- The experience for women farmers is negative and positive depending on the physical environment they are in. Places like Siavonga in the Southern part of Zambia which is a valley, agriculture is not done on a large scale because of rocks, monkeys attacking their crops which has forced a lot of women having to camp in their fields to safe guard their crops. Livestock I also a challenge as rainfall patterns are very low here and usually goats, cows etc have to get water and food(grass)directly from Lake Kariba or around the lake which has lots of crocodiles and animals are eaten by crocodiles in most cases.
2.Yes. Women grow maize in Siavonga and that is highly affected by climate change, as Siavonga is a valley and has only had itās first rains today due to effects of climate change(delayed rainfall) - No
4.They need more information on the effects of climate change and survival skills when seriously affected by climate change such as a situation where there is less rainfall and usually they get this information from the local radio station as most are technologically behind.
I agree with you on your last point Isaac, there is seriously need for sensitization to our women farmers especially on insurance mostly in the rural areas.
Hope everyone is doing great. Last week was so great following all the discussions on climate change. At least in my own capacity, I learnt a number of issues especially from other countries in line with climate change. Hopefully this weekās discussion will be amazing and fruitful too.
Here is my submission for this weekās questions:
- What is the experience of women farmers particularly?
Ans: women farmers have had challenges affecting them due to climate change. Despite the old way of growing maize being a staple food in Zambia, women have an opportunity to grow other crops which has actually helped them with yields in a case where maize do not do well. Because of the change with the rain pattern, more women have decided diversify and grow crops like groundnuts and sweet potatoes. This has really helped in terms of food security not only at household level but also the district at large. - Do they grow certain crops that experience climate change in a particular way?
Ans: Yes, women grow crops like groundnuts, sweet potatoes and cow peas (not very common). Women also keep village chicken but not at a large scale. This has actually helped out especially in cases where the over grown maize has not done well. - Do they hold certain jobs in the value chain?
Ans: Unfortunately no.
4: Do women need certain information and how do they get it?
Ans: yes, women need more information about climate change. This information can help them to expand the already existing opportunities in line with what they grow and climate change. If a women is to make it in her farming career, information is vital on certain agricultural practices, the wind of climate change and what crops she can grow.
Women can access this information through various platforms like radio (with the help of FRI information), TV, from the ministry of agriculture via farmerās meetings that they hold.
Note: In times of food scarcity and drought, women will often give priority to their husbands, his nutritional needs will be met before hers. Women are also more vulnerable because they have less access.
Thanx have a good day
Here in my area Southern Zambiaā¦ Women farmers are still not free to earn landā¦ theirs is to help with farming but the man is in charge of the produce.
In as much as this is prevailing, most women are the ones that plant legumes, especially groundnuts and with the coming of ADRA they were given soya beans seed and cowpeas seed and we are hoping