Dissertation (MSc Natural Resources Management)
A socio-economic survey through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and field observations was carried out to assess impacts of climate change on coffee production in ten (10) wards of Karagwe District of north western Tanzania. Specific objectives underlying the study were to: (1) assess coffee production trend for the past 10 years from July 2003 to July 2013, (2) to identify and analyze impacts of climate change on coffee production among coffee producers in the district. The study also aimed to: (3) identify common adaptation and coping strategies towards impacts of climate change on coffee production. A total of 140 respondents representing local community, government institutions and Cooperative unions were sampled using both simple random sampling and purposive sampling. Data were analyzed into simple descriptive statistics using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 and Statistical Analytical System (SAS), Inc. (ver. 9.
Results show that coffee production trend in ten sampled wards was highly variable across years (P<0, 0001) and wards (P<0, 0001). Coffee production potential in the district can be grouped into zones of high, medium, and low coffee production potential. Identified impacts of climate change affecting coffee production include prolonged dry spell (13.7%), drought (18.1%), strong winds (7%), elevated temperatures (16.1%), poor distribution of rainfall (17.8%) storms (10%) and insect pests and diseases infestation (17.3%), Available climate adaptation strategies among coffee farming community include adoption of new technology (20.9%), adoption of sustainable agricultural production techniques (22.7%), and diversification and intensification of production systems (20.6%) could be concluded that adaptation and coping, strategies to impacts of climate change on coffee production trend are fundamental to achieving sustainable livelihood among coffee farming communities. It is further recommended that, improved institutional capacities through training on adaptive strategies and planning to address impacts of climate change are very crucial among coffee farming communities.