Adaptation strategies of smallholder maize farmers to drought in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Loading...
Date
2021-02
Authors
Khumalo, Jotham
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Recently, South Africa has experienced the worst drought in decades. Due to this, an understanding of people’s views of drought is an important factor in sustainable environmental policy in this country. As a result, this study was conducted within a farming community in Keyser’s Beach, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa with the aim of understanding the perception of smallholder maize farmers on drought. The study was also underpinned by three research objectives which centred on farmers’ perceptions of drought, its impacts and the coping mechanisms. The study employed a mixed-methods research approach to collect and analyse data. Quantitative data was collected using a survey questionnaire while qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. The data analysis framework also incorporated the vulnerability index where the susceptibility of smallholder maize farmers to the prevailing drought was calculated. The study revealed that there are different expectations of drought among smallholder farmers where it was associated with man-made and natural causes. The study found that drought has a variety of impacts, including changes in water supply, soil health, jobs and household income, as well as other social factors. The drought coping mechanisms therefore appeared to vary between farmers. The study found that smallholder maize farmers store produce and livestock for consumption and selling, save money, change crop calendars and adjust to drought-resistant crops, among other coping strategies. The research proposes that more studies be performed between commercial farmers or smallholder farmers in areas other than Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The study recommends that funds have to be channelled towards disaster management in order to assist smallholder maize farmers in Keyser’s Beach.
Description
Keywords
Drought, Farmers’ Perspectives, Keyser’s Beach, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Smallholder farmers, Maize farmers