Abstract:
A study was conducted to investigate the
role of on-farm tree as a long-term and
sustainable adaptation strategy to climatic
stresses in eight villages around Mkingu
Nature Forest Reserve (MkNFR) in the
Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania.
Specifically, the effects of climate change
to peoples’ livelihoods and the role of onfarm
as an adaptation to the climate
change effects were assessed. The role of
existing on-farm trees as an adaptation to
climate change effects was also
investigated. Data was collected using
household questionnaire surveys,
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), key
informant interviews, tree stocking
assessment on-farms and direct field
observations. Temperature and rainfall
data for the past 30 years were obtained
from Mtibwa Sugar Company Weather
Station. Results showed that the majority
(92%) of the respondents were mainly
engaged in farming and/or involved in
various other economic activities such as
livestock keeping, fishing, trading of forest
products and petty business. CRiSTAL
model results revealed that the main
effects of climate change on peoples’
livelihoods include decreased yield of
agricultural crops, availability of fuelwood
and increase in human diseases and natural
disasters. Seventy percent of the
respondents reported to rely on on-farm
trees as an adaptation to climate change
effects in the area. About 76% of the
respondents in the area planted trees in
their farms for this purpose. It was further
learnt that people living around the reserve
also used crop diversification, irrigation,
fishing and petty business were as
adaptation strategies to the. Results also
indicate that adaptation to climate change
is constrained by several factors such as
lack of information and funds and shortage
of water for irrigation in the study area.
Findings of the study suggest the need for
greater investment in local communities’
education and improved institutional set up
for climate change adaptation to improve
their livelihoods.
