Integrating Human Capital Technocrats in El Nino Disaster Management Mitigation through Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Livelihoods in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Minimal attention has been given to the effectiveness of integrating human capital technocrats in El Nino disaster management mitigation for sustainable livelihoods in Zimbabwe which this study sought to bridge the gap. The qualitative study purposively selected 20 participants in Mashonaland West Province. The participants were selected from ministries responsible for climate change, chiefs and village heads in communities. Structured interviews were used to solicit data, analysed and presented thematically. Participants were assured of confidentiality and anonymity to avoid bias and due care through informed consent was taken before collecting data. Major findings of the study demonstrated that climate change expert perspectives underscore indigenous people’s coping strategy of choice of livelihood through diversification. Findings highlighted that climate change experts identified some early warning signs of the indigenous knowledge system (IKS)indicating drought like specific birds not making sound during rain-season, shrubs/plants not flowering and a lot of fruit from Pericopsis anglolensis trees and subsequently proffer solutions of diversification for livelihoods. However, failure to demystify climate change experts’ understanding of IKS could have huge ramifications for its integration into climate change policies. It is recommended that a forum of interaction between the scientist and keepers of IKS be created to contribute to climate and weather forecasting processes and other climate change adaptation intervention at local level and likely contribute towards achieving both SDG 13 and Agenda 2063.