Browsing by Author "Matata, L. M."

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Climate change and its variability on crop production in semiarid areas of Iramba and Meatu Districts, Tanzania
(African Developmen, 2016) Urassa, J. K.; Nombo, C. I.; Kabote, S. J.; Mamiro, D. P.; Mbwambo, J. S.; Mattee, A. Z.; Matata, L. M.; Synneåg, G.
Climate change and its variability are increasingly threatening livelihoods of Tanzania’s predominantly rural population and in particular those households with low incomes. Based on the above reality, a study was conducted in two semi-arid areas of central Tanzania. The overall objective was to determine how climate change and its variability have affected rural households’ crop production over time. Specifically, the paper aims at; assessing farmers’ preferred food and cash crops, determining the impact of rainfall variability on crop production in the semi-arid areas of central Tanzania and determining communities’ perception of climate change. The study on which the paper is based used a mixed method approach whereby both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to complement each other thus improving quality of the results regarding the impact of climate change and its variability on rural households’ crop production. Primary data was collected using a pre-structured questionnaire and focus group discussions’ checklist. Whereas quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Software for Social Scientists, qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Findings generally show that climate change and climate variability have occurred in the study area and consequently crop production has adversely been affected leading to households’ vulnerability to food insecurity. In addition, food shortages have become frequent threatening households livelihood security. Based on the findings, rural households’ capacity to respond to the challenges of climate change and climate variability is a matter of urgency. Therefore, the government, in addition to the efforts already undertaken, should put in place institutional and policy framework to support rural households’ efforts to minimize the impacts of the phenomena.
A gendered analysis of climate variability and change impacts and adaptations in semi arid area farming systems and natural resources management
(Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (CCIAM) Programme, 2013) Ombol, C.; Urassa, J. K.; Mbwambo, J. J. S.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mamiro, D. P.; Kabotc, S. J.; Matata, L. M.; Synneag, G.
Climate change and climate variability is increasingly threatening the livelihoods of many Tanzanians especially those living in semi-arid rural areas. The most affected are those; with low incomes, less food, poor access to health services, unstable energy supplies, and living in fragile natural ecosystems. Generally, women and men contribute differently to climate change; likewise, they are affected differently and react differently to its impact. The overall objective of the study was to assess the impact of climate change on rural livelihoods' and how households in semi-arid areas of Tanzania adapt based on gender. The study was conducted in Iramba and Meatu Districts. The study adopted a Sustainable livelihood Approach (SLA) developed by DFID (1992) in the analysis of climate change impacts and households' adaptation. Data was collected using qualitative methods such as focus group discussions and key informant interviews, informal interviews and observations. Findings from the study show that, climate change impacts affect almost everybody in the studied communities; however, differences by gender exist. These findings thus suggest that adaptation to climate change impacts vary across genders due to differences in roles and responsibilities, power relations and access to and control over resources.