Utilisation of climate information in understanding climate change and adaptation by smallholder farmers: A case study of Phalula Extension Planning Area (EPA), Balaka district

Abstract

Climate change information is crucial for farmers in making informed decisions and adapting to changing conditions. However, scientific weather information is criticised for lacking concise information, while traditional information is being overshadowed by scientific information. The study aimed at assessing the utilisation of climate change information in understanding climate change and adaptation by smallholder farmers in Phalula EPA in Balaka district. It reviewed traditional and scientific channels of climate change information, established potential synergies on the use of traditional and scientific climate change information and determined factors that influence farmers’ preference on traditional or scientific climate change information. Fifteen key informants were purposively selected while 300 smallholder farmers were selected through simple random sampling. Primary data was collected through survey using semi structured questionnaire and a checklist. Secondary data was collected from the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services. Data was analysed using STATA version 17. Descriptive statistics were generated to determine communication channels of climate change information, while bivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression to determine factors that influence farmers’ preference on a type of climate change information. Thematic and content analysis was done to analyse potential synergies. The results showed that majority of farmers agreed to the change in climate such as alteration of seasonality. Radio (68.7%) and extension workers (28.3%) were the dominant channels for disseminating climate change information. There was coexistence of modern science and indigenous knowledge with promising synergies between traditional and scientific climate information. Many farmers (54.33%) preferred scientific information over traditional information (45.67%). Factors such as sex, accuracy, timeliness, accessibility, and language of climate information influenced farmers’ choice to a source of climate information. The study recommended increasing public awareness through mass media like radio and formal documentation of traditional climate information to preserve it. Furthermore, policymakers should integrate indigenous climate information into modern scientific policies.