Factors affecting adoption of climate change adaptation strategies in Zambia: The case of changing crop varieties and planting dates

Thumbnail Image
Date
2014
Authors
Mulenga, Muma
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zambia
Abstract
This study examines the factors affecting adoption of climate change adaptation strategies narrowing down the focus on changing of crop varieties and planting dates based on secondary data obtained from a household lAPRI/UNZA survey of 2013 that covered six districts of Zambia. The specific objectives of the study are to determine the proportion of farmers that have adopted change of crop varieties (CCV) and changing of planting dates (CPD) and to identify the factors that affect the adoption of the two strategies. A probit model was employed in the study. Thirty six percent of the sampled farmers had adopted CCV while 42% had adopted CPD. Findings further reveal that sex, farm size, being a member of an agricultural group and being in one of the districts Sinazongwe, Serenje, Mpika, Nyimba and Petauke all positively and significantly affected farmer's decision to adopt both CCV and CPD while being polygamous married was not significant in the adoption of CPD and access to credit was not significant in the adoption of CCV but was negatively significant in the adoption of CPD. Therefore, there is need for the government to develop and strengthen institutional mechanisms that enhances farmers' social capital through formation of groups such as cooperatives. This would promote farmer to farmer extension services in order to harness the farming experience in some of the farmers. This study only covered two adaptation strategies, there is therefore need for future studies to focus on other adaptation strategies such as increased reliance on irrigation, crop diversification etc and identify the factors that affect adoption and their adoption rates.
Description
Student Project Report
Keywords
Climate change mitigation-Zambia , Climate changes-Zambia , Zambia-Environmental conditions
Citation
Collections