The Impact of Agricultural Drought on Smallholder Livestock Farmers: Empirical Evidence Insights from Northern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

The Northern Cape Province of South Africa faces drought that limits human endeavours, and which explains the unpredictable progress in livestock production over time. This study evaluated the impact of agricultural drought on smallholder farming households’ resilience in the Northern Cape Province. Data from 217 smallholder livestock farmers were collected and analysed descriptively and with the Agricultural Drought Resilience Index (ADRI), and Household Food insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). This study found that most smallholder livestock farmers (79%) were not resilient to agricultural drought. Further, the findings revealed that agricultural drought significantly impacted resources, food security, and government policy. This implies that a lack of access to resources, food insecurity, and ineffective government policy affected already vulnerable smallholder livestock farmers coping with severe agricultural drought. This study is significant in providing policymakers and other stakeholders with evidence-based recommendations for developing strategies and implementing policies for improving the resilience of smallholder livestock farmers by improving access to resources, including access to land. They will be better able to deal with challenges that come their way if they become more resilient, resulting in reduced household loss. This study recommends that government and stakeholders enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers by supporting less resilient farmers. The government needs to work with stakeholders to improve access to land and funds to enhance farmers’ resilience. As a result, these policies can help smallholder farmers be more resilient in times of climatic shock.

Gender Divide in Irish Potato Production among Farming Households in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya

“…A higher number of male farmers were married than female farmers, as shown by a difference of 77%. This finding aligns with Bahta & Myeki (2022), who find that married men are highly engaged in agricultural activities. Sam (2019) also found that more male farmers are married than female farmers.…”

“…Sam (2019) also found that more male farmers are married than female farmers. Bahta & Myeki (2022) argue that land access is critical for agricultural production. Research shows land ownership allows control over expenditures and production decisions (Badstue et al, 2020).…”

“…Gutierrez Pionce (2016) notes that women's constrained access to resources such as land inhibits their productivity. Bahta & Myeki (2022) found that limited access to land lowers farmers' productivity. Land ownership allows control over expenditures and production decisions (Badstue et al, 2020).…”

Research Trends in Resilience and Vulnerability Studies

“…Smallholders suffer from a lack of resilience because of a range of vulnerabilities, but they are particularly affected by agricultural drought, which in turn affects food security for the larger society. In a South African case, government intervention was not shown to be effective at addressing smallholder needs, leaving significant shortfalls with land access difficulties, weaknesses in water supply, poor access to credit, little or no savings, and deficiency in diversification [62]. Smallholders have employed a variety of approaches to addressing needs, many of which are reactive and not all of which have worked well.…”

The Perceived Impact of Climate Change on the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa

“…For instance, between 2014 and 2016, the country experienced its most severe drought in decades, leading to the declaration of five provinces as drought disaster areas [15]. This drought resulted in livestock deaths, crop failure, and high food prices [17]. Furthermore, drought in the country is expected to evolve and become severe in the near-future [15].…”