Browsing by Author "Haule, Jonathan Albeno"

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    Assessment of the impact of climate change on Cashewnut production: a case of Tunduru District, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2018) Haule, Jonathan Albeno
    This study was conducted to assess the impact of climate change on cashewnuts production in Tunduru District from 1973 to 2010. The district is one of the biggest producers of cashewnuts in Tanzania. The decline in cashewnut production in the district was from 1973/1974 (9,695 Mt) to 2010/2011 (14,040 Mt). Three randomly selected villages based on their cashewnuts production potentials; Mbesa, Namasakata and Ligunga were involved in this research. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected, analysed and presented in graphs, tables, charts and columns. The study revealed that climate change was evident as exhibited by decreasing trends of annual rainfall, increasing trends of annual temperatures and decreasing trends of diurnal temperature ranges. Climate change was also perceived by 93.3% of respondents. However, it was found that there was no direct relationship between cashwnuts production and the changing climate. However, climate change as a threat multiplier it exacerbated proliferations of powdery Mildew Disease, which was found to be a major problem of cashewnuts production in the area. The disease could also have been aggravated by poor husbandry of cashewnut groves caused by poor income capital as reported by 84.5% of respondents in this study. Cashewnut was highly dependent cash crop, the decline in its production reflected poor income earnings and low living standards for communities in the study area. The use of disease resistant and high yielding planting materials, enhanced pesticides application, provision of soft loans coupled with attractive producer prices as adaptations and coping strategies were mentioned as key issues to be addressed so as to enhance cashewnut industry in the study area.