The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture in Zambia: A Case Study of KUZIPA, MONDO and PAYOJU Farms

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of climate change on agriculture in Zambia, using Kuzipa, Mondo, and Payoju Farms as units of analysis. The general objective was to assess how climate change affected agricultural productivity and sustainability, while the specific objectives included examining its effects on water availability, identifying farmers' adaptation strategies, and recommending measures to enhance resilience. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative data from structured surveys with qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions. Stratified random sampling was used to select 171 respondents, ensuring representation across different farming categories. Data analysis involved statistical techniques for quantitative findings and thematic analysis for qualitative insights. Key findings revealed that climate change had significantly reduced water availability, disrupted planting schedules, and lowered crop yields. Farmers responded with adaptation strategies such as adjusting planting schedules (88.2%), installing irrigation systems (67.6%), practicing water harvesting (60%), and adopting drought-resistant crop varieties (58.8%). However, the uptake of soil conservation methods remains low (14.1%), highlighting a critical gap in adaptive practices. The study recommended improving access to drought-resistant seeds, promoting soil conservation methods through training and investing in affordable water management systems to enhance resilience. These measures could mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and support sustainable agricultural practices in Zambia. This, in a long term, will have a positive ripple effect in the economy.