The effect of climate variability on livelihoods of small scale farmers in South district, Zanzibar, Tanzania

This study assesses the nature and extent of effect of climate variability on livelihoods of small-holder farmers in rural areas of Tanzania. The study was undertaken in South district at Pete and Mzuri wards, Zanzibar. The overall objective of this study was to examine the effect of climate uncertainty on the livelihoods of rural farmers and understand local community perception on climate variability issues. Primary data were collected through interviewing of heads of households, group discussions, field observation, and secondary data were obtained from various institutions. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to produce correlations, trends and survey tabulations. Microsoft Excel was used to organize tables, compute indicators and produce charts and graphs. Findings show that for the past two decades the hot dry season has become hotter and drier than usual (+0.2oC and +0.5oC with annual maximum temperature 33oC) while during winter temperatures are becoming warmer than it used to be (mean annual maximum temperature of 29.3oC). People have perceived climate variability through changes in rainfall and temperature, which have affected the length of growing season putting majority of rural households at risk. Though all households in the district are vulnerable to climatic crisis, the problem is more acute for the poor households in particular, land less, children, old aged people and women. The study concluded that climate variability has to some extent aggravated rural livelihoods in the study area. Thus, to address the effect of climate variability, the government of Tanzania and development partners should increase local awareness on climate change, reducing local people’s vulnerability by mainstreaming adaptation responses into rural development planning and promote household engagement in non farming activities.