Climate Change Impact on Smallholder Farmers' Food Security in Malawi

This study assessed the impact of climate change on food security and adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers in Salima district, Malawi. Findings reveal a felt slight increase in temperature. Rainfall seasonality changes (inter annual and intra variation) are suspected to lead to more frequent and intensified droughts and floods that affect four pillars of food security i.e. food availability, access, utilization and stability. Meteorological data for 50 years was analysed to underpin farmers' perceptions on climate change. Farmers are taking adaptation measures to ensure food security that includes indigenous knowledge based on past experiences and adoption of climate smart modern technologies. However, there are some limiting factors and apparent constraints in incremental and transformational adaptation strategies due limited livelihoods-based capitals, knowledge and skills of climate smart agriculture.There is need for reforming agriculture extension services provided by government through formal integration of climate smart agriculture in policy linkages to smallholder farmers.

Autorentext

Climate change adaptation practitioner, over 15 years' broad experience in climate change and sustainable development covering policy analysis, research, advocacy, community based rural and urban adaptation/resilience frameworks, integrated ecosystems adaptation and climate smart agriculture.