Are Farmers exposed to climate change?

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.