What farmers suffering from?
One of the outcomes of climate change is an
increasing global temperature. As I said in a previous post, the temperature
has increased by 0.75 °C in 2015. Certain climate models predict global
temperature to increase by an average of 3-4 °C till 2100, and the impact on temperatures
in Africa in particular is expected to increase by a further 1.5 times. Further,
Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced increased drought vulnerability since 1950 (Bhattacharjee
et al., 2011).
Increasing temperature is intrinsically
linked with crop failure for African farmers. Agriculture is an important
sector to the African population, because more than 60% rely on agriculture and
natural resources (Bhattacharjee et al., 2011). Given that most of the crop in
Africa are rainfed they are susceptible to droughts. Further, crops, such as wheat
and rice are temperature sensitive, and their photosynthesis rate is at its
highest between temperatures of 20-32°C. Wheat and rice yield will decrease, as
increased temperatures lead to less photosynthesis, and greater crop failure. An
increase of 1-2 °C is likely decrease yields by about 5%. If the temperature increases
by 5°C, yield of wheat will decrease by 50%. A 1.5-2°C warming also could lead
to the loss or change of suitable areas for some crops by about 80%. Furthermore,
livestock production is compromised by climate change, such as droughts. Between
1995 and 1997 a drought in Ethiopia caused a 50% loss of cattle (The World Bank,
2013).
What they do to prevent them from suffering?
The capacity to adjust farming procedures to
mitigate climate change impacts is very limited for most smallholder farmers.
Indeed, they have developed strategies to prevent, or rather to buffer, negative
consequences. Depending on risk and vulnerability, farmers use different technologies,
products or consumption decisions. In-season adjustments, such as crop and
resource management, enhance the yield, as crops are more resistant to
droughts. Off-season methods, like crop varieties or water management, are used
to ensure a detailed management before the season starts. Different crop
varieties diminish the chance of a crop failure, because different crops have different
temperature sensitives (Bhattacharjee et al., 2011). 
Figure 1: Adaptations of African farmers.
Source: (Bhattacharjee et al., 2011).
Figure 1 shows the most chosen coping
strategy of adjustment for African farmers. Zimbabwean farmers, for instance use
drought-resistant crops and switched successfully to different crop species.
From the data in figure 1, there is one aspect that I like to emphasise – that of
no adaptation. 42% of African farmers don’t use adjustments to adapt to climate
change. A lack of money and knowledge is leading to the high number of no
adaption farmers. Coping strategies should be better supported by public policy
and investment. Bhattacharjee dissents, that “collective actions can help
increase the adoption of adaptation measures”. Indeed, Bhattacharjee’s opinion
is right, rather we should take regard of our own daily behaviour and try to
reduce climate change supporters, such as CO2 emissions or water consumption.
Any solutions?
There are many ways to cope with climate change
impacts, such as the coping strategies I named before. Farmers and smallholder
farmers in particular, need help to buffer uncertain changes. Collective action
and supporting public policy is a big deal, but climate change denial, or
rather inaction of the society fosters the issue. If society continues like
this, African farmers may try to adapt, as much as they can, but they will
never achieve a goal, because our consumption level will always challenge
farmers’ issues.
References:
Bhattacharjee R., Ntare B. R., Otoo E. and
Pius Z. Yanda (2011): Regional Impacts of Climate Change: Africa. In: Crop
Adaptation to Climate Change. Wiley-Blackwell. Oxford.
The World Bank (2013): Turn down the heat.
Washington DC.
