Weathering the Storm: Assessing the Effects of Climate Change on Subsistence Farming in Wegdraai Village
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijarbm.684Keywords:
Climate Change, Subsistence Farming, Indigenous Knowledge, Wegdraai VillageAbstract
Climate change poses significant risks to subsistence farming in Wegdraai Village, Limpopo Province, South Africa, with direct implications for rural economics and agricultural management. Farmers rely on indigenous knowledge systems and rain-fed agriculture, making them vulnerable to unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and rising temperatures. Using a case study design with a quantitative survey approach, data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 50 farmers selected from approximately 100 households. Validity was strengthened by aligning questionnaire items with established measures in climate adaptation literature. Findings reveal that climate change has significantly reduced crop yields, disrupted planting schedules, and caused income losses averaging 35 percent, thereby undermining household economic resilience. Farmers reported experiencing droughts, unseasonal rainfall, floods, and heatwaves. Adaptation strategies included crop diversification, water harvesting, and localized practices such as mulching and shade netting. The study contributes new knowledge by situating subsistence farming within broader economic and management frameworks, highlighting the intersection of climate vulnerability, household income, and rural development planning. It recommends investment in climate-resilient crops, irrigation infrastructure, and financial protection mechanisms, alongside knowledge transfer from government and agricultural institutions.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mahlodi Daniel Raphiri, TS Madzivhandila, KA Mashamaite (Author)
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