scholarly journals The role of indigenous knowledge in drought risk reduction: A case of communal farmers in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fummi Muyambo ◽  
Yonas T. Bahta ◽  
Andries J. Jordaan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Drought Risk ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Younger Generation

Even though the significance of indigenous knowledge in agriculture is internationally recognised, the role thereof in disaster risk reduction in South Africa is not well documented. This article determined the influence of indigenous knowledge in drought risk reduction in O.R. Tambo district of the Eastern Cape province (South Africa). Primary data were collected from 87 communal farmers through purposive sampling using a structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions were also held with the target group (farmers and extension officers) to gain more information and clarification on indigenous knowledge. The finding indicated that the majority of respondents (64.4%) relied on indigenous knowledge in their farming practice and drought risk reduction. Two-thirds (66.7%) of the respondents revealed that indigenous knowledge contributed to the resilience of farmers towards drought. The respondents unanimously agreed that indigenous knowledge is losing its significance in farming and drought risk reduction, because the younger generation did not value it anymore. Lack of documentation and deterioration of its application by the younger generation were found to be the main challenge for most respondents. The study concluded that indigenous knowledge was still an integral part of agricultural practices, applied drought risk reduction strategies and contributed to resilience against disasters. Based on the findings, the study recommends that indigenous knowledge be compiled, documented and published so that all farmers can learn of effective farming practices, passed on from generation to generation. Community holders of such information are encouraged to make younger generations aware of the benefits of indigenous knowledge to promote its usage.

scholarly journals Assessing social vulnerability to drought in South Africa: Policy implication for drought risk reduction

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumiso Muyambo ◽  
Andries J. Jordaan ◽  
Yonas T. Bahta
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Social Vulnerability ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Drought Risk ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Social Vulnerability Index ◽  
Vulnerability Indicators ◽  
Social Dependence

The aim of this article was to assess and identify social vulnerability of communal farmers to drought in the O.R. Tambo district in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa using a survey data and social vulnerability index (SoVI). Eleven social vulnerability indicators were identified using Bogardi, Birkman and Cardona conceptual framework. The result found that an SoVI estimated for O.R. Tambo district was very high with a Likert scale of 5 for cultural values and practices, security or safety, social networks, social dependence, preparedness strategies and psychological stress attributed for the high value of social vulnerability to drought. Indigenous knowledge and education had an SoVI value of 2, which was of low vulnerability, contributing positively to resilience to drought. The study also found that government involvement in drought risk reduction is limited; as a result, the study recommends that a national, provincial and district municipalities policy on drought risk reduction and mitigation should be developed.

scholarly journals An Assessment on Application of Indigenous Knowledge as Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies in Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-131
Author(s):  
Samshad Nowreen ◽  
Md Mohiuddin
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Practical Knowledge ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Weather Condition ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
House Construction ◽  
Reduction Strategies

This research investigates how indigenous knowledge helps to reduce disaster risks in the coastal areas of Bangladesh, specifically in the study area of Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazaar. The location of the coastal area of Bangladesh is funnel shaped which is regarded as one of the most vulnerable cyclone-prone regions in the world because of its location and physiography. Almost every year coastal people experiences this nature induced devastation and loses their lives and property. However, to cope with this type of natural calamity and minimize their loss, coastal people apply their inherited practical knowledge that has been aimed to explore by this research. To conduct this research three types of survey methods has been used: primary data were collected using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, Focus Group Discussion(FGD) and semi-structured questionnaire survey. First of all, the study explored interesting house construction practices, techniques and protection maneuvers those reflect the ideas of indigenous knowledge of coastal people as primitive adaptation strategies to the cyclone disaster. It has also been found that the other indigenous practices like early cyclone warning system from nature including animal behavior and weather condition. The dynamics of cyclone: classification, occurrence and affected scenario in the coastal region have been identified for the Cox’s Bazaar region. Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 65(2): 125-131, 2017 (July)

scholarly journals Drought Risk Analysis in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: The Copula Lens

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M. Botai ◽  
Joel O. Botai ◽  
Abiodun M. Adeola ◽  
Jaco P. de Wit ◽  
Katlego P. Ncongwane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Gaussian Copula ◽  
Dependence Structure ◽  
Drought Risk ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Return Periods ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Copula Functions ◽  
Drought Duration ◽  
Drought Duration And Severity

This research study was carried out to investigate the characteristics of drought based on the joint distribution of two dependent variables, the duration and severity, in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The drought variables were computed from the Standardized Precipitation Index for 6- and 12-month accumulation period (hereafter SPI-6 and SPI-12) time series calculated from the monthly rainfall data spanning the last five decades. In this context, the characteristics of climatological drought duration and severity were based on multivariate copula analysis. Five copula functions (from the Archimedean and Elliptical families) were selected and fitted to the drought duration and severity series in order to assess the dependency measure of the two variables. In addition, Joe and Gaussian copula functions were considered and fitted to the drought duration and severity to assess the joint return periods for the dual and cooperative cases. The results indicate that the dependency measure of drought duration and severity are best described by Tawn copula families. The dependence structure results suggest that the study area exhibited low probability of drought duration and high probability of drought severity. Furthermore, the multivariate return period for the dual case is found to be always longer across all the selected univariate return periods. Based on multivariate analysis, the study area (particularly Buffalo City, OR Tambo and Alfred Zoo regions) is determined to have higher/lower risks in terms of the conjunctive/cooperative multivariate drought risk (copula) probability index. The results of the present study could contribute towards policy and decision making through e.g., formulation of the forward-looking contingent plans for sustainable management of water resources and the consequent applications in the preparedness for and adaptation to the drought risks in the water-linked sectors of the economy.

scholarly journals The Integration of Indigenous Knowledge for Disaster Risk Reduction Practices through Scientific Knowledge: Cases from Mentawai Islands, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Zulfadrim Zulfadrim ◽  
Yusuke Toyoda ◽  
Hidehiko Kanegae
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Mentawai Islands

This study explores the importance of indigenous knowledge for everyday practices of disaster risk reduction and response. Many existing studies have highlighted the need to integrate such knowledge with modern science. Based on ethnographic research in indigenous communities in the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia, this study explores the categorization of indigenous knowledge in the integration process. To that end, primary data were collected through in-depth interviews while secondary data were collected from relevant documents, including books, articles, websites and government and NGO reports. The findings indicate that indigenous knowledge is acquired through long observation and interaction with disasters. Although some of this knowledge is based on successes in other localities, some indigenous knowledge is completely local, homogenous and shared among community members. It was also established that indigenous knowledge can be meaningfully organized into a number of categories, and that indigenous knowledge of a technical nature is more likely to be integrated with scientific knowledge. The research was exploratory and approached indigenous knowledge issues from the point of view of indigenous communities themselves. This approach should be replicated and expanded in other indigenous communities.

scholarly journals AGRIBUSINESS CHALLENGES TO EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTRACT FARMING IN COMMERCIALIZATION OF SMALL-SCALE VEGETABLE FARMERS IN EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Musa Khapayi ◽  
Pieter Van Niekerk ◽  
Phillip Retief Celliers
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Contract Farming ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Vegetable Farmers ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Frame Work ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

The study investigated the key factors that influ- ence small-scale vegetable farmers’ participation in contract farming arrangements. A sample of 70 small-scale vegetable farmers and 15 key informants of agribusiness firms involved in contract farming production of vegetables were selected in Amathole and Sarah Baartman (formerly Cacadu) district municipalities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were chosen as data collection tools to identify the factors that influence small-scale vegetable farmers’ participation in contract farm- ing arrangements with agribusiness firms. The data was ana- lyzed using open multi-stage coding with an inductive frame- work approach. Atlas.ti was used to sort and organize data. The findings indicated availability of farm assets, hydrologi- cal conditions, farming skills and distance of producer to the markets as key determinants of contract farming participation. The use of unmarketable cultivars, inappropriate agricultural practices and inconsistent supply in quality and quantity of vegetables were found to be bottlenecks to contract participa- tion. The study recommends a more meaningful state support and incentives for agribusiness firms; otherwise, growth of small-scale farmers in contract farming is unlikely because of the financial implications for private sector companies.

scholarly journals “A Persistent Truth”—Reflections on Drought Risk Management in Southern Africa

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coleen Vogel ◽  
Ingrid Koch ◽  
Koos Van Zyl
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Drought Risk ◽  
Local Economies ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Bail Out

Abstract Severe droughts in southern Africa are associated with livelihood impacts, a strain on local economies, and other hardships. Extensive effort has been spent in the past trying to improve responses to periods of extensive drought. There have also been renewed calls for improvements to climate change adaptation by adopting more proactive governance and disaster risk reduction approaches. Few efforts, however, have been made to assess how to learn more from past drought efforts so as to enhance overall resilience to future drought risks. Few have examined the role and contributions of institutions and drought governance, either across spatial scales [from regional (i.e., Southern African Development Community) to national scales (e.g., South Africa) to the very local scale (e.g., Limpopo Province, South Africa)] or across temporal scales (over at least 100 yr). Despite calls for better risk management approaches at all levels, this paper illustrates two points. First, a failure to fully understand, integrate, and learn from past efforts may undermine current and future drought response. Second, state-led drought risk reduction, which remains focused on a financial “bail-out” mentality, with little follow-through on proactive rather than reactive drought responses, is also seriously contributing to the vulnerability of the region to future drought impacts.

scholarly journals Ethnographic insights on rural sustainability; homestead design and permaculture of Eastern Cape settlements in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam F Perry
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Development Models ◽  
Rural Sustainability ◽  
Foreign Ideas

This article considers the prevalence of sustained agricultural practices (particularly large scale gardens of the homestead) and questions current public debate that permaculture strategy is foreign to South Africa. The paper speaks on recent ethnographic work by the author in rural parts of the Eastern Cape, or the former Transkei. The article makes comparisons to some of the founding principles of permaculture theory and practice to suggest that current agricultural practices and homestead (umzi, plural imizi) settlement patterns follow closely to “permaculture ideals” in theory and practice. An argument is made that the rural Xhosa homestead has developed much more to the tune of achieving sustainability for its occupants, as many continue to build to accommodate subsistence agriculture. Natural resources of the area also continue to be utilized and collectively shared. Whilst, the desgn strategy of incorporating animal enclosures (uthango, plural iintango, or ubuhlanti, plural iintlanti) within the homestead aid residents, as animal waste is utilized for fuel and fertilizer. The paper critiques ideas that believe rural areas to be “de-agrarianised”, or solely supported by the welfare state. A further critique is raised because of the idealised manner in which foreign ideas on development are esteemed as better than regional adaptations. The paper displays scepticism for Eastern Cape development models or those perceptions that do not account for local land use practices. Ultimately, the author critiques development models that do not delve deeply into how people incorporate settlement structures to maximise upon the use of natural resources.

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