Effect Of Climate Change To Pastoral Communities In Mvomero District, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Climate change is among the great challenges facing pastoralistse specially milk producing pastoralists in Tanzania. The main objective of this study was to assess the climate change effect on grazing land and quantity of milk produced by pastoralist in Mvomero District. Specifically, the study aimed at determining rainfall and temperature trends of Mvomero District over the past 30 years and their consequence on pasture resources and the quantity of milk produced by pastoralists. A total of 90 pastoralists were randomly selected for interview. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire for individual interview, while focus group discussions and key informant interviews were done using a designed checklist. Climate and other secondary data were from Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA), United States Geographical Satellite (USGS), internet and other reports. The climatic data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, Statistical Package of Social Science was used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data, while Arc GIS and Q-GIS were used to analyze the satellite images. Analysis of climate data over 30 years revealed a linear increment of temperature by 0.02% and decline of precipitation by 3%. These findings were comparable to how pastoralists perceived trends of climate in the District. Most of the pastoralists (about 90%) agreed that there has been an increase of temperature and unpredictable rainfall. Analysis of satellite images showed that pasture resources decreased tremendously from 82.1% in 1985 to 5% in 2015. It is concluded that drought is a major challenge and has negatively affected grazing resources and pastoralist’s livelihoods in various ways. The pastoralist’s livelihoods have in turn become more vulnerable as they are dependent on livestock products to obtain their basic needs. To reduce effects, adaptation and mitigation technologies like awareness creation of other sources of income other than milk production should be encouraged.