Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change a Case Study in Swaziland

摘要

This study was designed to establish farmers’ perception on climate change and weather variability and its impacts on input investments, crop yields and food security. The study was conducted in the Middleveld of Swaziland were three constituencies were selected within the region. Three communities were selected spatially from each constituency. Purposive sampling was used to select 30 households from each community to make a sample size of 270 households. Information was collected from heads of households using a questionnaire and information obtained from focus group discussions with elders in the communities. The results showed that farmers perceived climate change and weather variability correctly although some perceived rainfall conditions at the beginning of the farming season incorrectly. Farmers’ perception on rainfall influences their investment decisions. When good rains are perceived, they invest more and vice versa. Poor input investment influences yields and contributes to food insecurity. The study concluded that farmers’ perception of climate change and weather variability, in particular rainfall, influence investment decision and the resulting crop yield and food insecurity. Therefore, this study recommends that local government should provide accurate weather forecasting to farmers on time before the onset of every farming season as well as to give them relevant meteorological advice that will help them make informed farming options in each farming season.