213
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
B. R. Singh et al. (eds.), Climate Impacts on Agricultural and Natural Resource
Sustainability in Africa, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37537-9_12
Climate Change and Weather Variability
Effects on Cattle Production: Perception
of Cattle Keepers in Chikwawa, Malawi
Janet Nanganga and Andrews C. L. Safalaoh
Abstract Climate change and associated weather variability are some of the factors that negatively affect agriculture production in the world. Despite the fact that
livestock production is key livelihood and resilience asset of smallholder farmers,
more emphasis is placed on the effects of climate change and weather variability on
crop production than on livestock production. In Malawi, cattle act as a moving
bank and are sold as a coping strategy to mitigate negative effects of climate change
and weather variability such as prolonged droughts. However, there is paucity of
information on smallholder cattle keepers’ understanding and perception of the
effects of climate change and weather variability on cattle production. The aim of
this study was to assess the perceived direct and indirect effects of climate change
and weather variability on cattle production. Data was collected through interviews
using semi-structured questionnaires administered to 100 purposively selected cattle keepers in Ngabu, Chikwawa. Four focus group discussions were also held.
Majority (99%) of the respondents indicated that they had some knowledge about
the meaning of climate change and weather variability indicators or events such as
drought (25.8%), erratic rainfall (22.7%), floods (22.7%), high temperature (18.6%)
and strong winds (10.3%). Effects of weather variability were identified as including increased disease incidences (38.4%), heat stress (31.3%), drying up of water
sources and reduced water unavailability (32.3%) and reduction in supply of fodder
(49.5%). Noteworthy, 88% of the respondents mentioned that they were aware of
the causes of weather variability including environmental degradation. The study
shows that most cattle keepers understand weather variability and its causes and
effects such as feed and water unavailability, which negatively impinge on cattle
productivity. It recommends that farmers should adopt adaptation and mitigation
measures such as growing pasture in wetlands, fodder preservation and water harvesting to ensure sustainable cattle production amid climate change.
J. Nanganga · A. C. L. Safalaoh (*)
Animal Science Department, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
Lilongwe, Malawi
e-mail: asafalaoh@luanar.ac.mw
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
B. R. Singh et al. (eds.), Climate Impacts on Agricultural and Natural Resource
Sustainability in Africa, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37537-9_12
Climate Change and Weather Variability
Effects on Cattle Production: Perception
of Cattle Keepers in Chikwawa, Malawi
Janet Nanganga and Andrews C. L. Safalaoh
Abstract Climate change and associated weather variability are some of the factors that negatively affect agriculture production in the world. Despite the fact that
livestock production is key livelihood and resilience asset of smallholder farmers,
more emphasis is placed on the effects of climate change and weather variability on
crop production than on livestock production. In Malawi, cattle act as a moving
bank and are sold as a coping strategy to mitigate negative effects of climate change
and weather variability such as prolonged droughts. However, there is paucity of
information on smallholder cattle keepers’ understanding and perception of the
effects of climate change and weather variability on cattle production. The aim of
this study was to assess the perceived direct and indirect effects of climate change
and weather variability on cattle production. Data was collected through interviews
using semi-structured questionnaires administered to 100 purposively selected cattle keepers in Ngabu, Chikwawa. Four focus group discussions were also held.
Majority (99%) of the respondents indicated that they had some knowledge about
the meaning of climate change and weather variability indicators or events such as
drought (25.8%), erratic rainfall (22.7%), floods (22.7%), high temperature (18.6%)
and strong winds (10.3%). Effects of weather variability were identified as including increased disease incidences (38.4%), heat stress (31.3%), drying up of water
sources and reduced water unavailability (32.3%) and reduction in supply of fodder
(49.5%). Noteworthy, 88% of the respondents mentioned that they were aware of
the causes of weather variability including environmental degradation. The study
shows that most cattle keepers understand weather variability and its causes and
effects such as feed and water unavailability, which negatively impinge on cattle
productivity. It recommends that farmers should adopt adaptation and mitigation
measures such as growing pasture in wetlands, fodder preservation and water harvesting to ensure sustainable cattle production amid climate change.
J. Nanganga · A. C. L. Safalaoh (*)
Animal Science Department, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
Lilongwe, Malawi
e-mail: asafalaoh@luanar.ac.mw