Mthethwa Khethiwe Naledi, Ngidi Mjabuliseni Simon Cloapas, Ojo Temitope Oluwaseun, Hlatshwayo Simphiwe Innocentia
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa.
Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa.
Sustainability. 2022 Dec 16;14(24):16926. doi: 10.3390/su142416926.
Smallholder farmers' maize production is highly susceptible to climate change. Higher temperatures may result in reduced yields while encouraging weed, pest, and disease infestation. The impacts of climate change on agriculture are projected to be negative, threatening global food security; therefore, this is an important area of empirical research. This study sought to identify the factors affecting the adoption and intensity of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption among smallholder maize farmers in the uMshwathi and uKhahlamba Municipal areas of KwaZulu Natal. The study used the primary data collected from 99 respondents who were selected through simple random sampling. The descriptive results indicated that farmers had experienced severe climatic conditions such as drought, pests, diseases, hailstorms, heavy rains (floods), soil infertility, and frost in their farming system. The first hurdle of the probit model results showed that drought, on-farm income, and household size significantly influenced the adoption of CSA practices. In contrast, the main source of income and educational level had a significant negative influence. The results from the second hurdle showed that drought had a significant positive impact on the intensity of CSA adoption, while marital status had a significant negative effect. Several factors influence the adoption of an intensification of CSA practices. The study recommends that policymakers and climate change champions consider smallholder farmers' socioeconomic factors when developing climate change adaptation programs. Local climate change organizations must scale up climate change awareness and adaptation programs collaboratively. Investments in public climate and adaptation education or training are needed, as well as localized meteorological observations and early warning systems. Mass media dissemination of climate change and adaptation information in locally understood languages is urgently required.
小农户的玉米生产极易受到气候变化的影响。气温升高可能导致产量下降，同时助长杂草、病虫害滋生。预计气候变化对农业的影响将是负面的，威胁到全球粮食安全；因此，这是一个重要的实证研究领域。本研究旨在确定影响夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省姆什瓦蒂和夸赫兰巴市小农户玉米种植户采用气候智能型农业（CSA）及其采用强度的因素。该研究使用了通过简单随机抽样从99名受访者那里收集的原始数据。描述性结果表明，农民在其耕作系统中经历过干旱、病虫害、冰雹、暴雨（洪水）、土壤贫瘠和霜冻等恶劣气候条件。概率模型结果的第一个障碍表明，干旱、农场收入和家庭规模对采用CSA做法有显著影响。相比之下，主要收入来源和教育水平有显著的负面影响。第二个障碍的结果表明，干旱对CSA采用强度有显著的正向影响，而婚姻状况有显著的负向影响。有几个因素影响着CSA强化做法的采用。该研究建议政策制定者和气候变化倡导者在制定气候变化适应计划时考虑小农户的社会经济因素。地方气候变化组织必须合作扩大气候变化意识和适应计划。需要对公共气候和适应教育或培训进行投资，以及开展本地化气象观测和预警系统。迫切需要通过大众媒体以当地易懂的语言传播气候变化和适应信息。
