Climate Change, Food Security and Farmers’ Livelihoods: A Case Study in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> South African smallholder farmers are vulnerable to climate change due to inadequate adaptation strategies for better crop production. This paper examines the implications of climate change on food security and farmers’ livelihoods in Limpopo Province. A case study design used 200 farmers in Limpopo Province, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The results revealed that 56% of farmers have witnessed prolonged food insecurity attributable to extreme climate change events, hence, the farmers used alternative livelihood strategies as a coping method, but these seem insufficient to prevent food insecurity. Stakeholders are recommended to initiate sustainable livelihood policies and models to increase crop productivity.