The Impact of Changing Environmental Conditions on Vulnerable Communities in the Shire Valley, Southern Malawi

Abstract

During the last two decades, the Shire Valley in Southern Malawi has experienced significant changes in weather patterns, ranging from severe drought conditions in 1991-92 to extreme flooding events with flush floods in 2000-01. These events have had irreversible and damaging effects on crop and livestock production and on the environment. This paper presents results from studies on vulnerability and adaptation assessments that were conducted in 2004 among rural farmers in the Shire Valley, southern Malawi. The studies were aimed at predicting climatic changes and their impact on crop production, and at determining the coping and adaptation strategies being used by rural farmers in order to overcome the threats posed by extremes in weather conditions. The studies predicted changes in temperature and rainfall patterns resulting from increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, which would in turn reduce the productivity of maize, the main staple food. The studies further showed that, in trying to address the impact of current climatic threats, 87.5% of the farmers reduced the amount of food eaten, while 90% reduced the number of meals eaten per day. The studies also showed that farmers have developed long-term adaptation strategies to overcome climate change. For example, 40% of the farmers changed their land-use patterns and 50% changed to more adaptable varieties. This paper highlights the available technologies and improved production practices for the vulnerable farmers and proposes key strategies for reducing the impact of the adverse effects of climate change on rural farmers in the Shire Valley, southern Malawi.