Adaptive Strategies to Mitigate Water Scarcity Among Smallholder Cattle Farmers in Vulnerable Areas of the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality

Abstract

The rapid increase in demand for livestock and livestock products, driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and rising incomes, is projected to escalate significantly by 2050. The estimates indicate the utilization of over 60 billion livestock for meat, egg, and dairy production. This surge in demand poses substantial challenges, particularly in the context of climate change impacts on water resources. Smallholder livestock farmers, who are integral to meeting this demand, are disproportionately affected by climate change-induced water scarcity. Despite their significant contribution to the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP), these farmers face daily depletion of water reserves, indicating severe water scarcity. Climate variability further exacerbates this situation, with animal water consumption expected to triple. This study aimed to examine the adaptive strategies employed by smallholder livestock farmers in vulnerable areas of the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality to mitigate water scarcity. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was utilized, wherein both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed concurrently. Purposive sampling was used to select participants, primarily through face-to-face interviews. Secondary data was obtained from literature, journal manuscripts, policy documents, and municipal reports. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27, while thematic content analysis was performed using Atlas.ti version 8. The findings revealed several adaptive strategies employed by farmers to address water scarcity, including changes in water sources and collaborations with government agencies such as the Department of Water and Sanitation. Challenges such as cattle mortality due to water scarcity were also identified, highlighting the need for additional adaptive measures to ensure sustainable cattle farming. The study underscores the necessity of enhancing adaptive strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of water scarcity on smallholder livestock farming in the context of increasing climate variability.