Moving toward sustainable agriculture through a better understanding of farmer perceptions and attitudes to cope with climate change

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Small holder farmers are highly vulnerable to changes in climate, as they live on a marginal income, and the crops they depend upon are highly affected by climate. This paper seeks to investigate the impact of climate change on farmers’ productivity and their adaptive responses to these impacts.

Methodology: One hundred and fifteen small-scale farmers were interviewed throughout Mauritius. A questionnaire was devised for this study and included both close-ended and open-ended questions.

Findings: It was found that farmers have observed a net decrease in their crop yield over the past several years, mainly owing to changes in the quantum and pattern in precipitation, and resurgence of pests and diseases. Their only recourse to adapt to these was to increase the amount of pesticides and fertilizers in order to maintain their level of production. This survey finding was validated by a model.

Practical implications: This study will enable extension officers to review the advice they normally give to farmers with a view to ensure that farmers respond to the climatic changes by adopting a more sustainable approach of using environmentally friendly measures such as application of organic amendments, non-chemical pest control, reduced fertilizers and pesticides, soil and water management.

Theoretical implications: Promoting a shift toward an ecological way of farming will result in less reliance on chemicals and lowered GHG emissions.

Originality/Value: The study depicted the weaknesses of the extension services to make farmers shift from their conventional practice toward a sustainable agriculture

KEYWORDS:

• Sustainable agriculture
• farmer perspective
• climate adaptation
• modeling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

V. Ramborun, a M.Phil./Ph.D. student working on sustainable agriculture and climate change. He has equally participated in a TEDx talk where he explains how unemployed youth can make agriculture a source of income.

S. Facknath, a Professor in sustainable agriculture and climate change at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius. She has expertise in the field of sustainable agriculture, indigenous knowledge systems, and climate change, and has also worked in the areas of aquaculture and sustainable forestry. Till date she has over 60 publications in her active.

B. Lalljee, a Professor in soil science and climate change at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius. He has extensive experience on soil science, indigenous knowledge systems and climate change. Up to date he has over 70 publications in his active.