The Use of Climate Forecasts Information by Farmers in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

The primary aim of the paper was to examine the role of climate forecasts information as a potential tool to reduce impact of climate change in the Vhembe District in Limpopo province. A representative sample of 90 farmers participated in the study. The study involved the Vhembe District with Tshakhuma, Rabali and Tshiombo as study sites. Vhembe district is located in a semi-arid area that is frequently troubled by dry spells, often escalating into severe drought. Such situations have compelled regular assistance from the Limpopo Province in the form of drought relief. Such reactive measures are, however, costly and alternative risk-reduction measures should be sought. One alternative measure to enhance adaptive capacity and possibly improve local decision-making is seasonal climate forecasts. A tool is needed to measure how farmers have responded to past events, what techniques and methods are being used, including forecasts, and a range of other coping and adaptive mechanisms. Many recent efforts to reduce vulnerability to such events include improved adaptation and risk reduction. Farmers in the Vhembe district in Limpopo Province, South Africa (including Tshakhuma, Rabali and Tshiombo study sites) have developed their own local climate forecast strategies and adaptation practices during times of climate risks. For many years the importance of local knowledge in small-scale farmer practices was overlooked. These farmers have developed their own indicators for monitoring climate conditions such as observing the behaviour of birds, behaviour of insects and the characteristics of plants.This paper shows how local knowledge forecasting and external knowledge forecasting can be used as a way to reduce impact of climate change. The following findings were found: (1) Local knowledge forecasting is useful to local farmers, (2) Young farmers, however, prefer to use or rely on external forecasting information, (3) Some farmers within Tshakhuma, Rabali and Tshiombo prefer to integrate both local knowledge and other types of forecasting, (4) Some farmers within the three areas use crop diversification as security measures during uncertain periods.

Perception-based analysis of climate change effect on forest-based livelihood: The case of Vhembe District in South Africa

“…Increased occurrence of these climatic events can have significant impact on forests and forest-based livelihoods in the study communities. As observed by Mpandeli and Maponya ( 2013 ) and Lindner et al . (2008), rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall will lead to increased occurrence of drought periods in semiarid regions of Vhembe.…”

Are smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate variability supported by climatological evidence? Case study of a semi-arid region in South Africa

“…Like peers across the country and the continent at large, their activities sustain livelihoods by providing food for households and as a source of income (Eludoyin et al, 2017). A number of studies have been conducted in the area, notably on: the extent of drought risk (Mpandeli and Maponya, 2013a;Mpandeli and Maponya, 2013b), impact of climate variability on agricultural (crop) yield (Mpandeli and Maponya, 2013b;Tshiala and Olwoch, 2010), farmers adaptation strategies (Debela et al, 2015) and factors influencing choice of coping strategies (Maponya and Mpandeli, 2012). However, studies on the farmers' perceptions on climate variability in relation to climatological evidence have received little attention (Gbetibouo, 2009).…”

Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Indicators of Rain: Evidence from Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda

“…Abiotic indicators include wind, clouds, astrological constellations, and observance of sky, sun, moon, and stars (Gómez-Baggethun et al 2012;Green et al 2010;Lefale 2010;Leonard et al 2013;Mpandeli and Maponya 2013;Roncoli et al 2002;Ifejika Speranza et al 2010;Zuma-Netshiukhwi et al 2013). Farmers also observe the events that happen around orographic features such as mountains.…”

“…Beyond Africa, Mongolian pastoralists consult spiritualists in matters related to climate forecasts before their migrations (Marin 2010). These indicators of indigenous forecasts are widely used in Samoa (Lefale 2010), New Zealand (King et al 2008;Galloway-McLean 2010), Canada (Gearheard et al 2010), Australia (Green et al 2010;Galloway-McLean 2010), Spain (Gómez-Baggethun et al 2012, South Africa (Mpandeli and Maponya 2013), Kenya (Ifejika Speranza et al 2010), Malawi (Kalanda-Joshua et al 2011Nkomwa et al 2014), Burkina Faso (Galloway-McLean 2010Roncoli et al 2008), Ghana (Gyampoh and Asante 2011), and Botswana (Kolawole et al 2014). Pastoralists in Western Uganda use IF in adapting to climate change and variability (Nkuba et al 2019b).…”