Impact Of Agricultural Adaptation Strategies To Climate Change And Variability On Food Security In Mwanga District, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Climate change and variability (CCV) has posed great challenges on agriculture

around the world. In response, the farmers and the Tanzanian government have

employed different adaptation strategies to cope with this problem. However,

Mwanga among other districts are still faced with the problem of food insecurity as a

result of impacts of CCV on food crop production. This study hence, examined the

adaptation strategies to CCV and their impact on food security in Mwanga district.

Specifically the study sought to; a) examine the effects of CCV on food crop

production in Mwanga district, b) assess the government and other institutional

efforts on adaptation strategies to CCV, c) identify and examine the key adaptation

strategies used by farmers to adapt to the effects of CCV and their influence in

promoting food security, d) examine the challenges facing these adaptation strategies

in promoting food security.

Data was collected using structured and unstructured questionnaires, which targeted

the farmers and the local leaders. Key informants were drawn from environmental

committee leaders, elders, WEOs, VEOs and AEOs. Focus group discussion was

also conducted as well as field observation. A sample of 94 farmers was considered.

The statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel was used for

data processing and analysis. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and

inferential statistics. The findings were presented using simple tabular comparison of

means, graphs, charts and text.

The findings indicate that there were notable changes in rainfall patterns and

persistence of prolonged droughts that resulted in decreased food crop yields. This

affected the livelihoods of farmers by causing food insecurity, decreased income and

rise in prices of food stuff. The farmers applied different adaptation measures such as

irrigation, rain water harvesting, planting of improved seed varieties, use of fertilizer

and manure, planting drought resistant crops, use of appropriate land management

practices and indigenous knowledge systems as well as seeking alternative income

generating activities. The study found that the adaptation strategies had performed

dismally due to several challenges which include; lack of capital, small number of

AEOs leading to limited awareness of the causes CCV and how to respond to its

adverse effects. Moreover, it was found that the government had developed different

policies and programmes in response to the effects of CCV on food crop production.

However, it was noted that there was poor implementation of these policies and

programmes in the study area hence leading to persistence of food insecurity

problem.

In general, the study concluded that the adaptation strategies to climate change and

variability employed by farmers and the government were generally good; however

poor implementation and challenges facing them hindered their success in promoting

food security in the study area. Therefore, the study recommends that in order to

eradicate the problem of food insecurity in the study area, there is dire need for the

government, private sector, civil society and regional organizations to participate

actively and take genuine steps against the effects of climate change and variability

on food crop production.