Lessons and Implications for REDD+: Implementation Experiences from Tanzania, Book chapter 4, pg. 70-101
This chapter is based on a study conducted in Pangani river basin and on Pemba
Island in Tanzania. The main objective of the study was to assess evidence of the
climate, small farmers’ adaptive strategies and associated implications for REDD+
initiatives in the country. Historical climate data over more than 30 years were
collected from nine stations in Pangani river basin and on Pemba. Qualitative
and quantitative data were collected from 11 villages purposively selected based
on the location (upper and lower basin and altitude). A questionnaire survey and
Focus Group discussions were used to collect data from 387 respondents and
40 key informants, respectively. The respondents for the survey were randomly
selected from 11 study villages. The results show evidence of rising temperatures,
changing rainfall patterns, an increase in extreme weather conditions such
as droughts, floods and hurricanes and the shifting distribution of pests and diseases. Expert opinions also confirmed major changes in climate parameters
in recent years. About 89 percent and 95 percent of small-scale farmers perceive
that there is a change in temperature and rainfall, respectively, and linked the
changes to crop types, cropping patterns, and outbreak of human, animal and
crop diseases in their respective areas. Results from Multinomial Logit Model
indicate that farmers’ choices of climate change coping strategy depend on
their access to extension services and credit, their education level, location as
well as experience. Adaptive strategies range from change of crop types, farmers
and livestock keepers moving to new areas near water sources and forests and
increased farm activities. Unfortunately most of the smallholders’ adaptive
strategies are compromising REDD+ initiatives. The study concludes that
successful REDD+ initiatives within the framework of smallholders adaptive
strategies to impacts of the climate changes requires externally sourced support
for sustainable adaptation to climate changes.