Assessing the Effectiveness of Community-Based Drought Adaptation Strategies in Enhancing Agricultural Productivity: A Case Study of Mayukwayukwa Resettlement Scheme, Kaoma District, Western Province, Zambia

Drought is a major challenge affecting agricultural production, food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly in areas that depend heavily on rain-fed agriculture. This study assessed the effectiveness of community-based drought adaptation strategies in enhancing agricultural productivity among smallholder farmers in Mayukwayukwa Resettlement Scheme, Kaoma District, Western Province, Zambia. The study specifically examined the drought adaptation strategies adopted by farmers, determined their effects on agricultural productivity and analyzed the challenges affecting their implementation. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from 50 smallholder farmers using structured questionnaires, while additional information was obtained through interviews with key informants and field observations. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, while qualitative information was analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that conservation farming was the most widely adopted drought adaptation strategy, followed by crop diversification, agroforestry, water harvesting and irrigation. Regarding effectiveness, 82% of respondents reported improvements in crop yields following the adoption of drought adaptation strategies, while 76% indicated improvements in household food security. Conservation farming was identified as the most effective strategy by the largest proportion of respondents. However, the implementation of these strategies was constrained by inadequate agricultural inputs, financial limitations, persistent drought conditions, insufficient technical knowledge and limited institutional support. The study concludes that community-based drought adaptation strategies contribute positively to agricultural productivity and household food security, although their effectiveness depends on the availability of adequate resources and institutional support. The study recommends strengthening access to agricultural inputs, farmer training, extension services, financial assistance and reliable water resources to improve the sustainability of drought adaptation initiatives in Mayukwayukwa Resettlement Scheme.