Review of research and policies for climate change adaptation in the agriculture sectors in Southern Africa

The key findings from a critical review of current evidence and research policies on climate change adaptation in the agricultural sector in Southern Africa.

The study explores the concepts and understanding of adaptation, resilience and coping in the context of climate change.

It shows that Southern Africa is experiencing increasing climatic pressures in the agricultural sector, for which matching policies to support adaptation responses are urgently required. Analysis indicates that communities have drawn on indigenous knowledge systems, the strength of local institutions and traditional social safety nets in adapting to multiple stress factors including climate variability and change.

One of its major conclusions is that policy making in Southern Africa is not necessarily constrained by lack of empirical evidence, but instead the failure of policy makers to use it.