Review of Challenges Experienced by Women in Subsistence Crop Production
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47540/ijsei.v6i1.1922Keywords:
Climate Change, Food Security, Gender Roles, Subsistence Production, Sustainable DevelopmentAbstract
Men and women are assigned roles and obligations that they must fulfill to sustain the welfare of their households. These are adhered to despite the challenges encountered by women, essential food producers within households, to guarantee sustainable food security. This review described the challenges faced by female subsistence crop farmers in securing household food security. The primary research technique adopted is a literature analysis of subsistence production, climate change, its effects, mitigation strategies, and adaptation methods. The review findings indicate that women play a crucial role as subsistence producers of rain-fed crops, notwithstanding the numerous constraints encountered in production systems. The primary challenges include erratic rainfall and sub-optimal crop yield. These obstacles hinder women's ability to fulfill their household food supplier roles. These challenges could be addressed to empower women farmers, augment crop productivity, alleviate rural poverty, enhance food security and nutrition, and encourage women's involvement in food security and climate change mitigation and adaptation. These will facilitate the attainment of several Sustainable Development Goals, namely SDG1 (End Poverty), SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), SDG5 (Gender Equality), and SDG13 (Combat Climate Change).
Downloads
References
Abdullah, A. S. M., Dalal, K., Halim, A., Rahman, A. F. & Biswas, A. (2019). Effects of climate change and maternal mortality: perspective from case studies in the rural area of Bangladesh. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 16(23), 4594.
Acevedo, M., Pixley, K. & Zinyengere, N. (2020). A scoping review of adoption of climate-resilient crops by small-scale producers in low- and middle-income countries. Nature Plants. 6, 1231–1241.
Akbari, M., Foroudi, P., Shahmoradi, M., Padash, H., Parizi, Z.S., Khosravani, A., Ataei, P. & Cuomo, M.T. (2022). The evolution of food security: where are we now, where should we go next? Sustainability. 14, 3634.
Anugwa, I.Q., Esdras, A.R., Onyeneke, O.R.U. & Chah, J.M. (2023). Gender perspectives in vulnerability of Nigeria’s agriculture to climate change impacts: A systematic review. GeoJournal. 88, 1139–55.
Chandra, A., McNamara, K.E., Dargusch, P., Caspe, A.M. & Dalabajan, D. (2017). Gendered vulnerabilities of smallholder farmers to climate change in conflict-prone areas: a case study from Mindanao, Philippines. J. Rural Studies. 50, 45–59.
Danso-Abbeam, G., Ojo, T.O., Baiyegunhi, L.J.S. & Ogundeji, A.A. (2021). Climate change adaptation strategies by smallholder farmers in Nigeria: Does non-farm employment play any role? Heliyon, 7 (2021) e07162.
Davis, B., Di Giuseppe, S. & Zezza, A. (2017). Are African households (not) leaving agriculture? patterns of households’ income sources in rural Sub-Saharan Africa. Food and Policy. 67, 153-174.
Derbile, E.K., Bonye, S.Z. & Yiridomoh, G.Y. (2022). Mapping vulnerability of smallholder agriculture in Africa: vulnerability assessment of food crop farming and climate change adaptation in Ghana. Environmental Challenges. 8 (100537), 1-11.
Derbile, E.K., Chirawurah, D. & Naab, F.X. (2021). Vulnerability of smallholder agriculture to environmental change in North-Western Ghana and implications for development planning. Climate Development. 1,1–13.
Dhillon, R. & Moncur, Q. (2023). Small-scale farming: a review of challenges and potential opportunities offered by technological advancements. Sustainability. 15, 15478.
Dibakoane, S., Siyongwana, P. & Shabalala, A.N. (2022). Vulnerability, impact and adaptation strategies of female farmers to climate variability. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 14(1), a1302.
Elum, Z.A., Modise, D.M. & Marr, A. (2017). Farmer’s perception of climate change and responsive strategies in three selected provinces of South Africa. Climate Risk Management. 16, 246–257.
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). (2018a). Climate Change and Food Security: A Framework Document, FAO Inter-Departmental Working Group on Climate Change, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). (2020). Climate Change and Food Security. Agricultural Forum. 66, 197–210.
Galiè, A., Jiggins, J., Struik, P.C., Grando, S. & Ceccarelli, S. (2017). Women’s empowerment through seed improvement and seed governance: evidence from participatory barley breeding in Pre-War Syria. NJAS-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 81(1), 1–8.
Hazell, P. (2020). Importance of Smallholder Farms as a Relevant Strategy to Increase Food Security. In: Gomez, S., Paloma, Y. (eds.). The Role of Smallholder Farms in Food and Nutrition Security. Springer: CA, USA.
Kabanda, T. & Nenwiini, S. (2016). Impacts of climate variation on the length of the rainfall season: an analysis of spatial patterns in North-East South Africa. Theor. Appl. Climatol. 125, 93–100.
Khine, M. M. & Langkulsen, U. (2023). The implications of climate change on health among vulnerable populations in South Africa: A systematic review, Int. J. Environ. Res. and Public Health. 20(3425), 1-19.
Khumalo, S. (nd.). Exploring the Role of Women in Subsistence and Smallholder Farming: Implications for Horticultural Crop Value Chain Development in Swayimane and Sweetwaters. Unpublished Masters Dissertation. University of Kwazulu-Natal: Pietermaritzburg.
Lakhia, S. (2025). Women’s Land Rights as a Pathway to Positive Peace: A decolonial perspective. Virtual Encyclopaedia – Rewriting Peace and Conflict. 20.03.2025.
Masipa, T.S. (2017). The Impact of Climate Change on Food Security in South Africa: Current Realities and Challenges Ahead. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 9(1), 1-7.
Masuku, M., Selepe, M. & Ngcobo, N. (2017). Small scale agriculture in enhancing household food security in rural areas. J. Hum. Ecol. 58(3), 153-161.
Materechera, F. & Scholes, M.C. (2022). Understanding the drivers of production in South African farming systems: a case study of the Vhembe District, Limpopo, South Africa. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 6, 722344.
Mbatha, M.W. & Masuku, M.M. (2018). Small-scale agriculture as a panacea in enhancing South African rural economies. J. Econ. Behav. Studies. 10(6), 33-41.
Mbatha, M.W. (2019). The Sustainability of Agricultural Projects in Enhancing Rural Economic Development in Msinga Local Municipality. Masters Dissertation: University of Zululand. South Africa.
Mbatha, M.W. (2020). The agricultural sector in improving the country‘s economy: a critical comparison of South Africa and India. J. Afr. Foreign Affairs. 7(2), 77-93.
Mbatha, M.W., Mnguni, H. & Mubecua, M.A. (2021). Subsistence farming as a sustainable livelihood approach for rural communities in South Africa. Afri. J. Dev. Studies. 11(3), 55-75.
Moon, M.P. (2024). How does climate change affect the food security and vulnerability of women? A systematic review of gender perspectives, Front. Clim., 6(1374469), 1-12.
Moroda, G.T, Tolossa, D., & Semie, N. (2018). Perception and adaptation strategies of rural people against the adverse effects of climate variability: a case study of Boset District, East Shewa, Ethiopia. Environmental Development. 27, 1-13.
Mpandeli, S.; Nesamvuni, E. & Maponya, P. (2015). Adapting to the impacts of drought by smallholder farmers in Sekhukhune District in Limpopo province, South Africa. Journal of Agricultural Science, 7 (2), 115–124.
Mpanza, N.T. & Mbatha, M.W. (2021). The Role of women in improving access to food at the household level in Mandeni Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Afri. J. Gender, Society and Dev. 10(2), 135-155.
Myeni, L., Moeletsi, M., Thavhana, M., Randela, M. & Mokoena, L. (2019). Barriers affecting sustainable agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers in the Eastern Free State of South Africa. Sustainability. 11(3003), 1-13.
Ncube, M., Madubula, N., Ngwenya, H., Mthunzi, T., Madzivhandila, T., Zinyengere, N., Olivier, C., Zhou, L. & Francis, J. (2016). Climate change, household vulnerability, and smart agriculture: The case of two South African provinces. Jàmbá J. Disaster Risk Studies, 8, 1–14.
Ndlovu, M. (2017). Op-Ed: Rural transformation as a solution to poverty in South Africa. Daily Maverick. South Africa. Available at: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-08-28-op-ed-rural-transformation-as-a-solution-to-poverty-in-south-africa/ [Accessed 21 September 2024].
Nesamvuni, E., Mpandeli, S., Tshikolomo, K. & Swanepoel, F. (2016). Empowerment of women through Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Journal of Human Ecology, 54(2), 110-118.
Ngumbela, X.G., Khalema, E.N. & Nzimakwe, T.I. (2020). Local worlds: vulnerability and food insecurity in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Jàmbá J. Disaster Risk Studies. 12, a830.
Nnadi, O.I., Liwenga, E.T., Lyimo, J.G. & Madukwe, M.C. (2019). Impacts of variability and change in rainfall on gender of farmers in Anambra, Southeast Nigeria. Heliyon. 5(7), e02085.
Nyahunda, L., Makhubele, J.C., Mabvurira, V. & Matlakala, F.K. (2021). Vulnerabilities and inequalities experienced by women in the climate change discourse in South Africa’s rural communities: Implications for Social Work. Br. J. Soc. Work. 51, 2536–2553.
Ofoegbu, C., Chirwa, P., Francis, J. & Babalola, F. (2017). Assessing the vulnerability of rural communities to climate change: a review of implications for forest-based livelihoods in South Africa. Int. J. Clim. Chan, Strategies, and Man. 11, 501–512.
Oluwatayo, I.B. (2019). Towards assuring food security in South Africa: Smallholder farmers as drivers. AIMS Agric. Food, 4, 485–500.
Omerkhil, N., Chand, T., Valente, D., Alatalo, J.M. & Pandey, R. (2020). Climate change vulnerability and adaptation strategies for smallholder farmers in Yangi Qala District, Takhar, Afghanistan. Ecol. Indicat. 111, 105863.
Omotayo, A.O. (2018). Climate change and food insecurity dynamics in the rural Limpopo Province of South Africa. Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies. 10(1), 22-32.
Quang, N.M. (2021). A method for measuring women climate vulnerability: a case study in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Int. J. Clim. Chan, Strategies, and Man. 14(2), 101–124.
Salim, E.R.A., Aziz, E.I., Ahmed, W.A. &, Mohamed, M.A. (2017). Fortified sorghum as a potential for food security in rural areas by adaptation of technology and innovation in Sudan. J. Food, Nutrition and Population. 1(6), 1-18.
Samuels, M., Masubelele, M., Cupido, C., Swarts, M., Foster, J., De Wet, G., Links, A., Van Orsdol, K. & Lynes, L. (2022). Climate vulnerability and risks to an indigenous community in the 1754 arid zone of South Africa. Journal of Arid Environments, 199, 104718.
Sebola, M.P. (2018). Financing emerging black farmers for agricultural development in South Africa: A wasteful and unworkable model for creating black farmers. The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa. 14(1), 1-7.
Shayegh, S. & Dasgupta, S. (2022). Climate change, labour availability and the future of gender inequality in South Africa. Climate and Development. 16(3), 209–226.
Thibane, Z., Soni, S., Phali, L. & Mdoda, L. (2023). Factors impacting sugarcane production by small-scale farmers in KwaZulu-Natal. Province-South Africa. Heliyon, 9, e13061.
Tirivangasi, H. M., & Tayengwa, D. (2017). Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and food security in South Africa: Is land reform a prerequisite? J. Hum. Ecol. 57(3), 118-124.
Tirivangasi, H.M. (2018). Regional disaster risk management strategies for food security: Probing Southern African Development Community Channels for influencing national policy. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 10(1), 1- 7.
Ubisi, M., Mafongoya, P., Kolanisi, U. & Jiri, O. (2017). Smallholder farmer’s perceived effects of climate change on crop production and household livelihoods in rural Limpopo province, South Africa. Change and Adaptation in Socio-Ecological Systems. 3(1), 27–38.
Udo, F.J. (2022). Gender and Climate Change Adaptation in South Africa: A Case Study of Vulnerability and Adaptation Experiences of Local Black African Women to Flood Impacts within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Available online: https: //researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/handle/10413/19788 (Accessed on 8 November 2022).
Ugwu, P. (2019). Women in Agriculture: Challenges Facing Women in African Farming. Project Report of African Women in Agriculture. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332053861_women_in_agriculture_challenges_facing_women_in_african_farming. [Accessed 1 June 2024].
Workalemahu, S. & Dawid, I. (2021). Smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies, opportunities and challenges to climate change: a review. Int. J. Food Science and Agric. 5(4), 592-600.
Yiridomah, G.Y., Appiah, D.O., Owusu, V., Bonye, S.Z., 2020. Women smallholder farmers' off-farm adaptation strategies to climate variability in rural savannah, Ghana. GeoJournal, 1-19.
Ziervogel, G., Enqvist, J., Metelerkamp, L. & van Breda, J. (2022). Supporting transformative climate adaptation: Community-level capacity building and knowledge co-creation in South Africa. Clim. Policy. 22, 607–622.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2025 Sejabaledi Agnes Rankoana

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.