Agricultural adaptation strategies to climate change and its implication to household livelihood in lowland coastal areas: a case study of Kitonga village, Bagamoyo district

This study examined agricultural adaptation strategies to the impact of climate change in Kitonga coastal village. Household interviews, key informants, focus group discussions and participatory field observation complemented each other in addressing the study objectives. Qualitative information was analyzed using content analysis while the quantitative information was processed by using SPSS program. Finding from the study has shown that the community understands climate change in terms of climatic variables such as rainfall and temperature. Climate change evidences identified include late rainfalls, decreasing crop productivity, increasing temperature, increased incidences of drought, and recurrent food shortages. Furthermore the community acknowledged major existing adaption strategies as timing of farm operations, growing water loving crops and crops rotation. Dominant livelihood assets influencing adoption of different agricultural strategies identified included financial assets such as microfinance schemes, physical assets such as fertile land , and social assets including strong social group that enhance social cohesion. Institutions have assisted vulnerable groups to adapt to impacts of climate change, climate change information dissemination and loans to support adaptation. To increase effectiveness of agricultural adaptation strategies, the study recommends technical assistance to village agriculture extension officers and increase financial support to improve their livelihood.