Responding to climate change through joint partnership. Insights from the Okavango Delta of Botswana
| Pages | 170-181 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-06-2014-0010 |
| Date | 29 July 2014 |
| Published date | 29 July 2014 |
| Author | Oluwatoyin Dare Kolawole,Piotr Wolski,Barbara Ngwenya,Gagoitseope Mmopelwa,Olekae Thakadu |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Responding to climate change
through joint partnership
Insights from the Okavango Delta of Botswana
Oluwatoyin Dare Kolawole
Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana, Maun, Botswana
Piotr Wolski
Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana,
Maun, Botswana and Climate System Analysis Group,
University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Barbara Ngwenya
Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana, Maun, Botswana
Gagoitseope Mmopelwa
Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana,
Maun, Botswana and Department of Environmental Sciences,
University of Botswana, Maun, Botswana, and
Olekae Thakadu
Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana, Maun, Botswana
Abstract
Purpose – Climate change continues to pose a serious challenge to mankind. Given their
socio-economic and vulnerable situations, resource-poor farmers will be hard hit and likely to be the
most affected group in Africa – a continent that will bear the full brunt of inclement weather
conditions. The purpose of this paper is to address the questions of how local farmers read and predict
the weather, and how best they can collaborate with weather scientists in adapting to climate change
and variability in the Okavango Delta of Botswana.
Design/methodology/approach – A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed in sampling
a total of 592 households heads (both men and women) in eight rural communities in the Okavango
Delta, Botswana.
Findings – Analysis indicates that about 80 per cent of the farmers had a good knowledge of weather
forecasting. In a knowledge validation workshop organised and implemented in early August 2012,
farmers and scientists identified a nine-point agenda and strategies for addressing the challenges
posed by climate change to community well-being and agricultural production. Knowledge sharing,
installation of community weather stations and local-level capacity building are amongst the
strategies identified.
Research limitations/implications – The researchis only limited to the OkavangoDelta, Botswana.
Originality/value – The paper emanates from original field research. The outcome of the paper
providespertinent information for policy formulationon how best to enhance small farmers’ adaptation
to climate change.
Keywords Innovation, Sustainable development, Diffusion, Development, Climate change,
Development policies
Paper type Research paper
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
WorldJour nal of Science, Technology
and Sustainable Development
Vol. 11 No. 3, 2014
pp. 170-181
rEmeraldGroup PublishingLimited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/W JSTSD-06-2014-0010
The authors would like to thank START and the US National Science Foundation (NSF) for
awarding the 2011Grants for Global Environmental Change Research in Africa. The authors are also
grateful to Ronald Mothobi and William Khaneguba for their guidance in the field survey process.
170
WJSTSD
11,3
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