Climate Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies of Smallholders in the Ngqushwa Local Municipality, South Africa

Ngqushwa Local Municipality smallholders and households are confronted by climate variability. The aim of the study was to assess the perceptibility of climate variability and the factors influencing adaptation strategies. From four villages, 308 households were selected to participate. A questionnaire and focus group discussions were used to study the general perceptions of climate variability and adaptation strategies adopted by farming households. The multiple regression model was used in assessing the socio-economic factors that affect the adopted adaptation approaches that assuage the effects of climate variability. Seventy-four per cent perceived climate variabilities to be taking place at an alarming rate, while 26 per cent were undecided about whether there was any climate variability. Age, education, and farm/household size were the predominant determinant variables that influence the choice of adaptation strategy. The study recommends that for better adaptive capacity, the participation of rural communities in climate governance be given policy attention and that grass-roots level knowledge systems be given equal weighting in policy formulation.