Profitability and risk reduction efficacy of adaptation strategies under climate variability in dry land farming system in Same district, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2010
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Abstract
This study was motivated by the threat of ongoing global weather changes which as a
result variability of climate is rapid and devastating to smallholder agricultural productivity.
Generally, profitability and risk reduction efficacy of adaptation strategics under climate
variability in dryland farming system were assessed. Specifically, the study; assessed
profitability of recommended agronomic strategics for adaptation to climate variability,
analysed efficacy of recommended agronomic adaptation strategies in reducing risks
associated with climate variability; and assessed adequacy of off-farm coping strategies in
reducing livelihood risks associated with climate variability. Data were collected from a
sample of 150 farming households using a structured questionnaire survey instrument, in five
villages located in the upland, midland and lowland areas of Same district in Northern
Tanzania in May 2009. Statistical packages SPSS 12.0 and FRONTIER 4.1 were used for
descriptive analyses and technical efficiency respectively. In the three zones agronomic
strategics in farming were significant in explaining maize output (PO.OOl), 80% of
respondents managed to cover the costs of production from crop produced, though lowland
farmers were having high profit margins compared to other zones. The mean efficiency of
maize production was low at 44%. Proper use of combined strategies increased the
productive efficiency; therefore there is possibility of farmers to increase efficiency of
these strategies by the remaining 56%. Maize produced in 2007/08 season was not enough
for households’ food requirements for the whole season, off-farm activities supplemented
food deficit. Since farming land in upland zone is scarce, it is recommended that farmers
from this area maximize profit by increasing efficiency using different agronomic
strategies instead of expansion. Use of combined agronomic strategies should be location
based with topographical parameters and socio-economic factors perspective. Moreover,
farmers are encouraged to keep a reasonable number of livestock that can be manageable
profitably.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Profitability, Risk reduction, Efficacy-Adaptation, Strategies, Climate variability, Dry land farming, Same District