Farmers' perception and adaptation to climate variability in selected districts of Morogoro region, Tanzania

Abstract

The thrust of this study was to discern perceptions of rural people about climate variations and assess their ability to adapt to the changes accordingly. The specific objectives were to: (i) assess farmers' perception about climate change indicators affecting agriculture, (ii) analyze micro-level climate change impacts facing farmers on production systems, (iii) analyse farmers' adaptation to effects of climate change on production systems, and (iv) assess adequacy of off-farm coping strategies in reducing livelihood risks associated with climate variability. The data for this study were collected through household interviews. The questionnaires was administered to a sample of 240 farming households from six selected villages, three from Kilosa District, two from Morogoro rural and one from Mvomero District. Data were analysed using descriptive and quantitative methods. As perceived by farmers, temperature, rainfall intensity and sunshine intensity were mentioned by most farmers as among the major indicators having great impact on climate variability and change. The study results showed that farmers' awareness about climate variations is high and that production systems of farmers have been highly impacted due to prolonged droughts, dry spell, untimely rains and changes in rainfall seasons. The results showed that most people in rural areas still do not know what the major agents of climate change are. However, the rural farmers have some knowledge and capacity in trying to adapt and cope to the climate changes although the capacities to deal with the climatic variability are still low. Consequently it is recommended that effective policies must be formulated to address adaptation strategies that focus more on access to information, credit, extension services and strengthening social networks through farmer to farmer extension. Additional actors such as the private sector, NGOs, and the media should be more involved in promoting the adaptation process.