Factors Affecting Households Vulnerability to Climate Change in Swaziland: A Case of Mpolonjeni Area Development Programme (ADP)

Nkondze, Majahodvwa S.; Masuku, Micah B.; Manyatsi, Absalom M.

doi:10.5539/jas.v5n10p108

Cited by 31 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Only two studies presented differences in time scale in their assessment using primary information from census data. These were from Ghana (Dasgupta and Baschieri 2010) and Swaziland (Nkondze et al 2013) and concluded that the dynamic nature of vulnerability is understudied. According to Singh et al (2017), lack of attention paid to temporal scales during vulnerability assessments has implications on reporting differences in vulnerability over different timescales to understand dynamism of vulnerability, especially in the context of seasonality and rural livelihoods in Africa.…”

Section: Types Of Methods Used In the Design And Analysis Of Vaosasmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of how vulnerability of smallholder agricultural systems to changing climate is assessed in Africa

Williams

Abu

Simpson

2018

Environ. Res. Lett.

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The impacts of changing climate on agriculture have consequences on livelihoods and food security. Smallholder farmers, who have heterogeneous farming systems and limited resources, compounded with multiple risks, are greatly affected. There has been limited research showing how vulnerability assessments have evolved in the smallholder agricultural sector of Africa overtime. This study systematically reviewed recent publications on vulnerability studies, especially among smallholder agricultural systems, to provide an overview of current developments in theory and practice of vulnerability in Africa over the last decade. The findings indicate an increase in vulnerability assessments undertaken across Sub Saharan Africa. Despite progress made in the application of enhanced conceptual frameworks and methods, at least four important gaps exist in the assessment process namely, inadequate engagement of local perspectives and knowledge, lack of clarity in the operationalisation of vulnerability, lack of comprehensiveness of measurement criteria employed and relevance of assessment in decision support. Notwithstanding these challenges, there exist opportunities to geographically improve assessments across Africa. In order to produce knowledge to traverse projected changes in climate systems for agricultural economies and to ensure sustainable smallholder livelihoods, we suggest that future research efforts should be oriented towards providing more information to enlighten science, policy and practice for informed decision-making and evidenced based policies. This requires evaluation of adaptation capacity as a critical aspect of vulnerability assessment to provide guidance and inform effective decision-making on allocation of scarce resources (prioritization); understand trade-offs management and implementation to build understanding among stakeholders that guide possible pathways to reduce vulnerability.

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Section: Types Of Methods Used In the Design And Analysis Of Vaosasmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of how vulnerability of smallholder agricultural systems to changing climate is assessed in Africa

Williams

Abu

Simpson

2018

Environ. Res. Lett.

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“…Households with large number of dependents often direct larger proportion of their resources (finance, time) towards the welfare of the household members [5,37,43,59], leaving them with little resources to access additional and or alternative livelihood options to enhance their capacity against the impact of climate change and variability. High level of literacy reduces vulnerability by increasing the ability to access and understand climate [11] events and impact-related warning, adaption and recovery information [7,41].…”

Section: Social Vulnerability To Climate Change: Determining Factors mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Household size is found to influence vulnerability (e.g. [5,37,43,59]), while it is also associated with reducing vulnerability particularly in agricultural economies where large family size is preferred for improving economic condition [31] and for labour supply. However, considering the context of the study area and the respondents, it was realized that though the many members of the household do contribute labour as unpaid family workers, most these are dependents who do not attract additional external income to the household thereby, increasing the household's vulnerability in the long run.…”

Section: Indicator Validitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Social vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change in Zambia: the applicability of social vulnerability index

Dumenu

Tiamgne

2020

SN Appl. Sci.

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This study assesses social vulnerability and coping strategies of smallholder farmers in two districts in Zambia and the applicability of the social vulnerability index (SVI) approach. Household data from 194 households were collected for the assessment of vulnerability and coping strategies. Using six demographic, economic and social indicators, farmers in Chirundu district were found to be more vulnerable to climate change than those in Masaiti district having recorded SVI of 0.47 and 0.41, respectively. Economic factors (low income level; less diversified sources of income) and social factors (low level of ownership of radio or television; low level of access to climate change information) influenced the vulnerability level of farmers in Chirundu district. Most engaged coping strategies were planting of drought tolerant species, varying the timing of planting, crop diversification, reliance on government assistance and engagement in non-farm jobs.The study makes practical recommendations on how to improve adaptive capacity and resilience of smallholder farmers against climate change impacts. To help tailor the SVI approach for placed-based assessment of social vulnerability to climate change, the paper concludes with recommendations on validity, interrelationships, weighting and aggregation of indicators and scale of application (spatial and temporal) regarding the development and use of SVI.

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“…Other studies have been conducted to quantify vulnerability at household and national levels [22]- [24]. Most national levels vulnerability studies consisted at comparing different countries to identify hotspots where development actions are most needed.…”

Section: The Indicator Approach Of Vulnerability Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reason supporting the choice of this indicator is that the poor are often discriminated against access to resources rendering them intrinsically more vulnerable. More recently, [24] used an indicator approach to investigate household vulnerability to climate change and identify the factors affecting vulnerability of households in Swaziland. This approach permitted to classify households based on their level of vulnerability and to formulate differentiated policy actions to address households' needs.…”

Section: The Indicator Approach Of Vulnerability Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping Vulnerability to Climate Change in Malawi: Spatial and Social Differentiation in the Shire River Basin

Coulibaly¹,

Mbow²,

Sileshi³

et al. 2015

AJCC

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This article analyses vulnerability to climate related shocks across five districts in the shire river basin of Malawi. The analysis employs an indicator approach that integrates biophysical and socio-economic indices. Principal component statistical analysis was used to calculate an index for adaptive capacity, sensitivity and exposure to climate impact for each of the five districts. These indices were aggregated to develop a vulnerability index differentiated also by gender for the surveyed districts. The results showed that Chikwawa, Machinga and Blantyre appear to be more vulnerable to climate related shocks compared with Mwanza and Zomba. Women in Chikwawa are also found to be the most susceptible to the climate hazards impacts. To reduce vulnerability to climate impact, the study suggests that the national adaptation strategies adopted by the government should be mainstreamed into specific local adaptation actions that can be accessible and adopted by the community. Specific emphasis should be given to the improvement of women's welfare through better access to productive assets and resources.

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Factors Affecting Households Vulnerability to Climate Change in Swaziland: A Case of Mpolonjeni Area Development Programme (ADP)

Cited by 31 publications

References 5 publications

A systematic review of how vulnerability of smallholder agricultural systems to changing climate is assessed in Africa

A systematic review of how vulnerability of smallholder agricultural systems to changing climate is assessed in Africa

Social vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change in Zambia: the applicability of social vulnerability index

Mapping Vulnerability to Climate Change in Malawi: Spatial and Social Differentiation in the Shire River Basin

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