Examining the Effects of Drought on Maize Production: A Case Study of Small-Scale Maize Farmers in Munga Ward, Kabwe District

This study examined the effects of drought on maize production among small-scale farmers in Munga Ward, Kabwe District, with a focus on three objectives: to establish the effects of drought on crop viability, to examine its impact on household food security, and to identify adaptation strategies employed by farmers to mitigate these effects. Guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, the study adopted a mixed-method approach that integrated both quantitative and qualitative data to provide a holistic understanding of drought impacts. A total of 80 small-scale maize farmers were purposively selected from a population of 160. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, and analyzed using Stata and Microsoft Excel for descriptive statistics and thematic interpretation. The findings revealed that over 50% of respondents experienced a significant decline in maize yields over the past five years, with most reporting 40–60% losses due to recurrent drought. Furthermore, 57% of households faced reduced food availability, struggling to meet food needs for up to five months annually, while 47% experienced a decline in dietary diversity and nutrition. Farmers adopted coping strategies such as drought-tolerant seed varieties, mulching, and conservation agriculture, though their effectiveness was limited by financial constraints, poor access to inputs, and weak extension support. The study concludes that drought poses a critical threat to maize viability and food security, emphasizing the need for climate-smart agriculture, improved access to irrigation, credit, and farmer training to enhance drought resilience and sustainable livelihoods.