Theme 5-1: Drought Management and Climate Change--Oral Sessions
Publication Date
2001
Location
Brazil
Description
Farmers are crucial role-players in agriculture, especially in beef farming. Daily farm activities affect climate change, either negatively or positively. Therefore, farmers’ ability to relate climate change with farm activities is highly imperative. A study was conducted to investigate perceptions of Gauteng beef farmers on significance of practising climate smart agriculture (CSA). Semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted with 57 beef cattle farmers from three areas (Bronkhorstspruit, Rust de Winter and Cullinan) of Tshwane region (Gauteng province). A fully detailed ethical statement was used to explain the study and request farmers’ participation. Data analysis was done using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20 with a significance of P < 0.05. Majority (71%) of farmers who participated were males. Most (43%) of participated farmers were middle age, which indicates that farmers are now considering beef farming as a full-time job. Majority (60%) of participants had access to enough land (> 700 hectares), which makes them suitable for practising CSA, provided they get appropriate training. Few participants showed good understanding of climate change (14%), global warming (14%), climate change reduction strategies (29%), cattle contribution to climate change (14%), adaptation strategies for climate change (29%) and the role played by CSA on reduction of farm operational costs (14%). Majority of farmers had average understanding of climate change (86%), global warming (86%), cattle contribution on global warming (71%), climate change adaptation strategies (71%), climate change reduction strategies (71%), recommendation of climate smart feed resource (71%) and impact of CSA on economic development (86%). Majority (71%) of participants identified water pollution as the only environmental hazard associated with beef farming, whereas few (29%) identified air pollution due to greenhouse gases emissions from poorly managed cattle manure. All participants (100%) showed good understanding regarding the benefits of practising CSA and its impact on food security. Furthermore, they were willing to adopt CSA and promote it to fellow farmers. There is a need for farmers’ training on CSA.
Citation
Jiyana, S. T.; Leeuw, K-J.; Hassen, Abubeker; and Nsahlai, Ignatius V., "Perceptions of Gauteng Beef Farmers on Significance of Practising Climate Smart Agriculture" (2001). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 13.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/24/5/13)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Perceptions of Gauteng Beef Farmers on Significance of Practising Climate Smart Agriculture
Brazil
Farmers are crucial role-players in agriculture, especially in beef farming. Daily farm activities affect climate change, either negatively or positively. Therefore, farmers’ ability to relate climate change with farm activities is highly imperative. A study was conducted to investigate perceptions of Gauteng beef farmers on significance of practising climate smart agriculture (CSA). Semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted with 57 beef cattle farmers from three areas (Bronkhorstspruit, Rust de Winter and Cullinan) of Tshwane region (Gauteng province). A fully detailed ethical statement was used to explain the study and request farmers’ participation. Data analysis was done using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20 with a significance of P < 0.05. Majority (71%) of farmers who participated were males. Most (43%) of participated farmers were middle age, which indicates that farmers are now considering beef farming as a full-time job. Majority (60%) of participants had access to enough land (> 700 hectares), which makes them suitable for practising CSA, provided they get appropriate training. Few participants showed good understanding of climate change (14%), global warming (14%), climate change reduction strategies (29%), cattle contribution to climate change (14%), adaptation strategies for climate change (29%) and the role played by CSA on reduction of farm operational costs (14%). Majority of farmers had average understanding of climate change (86%), global warming (86%), cattle contribution on global warming (71%), climate change adaptation strategies (71%), climate change reduction strategies (71%), recommendation of climate smart feed resource (71%) and impact of CSA on economic development (86%). Majority (71%) of participants identified water pollution as the only environmental hazard associated with beef farming, whereas few (29%) identified air pollution due to greenhouse gases emissions from poorly managed cattle manure. All participants (100%) showed good understanding regarding the benefits of practising CSA and its impact on food security. Furthermore, they were willing to adopt CSA and promote it to fellow farmers. There is a need for farmers’ training on CSA.
