Abstract
Climate change adversely impacts on smallholder farmers who are heavily dependent on rainfed agriculture. While efforts have focused on developing resilient communities through development of adaptation strategies, barriers and limits to managing climate change are usually not given enough space in development programs. In this study, we profile the barriers and limitations to managing climate change as experienced by smallholder farmers in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP), Zimbabwe. The farmers identified the major hazards affecting their agricultural activities. Using a participatory approach, a buffet of adaptation strategies were suggested and field-tested over three seasons (2014–2017) for their effectiveness. The strategies included conservation agriculture, mulching, crop diversity, staggered planting, response farming, and supplementing crop-water requirements. The results showed that adaptation strategies such as conservation agriculture failed during long and severe dry spells and droughts and poor water resources limited the capacity to which supplementing crop-water requirements could be achieved. The language in weather forecasts and advisories was too technical, and the forecasts given were too course to have significant meaning at the local level. Lack of government support, lack of pro-poor financial schemes, and poor road infrastructure limited the capacity to which the smallholder farmers could manage climate extremes. The results showed that there are natural and financial barriers that limit the level of adaptation strategies and therefore development of adaptation strategies requires a holistic approach that is fully supported by correct policies.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Amondo E, Simtowe F, Rahut DB, Erenstein O (2019) Productivity and production risk effects of adopting drought-tolerant maize varieties in Zambia. Int J Clim Change Strat Manag 11(4):570–591. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-03-2018-0024
Amundsen H, Berglund F, Westskogo H (2010) Overcoming barriers to climate change adaptation – a question of multilevel governance? Environ Plan C Govern Policy 28:276–289
Armah FA, Luginaah I, Hambati H, Chuenpagdee R, Campbell G (2015) Assessing barriers to adaptation to climate change in coastal Tanzania: does where you live matter? Popul Environ 37:231–262. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-015-0232-9
Bryan E, Deressa TT, Gbetibouo GA, Ringler C (2009) Adaptation to climate change in Ethiopia and South Africa: options and constraints. Environ Sci Pol 12:413–426
Chanza N (2018) Limits to climate change adaptation in Zimbabwe: insights, experiences and lessons. Limits to Climate Change Adaptation. Springer, Cambridge, MA
Chanza N, Chigona A, Nyahuye A, Mataera-Chanza L, Mundoga T, Nondo N (2019) Diagnosing barriers to climate change adaptation at community level: reflections from Silobela, Zimbabwe. GeoJournal 84(3):771–783. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-018-9890-3
Chuma T (2012) Population dynamics and climate change: a case study of Zimbabwe. Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD), Harare
Cooper PJM, Dimes J, Rao KPC, Shapiro B, Shiferaw B, Twomlow S (2008) Coping better with current climatic variability in the rain-fed farming systems of sub-Saharan Africa: an essential first step in adapting to future climate change? Agric Ecosyst Environ 126:24–35
Deressa TT, Hassan RM, Ringler C, Alemu T, Yesuf M (2009) Determinants of farmers’ choice of adaptation methods to climate change in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia. Glob Environ Chang 19(2):248–255
Eriksen S, O’Brien K, Rosentrater L (2008) Climate change in Eastern and Southern Africa: impacts, vulnerability and adaptation. Global Environmental Change and Human Security, Oslo
Gwenzi J, Mashonjowa E, Mafongoya PL (2020) Coping with extreme weather in arid areas, a case study of Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe. In: Leal FW, Nagy G, Borga M, Chávez MP, Magnuszewski A (eds) Climate change, hazards and adaptation options. Climate change management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37425-9_35
Katsi L (2006) Assessment of factors which affect multiple uses of water and their impact on the sustainability of rural water supply sources: a case study of Marondera, Murehwa and Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe districts, Zimbabwe. University of Zimbabwe, Harare
Klopper E, Vogel CH, Landman WA (2006) Seasonal climate forecasts – potential agricultural – risk management tools. Climate Change 76:73–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-005-9019-9
Kwenda B (2014) An evaluation of the vulnerability of Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP) district, Zimbabwe to Agrometeorological hazards and extreme events for improved farmer resilience. University of Zimbabwe, Harare
Menghistu HT, Abraha AZ, Tesfay G, Mawcha GT (2020) Determinant factors of climate change adaptation by pastoral/agro-pastoral communities and smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Int J Clim Change Strat Manag 12(3):305–321. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-07-2019-0049
Monirul Islam M, Sallu S, Hubacek K, Paavola J (2014) Limits and barriers to adaptation to climate variability and change in Bangladeshi coastal fishing communities. Mar Policy 14(23):208–216
Mudombi S, Nhamo G (2014) Access to weather forecasting and early warning information by communal farmers in Seke and Murewa districts, Zimbabwe. J Hum Ecol 48(3):357–366
Ndebele-Murisa MR, Mubaya CP (2015) Climate change: impact on agriculture, livelihoods options and adaptation strategies for smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. In: Murisa T, Chikweche T (eds) Beyond the crises: Zimbabwe’s transformation and prospects for development. Trust Africa and Weaver Press, Harare
Nyahunda L, Tirivangasi HM (2019) Challenges faced by rural people in mitigating the effects of climate change in the Mazungunye communal lands, Zimbabwe. Jàmbá J Disaster Risk Stud 11(1):9
O’Brien K, Sygna L, Næss LO, Kingamlono R, Hochobeb B (2000) Is information enough? User responses to seasonal climate forecasts in southern Africa. CICERO report 2000:3. Center for International Climate and Environmental Research, Oslo
Phuong LTH, Biesbroek RG, Sen LTH, Wals AEJ (2018) Understanding smallholder farmers’ capacity to respond to climate change in a coastal community in Central Vietnam. Clim Dev 10(8):701–716. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2017.1411240
Serra R, McKune S (2016) Climate Information Services and Behavioural Change: the Case of Senegal Sahel Research Group Working Paper No. 010
World Bank (2019) Zimbabwe public expenditure review – with a focus on agriculture. World Bank, Washington, DC
Ziervogel G, Parnell S (2012) South African coastal cities: governance responses to climate change adaptation. In: Cartwright A, Parnell S, Oelofse G, Ward S (eds) Climate change at the city scale. Routledge, Abingdon
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Gwenzi, J., Mashonjowa, E., Mafongoya, P.L. (2021). Barriers and Limits to Climate Change Management for Locally Developed Adaptation Strategies: Case Study of Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Zimbabwe. In: Leal Filho, W., Luetz, J., Ayal, D. (eds) Handbook of Climate Change Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22759-3_71-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22759-3_71-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-22759-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-22759-3
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Earth and Environm. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences