climate change are expected to be severe in SSA agricultural systems, calling for urgent adaptive and resilience-building actions. However, nonclimatic factors present considerable stress to the agricultural systems and these need to be fully considered in all actions that seek to address the challenges presented by climate change. These include the peculiar circumstances of rural men, women, and youth. An enabling policy environment is thus fundamental to overcoming barriers to adaptive actions, as it determines farmers’ access to agricultural inputs, including knowledge, and the degree of their participation in agriculture value chains.

Conservation Agriculture Among Farmers in Kalomo, Zambia: Potential for Productivity Under Climate Change

Conservation agriculture (CA) is a climate change adaptation measure being promoted for small-scale farmers in Zambia. CA is touted as a sustainable adaptation practice that can improve productivity in marginal farming areas. This chapter presents a study that analyzed CA practices in Kalomo District, Zambia, i.e., practices applied and associated challenges in management and implementation, from the perspective of agricultural extension workers and organizations promoting CA in the district. Results showed that farmers in Kalomo District do not apply all CA principles, owing to a number of limitations that range from governmental interventions, cultural beliefs, and poor access to extension services. These factors are likely to affect productivity and expose farmers to climate change and will need to be addressed.

Climate, Gender, and Ethnicity: A Study on Vulnerability and Adaptation of Eritrean Farmers

Abstract This chapter presents the findings of a study on gendered vulnerability of farmers to climate change in two regions of Eritrea—the subregion Berik, Central Highlands (Tigrinya ethnic group), and the subregion Sosona/Barentu, Lowlands Gash-Barka (Kunama ethnic group). Eritrea regularly suffers food shortages due to climate- and non-climate-related stressors on agriculture and limited adaptive capacity. The stressors include erratic rainfall, a shortage of male labor, gender inequality, and the lack of agricultural inputs. The chapter outlines the similarities and differences faced by farmers in both study regions. It highlights the complex nature of vulnerability of farming communities and households based on culture, ethnicity, gender, and sociopolitical circumstances. The chapter recommends that to properly support adaptation to climate change and variability, contextual specificities that underlie vulnerability need to be explicitly considered.

Assessing Local Impacts of Climate Change on Crop Production in Southern Africa: Critiquing an Approach

Abstract This chapter details the common biophysical approach used to assess the impact of climate change on local crop production and critiques it to highlight usefulness and limitations in informing climate change response action. The chapter reviews various location-specific climate change impact studies in southern Africa and details their results in the context of the methodologies and tools applied. Ultimately lessons for improvements in future research are drawn. The chapter advocates future research efforts that will provide useful information for stakeholders in the agricultural sector to better respond to climate change as it affects vulnerable farmers, via improved local impact assessment and the incorporation of nonphysical local perspectives (i.e., going beyond biophysical impacts).