A gendered analysis of sustainable agricultural practices with changing climate in the Chankumba agricultural community, Zambia

abstract

Low agricultural productivity in Zambia is the result of long-term unsustainable practices amongst small-scale farmers. This situation has been compounded by the effects of climate change. Climate change has contributed to frequent droughts and increased floods in sub-Saharan Africa which is regarded as the most vulnerable region in the world. These natural disasters coupled with factors such as poor access to capital and inappropriate technologies have led to poor agricultural productivity leading to poverty amongst small-scale farmers. Moreover, although women play a key role in small-scale agriculture by contributing their labour and time in producing food, their access to resources is limited compared to men. This Article draws from empirical data from a study comprising of 70 randomly selected households and focus group discussions in the Chankumba agricultural community in Zambia. Using a gendered analysis, it explores the sustainable agricultural practices, knowledge levels and adaptation strategies practiced by small-scale farmers to combat the impacts of natural disasters due to climate change. It was found that due to several constraints such as lack of finance and the marginalisation of women, conventional or traditional methods of agriculture are still being practiced with variable methods being introduced to mitigate against the effects of droughts and floods. The study recommends that sustainable agriculture should be mainstreamed at national level, loan facilities are provided to small-scale farmers and women's marginalisation on land issues should be sensitised as a priority to achieve land reform and stronger resilience to climate change.

keywords:

• climate change
• small-scale farmers
• sustainable agricultural practices
• gendered analysis
• natural disasters

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Geofrey K Siulemba

GEOFREY K SIULEMBA is the Head of the soil fertility team (Plant Nutrition) at Mount Makulu Central Research Station of the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute. He is the Senior Agricultural Research Officer in charge of soil fertility. He is a PhD candidate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Email: [email protected]

Vadivelu Moodley

VADIVELU MOODLEY is an honorary senior lecturer in the School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal. His research interests include the geographies of health, tourism population and rural development. Email: [email protected]