Abstract:
Kilosa District is the district in Morogoro Region that has been affected by climate change
for many years. This study assessed the pastoral adaptive capacity in the changing climate
in Kilosa District. Both simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to
obtain sample. Qualitative data were collected using key informant interview, Focus group
discussions and field observation, while quantitative data were collected using household
questionnaire survey. Analysis of qualitative data was done using content analysis
technique, while quantitative data were analyzed using Excel SPSS computer software.
The result revealed that there is a significant shift of rainfall in the study area which
started to manifest in 1972-1974 leading to change of rainfall pattern from bimodal to
unimodal. The trend in current decades has been consistent with climate change scenarios,
with lower rainfall and more frequent, and severe droughts most pastoralists were aware of
climate change impacts and how to overcome the problems. The results show that climate
change lead to water scarcity, disease to livestock and increased distance to the grazing
land Pastoralists have started adapting to climate change by migrating, diversifying to
other economic activities such as crop farming and business. Some were reducing the
number of livestock as well as using improved breeds. Various institution played
important roles in ensuring the sustainability of natural resources, such as setting a grazing
land (Olailili as named in Maasai language) to be used during dry season. Some construct
charco dams “lambo” for water harvesting. This study recommends that the community
should diversify to other economic activities so that they can earn income rather than
relying on livestock while climatic condition is not favorable and the government of
Tanzania should put more effort on training and advocating pastoral to use high breed
animal to avoid overgrazing also regular review of policies.
