Climate Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies of Smallholders in the Ngqushwa Local Municipality, South Africa

Abstract

Ngqushwa Local Municipality smallholders and households are confronted by climate variability. The aim of the study  was to assess the perceptibility of climate variability and the factors influencing adaptation strategies. From four  villages, 308 households were selected to participate. A questionnaire and focus group discussions were used to study  the general perceptions of climate variability and adaptation strategies adopted by farming households. The multiple  regression model was used in assessing the socio-economic factors that affect the adopted adaptation approaches that  assuage the effects of climate variability. Seventyfour per cent perceived climate variabilities to be taking place at an  alarming rate, while 26 per cent were undecided about whether there was any climate variability. Age, education, and  farm/household size were the predominant determinant variables that influence the choice of adaptation strategy. The  study recommends that for better adaptive capacity, the participation of rural communities in climate governance be  given policy attention and that grass-roots level knowledge systems be given equal weighting in policy formulation.