Explaining the uncertainty: understanding small-scale farmers’ cultural beliefs and reasoning of drought causes in Gaza Province, Southern Mozambique

This paper explores small-scale farmers’ cultural beliefs about the causes of drought events and the reasoning behind their beliefs. Cultural beliefs vary across countries, regions, communities, and social groups; this paper takes the case of farmers from Gaza Province in southern Mozambique as its focus. Findings show that the farmers have a limited knowledge and understanding of the scientific explanation about drought. Thus, farmers’ beliefs about the causes of drought are strongly based on the indigenous (the power of spirits) and Christian philosophies that attribute drought to supernatural forces, such as ancestors or God, and as a punishment for (some unknown) wrongdoings. Farmers have a distinct and under-explored repertoire of possible wrongdoings to justify the punishments driven by those cultural beliefs. Some of their reasoning is static, while some is mutable, and is based on their observation and perception of the negative, unexpected, or harmful recent or current events which happen in their surrounding environment, and which they believe could be avoided or prevented. Farmers’ beliefs about drought causes, and their underlying reasoning for those beliefs, are what will primarily influence their perception of their own capacity to adapt, their motivation to respond, and their behavioral responses. Yet, their social groups exert a great influence on their choices of response. The paper concludes that more context-specific investigations into the socio-psychological nature of farmers’ beliefs are required prior to interventions in order to better help farmers to respond to future drought risks

Traditional predication of drought under weather and climate uncertainty: analyzing the challenges and opportunities for small-scale farmers in Gaza province, southern region of Mozambique

This paper explores the traditional indicators that small-scale farmers in Gaza province in southern Mozambique use to predict drought events on their rain-fed farms. It analyzes the contextual situation regarding the accuracy and reliability of the traditional prediction methods under the current weather and conditions of climate uncertainty and variability, and the opportunities that their prediction methods can bring to reduce their current and future exposure and vulnerabilities to drought. Farmers use a total of 11 traditional environmental indicators to predict drought, either individually or combined, as required to increase their prediction certainty. However, the farmers perceive that current unpredictability, variability, and changes in weather and climate have negatively affected the interpretation, accuracy, and reliability of most of their prediction indicators, and thus their farming activities and their ability to predict and respond to drought. This, associated with the reduced number of elders in the community, is causing a decline in the diversity, and complexity of interpretation of indicators. Nonetheless, these difficulties have not impeded farmers from continuing to use their preferred prediction methods, as on some occasions they continue to be useful for their farming-related decisions and are also the main, or sometimes only, source of forecast. Considering the role these methods play in farmers’ activities, and the limited access to meteorological forecasts in most rural areas of Mozambique, and the fact that the weather and climate is expected to continually change, this paper concludes that it is important to enhance the use of traditional prediction methods. However, the increase of the accuracy and reliability, and continued existence of the methods depends on the farmers’ own abilities to enhance, preserve, and validate them by tailoring the traditional methods used to work with the new environmental, weather, and climatic conditions, or through the development of new methods

The role of cultural beliefs in shaping farmers' behavioural decisions to adapt to drought risks in Gaza Province - Southern Mozambique

Drought has had an adverse effect on farmers' agricultural activities, livestock production, health and livelihoods. Therefore, adaptation of the agricultural sector is urgent to reduce farmers' vulnerability, enhance their resilience and adapt to drought. Several factors have affected farmers' adaptation to drought, such as socio-economic, technical, institutional and cultural. However, this study aims to explore the under-researched role of cultural beliefs in shaping these farmers' behavioural decisions to adapt to drought. To undertake this, the study takes the case of small-scale rain-fed farmers in the southern province of Gaza, Mozambique. Findings show that farmers have a limited knowledge and understanding of climate change, and lack scientific information about drought. Instead, many farmers believe that drought is a punishment from God or their ancestors for some wrongdoing. Nonetheless, the farmers find a variety of explanations for the wrongdoing, which are based on their value-laden perceptions of morally wrong occurrences that are taking place nationwide. The findings also show that farmers' implement reactive responses to deal with the causes and the impacts of drought. However, farmers' cultural beliefs influence the timing and order of implementation of two types of response. Firstly, farmers usually implement collective responses to correct the perceived wrongdoing, ask for forgiveness and rain from God and/or their ancestors through the medium of traditional ceremonies and prayer. These responses bind farmers together in solidarity in times of drought as they are driven by their common need for rainfall for their agricultural activities. The responses thus act as a psychological support system for farmers in their attempts to deal with the causes of drought, and to recover from the hardship. Secondly, farmers, often on an individual basis, implement diverse strategies to reduce the impacts of drought through activities to generate income, and to secure immediate food needs or help from the government, family and friends. Farmers' choices of these types of responses and their level of vulnerability are not only driven by their cultural practices, but also by the socio-economic and institutional environment in which they live. Although all the above reactive strategies are not yet helping farmers to adapt to drought, results do not demonstrate culture as a barrier to adaptation in the first instance. Rather, the approach with which drought adaptation strategies are designed and implemented is what dictates whether or not culture will constitute a barrier or help. Therefore, the study emphasises the crucial need to understanding farmers' cultural dimensions of adaptation and further incorporate them in the design and implementation of drought adaptation strategies in order to increase farmers' support and engagement with them and the likelihood of a successful adaptive outcome

The Political Economy of Electricity Access in Mozambique: Supporting Sustainable and Inclusive Investment

The Indian Ocean nation of Mozambique has a wealth of energy resources through a combination of hydropower (20GW), solar (23TW), and wind (1.1 GW) capacity at coastal locations, as well as considerable fossil fuel reserves, including natural gas in the provinces of Inhambane (estimated 3.5 trillion cubic feet) and Cabo Delgado (128 trillion cubic feet). Mozambique is currently developing one of the largest gas fields in Africa, situated off the coast of the northernmost province of Cabo Delgado. The total project cost is estimated between US$50-$100 billion over a decade, making it one of the largest investment projects in Africa. The U.S. oil company Exxon Mobil heads the consortium developing the gas resources in areas operated by France's Total and Italy's ENI, with stakes held by Indian and Chinese oil and gas firms

Modelos e práticas do uso da plataforma de eLearning na Universidade Católica de Moçambique: o caso do instituto de educação a distância

Tendo em conta que o mundo está cada vez mais dominado pela tecnologia, a aprendizagem no contexto online está acompanhando paulatinamente o desenvolvimento como fator primordial para a Educação a Distância. As tecnologias propiciam novas formas de construir o conhecimento através de novos ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem quebrando os paradigmas tradicionais com a separação física entre o tutor e o estudante. No Instituto de Educação a Distância da Universidade Católica de Moçambique, a aprendizagem é caracterizada sob dois modelos de ensino, o semipresencial e o online com ênfase as plataformas digitais. O objetivo do estudo é analisar os modelos e práticas do uso da Plataforma de eLearning no Instituto de Educação a Distância da Universidade Católica de Moçambique. Parte da seguinte questão de investigação: Quais os modelos e práticas do uso da Plataforma de eLearning no processo de ensino e aprendizagem no Instituto de Educação a Distância da Universidade Católica de Moçambique? Trata-se de um estudo de caso que se caracteriza como uma pesquisa de abordagem mista devido à variedade de procedimentos e instrumentos de recolha de dados usados, nomeadamente, o questionário, a entrevista (semi-estruturadas), a análise documental e a observação. A amostra foi constituída por 12 estudantes do 3º e 4º ano do curso de Licenciatura em Ensino de História, 7 tutores, 3 monitores da plataforma e o Diretor Pedagógico dos cursos online. Recorreu-se também a análise de manuais de procedimento online com base na aplicação da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Os resultados obtidos indicam a necessidade de ampliar conhecimento e desenvolver competências sobre: a) Educação a Distância no que se refere aos aspetos das metodologias, estratégias e ferramentas pedagógicas e b) mediação pedagógica em Educação a Distância. Em relação aos estudantes, a ausência de instrumentos de avaliação como os testes e os trabalhos e a exploração dos fóruns culmina com a falta de incentivo à participação dos estudantes na plataforma de eLearning. Quanto aos docentes, a ausência de interação com os estudantes e a falta de formações contínuas na área das competências para a docência online são apontadas como aspetos que influenciam negativamente o uso da plataforma. Assim sendo, para dar sustentação aos ingressos na Educação a Distância é essencial uma formação inicial dos estudantes e dos docentes e, em sequência, o desenvolvimento de um programa de formação contínua e que deve alicerçar-se sobre a matriz de competências e habilidades organizadas segundo os domínios institucional, tecnológico, pedagógico e de gestão e, sobre níveis de proficiência de acordo com os papéis e funções do profissional.Taking into account that the world is increasingly dominated by technology, learning in the online context is gradually following the development as a key factor for Distance Education. Technologies provide new ways to build knowledge through new virtual learning environments, breaking traditional paradigms with the physical separation between tutor and student. At the Institute of Distance Education of the Catholic University of Mozambique, learning is characterized by two teaching models, semipresential and online, with an emphasis on digital platforms. The aim of the study is to analyze the models and practices of using the eLearning Platform at the Institute of Distance Education of the Catholic University of Mozambique. It starts with the following research question: What are the models and practices of using the eLearning Platform in the teaching and learning process at the Institute of Distance Education of the Catholic University of Mozambique? It is a case study that is characterized as a mixed approach research of descriptive statistics type due to the variety of procedures and data collection instruments used, including questionnaires, interview guides (semi-structured), document analysis, observations and bibliographic research. The sample consists of 12 students from the 3rd and 4th year of the Licentiate Degree in History Teaching, 7 tutors, 3 platform monitors and the Pedagogical Director of the online courses. We also used the analysis of online procedure manuals based on the application of the content analysis technique. The results obtained indicate the need to expand knowledge and develop skills on: a) Distance Education with regard to aspects of pedagogical methodologies, strategies and tools and b) pedagogical mediation in Distance Education. Regarding students, the lack of assessments such as tests and essays and exploration of forums culminates in the lack of encouragement for students to participate in the eLearning platform. As for teachers, the lack of interaction with students and the lack of continuous training in the area of skills for online teaching are identified as aspects that negatively influence the use of the platform. Therefore, to support the entry into Distance Education, initial training for students and teachers is essential and, subsequently, the development of a continuous training program, which should be based on the matrix of competences and skills organized according to the institutional, technological, pedagogical and management domains, and on levels of proficiency according to the roles and functions of the professional.A investigação realizada no âmbito deste Projeto está integrada nas linhas de investigação da Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento - Laboratório de Educação a Distância e eLearning (UID 4372/FCT), da Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia do Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior

Assessing the adoption of sustainable heating technologies in the United Kingdom – A case study of socioeconomically deprived neighbourhoods of Nottingham city

The transition to sustainable heating technologies is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate the impacts of climate change and enable a sustainable and low-carbon society. However, a successful transition will require transformative, and large-scale household behavioural changes, and their acceptance and adoption of new technologies. Through mixed data collected at household level (n = 70) in three of the 10 poorest areas of the UK city of Nottingham (Aspley, Clifton, and St Ann's) we deepen the understanding of people's engagement with their current heating systems, their heating preferences, and views on adopting sustainable heating systems in the future. We find that despite the price increase in fossil fuel-based heating and people's reduction in heating use to reduce costs, getting them to move away from their current systems is very challenging, as most people are unwilling (41.13%) or sceptical (23.01%) about it as these systems are familiar, and generally perceived as more affordable, cost effective and efficient. Moreover, most people (71.43%) are unaware of the government's heating transition plans, but they believe that the adoption of sustainable heating systems should be optional to allow them to evaluate the pros and cons of the systems, and to choose the one that is better for them, that they can afford. Prompting a shift will need more than the common type of financial incentive. There must be first the provision of non-financial incentives to reduce some of the sociotechnical and perceptual barriers to adoption and motivate people to accept and engage in heat decarbonisation as part of a moral responsibility to the environment, and towards current and future generations

Caracterização das condições socioeconómicas dos deslocados internos no norte de Moçambique ao longo do ano de 2021

O texto tem como objectivo aferir as condições socioeconómicas dos deslocados internos, ao longo do ano de 2021. A partir da realização de inquéritos por questionário e observação no terreno constata-se que o conflito armado exerceu um impacto negativo nas relações sociais no Norte de Cabo Delgado, afectando diferentemente os grupos sociais. Os dados revelam um profundo agravamento das condições de habitação, de acesso a recursos naturais e condições de produção, tornando a população largamente dependente de ajuda humanitária. A elevada concentração de populações deslocadas ao longo do eixo Pemba-Montepuez assegurou uma maior proximidade a infra-estruturas e serviços públicos, aumentando a pressão sobre serviços já altamente saturados. A guerra, as deslocações forçadas e as medidas de prevenção da COVID-19 exerceram um impacto negativo nos serviços de educação, afectando centenas de milhares de jovens e comprometendo a integração socioprofissional de toda uma geração. O deslocamento das populações reflectiu as desigualdades sociais existentes na província. As famílias com maior capital social ou financeiro (entre as quais pequenos empresários, funcionários públicos ou pensionistas) tiveram capacidade de patrocinar a deslocação da família alargada para zonas mais a Sul, assim como acesso a terrenos agrícolas. A população com menos recursos concentrou-se nas zonas mais inseguras ou em centros temporários, altamente densificados, com maior dificuldade de acesso a recursos naturais e mais dependente de apoio humanitário. No Norte da província as populações permaneceram condicionadas no acesso a serviços públicos e à ajuda humanitária. Limitada na assistência às zonas mais inseguras, a ajuda humanitária reproduziu as desigualdades sociais existentes, proporcionando acesso a bens e serviços às famílias com mais recursos. A instalação de toda a indústria humanitária nas cidades do Sul da Província (em Pemba, mas também Montepuez) revitalizou sectores económicos afectados pela interrupção de projectos extractivos, como a hotelaria e restauração, arrendamento de vivendas e armazéns, transporte de mercadorias e rent a car, revitalizando o conteúdo local e empregando centenas de jovens locais. O texto demonstra a existência de descoordenação entre as políticas de intervenção por parte do Estado e de organizações humanitárias, particularmente evidente a partir do final do ano de 2021, em que a intensificação de acções contra-terroristas foi acompanhada por mais dificuldades de assistência alimentar. Nos locais de reassentamento aumenta a competição pelo acesso a terras e tensões com as populações autóctones, sendo que a dificuldade de acesso a meios de produção e incerteza de assistência alimentar precipitou movimentos de regresso para locais particularmente inseguros, tornando-se alvo fácil para ataques, roubos e raptos, realimentando o conflito. O Estado, agências de desenvolvimento e organizações da sociedade civil enfrentam um dilema estratégico: arriscar o regresso das populações a locais inseguros, ou promover o desenvolvimento socioeconómico nos locais de reassentamento, compensando as populações locais pela cedência de terrenos para produção agrícola e subsidiando actividades económicas