A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCE FOR SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE OF SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE.
MOROGORO, TANZANIA. 2017
Climate change is among the great challenges facing pastoralistse specially milk
producing pastoralists in Tanzania. The main objective of this study was to assess the
climate change effect on grazing land and quantity of milk produced by pastoralist in
Mvomero District. Specifically, the study aimed at determining rainfall and temperature
trends of Mvomero District over the past 30 years and their consequence on pasture
resources and the quantity of milk produced by pastoralists. A total of 90 pastoralists were
randomly selected for interview. Primary data were collected through structured
questionnaire for individual interview, while focus group discussions and key informant
interviews were done using a designed checklist. Climate and other secondary data were
from Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA), United States Geographical Satellite
(USGS), internet and other reports. The climatic data were analyzed using Microsoft
Excel, Statistical Package of Social Science was used to analyze the quantitative and
qualitative data, while Arc GIS and Q-GIS were used to analyze the satellite images.
Analysis of climate data over 30 years revealed a linear increment of temperature by
0.02% and decline of precipitation by 3%. These findings were comparable to how
pastoralists perceived trends of climate in the District. Most of the pastoralists (about
90%) agreed that there has been an increase of temperature and unpredictable rainfall.
Analysis of satellite images showed that pasture resources decreased tremendously from
82.1% in 1985 to 5% in 2015. It is concluded that drought is a major challenge and has
negatively affected grazing resources and pastoralist’s livelihoods in various ways.
The pastoralist’s livelihoods have in turn become more vulnerable as they are dependent
on livestock products to obtain their basic needs. To reduce effects, adaptation and
mitigation technologies like awareness creation of other sources of income other than
milk production should be encouraged.