Browsing by Author "Jonas, Martha Ndilipune"

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    The role of social capital in adaptation to drought: A case study of Osheedhiya village Omusati region Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2022) Jonas, Martha Ndilipune
    Rainfall variability and drought events have become increasingly common for the past five years in Namibia, this has a more significant impact on subsistence farmers living in the communal areas who highly depend on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods. Communal farmers are already experiencing other challenges such as land degradation, unproductive soils. Scarce water resources and poor land tenure systems and drought are an additional pressure on their livelihood. This research analyses the role that social capital plays in the adaptation to drought amongst farmers living in the communal areas of Namibia using the case study of Osheedhiya village in the Omusati Region. Social capital is used herein to refer to the flow of knowledge, connections, and group membership. The objectives of the study were: to identify strategies used to adapt to drought among the communal farmers; to analyse the impact of social capital; to identify the types of social capital and its level of importance in adaptation to drought. The study used the qualitative research methodology through which the data was collected using key informant interviews and semi-structured interview guides. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The results reveal that social capital, such as social ties with family, neighbours, friends, and community members, the spirit of working together to achieve a common goal, and government intervention has enhanced the chances of farmers living in communal areas to adapt to drought. Farmers, who are retired civil servants, Traditional Authority members linked to associations such as farmers’ unions and producers’ associations as well as those who own farm machinery, such as tractors and vehicles, adapted to drought conditions better than other farmers.