Notes on Focus Group Meetings with Farmers, March 6 and 8, 2012

Farmers in the area have noticed a decline in crop productivity, particularly for maize, which is the most common crop grown in the region. The decline in productivity is attributed to frequent droughts and floods, as well as soil degradation. Farmers have reported that the area receives less rainfall than in the past, with an average of 600mm per year, compared to 600-800mm in the past. The rainfall pattern has also changed, with rains starting in November and ending in early March, resulting in long dry spells in January and February. Farmers have adapted to these changes by adopting conservation farming practices, such as using a ripper and pot-holing, which help to conserve moisture around the plant. However, weeding remains a labor-intensive activity, and farmers have reported that the poor are disproportionately affected by the lack of access to herbicides, which exacerbates the yield gap between the rich and the poor. The use of animal draught power (ADP) for land preparation is also limited by cattle diseases such as lumpy skin disease (LSD), which is prevalent in the area. The availability of water is a significant concern in the area, with the Sikalamba stream, the primary source of water, being polluted by the Collum Coal Mine. This has resulted in a high death rate of livestock, which affects crop production, as most farmers rely on ADP for land preparation. Farmers are now walking longer distances to fetch water for their livestock, and some have suggested that sinking more boreholes or constructing a dam could help alleviate these challenges. Farmers have also reported an increase in temperatures, particularly during drought years, which is attributed to the opening of the Maamba coal mine in 1968. Daytime temperatures have increased more than nighttime temperatures, making it difficult for farmers to work during the day. The high temperatures have also affected the quality of the soil, making it more difficult to grow crops. Overall, the agricultural sector in Southern Province, Zambia, is facing significant challenges due to climate change, and farmers are adapting to these changes by adopting new practices and technologies.