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352230

Perceptions of Climate Change Impacts on Subsistence Cattle Production

Article

Last updated: 25 Dec 2024

Subjects

-

Tags

Impacts of climate change

Abstract

Despite the adverse effects of fluctuating rainfall and temperature on their productivity, cattle continue to be highly esteemed and raised for their cultural significance. This study delineates the ramifications of climate change on subsistence cattle production in South Africa's Limpopo Province. The study employed a qualitative approach and employed random sampling to select 23 cattle ranchers in the Waterberg District Municipality of Limpopo Province. The interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed through thematic content method. The research found that rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and intermittent drought compromise the cultural value of cattle as sources of food, household products, and ritual purposes. The primary impacts of these climate fluctuations are the decrease and limited availability of cattle fodder in the form of grass, leaves, shoots, pods, and crop residues, as well as the depletion of water resources. The adaptation practices reported in the study are a reduction in cattle numbers by selling, the provision of supplementary feed, and alternative water sources. The study suggests that agricultural extension officers should provide intervention and support to small-scale cattle farmers to help them reduce and adapt to the effects of climate change. This will ensure sustained food security at the household level. In addition, the study suggests implementing a dual strategy to reduce the impact, which involves implementing a combination of crop and cattle farming systems. This approach could be helpful in ensuring both food security and livelihood opportunities for rural communities that rely on natural resources to fulfill their essential requirements.

DOI

10.21608/svuijas.2024.273397.1348

Keywords

Small-scale farming, Subsistence cattle production, Climate Change, Climate change adaptation, Cultural heritage

Authors

First Name

S.A.

Last Name

Rankoana

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, 0727 Sovenga, South Africa.

Email

sejabaledi.rankoana@ul.ac.za

City

Polokwane

Orcid

-

Volume

6

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

45932

Issue Date

2024-04-01

Receive Date

2024-02-28

Publish Date

2024-04-27

Page Start

99

Page End

109

Print ISSN

2636-3801

Online ISSN

2636-381X

Link

https://svuijas.journals.ekb.eg/article_352230.html

Detail API

https://svuijas.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=352230

Order

352,230

Type

Original Article

Type Code

1,132

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

SVU-International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Publication Link

https://svuijas.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Perceptions of Climate Change Impacts on Subsistence Cattle Production

Details

Type

Article

Created At

25 Dec 2024