Adapting peri-urban agriculture to climate change in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: a qualitative assessment

Abstract

Peri-urban agriculture plays a critical role in sustaining food security and livelihoods in urban communities. In spite of the critical role it plays in food security, peri-urban agriculture has not received adequate attention with regards to its interface with climate change in Zimbabwe. Using a sample of thirty peri-urban plots selected through snowballing, this study investigated the farmers’ perceived effects of climate change on peri-urban agriculture in Bulawayo, and how farmers were adapting to climate change. The findings of the study revealed that peri-urban farmers perceived and observed significant climatic and related changes that were negatively impacting their farming activities. Observed changes included reduced precipitation levels, increased atmospheric temperature and diminishing borehole yields. Farmers were adapting with a variety of methods which included repeated planting, watering plants during the night, renting animal space in other farms with more water sources and purchasing supplementary feed for livestock. Among other issues, this study recommends the promotion of the use of drought tolerant seed varieties, improved water harvesting and a more rationalised system in managing livestock numbers in the plots.