A Lifetime of Climate Changes: Female Farmers' Perceptions of Climate Change Impacts to Well-Being and Livelihood in Antigua and Barbuda

This capstone project emphasizes the value of smallholder farmers working on small island developing states (SIDS) in an era of climate change—with a particular focus on female farmers in light of the global feminization of agriculture. This research study engaged female farmers living in Antigua and Barbuda, a SIDS in the Caribbean, to capture their perceptions of climate risks and the impacts climate change has had on their well-being and livelihood. Qualitative data was collected via life history interviews (LHI), as well as focus group discussions (FGD). These methodologies addressed the primary questions of this research: (i) How do female farmers in Antigua and Barbuda perceive climate change impacts during their lifetimes? (ii) What barriers exist for female farmers in Antigua and Barbuda and how have women in agriculture established resilience and implemented climate change adaptations to overcome current barriers? And (iii) in light of female farmers’ perception of, and resilience to, climate change impacts in Antigua and Barbuda, how can support agencies (e.g. international aid, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations) better build capacity to assist female farmers to flourish in an era of climate change? The female farmers interviewed for this project have a lifetime of “everyday” experiences that when examined collectively and as a bigger picture create a mosaic that depicts the ways climate change is impacting the livelihoods and well-being of Antiguans and Barbudans over time. Based on the findings of this project, female farmers in Antigua and Barbuda are a source of untapped potential for improving the nation’s food systems. With improved economic support and increased access to tangible resources, the agribusinesses of women in Antigua and Barbuda have the potential to reduce the country’s import dependency, advance food sovereignty, and help women achieve greater financial security. Key Words: Climate Change, SIDS, Antigua and Barbuda, Caribbean, Female Farmers, Food Sovereignty, Climate Resilience