Globally, there has been an increase in the effects of climate change. This has also affected the... more Globally, there has been an increase in the effects of climate change. This has also affected the agricultural sector and crop production in Kanongesha area of Mwinilunga District, Zambia. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of climate change on agricultural production. The objectives were to; identify the indicators of climate change in the area, determine effects of climate change on agriculture production and assess the adaptation strategies used by the local farmers. The method used to collect data was questionnaires and observation sheets. The target population for the study was 133 respondents. Data analysis was done using SPSS and Microsoft excel. The study revealed several climate change indicators which included; extreme weather events having the biggest with 32.3%, followed by unpredictable rainfall with 22.6%, then rising temperature with 25.6%, and the one with the lowest had 19.5% biotic stressors. Further, some effects of climate change on crops included crop loss with 35.3%, followed by drying of crops with 24.1%. The area also experienced proliferation of diseases, insects and obnoxious weeds with 21.1%. The small-scale farmers are willing to assist government deal with climate change crisis. However, there is need for support from government to effectively implement climate smart initiatives. A study could be done to look at the effectiveness of the climate change measures being used by small scale farmers to build their resilience to climate impacts.
Journal of Sustainability and Environmental Management, 3(2), 78-84., 2024
Conflict resolution is a vital component of effective forest resource management, attracting the ... more Conflict resolution is a vital component of effective forest resource management, attracting the attention of various stakeholders in many protected forest areas in Zambia. Challenges in achieving peaceful resolutions, disputes over land control, over-exploitation of forests for charcoal production, and agricultural expansion have led to the shrinkage of forest areas. Effective conflict resolution strategies, institutional arrangements, and a thorough understanding of conflict sources are essential for maintaining healthy forests, fostering a peaceful society, and combating the impacts of climate change. While several researchers have studied conflict management in some protected areas across the country, few studies have focused specifically on conflict resolution and management in Mwekera Forest Reserve. This study aimed to understand conflicts in forest management among different user groups. A random sampling technique was employed, with one of the five communities in the area—Mabote—randomly selected for the study. Data was collected using a structured survey questionnaire, which included questions on the socio-demographic status of respondents, causes of conflicts, institutional arrangements in conflict management, and control measures in practice. Additionally, in-depth interviews with key informants were conducted to gather data not captured by the questionnaires. A total of 70 respondents from Mabote community participated in this study. The findings indicated that nearly half (46%) of respondents identified equitable benefit-sharing as crucial for conflict management in the forest reserve. This was followed by equal access to forest areas and products (28.4%), stakeholder engagement and participation (14.3%), and enhanced forest monitoring (9.2%). A smaller portion of respondents (2.1%) pointed to the need for improving laws and policies. The results suggest that current conflict management practices in the forest reserve are insufficient (46%) to ensure effective forest management, despite the increasing sources of conflict and forest degradation. The Forest Department emerged as the primary stakeholder in Mwekera Forest Reserve’s management, exercising total control, which has led to the exclusion of local communities from accessing the forest and its resources. Therefore, effective conflict resolution measures are essential to enable equitable resource access, sustainable forest management, and conflict mitigation in the reserve.
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stakeholders in many protected forest areas in Zambia. Challenges in achieving peaceful resolutions, disputes over land control,
over-exploitation of forests for charcoal production, and agricultural expansion have led to the shrinkage of forest areas.
Effective conflict resolution strategies, institutional arrangements, and a thorough understanding of conflict sources are
essential for maintaining healthy forests, fostering a peaceful society, and combating the impacts of climate change. While
several researchers have studied conflict management in some protected areas across the country, few studies have focused
specifically on conflict resolution and management in Mwekera Forest Reserve. This study aimed to understand conflicts in
forest management among different user groups. A random sampling technique was employed, with one of the five
communities in the area—Mabote—randomly selected for the study. Data was collected using a structured survey
questionnaire, which included questions on the socio-demographic status of respondents, causes of conflicts, institutional
arrangements in conflict management, and control measures in practice. Additionally, in-depth interviews with key informants
were conducted to gather data not captured by the questionnaires. A total of 70 respondents from Mabote community
participated in this study. The findings indicated that nearly half (46%) of respondents identified equitable benefit-sharing as
crucial for conflict management in the forest reserve. This was followed by equal access to forest areas and products (28.4%),
stakeholder engagement and participation (14.3%), and enhanced forest monitoring (9.2%). A smaller portion of respondents
(2.1%) pointed to the need for improving laws and policies. The results suggest that current conflict management practices in
the forest reserve are insufficient (46%) to ensure effective forest management, despite the increasing sources of conflict and
forest degradation. The Forest Department emerged as the primary stakeholder in Mwekera Forest Reserve’s management,
exercising total control, which has led to the exclusion of local communities from accessing the forest and its resources.
Therefore, effective conflict resolution measures are essential to enable equitable resource access, sustainable forest
management, and conflict mitigation in the reserve.