Browsing by Author "Ndesanjo, Ronald"

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    Climate change impacts and adaptive strategies in the Rufiji delta
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2009) Ndesanjo, Ronald
    The study aimed at investigating Climate Change impacts and adaptive strategies in the Rufiji Delta. The specific objectives included the following; to establish the local perceptions on climate and its associated changes, to establish evidences and/or indicators of climate change, to examine impacts of climate change on livelihood activities and to determine coping and adaptation strategies by local communities and other parties. The study employed descriptive design, together with qualitative and quantitative techniques of data collection. The data collection methods included interviews, questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and documentary evidence. The study also took in a sample of households and Village Executive Officers. Findings of the study showed that livelihood activities in the study area particularly farming and fishing are already impacted by climate change. It was observed that most of the crops used to be grown have been abandoned with the exception of paddy that depend on irrigation. Similarly, fish catch was noted to have declined with disappearance of some of the species. On the other hand the study noted the increasing scarcity of basic household necessities especially food and water that was associated with the current frequent dry spells as well as altered rainfall patterns. The study also noted the impacts of sea water rise to settlements, underground aquifers and soils. Therefore, it is evident that the community is already impacted by climate change, a situation that calls for institutionalisation of such means as dry land agriculture, advanced fishing methods as well micro-crediting to enable such communities sustain their economies by engaging in secondary economic activities rather than relying upon nature.
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    Pathways to enhance climate change resilience among pastoral households in Simanjiro district northern Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Ndesanjo, Ronald
    The main objective of this study was to understand the pathways of enhancing resilience to climate variability and change among pastoral households in Simanjiro District-Northern Tanzania. Primary data were collected using household and institutional surveys while secondary data were obtained from the Tanzania Meteorological Agency. Climatic data were analysed using Standardised Precipitation Index while household and institutional data were analysed using Regression and Ego-network analyses respectively. It was found that temperature and precipitation trends have changed over the past four decades. Extreme climatic events, particularly drought, have become less predictable; drought-driven food and water insecurity are major determinants of household and livestock vulnerability while climate-driven diseases such as malaria and tick-borne still pose potential health risks. The study further established that livelihoods diversification and migration are major determinants of climate change adaptation and resilience building. Also, the study found that traditional leadership, village government(s) and local NGOs as well as their existing ties are instrumental in enhancing local communities’ climate change resilience. It is concluded that livelihoods diversification and migration are key pathways to enhancing households’ climate change resilience. It is recommended that gradual livelihoods diversification initiatives should be potential policy intervention(s) in enhancing climate change resilience among pastoral households. Further studies should examine determinants of anticipatory coping and adaptive strategies against climatic as well as other socio-economic perturbations. This goes along with getting deeper understanding on role on cross-level institutions in promoting climate change resilience.