Abstract:
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important cash and food security crop in the
eastern highlands of eastern DRCongo. However, climate change and variability poses a serious
risk to sustainable production of the crop. Potato production and productivity are seriously
affected by temperature and rainfall variability. Hence, it is important to identify the
degree of climate change in specific locality either by determining the perceptions of
farmers on the change or and model the ability of farmers to predict correctly the role played
by climatic factors among drivers of pests, diseases and yield variability. The aim of this study
was to elicit information on potato farmers’ perceptions of climate change impacts on potato
yield, disease and pest and adaptation measures adopted. It was expected that the ability of
farmers to predict drivers of variability in yield and yield loss may be useful in planning for the
implementation of sound specific adaptation strategies. Primary data was collected using a
questionnaire that was addressed to 340 respondents (20 respondents per village) from 17
villages (localities) in major altitudinal potato growing zones in Kalehe territory, South-Kivu
Province. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, farmers were interviewed to capture their
opinion about climatic events, landscape and farm management practices. Additional data was
collected from the nearest meteorological station about weather factor trends in last 20-50 years.
Monthly average data was considered in the analysis as it affects the seasonality response of
pests and diseases during the length of growing period. Generalized linear models (GLM) were
employed to analyze the ability of farmers to identify key factors influencing the variability of
yield, pest population density and disease incidence and their linkage with the choice of
adaptation strategies for potato production. GLM was run with the level of knowledge of
causes of variability in yield, yield loss, pest density and disease incidence of the crop under
different crop management (adaptation) options, cropping seasons, landscape and weather
factors. The GLM outputs revealed ability of farmers to identify key drivers for pests, diseases
incidence and yield loss variabilities. Some weather factors (maximum temperature, rainfall) had
significant effects while other had none. The survey result indicated that most respondents
perceived the existence of change in climate variables theses days. They perceived a
decrease in rainfall and an increasing trend in temperature. They also mentioned a .... |
