Examining the Effect of Drought on Maize Production: A Case Study on Small-Scale Farmers in Ibenga Ward

This study examined the effects of drought on maize production among small-scale farmers in Ibenga Ward, motivated by growing concern that recurrent dry spells continue to undermine Zambia’s rural food systems despite national climate adaptation efforts. The problem statement highlighted widening vulnerability among small-scale farmers who depend on rain-fed production and lack adequate access to drought-tolerant seed, irrigation infrastructure, and institutional support. The study was guided by three objectives: Assessing the effects of drought on maize yields among small-scale farmers, analyzing the coping strategies used to mitigate drought impacts, and evaluating how declining maize yields affect household food security. A case study design anchored in the Climate-Smart Agriculture framework was used to capture both quantitative and qualitative dimensions of drought impacts. The sample comprised 80 household farmers, 15 FGD participants, and 5 key informants selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, and qualitative data were examined thematically. The findings revealed a substantial decline in maize yields during drought years, with 45.0% of farmers harvesting only 5–10 bags in the 2023/2024 drought season compared to 42.5% who harvested 10–20 bags during normal rainfall years. Furthermore, 47.5% experienced yield reductions of 11–20 bags, while 30.0% reported that the tasseling stage was the most drought-sensitive. Regarding coping strategies, 60.0% of farmers adopted drought-tolerant seed varieties, while early planting (32.5%), crop diversification (22.5%), conservation tillage (20.0%), and mulching (17.5%) were also commonly used. However, 55.0% of farmers still relied exclusively on rain-fed production, and 40.0% received no institutional support during the previous farming season, demonstrating significant gaps in adaptation capacity. The effects of drought on food security were equally severe, with 57.5% of households reducing meal frequency to two meals per day, 27.5% surviving on one meal, and 42.5% experiencing only 4–6 months of adequate food provisioning. Additionally, 40.0% of households reduced maize consumption by half, while 32.5% reported meal skipping by both adults and children. The study concludes that drought in Ibenga Ward has produced interlinked challenges declining maize yields, constrained coping capacity, and worsening household food insecurity exacerbated by limited institutional support and dependence on rain-fed agriculture. It further recommends strengthening access to drought-tolerant seeds and small-scale irrigation, expanding agricultural extension services, improving institutional coordination, establishing community grain reserves, and promoting livelihood diversification to enhance resilience and food security.