Climate Change Perceptions and Adaptations among Smallholder Farmers in the Mountains of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

The warming rates in many mountain areas are higher than the global average, negatively impacting crop systems. Little is known about the climatic changes which are already being observed in eastern Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo, due to the lack of long-term meteorological data. Local perceptions could help us to understand not only the climatic changes and impacts but also which adaptation strategies are already being used by local smallholder farmers. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 300 smallholder Bafuliru (n = 150) and Lega (n = 150) farmers living in the Itombwe Mountains. The respondents reported climatic changes and impacts, with the Bafuliru—living on the eastern drier slopes—reporting more changes and impacts. While the Bafuliru were implementing several adaptation strategies (e.g., increased irrigation and use of inputs, more soil conservation, more income diversification), the Lega were implementing very few, due to soft limits (access to inputs, markets, and information) and culture (less interest in farming, less capacity to organize into groups). The results highlight important differences in sociocultural contexts, even for one ‘remote’ mountain, calling for a more collaborative approach to adaptation planning and action.

Perceptions of Congolese Students about Climate Change and their Recommended Actions for Raising Climate Change Awareness in the Community

“…When deforestation occurs in large continuous areas, the rainfall may decrease [30]. The students stated that they have already observed the changes in the rainfall patterns in their respective communities, a situation also reported by the existing studies on climate change across the country [8,9,10]. The causes of deforestation in DRC are many.…”

“…This study is considerably different from previous studies, which targeted only smallholder farmers [9,11,12]. Using statistical tools, we identified the universities and faculties where teachings on climate change or courses related to the environment require intensification.…”

“…The farmers have been reporting about long dry seasons, reduction in the number of rainy days, changes in the rain distribution patterns and new pests that adversely affect agricultural production. Although long-term meteorological data is not available [9], existing information suggest that the annual temperatures in DRC would increase by 1.7°C-4.5°C by the end of the century [10]. The impacts of climate change are expected to be severe owing to high levels of poverty and weak socioeconomic systems [4].…”

“…The impacts of climate change are expected to be severe owing to high levels of poverty and weak socioeconomic systems [4]. Most of the surveys on the impacts of climate change conducted in DRC have targeted smallholder farmers [9,11,12]; the perceptions of Congolese students toward climate change have remained unexamined. Yet, university students, considered future leaders and professionals, are expected to play an essential role in climate change mitigation and adaptation in DRC.…”

Climate Change Impacts Can Be Differentially Perceived Across Time Scales: A Study Among the Tuareg of the Algerian Sahara

“…At the same time, in Tuareg cultural practice there is little to explain climate change beyond that it is “God's wrath” or “God's will.” Combined with the lack of perceived decadal trends, a sense of hopelessness can hamper adaptation and give rise to inaction or feelings of inevitability. As new case studies emerge reporting the influence of cultural preferences, access to information, and wealth as determinants of the adaptation strategies taken by Indigenous peoples and local communities (e.g., Amani et al., 2022; Cuní‐Sánchez et al., 2012, 2018; Hayati et al., 2010; Kaganzi et al., 2021), further research is needed to understand if being able perceive interdecadal trends also determines adaptation at local scales.…”