School of Technology and Social Sciences Research Collection

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    Examining the Impact of droughts on women farmers and identifying potential adaptation strategies adopted by women farmers in Zimba District
    (University of Lusaka, 2025) KACHEPA, Evas
    Droughts have posed a grave challenge to Zambian rural women farmers, particularly in Zimba District, where household livelihoods rely primarily on farming. The study examines the impact of frequent droughts on women farmers, identifying the changes in agricultural practice, socio-economic impacts, and the effectiveness of adaptation measures. The study employs a qualitative research design, where semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews were employed in gathering data from women farmers, agricultural extension officers, and community leaders. Thematic analysis was employed in identifying patterns and trends in the data. Results show that women farmers have responded to droughts by shifting to drought tolerant crops and modifying planting times. These coping mechanisms are, nevertheless, constrained by poor access to financial services, agricultural inputs, and extension services. Socio-economically, droughts reduced household incomes, food insecurity, and women's workload, as they search for water, food, and alternative livelihood options. Additionally, the disintegration of the traditional social support networks has forced women to rely more on informal cooperatives for resource sharing and building resilience. The study illustrates the need for targeted policy responses, including greater access to drought-tolerant seeds, microfinance options, and farmer field schools for women farmers. Cooperative consolidation, rural infrastructure development, and gender sensitive climate policy mainstreaming at the national level are critical for long-term resilience. The study contributes to ongoing discussions on gender, climate adaptation, and rural development with policy and programmatic implications for responding to the effects of climate change on vulnerable farming communities.