Viljoen, M. F.Kundhlande, G.Mutsvangwa, Eness P.2015-11-202015-11-20201020102010http://hdl.handle.net/11660/1683This thesis assesses the vulnerability of smallholder farmers to food insecurity in Gweru and Lupane districts of Zimbabwe and links this to climate change. Current changes in climate for most parts of Zimbabwe have resulted in increased frequency of droughts, dry spells and erratic rainfall. This has resulted in loss of food production and smallholder farmers are most vulnerable to these climatic catastrophes as they affect the food security status of the household. Few studies have been done at local and household levels, most climatic studies have been done at global and national levels. This study seeks to contribute to this knowledge gap. Poverty and food security studies have proved that poor and food insecure households are more vulnerable to climate change, considering that they have limited options to curb against climate change. Using data obtained from a survey carried out in Gweru and Lupane districts in Zimbabwe, descriptive statistics analysis was undertaken to characterize the households, in terms of gender, education of the household head, cropping patterns of the household, perceptions to climate change and also organizations working within the communities and how they help reduce vulnerability to climate change. Results show that cereal crop production is common and important in these two districts, considering that the largest pieces of land are allocated to cereals. Thus cereals constitute a large proportion to the household’s food security. Chuadhuri’s model of measuring vulnerability to poverty was used to measure vulnerability to food insecurity for households in Gweru and Lupane districts. Results show about 88% of the households in both districts are vulnerable to food insecurity thus, have more chances of being negatively impacted by climate change.enFood security -- ZimbabweCrops and climate -- ZimbabweClimatic changes -- ZimbabweZimbabwe -- ClimateDissertation (M.Sc.Agric. (Agricultural Economics)--University of the Free State, 2010DissertationUniversity of the Free State