Impact of climate variability and change adaptation strategies on technical efficiency of sorghum production in Manyoni District, Tanzania
Loading...
Files
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Climate variability and change adaptation strategies are increasingly becoming fundamental
for improving efficiency in agricultural production in Tanzania and elsewhere in developing
countries. However, empirical evidence on how adaptation strategies improve agricultural technical
efficiency on drought resistant varieties like sorghum is inadequate in Tanzania. This study was
conducted to address this knowledge lacuna in the literature. With cross-sectional research design,
we used a household survey to collect data from 330 randomly selected household heads. A Cobb-
Douglas stochastic frontier model was used to determine the impact of adaptation strategies on
technical efficiency of sorghum production. Farmers adapted a number of strategies including
drought tolerant crops, conservation agriculture, drainage system, early maturing crops, use of
hired labour, resistant livestock breeds, membership in farmer organizations, access to extension
services, and access to credit to cushion climate variability and change impact. Six strategies
including use of drought tolerant crops, drainage systems, conservation agriculture, membership
in farmer organizations, access to extension services and access to credit showed significant
impact on technical efficiency of sorghum production at 5% level of significance. Such strategies
were effective in improving technical efficiency of sorghum production. However, about half of
the respondents were less efficient. Therefore, farmers’ adaptation strategies were indisputably
essential in semi-arid environments like Manyoni district. Nevertheless, a policy to heighten use
of the effective farmers’ adaptation strategies to cushion climate variability and change impact
should be devised and effectively executed to strengthen farmers’ efficiency.
Description
Research article
Keywords
Adaptation strategies, climate variability, climate change, sorghum production, technical efficiency.