Adaptive capacity of cattle farmers to climate change in Bolero Extension Planning Area - Malawi

Abstract

This study was conducted in Bolero Extension planning Area in Rumphi district of Malawi during 2014/2015 season to assess adaptive capacity of cattle farmers to climate change. Specifically, to (1) characterize pasture and water availability for cattle in Bolero, (2) assess how cattle farmers respond to drying up of pastures in Bolero, and (3) assess how cattle farmers respond to drying up of water bodies in Bolero. There had been evident reports that there is rapid drying up of pastures and drying of water bodies due to decreased rainfall. Land holding for cattle grazing is also diminishing in Bolero due to expansion of crop cultivation and human population growth. The research asks: What is the adaptive capacity of cattle keepers to climate change in Bolero? The study purposively sampled 128 cattle keepers in different strata for individual interview out of 321 total cattle farm household population, giving a sample size of 40 %. Bolero has got 12 agricultural sections with 2,726 cattle. The samples were proportionally allocated in relation to population size of cattle farmers in all the 12 sections. Data was collected through survey questionnaire, focus group discussion and consultation with key informants. Collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences for frequency distributions. The study results indicate that cattle production is being impacted by rainfall variability through small grazing land, limited water points with increased distances to fetch water and pastures during dry season. On coping mechanisms the study has established that majority of cattle keepers said they practice mobility, fetching for pasture and water during scarcity; livelihood diversification by growing crops such as Tobacco and selling surplus food crops and keeping other types of livestock such as goats, pigs and chickens. There is also cooperation within Bolero CoP and they share resources such as communal grazing land and feeding cattle on crop residues communally without restriction to owner’s crop field.