Abstract:
The aim of this paper is to examine the perceptions of small-scale irrigation farmers (SSIFs) with regard to climate change and their adaptation strategies in terms of its effects. This study forms part of a broader regional project, namely the Southern Agricultural Africa Inter-Comparison and Improvement Project (SAAMIIP) on integrated regional climate assessment. In analysing the SSIF farm situation, meta-analysis was the selected methodological application. Farm-level data was collected from the entire
population of 30 SSIFs at the Ndonga Linena Irrigation Project in February 2014. The findings reveal the key challenges of the project to be the level of entrepreneurship
and creativity, management practices (including irrigation management, marketing, financial management and risk management), sustainability practices, transportation,
storage facilities, high input costs and low output prices. The study consequently suggests that diversification via horizontal and vertical “line extension” and integrated
farming systems would be the most suitable means of mitigating climate-induced risks. In doing so, it is essential that government, nongovernmental organisations and
training institutions support the SSIFs in adopting the suggested model in order to ensure profitability and sustainability.
