Climate Change and Small-Scale Agriculture in the Eastern Cape Province: Investigating the Nexus of Awareness, Adaptation, and Food Security

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to global agriculture, particularly for small-scale farmers who often lack the resources and knowledge to adapt. Without effective coping and adaptation strategies, agriculture in Africa is likely to suffer, leading to increased poverty and food insecurity. Adaptation to climate change is closely linked to farmers’ awareness of the issue, though the extent of this awareness in South Africa remains unclear due to conflicting previous studies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between climate change awareness, adaptation strategies, and food security among small-scale farmers in the Eastern Cape Province, with the aim of understanding how farmers’ awareness of climate change influences their adaptation decisions and the subsequent impact on agricultural productivity and food security. The study used quantitative analysis to examine the relationship between climate change knowledge, adaptation, and food security. Multi-stage sampling was used to collect data from 200 small-scale farmers through semi-structured questionnaires. Logit regression and endogeneity switching regression were applied for data analysis. The study finds that small-scale farmers in the province are fully aware of climate change and have experienced its negative impacts, especially reduced farm returns (38%) and yields (36%), which threaten agricultural productivity, food security, and farmers’ economic viability. In response, farmers have adopted various strategies, including crop rotation (22%), using improved crop varieties (20%), changing planting dates (12%), and applying fertilizer or mulching (12%). Key factors influencing adaptation include age, access to climate information, education, market proximity, extension services, drought frequency, temperature and rainfall perceptions, radio ownership, farm income, size, and family size. The study shows that these adaptation strategies have improved agricultural yields and farm returns, positively contributing to food security in the area. Based on the study findings, this study recommends that governments and policymakers implement and provide targeted policy interventions, extension services, and educational programs that can enhance climate change knowledge among small-scale farmers.