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North-central Namibia is more vulnerable to effects of climate change and variability. Combined effects of environmental degradation, social vulnerability to poverty and a changing climate will compromise subsistence farming in north-central Namibia (NCN). This will make subsistence and small-scale farmers in the region more vulnerable to projected changes in the climate system. Thus, the aim of this article was to examine factors contributing to subsistence farmers’ vulnerability to impacts of climate change. The article further discusses different aspects of human vulnerability and existing adaptation strategies in response to impacts of climate related disasters experienced over the past three to four decades in NCN. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches and methodology were employed to obtain information from subsistence farmers in north-central Namibia. The socio-demographic characteristics of Ohangwena, Oshana and Omusati Region reveals high levels of unemployment, high adult and elderly population and high dependency on agricultural livelihood system. These indicators help understand levels of household vulnerability. The study concludes that households interviewed revealed low levels of adaptive capacity due to exposure to climate risks and combined effects of social, political and cultural factors. This article provided an understanding that is required to inform the adaptation pathways relevant for NCN.

This video shows the panel discussion and summary part of the webinar “A case of advisory services: climate information supporting farmers’ decision-making – PICSA approach”.

In this webinar recording, Graham Clarkson, University of Reading, presents the initial results of PICSA (Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture) in Ghana, Rwanda, Malawi and Tanzania. His presentation is followed by questions and answers by the participants.

Based on CSA practices, prioritized in national and regional workshops, a study was conducted using historical data collected by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and its national partners to better understand the benefits and challenges of CSA technologies and to assess their feasibility for a large outscaling initiative in southern Africa. The specific objective of the study was to assess their economic, biophysical, environmental and social benefits using existing available long-term data. For completeness a summary of challenges in their implementation was also provided.

This Pilot Study is a summry to address increasing threats of climate change and declining soil fertility, a cross regional agronomic study was conducted in southern Africa, covering 19 on-farm communities in contrasting agro-ecologies ranging from around 500 mm to more than 1800mm of rainfall. The 19 on-farm communities have been under long-term research by CIMMYT and national partners in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The aim of this study was to assess how different climate-smart agriculture technologies perform under a variable climate and to pilot new doubled-up legume systems of groundnuts with pigeonpea in 6 selected target communities.

This study examines the vulnerability to climate variability and change of the conventional maize value chain in the mid and low altitude agro-ecological zones of Malawi, agro-ecological zone II of Zambia and agro-ecological zone III of Zimbabwe. The aim is to develop feasible priorities and strategies for climate variability and change adaptation based on farmer preference. A literature review for the countries Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe was conducted to assess the current and future impact of climate change and variability on the smallholder farming system. A mix of methods, which included participatory vulnerability assessment tools, focus group discussions and key informant interviews among 108 farmers from five communities, complemented the literature review. Data were collected on the current and likely future impacts and sensitivity of the systems and adaptation capacities.

Agriculture is one of the sectors affected adversely by climate change. Attaining food security and development goals at both household and national levels requires deployment of efficient and sustainable food production practices  Furthermore, the fragile soil structure and the low nutrient composition in most parts of the country make farmers more vulnerable. The common farming practices by the majority of farmers in Namibia are characterized by extensive soil disturbance through ploughing, low use of agricultural inputs, and overexploitation of fragile lands. Inappropriate agricultural practices and poor soil management have resulted in soil erosion, land degradation, loss of vegetation cover, and consequently into low agricultural production.  These land management practices can cause degradation leading to a decrease in soil organic matter. Thus, to mitigate these impacts, there is a need for promoting sustainable farming interventions such as Conservation Agriculture (CA) in the country.
This video in the external link was composed by a number of partners in addressing the effect of Climate Change and sensitise Conservation Agriculture.

In two weeks’ time, the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will hold the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris, France. Namibia has been a signatory to this international treaty since 1995 and is as such at an important juncture of commemorating the progress and lessons to come out of the past 20 years of responding to the challenges presented by climate change within the context of international development. Another important juncture in international development is that of the soon to be enacted intergovernmentally agreed set of targets, the Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs). In less than two months, the SDGs will take effect when UN member states are expected to enact policies and legislation to realise them and their associated targets.

Majority of farmers in Zimbabwe are small-scale based, poverty stricken and vulnerable to climate shocks, stresses and impacts. The small-scale farmers have no access to bank loans, crop insurance and other public interventions. This leaves them highly exposed, neglected and defenceless to climatic threats. The national input scheme, otherwise known as the Presidential Input Scheme, has its shortcomings and a few merits.

AAIN is registered in Accra, Ghana as a private sector entity & internationally recognised as a Business Development Company.