Smallholder Farmers' Choice of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in the uMkhanyakude District in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Climate change poses a considerable risk to sustaining smallholder farming in developing countries and hinders efforts to reduce poverty and food insecurity. One way to mitigate and counter the adverse effects of climate change is through adaptation. This study aimed to investigate the climate change adaptation strategies adopted by smallholder farmers in the uMkhanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A stratified random sampling procedure collected data from 400 smallholder farmers. Focus group discussions were used to gather in-depth knowledge about climate change adaptation. A multinomial regression model (MNL) was used to analyse the adaptation strategies and their determinants. The results of the MNL model revealed that factors such as access to extension services, Tropical Livestock Units, gender of the household head, age, land size and market access play an important role in farmers' adaptation to climate change. The study recommends that programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting smallholder farmers should facilitate their access to both formal and informal sources of credit. By addressing this key factor, policymakers can contribute to building the adaptive capacity of farmers and strengthening their ability to cope with climate change challenges.