Abstract:
The climate is perceived to be changing, thus calling for understanding of livelihoods strategies to guide in developing climate-resilient livelihoods. This paper investigated adaptation strategies undertaken by agro-pastoralists to cope with climate change impact in Mvomero district. A cross sectional research design was adopted where data were collected only once and 135 sampled households were involved in the study. Household questionnaires, key-informants interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were the main methods for data collection. Descriptive statistical analysis and content analysis were the main methods used in data analysis. The study revealed various adaptation strategies used by agro-pastoralists in the study area including, timing and the use of improved crop varieties. The coping strategies for livestock keepers were to reduce the number of livestocks, moving the animals to other places temporarily and some of them permanently. However, such coping strategies were not sustainable and some household became more vulnerable to climate change due to their ineffective coping strategies. Therefore, the study recommends to government and non governmental organizations to improve agro-pastoralists access to extension services for the access of reliable information and knowledge on predicting weather forecast using both local/indigenous and improved means. Institutions dealing with climate related issues including the meteorology agency should be strengthened to improve the packaging and the dissemination of weather forecast and information related to climate change
