22 pages, While climate change threatens global food security, health, and nutrition outcomes, Africa is more vulnerable because its economies largely depend on rain-fed agriculture. Thus, there is need for agricultural producers in Africa to employ robust adaptive measures that withstand the risks of climate change. However, the success of adaptation measures to climate change primarily depends on the communities’ knowledge or awareness of climate change and its risks. Nonetheless, existing empirical research is still limited to illuminate farmers’ awareness of the climate change problem. This study employs a Bayesian hierarchical logistic model, estimated using Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) methods, to empirically determine drivers of smallholder farmers’ awareness of climate change and its risks to agriculture in Zambia. The results suggest that on average, 77% of farmers in Zambia are aware of climate change and its risks to agriculture. We find socio-demographics, climate change information sources, climate change adaptive factors, and climate change impact-related shocks as predictors of the expression of climate change awareness. We suggest that farmers should be given all the necessary information about climate change and its risks to agriculture. Most importantly, the drivers identified can assist policymakers to provide the effective extension and advisory services that would enhance the understanding of climate change among farmers in synergy with appropriate farm-level climate-smart agricultural practices.
Nasr, Noureddine (author), Hdaidi, El Ayech (author), and Ayed, Ali Ben (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2001
Published:
Tunisia
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D01210
Notes:
Pages 293-299 in Waters-Bayer (eds.), Farmer innovation in Africa: a source of inspiration for agricultural development. Earthscan Publications, Ltd., London, England. 362 pages.
INTERPAKS, Reports the summary and recommendations of a document published by the Economic Commission for Africa under E/CN.14/AGRIP/10.A. Makes a comparative analysis of agricultural extension organization and administration in Ethiopia, Malawi, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.