Browsing by Author "Mushi, Shamim Twalib"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessing the effectiveness of climate information delivery system in Tanzania: the case of Kiteto District in Manyara Region
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2016) Mushi, Shamim Twalib
    The importance of weather and climate information and services is growing due to the need to serve more elaborate societal needs, minimize growing economic losses from natural hazards and help in adaptation to climate change. However, the information and services developed and delivered by National Meteorological Services, which in many countries are weak and need considerable support. This study assessed the effectiveness of climate information delivery system in Tanzania. The study was conducted in Kiteto district, Manyara region in Tanzania. The study population comprised farmers, small scale and commercial, pastoralists and agricultural extension officers. The findings indicate that TMA offers a wide range of services including weather forecasting (public, marine and aeronautical), various technical services, research and applied services, as well as specific services for the Zanzibar and Pemba delivered by the Zanzibar Office Division. The findings further indicate that local communities have their own indigenous knowledge based weather forecasting such as patterns of flowering plants, changes in human body conditions such as illness, animal laziness, insects, birds, astronomical objects (moon and stars), and changes in atmospheric behaviours. The findings also reveal farmers have difficulties in differentiating the types of climate information offered by TMA due to the language and terminologies used. Reliability and area specificity of the information offered is also a major issue as reported by 50% of the farmers. The findings also indicate visible complexities in coordination of responsibilities related to provision of climate change/meteorological services among key Government institutions, namely, the Vice President’s Office-Division of Environment (VPO-DoE), the National Environment Management Council (NEMC), and the Ministry of Transport under which TMA operates. The study concludes that many communities in Kiteto district still rely heavily on indigenous methods when it comes to climate issues such as weather forecasting and climate projection. It is also evidently clear that climate information delivered by TMA still needs a lot of improvement as it does not cover specific regions but rather provide general or blanket information that might be difficult for farmers and other stakeholders to make sense of. Based on the findings, it is strongly recommended that TMA should do more to increase the user community understanding and use of climate information and services in development activities. This study argues that TMA should make sure that its products are packaged and tailored such that they are user friendly and user specific