The Role of ICTs in Climate Change Adaptation: A Case of Small Scale Farmers in Chinsali District

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of ICT in climate change adaptation by the small scale farmers in Chinsali district of Muchinga province. To this effect, a descriptive survey was conducted on a sample of 278 randomly selected small scale farmers, out of an estimated population of 1000 in Chinsali main farming block. Out of the 278 questionnaires, 267 were successfully filled and returned. The results were tested for reliability and normality. According to the results, small scale farmers in this area lack information about climate change and this make it difficult for them to adapt to its effects. The study also establish that, using ICTs to create awareness, provide access to climate change information as well as capacity building in the use of various ICTs to identify the effects of climate change can help these farmers to adapt to its effects. Based on this, the study recommended that deliberate policies should be put in place to ensure that ICT services such as the internet, mobile networks and SMS are widely used in disseminating information about climate adaption to small scale farmers in the district. It was also recommended that handheld device such as mobile phones and PDAs which most of these farmers have access to should be used to sensitize them about the effect of climate change and how to adapt to it. The study further recommended that building adaptive capacity, such as on ICT-enabled interventions in the agriculture sector, should be spearheaded to enhance adaptation to climate change. It was further recommended that government should build adaptive capacity, such as on ICT-enabled interventions in the water and agriculture sectors, on weather prospects and water hazards, land management and adaptive capacity of small scale farmers among other recommendations.