Exploring Climate Change Impacts on Subsistence Agriculture in Chirumanzu District, Midlands, Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, most rural communities depend on rainfed agriculture for their livelihoods, yet subsistence farming remains highly affected by climate change. In Chirumanzu District, climate change challenges include erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, soil degradation, and declining crop yields. This study aims to explore how climate change affects subsistence farming in Chirumanzu District. Guided by the Vulnerability and Adaptation framework, the study employed a mixed-methods research design. Data were collected through focus group discussions with farmers and interviews with other stakeholders. Purposive random sampling was used to select participants, ensuring the inclusion of diverse perspectives across Ward 21. Findings show that farmers in Chirumanzu have observed significant climatic shifts, including late rainfall, unpredictable seasons, heatwaves and frequent dry spells. These changes have resulted in reduced maize yields, crop failures, livestock losses, and severe food insecurity in households. Farmers have resorted to coping strategies such as small-grain farming, tillage farming, rainwater harvesting, crop rotation, and planting drought-resistant crops. However, limited resources, weak extension support and limited climate information systems hinder long-term adaptation. The study, therefore, concludes that climate change has significantly altered agricultural production and livelihoods in Chirumanzu. It recommends improved access to agricultural inputs, increased support from agricultural extension officers, investment in water infrastructure, strengthening of early warning systems, and support for community-driven adaptation strategies.