Browsing by Author "Myeya, Helena Elias"

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    The effect of climate variability on cereal crop production in the semiarid area of Dodoma region, Tanzania, 1984 – 2011
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2016) Myeya, Helena Elias
    Cereal grains in semiarid areas are vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate variability. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of climate variability on cereal crop production in the semiarid area of Dodoma region. Mixed method research approach was employed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Primary data was collected through household socio-economic survey where 366 heads of household and 36 key informants were involved. Secondary data of temperature, rainfall, cultivated land, cereal crop production and remote sensing was collected from the relevant institutions. Focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, documentary review and site visits were used to collect data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20), Stata computer package 11 and Excel 2010 were used in analysing quantitative data from the socio-economic survey and archival sources. The land use/cover change was performed using ArcGIS10 software system. A post-classification comparison method was used for land use/cover change detection. Linear trend analysis and Mann-Kendall test were employed in determining the trends of temperature, rainfall, cultivated land and crops production. The study further applied multiple regression analysis to assess the correlation between temperature, rainfall and crop yields. In analysing qualitative data, content analysis with the support of Nvivo software version 10 was applied. Results from this study indicate an increase in temperature and decrease in rainfall as perceived by smallholder farmers and verified by archival data. Moreover, the study results have revealed increased trends in crop cultivated land size and annual crop production. The results on multiple regression analysis indicate both positive and negative relationship between temperature, rainfall and cereal crop yields. As a response to increased temperature, reduced rainfall and decline in crop yields, smallholder farmers have used diverse strategies such as growing heat tolerant crops, practice intercropping, shifting the planting dates increase farm size and involvement into income generating activities. Various stakeholders were identified in facilitating the implementation of climate variability adaptation measures through distribution of crop seeds, provision of small loans and awareness creation on good farming techniques. It is concluded that climate variability is evident in the study area as observed through increased temperature, reduced rainfall and decline in crop yields. This calls for more viable adaptation strategies. It is recommended to use an integrated approach of involving different institutions to support climate variability adaptation strategies in semiarid areas so as to increase their resilience to withstand the climate variability effects.
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    The socio-economic factors influencing variations in household food security in Bahi district: the case of Ibugule and Kigwe villages
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2009) Myeya, Helena Elias
    This study examined socio-economic factors influencing variations in household food security in Bahi District, Dodoma region. The essence is that the district was reported to experience severe food shortages (famine) after every four years and transitory food shortages almost every year. The methods employed in data collection include person interviews, focus Group Discussion, documentary review and field observation. Reference Adult Equivalent was employed to see whether the household was food secure or insecure. The relationship on variables was tested using Chi- square method. The majorities (68.5%) of the surveyed sample were food insecure and only 31.5% were food secure. A total of 130 heads of households from Ibugule and Kigwe villages, Executive Officers, Agricultural extension officers and few selected key informants constituted the sample for the study. The main socio-economic factors identified as influencing variations on household food status were demographic variables( sex, age, marital status of heads of households, household size, availability of labour and other inputs, occupation of heads of households (associated with levels of education and poverty), property ownership, varied uses of household grain and food insecurity coping strategies. Poor rural infrastructure, inadequate support from the government and other institutions to support agricultural production were identified as further contributing to the problems. It was therefore concluded that variations on household food status in Bahi district is aggravated by socio-economic characteristics. It is recommended that in addition to providing food aid at times of dire food shortages other measures ought to be effected in order to alleviate the problem. These may include provision of credit and inputs, development of irrigation and transport infrastructures, education to farmers especially on agricultural production and involvement of people in non-farm activities.