Title : Effects of climate change on the yield of smallholder maize farmers in the Ngaka Modiri Molema district North West province
Abstract:
Climate change is a long-term shift in average weather patterns, like temperature and rainfall, occurring
over extended periods. These changes are primarily driven by human activities, particularly the release of
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels. The increase in greenhouse gas
concentration leads to a warming effect, trapping more heat and causing global temperatures to rise.
Climate change significantly affects agricultural production, threatening food security and human well-being
by altering growing seasons, water availability and crop yields. The impact of climate change can therefore
be detrimental to crops such as maize, which is the most important grain crop in South Africa since it is a
staple food for majority of the population in the country and a major feed grain. As such, the study assessed
the effects of climate change on crop yield among smallholder maize farmers in the Ngaka Modiri Molema
District Municipality, North-West Province, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to examine
smallholder maize farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and their knowledge on climate change. The data
was collected in 2024 from a sample size of 213 smallholder maize farmers using Raosoft sample calculator
and it was analysed using STATA. The method of analysis used for the study comprised descriptive statistics
and multinomial logistic regression model. The study found out that farmers are aware that there has been
a significant change in climate over the years and that it reduces the crops yields. The study recommends
that farmers should consider practicing climate smart agriculture to mitigate the effects of climate change.
