Vulnerability

Vulnerability appears to be rising for many Malawians, whose exposure to livelihood shocks is increasing while their ability to cope is decreasing. The first part of this report draws on recently published studies and analysis of the 2004/05 Integrated Household Survey dataset to explore the nature of vulnerability in Malawi. Most livelihoods in Malawi depend on agriculture, but agricultural vulnerability is extremely high due to erratic rainfall, inequality in landholdings, constrained access to inputs, limited diversification and weak markets.

Pastoralism is the key agricultural production system in the drylands and, as drylands constitute nearly half of the land area of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), pastoralism is of particular importance for the African continent. This notwithstanding, investment in pastoralist development has dropped over the last decades. This paper makes a case for increased policy attention to pastoralists in SSA.

This paper discusses the relationship between poverty, livelihoods and vulnerability in Northern Ghana, asks why semi-subsistence food production dominates in the region, and discusses social protection policy and strategies in Ghana and the relation between social protection and agriculture.

This study was coordinated by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) to identify areas that are food insecure
and vulnerable to the impacts of future climate change, across the priority regions for the CGIAR centres. The research was undertaken by a team of scientists from
the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

Despite impressive progress on poverty reduction at national level in Ghana, chronic poverty and livelihood vulnerability persist, especially among small farmers in northern regions.

The CCAA-supported project Ÿ??Vulnerability and
Adaptation of Agricultural Systems in MadagascarŸ?
facilitated reflection among a group of farmers and
the municipalities of Ankazomborona and Marovoay,
to help them better adapt their rice system to climate
risks. This brief summarizes the ideas that emerged
from the group on adaptation measures taken during
this project and the support needed to accompany
their longer-term adaptation strategy.