Socio-Economic Determinants of Vulnerability to Climate Variability and Change Across Gender in Southeast Nigeria

This study assessed vulnerability problems in Southeast Nigeria. The specific objectives were to, assess vulnerability to impacts of climate variability and change (CVC) and their differences across gender and identify socio-economic determinants of vulnerability in the area. Mixed research methods and approaches, including key informant interview, focus group discussion, field observations and household survey (questionnaire), were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data.  The data were analysed and presented using mean, chi-square and multinomial logit regression. Common vulnerability problems for the entire sample (pooled data) as well as men and women headed households include poverty, less ownership of asset, rain fed nature of farming among others.  Vulnerability conditions of women in terms of their institutional and user characteristics, showed that they were significantly different (p≤0.05) from men in issues of limited availability of cropping lands (X2=67.71), political will-power (X2=64.48) and aids (X2=59.12). Socioeconomic characteristics of respondents affects their vulnerability problems such as limited availability of aids (P≤ =0.000; Cox and Snell R2 = 0.53; -2log likelihood ratio = 45.78); less ownership of assets among others. Socio economic determinants of vulnerability include age, income, education among others. The study recommends the use of gender-specific and equitable interventions such as providing trainings in line with needs of men and women to improve their information, technologies, knowledge and capacity to reduce vulnerability in the area

Climate change in semi-arid Malawi: perceptions, adaptation strategies and water governance: original research

Climate change and variability are a threat to sustainable agricultural production in semi-arid areas of Malawi. Overdependence on subsistence rain-fed agriculture in these areas calls for the identification of sustainable adaptation strategies. A study was therefore conducted in Chikwawa, a semi-arid district in southern Malawi, to: (1) assess community's perception of a changing climate against empirical evidence, (2) determine their local adaptive measures, (3) evaluate the potential of irrigated agriculture as an adaptive measure in household food security and (4) challenges over access to available water resources. The study employed focus group discussions and key informant interviews to assess people's perceptions of climate change and variability and their desired interventions. To validate the people's perceptions, rainfall and temperature data for the period 1960-2010 were analysed. A participatory complete randomised experimental design in both rain-fed and dry season-irrigated conditions was conducted to assess a maize cropping system that would improve adaptation. The study established persistent declining yields from rain-fed production in part because of perennial rainfall failure. In response, the community has shifted its focus to irrigation as an adaptation strategy, which has in turn triggered water conflicts in the community over the control of the resource. Water legislation however fails to adequately provide for rules governing sharing of water resources between various stakeholders. This article therefore recommends development of an appropriate institutional framework that forms a strong basis for equitable distribution of water for irrigation in areas most vulnerable to extreme climate events - including droughts and floods

Socio-Economic Determinants of Vulnerability to Climate Variability and Change Across Gender in Southeast Nigeria

This study assessed vulnerability problems in Southeast Nigeria. The specific objectives were to, assess vulnerability to impacts of climate variability and change (CVC) and their differences across gender and identify socio-economic determinants of vulnerability in the area. Mixed research methods and approaches, including key informant interview, focus group discussion, field observations and household survey (questionnaire), were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data.  The data were analysed and presented using mean, chi-square and multinomial logit regression. Common vulnerability problems for the entire sample (pooled data) as well as men and women headed households include poverty, less ownership of asset, rain fed nature of farming among others.  Vulnerability conditions of women in terms of their institutional and user characteristics, showed that they were significantly different (p≤0.05) from men in issues of limited availability of cropping lands (X2=67.71), political will-power (X2=64.48) and aids (X2=59.12). Socioeconomic characteristics of respondents affects their vulnerability problems such as limited availability of aids (P≤ =0.000; Cox and Snell R2 = 0.53; -2log likelihood ratio = 45.78); less ownership of assets among others. Socio economic determinants of vulnerability include age, income, education among others. The study recommends the use of gender-specific and equitable interventions such as providing trainings in line with needs of men and women to improve their information, technologies, knowledge and capacity to reduce vulnerability in the area

Exploring urban rural interdependence and the impact of climate change in Tanzania and Malawi: final narrative report

Africa is rapidly urbanizing, by 2030 there are projected to be over 759 million African urban dwellers. This poses major challenges for the further provision of infrastructure and services. Alongside this, Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change and climate variability (CC&CV). As urbanisation and inequality increase, more sophisticated analyses of the linkages and interdependencies between rural and urban areas are emerging. Flows of products, people, knowledge and information, natural resources and money provide strong and dynamic linkages. This action research project explored the relationships and dynamics between rural localities and their linked urban centres, focusing on the agriculture and food innovation systems. It specifically aimed to: Develop a collective understanding of the vulnerabilities, roles, climate-related risks and strategies among interdependent rural and urban communities, local government and other key stakeholders. Collectively develop and test viable options and strategies for key interdependent rural- urban stakeholders in the agriculture and food innovation systems to adapt to CC&CV; and Learn and share lessons for scaling up successful strategies for strengthening adaptive capacity within these interdependent agriculture and food innovation systems

Chapter 5: Food Security

The current food system (production, transport, processing, packaging, storage, retail, consumption, loss and waste) feeds the great majority of world population and supports the livelihoods of over 1 billion people. Since 1961, food supply per capita has increased more than 30%, accompanied by greater use of nitrogen fertilisers (increase of about 800%) and water resources for irrigation (increase of more than 100%). However, an estimated 821 million people are currently undernourished, 151 million children under five are stunted, 613 million women and girls aged 15 to 49 suffer from iron deficiency, and 2 billion adults are overweight or obese. The food system is under pressure from non-climate stressors (e.g., population and income growth, demand for animal-sourced products), and from climate change. These climate and non-climate stresses are impacting the four pillars of food security (availability, access, utilisation, and stability)

Food security

Peer reviewe

Food insecurity and coping strategies in semiarid areas : the case of Mvumi in central Tanzania

This study examines how people in dryland areas cope with food insecurity and adversities over time. It draws from the experience of the Gogo people living in Mvumi in the semiarid zone of central Tanzania, an area with a long history of food shortages. The study specifically examines the potential for dryland resources to sustain livelihoods. The study looks at the historical perspective of the problem in order to explore factors influencing the food situation in the area. It specifically investigates the role of local knowledge as a factor for adapting to dryland conditions by exploiting seasonality and local diversity. A detailed account is made of the coping strategies among three identified wealth groups in the area. Apart from their wealth levels, households in these wealth categories differ in how they mobilise and deal with labour in various seasons. Households in the well-off group have greater ability in mobilising and using external labour as well as accumulating and managing food surplus. The households in the intermediate group are flexible in utilising their own labour by performing various farm and non-farm activities according to their seasonalities. The households in the poor category sell their own labour and perform various farm and non-farm activities regardless of the season. It is clear from the study that different wealth groups differ in their ability to develop immediate coping into more pro-active livelihood strategies. The study winds up by assessing the potentials of the prominent land resource utilisation strategies in terms of economic, social and environmental perspectives