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Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Building Through Small Grains Production in Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe

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Handbook of Climate Change Management

Abstract

Climate change adaptation strategies have become central in rural areas in responding to negative effects of climate change and building resilience. Small grains production is one of the key adaptation options that are utilized by smallholder farmers in response to climate change in Tsholotsho. This chapter examines the efficacy of small grains as a technical climate change adaptation option in Tsholotsho. It focuses on the effectiveness of growing sorghum, millet, and rapoko in comparison to maize production in a climate change context. Emphasis is also made on the role of government and its partners in enhancing the uptake of small grains production among farmers. Using a qualitative approach, data was collected through five (5) key informants, five (5) focus group discussions and 50 in-depth semi-structured interviews. Our study finds that small grains are well-suited and adaptable to climate change impacts in Tsholotsho compared to the production of maize. Furthermore, we show that the effectiveness of adopting small grains is based on the technical assistance derived from the government and its development partners through inputs and training. We recommend that government and its development partners prioritize and expand the uptake of the options among small holder farmers. This will assist in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal thirteen (13) on climate action.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fort Hare Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa

    Keith Phiri & Philani Moyo

  2. Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Lupane State University, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

    Sibonokuhle Ndlovu & Moreblessings Mpofu

Authors
  1. Keith Phiri
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  2. Sibonokuhle Ndlovu
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  3. Moreblessings Mpofu
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  4. Philani Moyo
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. FTZ-ALS, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  2. School of Social Sciences, CHC Higher Education, Carindale, Australia

    Johannes Luetz

  3. Center for Food Security Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Desalegn Ayal

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Phiri, K., Ndlovu, S., Mpofu, M., Moyo, P. (2020). Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Building Through Small Grains Production in Tsholotsho, 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_1-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22759-3_1-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-22759-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-22759-3

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