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Livelihoods on the Edge without a Safety Net: The Case of Smallholder Crop Farming in North-Central Namibia

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  • Dian Spear

    (African Climate & Development Initiative, 6th floor Geological Sciences Building, University Avenue South, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa)

  • Angela Chappel

    (African Climate & Development Initiative, 6th floor Geological Sciences Building, University Avenue South, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa)

Abstract

Semi-arid Namibia is marginal for agricultural production. Low soil fertility combined with low and variable rainfall restrict the livelihoods of smallholder farmers who often struggle to produce enough food. Although historically, communities have adopted a number of coping mechanisms, climate change threatens to further reduce agricultural production. There are many additional options available to smallholder farmers to adapt to climate change, but they are not necessarily adopting these measures despite having noticed increasing temperatures and declining rainfall. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in three villages in Onesi constituency to examine what agricultural practices smallholder crop farmers use, perception of changes in their yields, their perspective on future yields and whether they are planning on changing their agricultural practices. The results suggest that to sustain the livelihoods of rural communities in north-central Namibia, support is needed from local and regional authorities, as well as traditional and religious leaders to assist with enhancing access to information, enabling information sharing on adaptation options, and increasing awareness on climate change, its impacts and what can be done about it. In addition to this, implementation of the adaptation action also requires demonstration sites and building capacity to enable the development of self-help groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Dian Spear & Angela Chappel, 2018. "Livelihoods on the Edge without a Safety Net: The Case of Smallholder Crop Farming in North-Central Namibia," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:7:y:2018:i:3:p:79-:d:153687
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Sarah Ayeri Ogalleh & Christian R. Vogl & Josef Eitzinger & Michael Hauser, 2012. "Local Perceptions and Responses to Climate Change and Variability: The Case of Laikipia District, Kenya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(12), pages 1-24, December.
    3. W. Neil Adger, 2003. "Social Capital, Collective Action, and Adaptation to Climate Change," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 79(4), pages 387-404, October.
    4. Nkegbe, Paul K. & Shankar, Bhavani & Ceddia, M. Graziano, 2011. "Smallholder Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practices in Northern Ghana," 2011 International Congress, August 30-September 2, 2011, Zurich, Switzerland 114608, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    5. Oecd, 2009. "Climate Change and Africa," OECD Journal: General Papers, OECD Publishing, vol. 2009(1), pages 5-35.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sheona Shackleton & Vanessa Masterson & Paul Hebinck & Chinwe Ifejika Speranza & Dian Spear & Maria Tengö, 2019. "Editorial for Special Issue: “Livelihood and Landscape Change in Africa: Future Trajectories for Improved Well-Being under a Changing Climate”," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-8, July.
    2. Gitonga, Zachary M. & Visser, Martine & Mulwa, Chalmers, 2020. "Can climate information salvage livelihoods in arid and semiarid lands? An evaluation of access, use and impact in Namibia," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 20(C).
    3. Chidiebere Ofoegbu & Mark New & Admire Mutsa Nyamwanza & Dian Spear, 2020. "Understanding the current state of collaboration in the production and dissemination of adaptation knowledge in Namibia," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 1017-1037, February.

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