Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Drought (Drought coping strategies in southern Africa 1966-2016)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2020-04-01 do 2022-03-31
Drought solutions are worthy studying because drought threats are huge, ongoing and worsening in a world experiencing hitherto unknown El Nino induced drought and life-threatening climatic changes. The project informs topical livelihood issues of profound socio-economic importance to millions of people. It has direct practical as well as academic value for drought responders like farmers, churches, donors, governments and NGOs. The results are quite important for society providing holistic knowledge, tangible and intangible drought mitigation measures in different southern African communities. Sustainable livelihood approaches in the study deploy factors and processes which either constrain or enhance poor people’s ability to make a living in an economically, ecologically, and socially sustainable manner.
The project interrogates and evaluates the efficacy of drought or shangwa coping measures. It aimed to build an evidence base which breaks new ground to facilitate the generation of practical and significant novel proposals for drought disaster preparedness and management in real-life socio-economic difficulties induced by intermittent drought. The project sought to tap into and rely largely on the knowledge of rural farmers rather than established authorities. It aimed to learn and gain insights by being genuinely consultative and by being grassroots based. ‘Experts’ and NGOs were not ignored but it was farmers who were central to the project. The project objectives created a grassroots discussion, crucially gathering drought coping ideas and experiences.
The research findings are being exploited through further analysis, presentations and works for publication. The project met key requirements in deliverables such as ethics and data management. Research ethics addressed issues of voluntary subject participation, the purpose and procedure of the study, risks, benefits, confidentiality and informed consent. The data management plan provided key points on a qualitative summary, data origin, size, use, accessibility, findability, openness and interoperability. A personal career development plan was completed alongside the attendance and completion of research methods and scientific training programs at the Graduate Center, mostly via zoom sessions. Regular meetings were held with the supervisor and grant office staff regarding the project plans and work in progress. The research findings have been discussed and shared with colleagues at zoom seminar presentations at the universities of Basel, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. White Horse Press has invited the researcher to submit a book manuscript on the project likely to be published in early 2024. An application for funding will be made to place the book on open access.