MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
When their daughter becomes ill, their reserves allow them to pay for the
medicines needed by their sick daughter and the wife increases the number of
baskets she makes for sale.
A drought comes: crop yields are decreased by some 80%, but the family are
able to survive on their savings, egg sales and through the sale of a goat. By
deepening the hand-dug well they have made, the family continue limited
vegetable production.
Despite having to tighten their belts, the family are able to cope and should be
able to recover once the rains come.
1. What is the difference between the two families?
2. Why is one able to cope and recover while the other is plunged into
destitution?
3. What does this tell us about choices and strategies for livelihoods?
The most obvious difference between the two families is that Reginald and his
family have several different means of earning a living. They have diversified
sources of income.
So we have learned that diversity increases a family‟s ability to survive adversity.
What determines their ability to choose several different livelihood strategies?
A Training Manual on Use of Climate Information and Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment for
Agricultural Extension Staff in Zimbabwe
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