Recession farming practices and their linkages to hydro-climatic risks in the Kilombero valley
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Date
2022
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The Kilombero valley has national, regional and international importance due to its
proximity to water supplies, fertile soils and flat landscape. About 80% of its population
engages in agricultural production to fight poverty and food insecurity. Besides
population expansion, Kilombero Valley is vulnerable to drought and flood risks due to
climate variability and change. The current study assessed recession farming practices in
relation to hydro-climatic risks reduction. Specifically the study focused on
characteristics of recession farming practices, its contribution to mean annual household
income, variation of water in the valley and farmers’ perception on climatic risks
associated with water. Primary data were collected through interview and Focus Group
Discussion. Hydrological data were obtained from RBWB. The quantitative data were
analysed by using descriptive analysis, independent t-test and trend analysis while content
analysis was used to deduce theme from data obtained by Focus Group Discussion. The
study revealed that recession farming has crucial role in hydro-climatic risk reduction
especially in the dry season. It ensures the availability of 1322.02 Kg/ha of maize and rice
when food from rain-fed agriculture becomes limited. Recession farming ranked as the
second contributor of mean annual household income (556 316.66 TZS) after rain-fed
agriculture (686 366.67 TZS). The valley experiences downward trend of water flow with
spatial-temporal variation. Farmers are aware on hydro-climatic risks and be able to
develop copping strategies. The study recommends the government to monitor the
implementation of Agricultural Sector Development Strategy – II that aims to facilitate
the accessibility of agricultural inputs and market infrastructure by smallholders.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Recession farming, Hydro-climatic, Kilombero valley