Economics of climate change adaptation in smallholder rice production systems in Wami-Ruvu Basin, Tanzania
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Date
2013
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the economics of climate change adaptation in
smallholder rice production systems. The study covered three smallholder rice production
systems including irrigation, rainwater harvesting system and upland rainfed rice systems
in Mvomero and Morogoro rural Districts. The specific objectives were: (i) To assess the
perceptions of farmers on climate change impacts in different rice production systems, (ii)
To analyse the determinants of rice productivity and profitability on land; (iii) To
estimate the impact of climate change on net revenue from rice enterprise under
different emission scenarios and iv) To estimate the costs and benefits of adaptations
strategies in different rice production systems. The data for this study were collected
using a structured household questionnaire that was administered to a random sample of
150 households composed of equal sub-samples from the three rice production systems.
average production function based on Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimation approach,
Regression-based prediction and cost-benefits analysis were used in data analysis. Results
indicated that smallholder farmers were aware of the impact of climate change by
contributing to crop infestation and diseases, higher food costs and low yields. Irrigation
was identified as the most preferable adaptation having higher net present value of
Tshs 12 491 951/ha followed by rainwater harvesting Tshs 2 665 769 /ha and rainfed
Tshs 1 199 253/ha. The cost-benefit ratios were 1.22; 1.14 and 1.16 in irrigated, rainfed
and rain water harvesting systems, respectively. Therefore, the government and other
private institutions should invest more in irrigation as it tends to boost up production
during drought period or when there is low rainfall.
Descriptive and quantitative methods were used to analyze the data. Likert scale, an
average production function based on Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimation approach,
Regression-based prediction and cost-benefits analysis were used in data analysis. Results
indicated that smallholder farmers were aware of the impact of climate change by
contributing to crop infestation and diseases, higher food costs and low yields. Irrigation
was identified as the most preferable adaptation having higher net present value of
Tshs 12 491 951/ha followed by rainwater harvesting Tshs 2 665 769 /ha and rainfed
Tshs 1 199 253/ha. The cost-benefit ratios were 1.22; 1.14 and 1.16 in irrigated, rainfed
and rain water harvesting systems, respectively. Therefore, the government and other
private institutions should invest more in irrigation as it tends to boost up production
during drought period or when there is low rainfall.
Description
Masters Dissertation
Keywords
Climate change, Rice production systems, Smallholder farmers, Wami-Ruvu basin, Tanzania