PhD Theses

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Browsing PhD Theses by Subject "Agriculture"

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    Agro-ecosystems’ resilience to damage: determination of index of susceptibility to climate change in mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2015) Shirima, Kelvine
    This study assesses maize-coffee-banana agro-ecosystems’ resilience to damage on the southern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It identifies agronomic practices and assessing their impacts on agro-ecosystems’ resilience; examine the socio-economic status of the farmers in the region and its impacts on agro-ecosystems; and examine the agro-ecosystems’ natural resilience and assess socio-ecological susceptibility index to the impacts of climate change. About 400 households was covered in this survey with response rate of 97%.Farmers were asked on their farming practices and systems, key informants and transect walk was also employed in gathering necessary information. Study was carried out at a specific designed transect for a selected part of Kilimanjaro region between Kisangesangeni-Miwaleni (700 m.a.s.l) and Makunduchi/Kirua Vunjo (1600 m.a.s.l) of about 21.7 km long and 2km wide southern part of Mount Kilimanjaro in Moshi rural district. The study shows a significant variation in agronomic practices with altitude and lack of sufficient agro-ecosystem resilience framing like conservation agriculture including agro-forestry, conservation tillage, contouring and terracing, mulching, intercropping, and fallowing to mention few; pest and disease control, soil conservation infrastructure, and off farm diversification was also a key challenge to farmers. Parameters like drought frequency, number of household dependants, social safety nets, off farm contribution, possession of land title, wood usage as cooking energy, access to extension services, fallowing practice, farm acreage possession per household, and response to drought cases have been included in socio-ecological susceptibility index computation. Because of variation over altitude the susceptibility also vary with altitude.Recommendations have been given like creating good adaptation options which includes imposing and establishment of traditional and non-traditional high value crops as well as facilitating social safety nets necessary for household income diversification.
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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.