Institutional arrangements and adaptation of climate change mitigation practicesin Bolero- Malawi

Abstract

This study set out to understand reasons smallholder farmers in Bolero fail to uptake expert advice from institutions in mitigating adverse effects of climate change. The study also attempted to understand reasons for local institutions failure to enhance local people adoption of climate change practices and in coordinating communities’ efforts in climate change mitigation. Thus, the study revolved around such research issues as; what are the reasons for communities and farmers failure to adopt climate change mitigation practices, why farmers relapse into their old farming practices after projects phase out. Other research issues explored in this study included how local institution engage with and facilitate local people’s efforts in climate change mitigation in Bolero. The study used household survey to gauge farmers understanding of climate change and its effects on livelihoods, and what they do to mitigate the adverse effects. Key informant interviews were conducted with experts in climate change mitigation in the district. Focus Group discussions were organized to triangulate information obtained through household survey and key informant interviews. Data from the study suggest that although smallholder farmers in Bolero are engaged in a number of climate change mitigation initiatives, adoption of mitigation practices has remained elusive, rendering farmers vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change. Climate change mitigation efforts in this area remain uncoordinated with existing local institutions failing to properly engage with other structures of the local government at district level to bring about sustainable transformation of livelihoods. The paper has acknowledges huge resources that have been channeled towards climate change mitigation initiatives including building capacity of local institutions for coordination of communities climate change mitigation efforts in Bolero. The study found out that despite these huge investments in climate change mitigation projects; climate continues having a serious negative toll on the livelihoods of many farmers in the area. Uncertainties in changing temperature patterns, ultra violet radiation levels, rainfall and wind patterns continue posing a major challenge to livelihoods for the rural poor in the area. The study concludes that unless smallholder farmers uptake advice from institutions on climate change adaptation and local institutions are capacitated to enhance community level adoption of climate change practices, coordinate and sustain communities’ climate change initiative, communities in Bolero will continue living under perpetual states of poverty, hunger and acute malnutrition.