The changing climate and human vulnerability in north-central Namibia

Angula, Margaret; Kaundjua, Maria

doi:10.4102/jamba.v8i2.200

Cited by 22 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been identified as one of the most vulnerable regions to the impacts of changing climate as many areas inherently receive unpredictable rainfall (IPCC 2014, Serdeczny et al 2017, which has been evident in several recent studies (Asante andAmuakwa-Mensah 2015, Angula andKaundjua 2016). SSA's economy remains strongly dependant on agriculture relative to other regions (Livingston et al 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

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: Introductionmentioning

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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“…More recently a number of other mechanisms have been used by some farmers to sustain their livelihoods. These include: i) diversifying livelihoods to off-farm activities (Newsham & Thomas 2009 [3]; Angula 2010 [4]); ii) growing drought resistant crop varieties such as early maturing Okashana millet with a three month growing season (Uno 2005 [5]); iii) keeping heat resistant breeds of livestock (Kuvare et al 2008 [6]); iv) adjusting planting of crops by delaying, using a combination of early and late planting, and/or planting multiple times within a season (Dirkx et al 2008 [7]; GRN 2015 [8]); v) soil and water conservation through conservation tillage, ripping, ridging, farrowing, crop rotation, intercropping and the use of manure (Kuvare et al 2008 [6]); vi) Supplemental feeding, watering and moving to access alternative water and grazing resources for livestock (Newsham & Thomas 2009 [3]; Kuvare et al 2008 [6]) and sometimes selling livestock (Newsham & Thomas 2009 [3]); vii) storing mahangu (Newsham & Thomas 2009 [3]) and getting food from friends and neighbours (Newsham & Thomas 2009 [3]); viii) receiving remittances from family members living in urban areas (Angula 2010 [4]); and ix) relying on pension grants from government (Newsham & Thomas 2009 [3]; Angula & Kaundjua 2016 [9]). However, in drylands although remote communities can be well equipped to cope with climate variability and change they are often marginalized, chronically disadvantaged and can battle to secure resources to respond to changes in climate (Maru et al 2014 [10]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although smallholder farmers have already noticed reductions in rainfall and increases in temperature (Angula and Kaundjua 2016 [9]) and have experienced severe droughts that have led to major crop and livestock losses, they are not necessarily changing their agricultural practices (Dirkx et al 2008 [7]; von Hase 2013 [22]). This qualitative study uses three villages in Onesi constituency in the Omusati region of Namibia as a case study to examine: i) the agricultural practices that smallholder crop farmers use; ii) the perceptions of these farmers of changes in their yields; iii) their perceptions about the future and what their planned responses are; and iv) barriers to the adoption of new agricultural practices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Livelihoods on the Edge without a Safety Net: the Case of Smallholder Crop Farming in North-Central Namibia

Spear¹,

Chappel²

2018

Preprint

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Semi-arid Namibia is marginal for agricultural production. Low soil fertility combined with low and variable rainfall restrict the livelihoods of smallholder farmers who often struggle to produce enough food. Although historically communities have adopted a number of coping mechanisms, climate change threatens to further reduce agricultural production. There are many additional options available to smallholder farmers to adapt to climate change, but they are not necessarily adopting these measures despite having noticed increasing temperatures and declining rainfall. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in three villages in Onesi constituency to examine what agricultural practices smallholder crop farmers use, perception of changes in their yields, their perspective on future yields and whether they are planning on changing their agricultural practices. The results suggest that to sustain the livelihoods of rural communities in north-central Namibia support is needed from local and regional authorities, as well as traditional and religious leaders to assist with enhancing access to information, enabling information sharing on adaptation options, and increasing awareness on climate change, it’s impacts and what can be done about it. In addition to this the implementation of adaptation action also requires demonstration sites and building capacity to enable the development of self-help groups.

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“…The majority of the farmers practise rain-fed farming (Angula and Kaundjua 2016). Most communities in Omusati Region are rural and characterized by numerous challenges including land degradation, deforestation and overgrazing, scarce water resources, and poor land tenure system (Angula and Kaundjua 2016).…”

Section: Description Of the Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the current state of collaboration in the production and dissemination of adaptation knowledge in Namibia

Ofoegbu

New

Nyamwanza

et al. 2018

Environ Dev Sustain

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Adaptation to climate change is challenging in terms of managing knowledge flow among diverse actors. This paper examines the roles of key actors in Namibia in the production and dissemination of climate adaptation knowledge. The intention was to identify opportunities for enhancing collaboration among actors to facilitate knowledge flow and uptake in adaptation action. The Omusati Region was used as a case study in understanding the chain of interactions among actors from local/district to the national level vis-à-vis the production and dissemination of adaptation knowledge in Namibia. The researchers conducted key informant interviews with representatives of key organizations in the Namibian adaptation network operating in the Omusati Region. The selection of the organizations of interviewed respondents was based on a previous climate change adaptation stakeholder and influence network mapping exercise in the region. Results indicate that adaptation knowledge generation by organizations happens mainly in the context of other developmental services. Furthermore, most organizations generate their adaptation knowledge internally through their directorates of research and also through cooperation with other organizations. However, there is little or no collaboration between organizations with respect to dissemination of adaptation knowledge to intended targets. The study, therefore, recommends a more concerted effort towards improving collaboration between organizations, and with local communities in the dissemination of adaptation knowledge as a way of enhancing knowledge uptake. This will have practical implications for the improvement in the rate of knowledge uptake in adaptation actions, particularly at the local level. In this regard, the use of workshop and field day meetings show the best prospect for improving collaboration between organizations in knowledge dissemination.

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The changing climate and human vulnerability in north-central Namibia

Cited by 22 publications

References 9 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

Livelihoods on the Edge without a Safety Net: the Case of Smallholder Crop Farming in North-Central Namibia

Understanding the current state of collaboration in the production and dissemination of adaptation knowledge in Namibia

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