The effect of climate variability and change to the farming systems in Iramba and Meatu Districts, Tanzania
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Date
2014-06
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Abstract
This study examined changes in farming systems in response to climate
variability and change. Specifically, the study aimed to;(i) assess /armors'
perceptions of climate variability and change and (ii) examine changes in the
Jai-ming systems in response to climate variability and change. The study
adopted qualitative (fOcus group discussions) and quantitative (household
survey) techniques using a sample sire of 150 respondents for the survey. The
results demonstrated that smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists perceived
the occurrence of climate variability and change manifested through drought,
rainfall variability and increased day time surface temperature. Awareness
regarding climate variability and change were associated with the middle age
group (18-45 years old), which perceived increased drought since the 2000s
relative to other age groups. Frequent JOod shortage and increasing .shortage
of pasture were on the increase. Contract. to their expectations, smallholder
farmers and agro-pastoralists were unable to adjust fully their .J arming systems
to minimize the negative effects 01 climate variability and change. This means,
they had little capacity to change their Jarming systems or simply, they -were
vulnerable to the effects of climate variability and change. It is therefore
recommended that, through integrated effort by the government and Nongovernmental
Organi=ations (Ar(;0s) should support smallholder farmers and
agro-pastoralists to adjust their farming systems in response to climate
variability and change so as to 1111171.111ire the negative effects.
Description
Journal of Continuing Education and Extension, 2014;5(2): 656-676
Keywords
Crop, Livestock, Production systems, Climate variability