Effectiveness of climate change coping strategies on household vulnerability to food insecurity in Lushoto District
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Date
2014
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Abstract
In different parts of the world, farming households have evolved different climate change
coping strategies (CCCS) to improve their livelihood. This study focuses on the
effectiveness of CCCS that deal with household food insecurity (HFS). A cross sectional
survey was performed on a random sample of 150 households in Lushoto District using
structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions were conducted through which the
commonly practised strategies were identified. Community perceptions on the
effectiveness of the strategies were assessed using a Likert type scale. Data on HFS were
collected using Household Dietary Diversity (HDD) and Household Food Insecurity
Access Scale (HF1AS) which were also used to determine the incidence of food
insecurity. Multiple regression models were used to establish the relationships between
HDD/ HFIAS and CCCS. The commonly practised coping strategies were irrigation, the
use of short-term crop varieties, sale of family labour, early planting, late planting, crop
diversification, involvement in petty business, sale of livestock and poultry, tree planting
and land intensification, purchase food on credits, borrowing food from friends or
relatives, cultivation in wet areas and sending children to eat at neighbour houses.
The study revealed that all the strategies were perceived effective in ensuring HFS with
exception of the last two. Results of multiple regressions showed that HFS measured by
HFIAS was significant and positively related to land intensification {beta = 0.34,
P < 0.05) and early planting {beta = 0.20, P < 0.05). Also, HFS measured by HDD was
significant and positively related to crop diversification {beta — 0.39, P < 0.05). Although
majority of the strategies were perceived effective in ensuring HFS, only the above three
were effective. Therefore, these strategies could be strengthened, advocated and
integrated in different local and national developmental interventions to improve
community members’ resilience towards climate change and vulnerability to food
insecurity.
Description
The Degree of Master of Arts in Rural Development
Keywords
Climate change coping strategies, Climate change, Household vulnerability, Food insecurity, Lushoto District