Farmers' Perceptions towards Climate Change, and Meteorological Data in Kahuzi-Biega National Park Surroundings, Eastern DR. Congo

Abstract

Climate change nowadays is recognized as one of the most challenging and complex problem facing the agricultural development globally. However, the vulnerability of climate change on this sector in Africa is more than any other socioeconomic activities. This paper assesses smallholder farmers' perceptions about climate change in the surrounding areas of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Eastern DR Congo. We also used thirty nine-year observed climate data (1980-2019) to corroborate farmers' perceptions about climate change. The Mann-Kendall Test and SPSS were used for data analyses, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. The results showed that from 1980 to 2019 the mean annual rainfall decreased (R2 = 0.11) while temperature increased (R2 = 0.43).

The major adaptation strategies identified included use of improved varieties and crop rotation (47.78%), early planting (53.33%), agroforestry practices (52.23%), planting early maturing varieties (38.89%), planting resistant varieties (46.67%), adoption of irrigation techniques (22.22%), and Integrated management of soil fertility package (65.55%). Results of logit regression analysis indicated that the access to extension services, credit, soil fertility, and land tenure are the most important factors that influence farmers' perception and adaptation. The main barriers included lack of information on adaptation strategies, poverty, and lack of information about weather. Even though the communities are highly aware of climate issues, only 44.4% of farmers have adjusted their farming practices to reduce the impacts of increasing temperature and 40.6% to decreasing precipitation, giving lack of funds as the main barrier to implementing adaptation measure.