Rural households' vulnerability to climate-related income shocks and adaption options in central Malawi

Malawi is among the countries in sub-Saharan Africa at the extreme risk of climate change. This paper analysed the factors influencing vulnerability of farm households to climate-related income shocks and the ex-ante/ex-post coping methods. The data were collected with multi-stage sampling method from 300 households in the Central province. Results show that about 83% of the farmers that were affected by climate-related shocks were affected by drought. Majority of the farmers also lacked formal education though in their productive years. Probit results show that vulnerability to climate change significantly increased (p < 0.10) among male-headed households, farmers in Lilongwe and with adult female secondary education, while it was reduced with adult male secondary education, usage of improved soybean variety, usage of improved cowpea variety, access to irrigation and village market distance. Major adaptation methods by the farmers included reduction in the number and quantity of food consumed, eating of cassava, engagement in casual work, selling of livestock and using of their savings. It was concluded that climate change poses serious threat to malnutrition in Malawi and research into development of more drought resistant crop varieties and intensification of existing hybrid seeds adoption, among others was recommended.