Factors Determining Climate Change Adaptation Practices Among Communal Farmers. A Case Of Mwenezi District In Zimbabwe

Climate change is now a threat to the totality of human existence resulting in deaths, malnutrition and crops failures among others. Whilst people may be aware of the existence of climate change, their degrees of awareness may differ, resulting in different climate change adaptation strategies usually wrongly implemented. The research hinges on identifying the determinants of climate change adaptation practices in the Matande communal lands in the drought risk zone of Mwenezi district, Zimbabwe. Understanding the factors determining climate change adaptation aid in scheming strategies and policies for effective climate adaptation for household food security. The emerging statistics indicate that vulnerability to climate change increased exponentially in the study area. An exploratory sequential research design was used in this study. A sample of 78 participants was drawn from a population of 371 households using purposive and cluster sampling techniques. Researchers triangulated data collection using focus group discussions (FDGs), in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, observations and questionnaires. Data analysis was done using thematic content analysis for the qualitative component whereas, the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was applied in the quantitative component of the study. The study seeks to identify and explore the influence of demographic factors on the adoption of climate adaptation strategies in Mwenezi district. The research found that determinants of climate change adaptation practices such as age, income and household size had statistically significant positive effect on household food security at a 5% level of significance or 95% confidence level except education status. Researchers called for capacity building for small-scale farmers so that climate change resilience programmes or adaptation issues are engaged with good knowledge.