Browsing by Author "Zacharia, Faida"

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    Investigating responses by smallholder farmers to climate change and variability impacts in semi- arid Tanzania: the case of Kwamtoro and Sanzawa wards in Kondoa District
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2011) Zacharia, Faida
    This study investigated responses by smallholder farmers in semi-arid Tanzania under climate change and variability in Kwamtoro and Sanzawa villages in Kondoa District. Specific objectives of the study were i) to identify and assess the effectiveness of existing coping and adaptation strategies among small holders farmers ii) to examine the factors for success or failure of various coping and adaptation strategies in dealing with climate change and variability impacts iii) to examine potential innovations to enhance resilience and adaptive capacities. Secondary data were collected through literature and documentary review. Primary data were collected through interview with key informant, focus group discussion, household questionnaire and field observations. Rainfall and temperature over 30 years were also analyzed using Microsoft excel. The study found that various strategies, including planting drought tolerant, early maturing and, high yield crop varieties, timing of farm operations and crop rotation were effective in adapting to climate change and variability impacts. Also, the study revealed that different agricultural innovations were practiced. District Council and NGO’s play a big role in promoting agricultural innovations. Despite the adoption of these innovations, lack of finance, limited access to credits and markets, persistence of drought, missing land titles, weak infrastructure conditions and limited access to information constituted serious constraints during the early phases of adoption of new innovations. The study concluded that, concerted efforts must be made by the government and other Agricultural stakeholders, to strengthen the capacity of smallholder farmers to adapt through integrating indigenous knowledge in agricultural practices. Modern agricultural innovations such as improved seeds and livestock breeds and types needs to be promoted.