Determinants of Relevant Constraints Inhibiting Farmers' Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in South Africa

The adverse effects of climate change on agricultural productivity are on the increase. This study employed both descriptive statistics and the multivariate probit model to estimate factors constraining the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers in the study area. The empirical results of the multivariate probit model showed that a lack of knowledge of climate change constraints was influenced by smallholder farmers' age, gender, off-farm activity, susceptibility and membership in farmer-based organizations. Thus, to improve the adaptive capacity of farmers, government and development partners should work together to improve the conditions under which farmers can gain access to climate change information and suitable agricultural credit as well as policy incentives aimed at lowering the stringent conditions of borrowing in the agricultural sector.

Automated summary

The study found that constraints of adopting climate change adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers are mainly due to their lack of knowledge about climate change. To enhance farmers' adaptive capacity, government and development partners need to collaborate to improve conditions for farmers to access climate change information and suitable agricultural credit.