The impact of climate change on the availability and consumption of indigenous vegetables in Limpopo province, South Africa

Document Abstract / Summary Overview

Climate change threatens the livelihood of rural communities that depend on natural resources for food. Many people in developing countries living in the rural areas depend on indigenous food resources which in years are scarce and in poor supply as a result of marginal and erratic rainfall, low soil and ambient temperatures below the minimum temperature. Consumption of indigenous vegetables is among the indigenous livelihood patterns that are declining due to erratic rainfall patterns, excessive heat and persistent drought. The present study examined the implications of climate change on the availability and consumption of indigenous vegetables in Dikgale community in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Focus group discussions with a sample of 100 informants revealed awareness of change in climatic conditions in the form of erratic rainfall patterns and excessive heat. The implications of this change have led to the scarcity of indigenous vegetables and their rare consumption.