The Role of social capital in community-based climate adaptation approaches in women’s smallholder farming drylands: a case of Zvishavane district, Zimbabwe
- Author
- Musevengane, Regis
- Title
- The Role of social capital in community-based climate adaptation approaches in women’s smallholder farming drylands: a case of Zvishavane district, Zimbabwe
- Abstract
-
The goal of the study was to increase our knowledge of how social capital affects community-based approaches to climate adaptation in women's smallholder farming in arid regions. This will help women's farming groups become more resilient to climate change and make it easier for them to come up with solutions for the problems they face. It was guided by four objectives. First, to examine the variables affecting social capital in Zvishavane women's smallholder farming groups' ability to adapt to climate change. The second goal is to determine the extent to which Zvishavane District's smallholder female farmers' strategies for climate change adaptation have been shaped by their social capital. Third, to evaluate how social capital affects the governance of women's smallholder farming communities in Zvishavane District that are impacted by climate change. Fourth, to develop a social capital-climate change nexus framework that enhances livelihoods and the resilience of Zimbabwe women’s smallholder farmers in arid areas. A case study methodology was used. The study's focus was chiefly on female smallholder farmers who lived in Zvishavane district's Wards 6, 7, 11, and 12. Ward 6 has Shivanga and Shanyura Agro-ecological gardens, Ward 11 has the Rusvinge Agro-ecological garden, Ward 7 houses Mbilashava Agro-ecological garden and Ward 12 is home to Mhute Agro-ecological gardens. Purposive sampling was deemed more suitable where expert knowledge was required from the identified clusters. This sampling technique ensured that the participants represented the population of interest and possessed the necessary knowledge and experiences for Zvishavane women's smallholder farming communities. Snowball sampling was utilised to expand the sample size and identify additional participants. A sample of 64 individuals was chosen and included in the study. Focus groups (FGD) and interviews were conducted using standardized questionnaires to gather data. During FGDs, the Schutte Scale was also employed. To interpret the data, thematic analysis and correlation analysis were employed. The main study findings thus highlight the multifaceted role that social capital plays in assisting women smallholder farmers in the Zvishavane district with their agricultural livelihoods and climate change adaptation. It also found that women's active engagement in collective action efforts reinforces their social capital and bolsters their capacity to adapt. It highlights the important role that institutional linkages and partnerships play in enabling women's access to critical information and knowledge. It, however, identified persistent socio-cultural barriers that impede women's full engagement in farmer organisations and decision-making processes. Recommendations were made thereof.
- Date
- May 2024
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Social Capital,
- Women’s Smallholder Farming,
- Zvishavane,
- Supervisor
- Dr. Bowora,
- Item sets
- Department of Geosciences