Social vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change in Zambia: the applicability of social vulnerability index
Based on:
Journal Article (2020)
The study assessed the social vulnerability levels of smallholder famers in Zambia.
Brief by:
Research collaborators:
The reason for targeting social vulnerability was that much of the work done around climate change vulnerability focuses on the biophysical aspects but not the underlying factors. The underlying factors are mostly things that relate to the social, economic and demographic factors of the people who are exposed to climate change effects. We looked at how these factors influence the level of vulnerability of such people.
In Zambia, the government was interested in appraising the climate change situation in the country and looking at its impact on various groups. However, unfortunately they did not pay attention to the social vulnerability aspect. We felt this was a big gap in trying to address the needs of the people.
The research also provides practitioners with a tool to help them to do a multi-dimensional assessment of the vulnerability levels of people who are faced with climate change.
A comparative analysis was carried out between two districts in Zambia: Chirundu and Masaiti.
Key findings
We were able to determine the vulnerability levels of these districts and show that the Chirundu district was most vulnerable.
We were also able to show some of the coping measures that the local people had already engaged with.
There were two broad categories of coping measures: on-farm strategy and off-farm strategy. Their on-farm strategies consisted of planting different varieties of crops, particularly varieties that were drought tolerant, trying to plant crops at different times than they traditionally would, and varying their cropping or planting schedule.
These strategies were due to the delay in the onsets of rains.
Their off-farm strategies consisted of engaging in off-farm jobs to supplement income, engaging the sales of non-farm assets and also receiving government assistance.
Proposed action
Environmental NGOs and development aid practitioners should come together to work on improving the socioeconomic situations of people, rather than working in isolation
Should adopt the use of the social vulnerability index in trying to understand the multiple factors that underline the community’s or people’s vulnerability to climate change
Pay attention to the underlying factors that influence people’s vulnerability to climate change, rather than always focusing on the biophysical aspects
Across many African countries, there is a need for adoption of conservation or climate-smart agricultural practices
The government should look at and improve the socioeconomic profiles of smallholder farmers
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to iDE Global
These insights were made available thanks to the support of iDE Global, who are committed to the dissemination of knowledge for all.
Special thanks to Jasmyn Spanswick for preparation assistance
We would like to extend a special thank you to Jasmyn Spanswick, for their invaluable contribution in assisting the preparation of this research summary.
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Social vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change in Zambia: the applicability of social vulnerability index
Cite this brief: Dumenu, William. 'Social vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change in Zambia: the applicability of social vulnerability index'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/social-vulnerability-of-smallholder-farmers-to-climate-change-in-zambia-the-applicability-of-social-vulnerability-index/
Brief created by: Dr William Dumenu | Year brief made: 2022
Original research:
- X. T. T., & Dumenu, W., ‘Social vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change in Zambia: the applicability of social vulnerability index’ 2 https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-2227-0. – https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42452-020-2227-0
Research brief:
The study assessed the social vulnerability levels of smallholder famers in Zambia.
The reason for targeting social vulnerability was that much of the work done around climate change vulnerability focuses on the biophysical aspects but not the underlying factors. The underlying factors are mostly things that relate to the social, economic and demographic factors of the people who are exposed to climate change effects. We looked at how these factors influence the level of vulnerability of such people.
In Zambia, the government was interested in appraising the climate change situation in the country and looking at its impact on various groups. However, unfortunately they did not pay attention to the social vulnerability aspect. We felt this was a big gap in trying to address the needs of the people.
The research also provides practitioners with a tool to help them to do a multi-dimensional assessment of the vulnerability levels of people who are faced with climate change.
A comparative analysis was carried out between two districts in Zambia: Chirundu and Masaiti.
Findings:
We were able to determine the vulnerability levels of these districts and show that the Chirundu district was most vulnerable.
We were also able to show some of the coping measures that the local people had already engaged with.
There were two broad categories of coping measures: on-farm strategy and off-farm strategy. Their on-farm strategies consisted of planting different varieties of crops, particularly varieties that were drought tolerant, trying to plant crops at different times than they traditionally would, and varying their cropping or planting schedule.
These strategies were due to the delay in the onsets of rains.
Their off-farm strategies consisted of engaging in off-farm jobs to supplement income, engaging the sales of non-farm assets and also receiving government assistance.
Advice:
Environmental NGOs and development aid practitioners should come together to work on improving the socioeconomic situations of people, rather than working in isolation
- You cannot disentangle climate change issues from improving socio-economic situations. This study would be useful to their activities.
Should adopt the use of the social vulnerability index in trying to understand the multiple factors that underline the community’s or people’s vulnerability to climate change
Pay attention to the underlying factors that influence people’s vulnerability to climate change, rather than always focusing on the biophysical aspects
Across many African countries, there is a need for adoption of conservation or climate-smart agricultural practices
- Moving away from traditional farming to climate-smart agricultural practices is very important because they also provide resilience of the system to climate change. These practices should be well publicised, disseminated and adopted within Sub-Saharan Africa.
The government should look at and improve the socioeconomic profiles of smallholder farmers
- Much of the agricultural production rests of the shoulders of smallholder farmers, as they are the greatest share. The socioeconomic profiles of smallholder farmers can be improved by introducing them to non-farm income and economic activities.