The Impact of Agricultural Drought on Smallholder Livestock Farmers: Empirical Evidence Insights from Northern Cape, South Africa

The Northern Cape Province of South Africa faces drought that limits human endeavours, and which explains the unpredictable progress in livestock production over time. This study evaluated the impact of agricultural drought on smallholder farming households’ resilience in the Northern Cape Province. Data from 217 smallholder livestock farmers were collected and analysed descriptively and with the Agricultural Drought Resilience Index (ADRI), and Household Food insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). This study found that most smallholder livestock farmers (79%) were not resilient to agricultural drought. Further, the findings revealed that agricultural drought significantly impacted resources, food security, and government policy. This implies that a lack of access to resources, food insecurity, and ineffective government policy affected already vulnerable smallholder livestock farmers coping with severe agricultural drought. This study is significant in providing policymakers and other stakeholders with evidence-based recommendations for developing strategies and implementing policies for improving the resilience of smallholder livestock farmers by improving access to resources, including access to land. They will be better able to deal with challenges that come their way if they become more resilient, resulting in reduced household loss. This study recommends that government and stakeholders enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers by supporting less resilient farmers. The government needs to work with stakeholders to improve access to land and funds to enhance farmers’ resilience. As a result, these policies can help smallholder farmers be more resilient in times of climatic shock.