The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity and Economic Stability in Rural Zimbabwe

This study examines the relationship between climate change, agriculture, and the economic trajectory of rural Zimbabwe focusing on Mutoko district, a region that largely depends on subsistence agriculture. Over the years, the region has experienced a drastic reduction in agricultural production owi...

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Main Authors: Shingirai Stanley Mugambiwa, Frank Selelo Rapholo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: CV. Literasi Indonesia 2024-12-01
Series:Indonesian Journal of Social and Environmental Issues
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ojs.literacyinstitute.org/index.php/ijsei/article/view/1635
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author Shingirai Stanley Mugambiwa
Frank Selelo Rapholo
author_facet Shingirai Stanley Mugambiwa
Frank Selelo Rapholo
author_sort Shingirai Stanley Mugambiwa
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the relationship between climate change, agriculture, and the economic trajectory of rural Zimbabwe focusing on Mutoko district, a region that largely depends on subsistence agriculture. Over the years, the region has experienced a drastic reduction in agricultural production owing to the variability in rainfalls, long draughts, as well as extreme weather conditions. These climatic variations have resulted in lower output in agricultural activities, economic crisis, and increasing instances of hunger and poor nutrition amongst households and the economy. A qualitative exploratory research design was adopted, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation from 30 smallholder farmers in the Mutoko district. The study found that climate change has significantly affected farming practices resulting in decreased crop production. This has strained the economic welfare of the region and increased the rate of food insecurity. The paper concludes by recommending a need for improved climate policy, encouraging the adoption of climate-resilient farming practices, and appropriate assistance to marginalized communities as a means towards improving the community’s resilience to climate change and sustainable livelihoods in rural Zimbabwe.
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spelling doaj-art-34d24e36e8b842eba3e84a399dd8937f2025-01-20T00:37:02ZengCV. Literasi IndonesiaIndonesian Journal of Social and Environmental Issues2722-13692024-12-015325526410.47540/ijsei.v5i3.16351636The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity and Economic Stability in Rural ZimbabweShingirai Stanley Mugambiwa0Frank Selelo Rapholo1Department of Social Work, University of Limpopo, South AfricaDepartment of Social Work, University of Limpopo, South AfricaThis study examines the relationship between climate change, agriculture, and the economic trajectory of rural Zimbabwe focusing on Mutoko district, a region that largely depends on subsistence agriculture. Over the years, the region has experienced a drastic reduction in agricultural production owing to the variability in rainfalls, long draughts, as well as extreme weather conditions. These climatic variations have resulted in lower output in agricultural activities, economic crisis, and increasing instances of hunger and poor nutrition amongst households and the economy. A qualitative exploratory research design was adopted, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation from 30 smallholder farmers in the Mutoko district. The study found that climate change has significantly affected farming practices resulting in decreased crop production. This has strained the economic welfare of the region and increased the rate of food insecurity. The paper concludes by recommending a need for improved climate policy, encouraging the adoption of climate-resilient farming practices, and appropriate assistance to marginalized communities as a means towards improving the community’s resilience to climate change and sustainable livelihoods in rural Zimbabwe.https://ojs.literacyinstitute.org/index.php/ijsei/article/view/1635agricultural productivityclimate changeeconomic stabilityrural zimbabwe
spellingShingle Shingirai Stanley Mugambiwa
Frank Selelo Rapholo
The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity and Economic Stability in Rural Zimbabwe
Indonesian Journal of Social and Environmental Issues
agricultural productivity
climate change
economic stability
rural zimbabwe
title The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity and Economic Stability in Rural Zimbabwe
title_full The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity and Economic Stability in Rural Zimbabwe
title_fullStr The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity and Economic Stability in Rural Zimbabwe
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity and Economic Stability in Rural Zimbabwe
title_short The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity and Economic Stability in Rural Zimbabwe
title_sort impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and economic stability in rural zimbabwe
topic agricultural productivity
climate change
economic stability
rural zimbabwe
url https://ojs.literacyinstitute.org/index.php/ijsei/article/view/1635
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