Effects of climate variability on small-scale production of tomatoes (solarium lycopersicum) in Mopani District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Small-scale horticultural producers are the most vulnerable to climate variability effects. The prevailing variabilities are a threat to the survival of small-scale farming. These patterns are predicted to continue in the next imminent future with adverse effects to food security. The extent and nature of these effects of climate variability on small-scale horticultural farmers remain elusive given the changing patterns. The study explored the effects of climate variability on the production of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) in Mopani District Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. An exploratory sequentially integrated mixed method research design underpinned the study. Quantitative data were collected using a survey questionnaire and analysed descriptively through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. On the other hand, qualitative data were collected through interviews and thematically analysed with the aid of ATLAS. ti version 8.0. The results revealed several negative effects of climate variability to tomato production. Increased temperatures and pest infestation emerged as the most common and land degradation the least problematic. Moreover, farmers show that individual farmers use different adaptation techniques which were convenient and cost effect to their circumstances. Absence of concrete support and financial constraints inhibited the ability of farmers to adopt efficient adaptation strategies to climate variability effects. The findings of the study are useful in formulating rural agricultural policy and helping farmers to understand deeply the climate variability effects and adapt their adaptation techniques.