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16.3.3 Changing the Framing of CSA
Corner et al. (2014) highlight how, in countries such as Uganda, climate change is
increasingly being communicated in ways that resonate with religious or indigenous
values and beliefs. In Namibia such an approach could be particularly important
when working with indigenous San communities, whose cultural identities continue
to be linked strongly to the semi-nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyles of their ancestors. Targeted attempts by government to promote farming among the San have had
limited success (Dieckmann et al. 2014). As a result, the San are today the most
marginalized population group in Namibia, and many have become increasingly
dependent on government aid and piecework. If adaptation projects are not designed
and implemented in ways that consider their cultural traditions and beliefs, then the
San are likely to become increasingly vulnerable to climate change (Dieckmann
et al. 2013).
Framing information in ways that honor traditional beliefs can improve the
uptake of CSA approaches. In Namibia, for example, livestock plays an important
role in wedding ceremonies, funerals, communal feasts and other social and cultural events (Ziervogel 2016). Increased livestock mortality because of drought limits people’s capacity to engage in such crucial activities. As a result, advice to sell
livestock before a predicted drought could be framed not only as a sound financial
and ecological decision but also as a way to preserve a farmer’s ability to participate
in traditional culture. New practices must be promoted in ways that appeal to the
cultural vulnerability of communities, because “people can take extraordinary measures to protect that which they view as sacred” (Sachdeva 2016). In addition, motivating agricultural adaptation by promoting the economic benefits of CSA might
prove useful among poor farming communities. Evidence from Kenya has shown
that farmers who use traditional forecasting methods in conjunction with SCF see
greater returns than those who use only traditional methods (Ambani and Percy
2014). Working with these value systems could enable farmers to take up practices
that are more forward-looking, even if they are not sold to farmers as such.
16.4 Implications for Development
The values and belief systems of local communities have played a significant role in
the uptake of CSA in southern Africa. In Namibia, it is clear that religion and tradition have prevented some farmers from taking steps to become more climate resilient. We argue, however, that it is important to work with religious and traditional
value systems. Because these systems play such a pivotal role in agricultural
decision- making, they provide a key opportunity through which to promote the dissemination and uptake of climate change information in general and CSA in
particular.
16 Considering Religion and Tradition in Climate Smart Agriculture: Insights…
16.3.3 Changing the Framing of CSA
Corner et al. (2014) highlight how, in countries such as Uganda, climate change is
increasingly being communicated in ways that resonate with religious or indigenous
values and beliefs. In Namibia such an approach could be particularly important
when working with indigenous San communities, whose cultural identities continue
to be linked strongly to the semi-nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyles of their ancestors. Targeted attempts by government to promote farming among the San have had
limited success (Dieckmann et al. 2014). As a result, the San are today the most
marginalized population group in Namibia, and many have become increasingly
dependent on government aid and piecework. If adaptation projects are not designed
and implemented in ways that consider their cultural traditions and beliefs, then the
San are likely to become increasingly vulnerable to climate change (Dieckmann
et al. 2013).
Framing information in ways that honor traditional beliefs can improve the
uptake of CSA approaches. In Namibia, for example, livestock plays an important
role in wedding ceremonies, funerals, communal feasts and other social and cultural events (Ziervogel 2016). Increased livestock mortality because of drought limits people’s capacity to engage in such crucial activities. As a result, advice to sell
livestock before a predicted drought could be framed not only as a sound financial
and ecological decision but also as a way to preserve a farmer’s ability to participate
in traditional culture. New practices must be promoted in ways that appeal to the
cultural vulnerability of communities, because “people can take extraordinary measures to protect that which they view as sacred” (Sachdeva 2016). In addition, motivating agricultural adaptation by promoting the economic benefits of CSA might
prove useful among poor farming communities. Evidence from Kenya has shown
that farmers who use traditional forecasting methods in conjunction with SCF see
greater returns than those who use only traditional methods (Ambani and Percy
2014). Working with these value systems could enable farmers to take up practices
that are more forward-looking, even if they are not sold to farmers as such.
16.4 Implications for Development
The values and belief systems of local communities have played a significant role in
the uptake of CSA in southern Africa. In Namibia, it is clear that religion and tradition have prevented some farmers from taking steps to become more climate resilient. We argue, however, that it is important to work with religious and traditional
value systems. Because these systems play such a pivotal role in agricultural
decision- making, they provide a key opportunity through which to promote the dissemination and uptake of climate change information in general and CSA in
particular.
16 Considering Religion and Tradition in Climate Smart Agriculture: Insights…