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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Local impacts of climate change and agronomic practices on dry land crops in Southern Africa
Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, Volume 197, Year 2014
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Description
Climate change impact assessments on agriculture in Southern Africa are mostly carried out at large spatial scales, risking missing out on local impacts and adaptation potential that reflect the range of multiple and unique bio-physical and agronomic conditions under which farmers in the region operate. This study investigated how climate change may affect yields of various major food crops in specific locations in the region; maize and sorghum (Mohale's Hoek - Lesotho and Big Bend - Swaziland), maize and groundnut (Lilongwe - Malawi). Using statistically downscaled climate projections from nine GCMs and the DSSAT crop model and simulating selected agronomic strategies practiced in each location, the study confirmed that impacts of climate change on crop yields in Southern Africa vary across locations and crops. Despite various uncertainties associated with such assessments, the results showed that crop yields were predominantly projected to decline in Big Bend (maize (-20%); sorghum (-16%)) and Lilongwe (maize (-5%); groundnut (-33%)). However, crop yields in Mohale's Hoek, located in a high altitude region historically prone to cold related crop yield losses were on average projected to increase (maize (+8%) and sorghum (+51%)). The geographical variation of yield projections highlights the importance of location specific climate change impact assessments. The exploration of local agronomic management alternatives revealed prospects for identifying locally relevant adaptation strategies, which cannot easily be captured at larger scales. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.
Authors & Co-Authors
Zinyengere, N.
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Crespo, Olivier
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Hachigonta, Sepo
South Africa, Pretoria
Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network
Tadross, Mark Alexander
United States, New York
United Nations Development Programme
Statistics
Citations: 58
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.agee.2014.07.002
ISSN:
01678809
Research Areas
Environmental
Food Security
Study Locations
Eswatini
Lesotho
Malawi