Climate Change and Variability in Southeast Zimbabwe: Scenarios and Societal Opportunities

Chikodzi, David; Murwendo, Talent; Simba, Farai Malvern

doi:10.4236/ajcc.2013.23a004

Cited by 29 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Zimbabwe is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its heavy dependence on rain‐fed agriculture (Chikonzi, Murwendo, & Simba, ) and climate‐sensitive resources. Agriculture's sensitivity to climate‐induced water stress is likely to intensify the existing problems of declining agricultural outputs, food insecurity declining economic productivity, and poverty, with smallholder farmers particularly affected.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building adaptive capacity: Reducing the climate vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe

Mashizha¹

2019

Bus Strat Dev

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Climate change is affecting agricultural production, particularly in Africa, where agriculture forms the backbone of rural economies. Smallholder farmers in rural areas are vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to their marginalised location, low levels of technology, and reliance on rain‐fed agriculture. This conceptual paper finds that adaptation is cross cutting in nature and complex. Hence, it requires an approach that incorporates both policy and investment issues into its planning. This research not only contributes to literature on adaptation strategies but will also provide relevant insight for capacity building on smallholder farmers to avert the ongoing and future climate crisis. Furthermore, it contributes to hitherto limited work on understanding how adaptive capacity is shaped and be sustainable in Zimbabwe. This paper recommends that the government and private sector should disseminate technology that helps farmers adapt to climate change and access to irrigation technology must be a priority.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building adaptive capacity: Reducing the climate vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe

Mashizha¹

2019

Bus Strat Dev

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“…As such, adaptation to climate change is crucial for sustainable food security and economic development. To reduce the economic and social impact of climate change in Zimbabwe, focus has to be on adaptation to the changes that are necessary to thrive in changing climatic conditions (Chikonzi, Murwendo & Simba 2013). Adaptation strategies assist smallholder farmers to achieve their food, income and livelihood security and it allows them to maintain livelihoods in the face of climate change.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adapting to climate change: Reflections of peasant farmers in Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe

Mashizha¹

2019

Jàmbá Journal of Disaster Risk Studies

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Climate change is projected to have negative impacts on agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa and this is likely to continue for decades, unless adaptation measures are implemented. The changing climate is a global challenge to sustainable livelihoods and economic development. Peasant farmers in Zimbabwe depend entirely on rain-fed agriculture, a situation that makes agriculture and rural livelihoods vulnerable to climate change. This paper discusses the findings of the study carried out in the Zvimba District amongst peasant farmers on their knowledge of climate change impacts and adaptation strategies. Semi-structured interviews, observations and document analysis were used as methodologies for data collection for the study. Purposeful sampling technique was applied to 40 peasant farmers. Qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussion were analysed using context analysis. Households acknowledged that rainfall amount has decreased over the last 30 years. Such changes have reduced agricultural productivity, and in response, communities have developed multiple adaptation strategies such as harnessing social capital, crop and livelihood diversification, engaging in small businesses and water harvesting for livestock keeping. The study concludes that there is a need to recognise the validity of indigenous knowledge and an inventory should be created for future use. The paper notes that diversification of adaptive strategies is vital for sustainable livelihood in a changing climate. Keywords climate change; adaptation; Zimbabwe; livelihood diversification.

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“…In the northern SAT, such schemes could draw water from underground sources and the network of rivers coming from areas of high rainfall. Several scholars recommend the use of drought resistant crop varieties as a mitigation measure (Bryan et al 2013;Chikodzi et al 2013;Mashizha et al 2017), while Masunungure and Shackleton (2018) suggest the adoption of climate-smart approaches such as agroforestry in areas with unpredictable rains. Agroforestry can facilitate water infiltration and diminish the impacts of droughts.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systems Analysis of Vulnerability to Hydrometeorological Threats: An Exploratory Study of Vulnerability Drivers in Northern Zimbabwe

Mavhura

2019

Int J Disaster Risk Sci

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Disasters result from complex interactions of hazards and vulnerability conditions. Reducing human exposure and sensitivity to threats can reduce disaster impact. Prior knowledge about community vulnerability levels is crucial to minimizing potential losses from future threats. Most vulnerability studies focus on high-impact disasters and their temporal and spatial analyses. Yet highfrequency, low-impact disasters have a cumulative potential to severely disrupt or damage socioeconomic systems. There is limited knowledge especially in the global south about the creation of vulnerability to hydrometeorological threats. Using a systems approach, this study explores ways in which communities in the northern semiarid tropics of Zimbabwe are vulnerable to hydrometeorological threats. This predominantly qualitative study used literature review, interviews, transect walks, and focus groups to gather data from selected samples involving smallholder farmers with in-depth knowledge about community vulnerability. The results show that the communities are vulnerable to multiple hydrometeorological threats due to multiple interacting factors including rainfed and floodbased farming, land tenure, topography, climate, and other socioeconomic conditions such as inadequate income sources and high poverty. In order to reduce vulnerability, this study provides five policy options for government and nongovernmental organization interventions, including the need to transform rural economies beyond the traditional rainfed and flood-based farming systems.

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Climate Change and Variability in Southeast Zimbabwe: Scenarios and Societal Opportunities

Cited by 29 publications

References 6 publications

Building adaptive capacity: Reducing the climate vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe

Building adaptive capacity: Reducing the climate vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe

Adapting to climate change: Reflections of peasant farmers in Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe

Systems Analysis of Vulnerability to Hydrometeorological Threats: An Exploratory Study of Vulnerability Drivers in Northern Zimbabwe

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