Browsing by Author "Mutimba, Egídio Artur Alfredo"

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    Using micro-finance services to support climate change adaptation among small-scale farmers : identifying opportunities and challenges in southern Mozambique
    (2016) Mutimba, Egídio Artur Alfredo; Baudoin, Marie- Ange; Visser, Martine
    Microfinance organisations represent a potential opportunity to promote adaptation of smallholder farmers. Without access to credit, this group of farmers has few opportunities to invest in adequate technologies and practices required to respond to climate variability and change. In this context, this study explores how Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) can be capacitated in order to assist smallholder farmers to respond to climate change. The core objective of the study is to identify opportunities and needs to foster smallholders' adaptation through MFIs. The study is informed by a survey involving 13 MFIs operating in Southern Mozambique. This paper finds that although MFIs are aware that climate risks affect their services in regards to a wider rural economy, these organisations do not have explicit policies to deal with climate risks. It also finds that majority of MFIs' managers recognise the potential for mainstreaming climate variability and change into services they provide to smallholders. However, for MFIs to achieve this they will require training of agents in climate related knowledge and adaptation, better access to climate related information, assistance in aspects of planning taking into consideration climate related risks and clear understanding of the benefits of investing in adaptation.