Socio-economic determinants of climate change perception in the uMkhanyakude district of Kwazulu-Natal province, South Africa

Abstract

This study assessed the socioeconomic determinants of climate change perception in the uMkhanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Survey data was collected from a sample of 400 smallholder farmers. Descriptive statistics revealed that 95.5% of the sampled farmers perceived a change in the climate. The binary logistic regression results revealed that factors such as training on farm management, gender of the household head, age, access to radio or TV, membership in farmers' association, and access to extension services on climate change had a significant effect on climate change perception. In light of these findings, the study recommends that these determinants of climate change perception be considered when designing and implementing policies that target smallholder farmers in the study area.