Impacts of climate change and climate variability on agriculture and household food security in Kazungula district
Date
2019
Authors
Ambukege, Lusajo Mwakalesi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The earth’s climate system has changed due to natural phenomena and anthropogenic activities
resulting into increased atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gasses thus impacting negatively
on agricultural production and food security. Climate change and climate variability is likely to be
the major cause for low food production, food insecurity, crop failure, collapse of fisheries and
livestock deaths due to alterations in temperature and rainfall. Zambia’s high dependency on rainfed
agriculture will make it more vulnerable to climate change and climate variability. Kazungula
district has experienced decreased crop production due to extreme climate events such extreme
temperatures and precipitation which has a negative bearing on the four pillars of household food
security. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the impacts of climate change
and climate variability on agriculture and household food security in Kazungula district. This
research utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods of research. Qualitative and
quantitative data was collected through household structured questionnaires, focus group
discussions and key informant interviews. Secondary data on rainfall, temperature and agricultural
production statistics was obtained from the Zambia Meteorological Department, Ministry of
Agriculture and the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute. Research findings suggest
that climate change and climate variability is real and parameters such as temperature and rainfall
have changed in the last 35 years (1963- 1993). For example temperature has increased by 2oC
while rainfall has decreased by 26. 5 percent in Kazungula district. Results further suggest that
climate change and climate variability is a major problem for agriculture, household food security
and rural livelihoods for majority of the people in Kazungula district. Climate change and climate
variability has impacted negatively on the four pillars of food security (access, utilization,
availability and stability). In terms of access, 64 percent of the households were food insecure, 91
percent were severely affected in terms of food availability, 84 percent had no carryover stocks
affecting food stability and 73 percent were highly dependent on purchased cereals from outside
Kazungula district with 72 percent accounting for vegetables and 62 percent for Sugar.
Research findings indicate that 58 percent of the households were exposed to climate change and
climate variability, while the elderly aged between 45 and above (56 percent) were more
vulnerable compared to the youth headed households aged between 20 and 34 years (40 percent).
Majority of the households were highly dependent on emergency and crisis coping strategies that
included sending children to eat from relatives, reducing number of meals eaten per day by adults
and skipping meals. The study concludes that Kazungula is being impacted by the adverse impacts
of climate change and climate variability which has a negative bearing on agriculture and
household food security. The study strongly recommends promotion and adoption of adaption
strategies to build the adaptive capacity of local communities to enhance crop production and
household food security.
Key words: Climate Change, Climate Variability, Food Security, Agricultural Production.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Climatic change--Zambia , Food security --Kazungula, Zambia