Climate change awareness: a case study of small scale maize farmers in Mpumalanga province, South Africa

Type Thesis or Dissertation - Master of Science
Title Climate change awareness: a case study of small scale maize farmers in Mpumalanga province, South Africa
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
URL http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/13677/dissertation_oduniyi_os.pdf?sequence=1
Abstract
This study was conducted in the Nkangala district, in the province of Mpumalanga in
South Africa. This province remains the largest forestry production region in South
Africa. The majority of people living in Mpumalanga are farmers and they have
contributed immensely to promote food security. The objective of the study was to
determine the level of climate change awareness among small scale maize producers in
Mpumalanga province. Random sampling technique was used to select two hundred
and fifty one (251) farmers to be interviewed. A pre-tested questionnaire was
administered to maize farmers, focusing on matters relating to climate change
awareness in maize production. Data was captured and analysed using software
package for social science (SPSS version 20of 2012). Descriptive statistics were
applied to analyse and describe the data. Logistic regression analysis followed to
demonstrate the significance of the independent variables on climate change
awareness. The results of the analysis indicated that the information received and the
size of the farm had an impact on climate change awareness in the area of study. It was
therefore recommended that the majority of farmers in Mpumalanga needed to be made
aware of climate change in order to assist them to build the adaptive capacity, increase
resilience and reduce vulnerability. Information on climate change awareness should be
disseminated well to ensure that it will attract the attention of the farmers.

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