COSTECH Integrated Repository

Climate change, Adaptive Strategies and Rural Livelihoods in Semiarid Tanzania

Show simple item record

dc.creator Kangalawe, Richard Y. M.
dc.creator Lyimo, James G.
dc.date 2016-05-02T11:20:51Z
dc.date 2016-05-02T11:20:51Z
dc.date 2013-07
dc.date.accessioned 2018-04-18T11:18:00Z
dc.date.available 2018-04-18T11:18:00Z
dc.identifier R. Kangalawe and J. Lyimo, "Climate Change, Adaptive Strategies and Rural Livelihoods in Semiarid Tanzania," Natural Resources, Vol. 4 No. 3, 2013, pp. 266-278. doi: 10.4236/nr.2013.43034.
dc.identifier http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/1764
dc.identifier 10.4236/nr.2013.43034
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/1764
dc.description Climate change is a global challenge to both sustainable livelihoods and economic development. In Tanzania as in most African countries, farming depends almost entirely on rainfall, a situation that makes agriculture and thus rural livelihoods especially in semiarid environments particularly vulnerable to climate change. This study analyses the impacts of climate change and variability on rural livelihoods with particular focus on agricultural production, food security and adaptive capacities in semiarid areas of Tanzania. The methods used in this study included focus group discussions, key informant interviews, household surveys and field observations. Results from the study indicate that communities understood climate change in terms of variability in rainfall patterns and amount, temperature patterns, wind, water availability, increased incidences of drought and decreased agricultural productivity. Communities in the study area acknowledged that while rainfall amounts have decreased over the last thirty years, temperatures have increased; an experience is also supported by meteorological data. Such changes were claimed to have reduced agricultural productivity particularly due to prolonged drought, inadequate and uneven distribution of rainfall as well as unpredictable onset and ending of rains. Stressors such as crop diseases and pests, low soil fertility and inadequate extension services were also reported to contribute to the decline in agricultural productivity and re-occurrence of food insecurity. In response, communities have developed multiple adaptation strategies, including growing of drought tolerant and early maturing crop varieties, increasing wetlands cultivation, water harvesting for small-scale irrigation and livestock keeping. However, households with limited livelihood assets are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and food insecurity. The study argues that diversification of adaptive strategies, such as water harvesting for small-scale irrigation, integration of livestock and crop production are crucial to ensuring sustainable livelihood in a changing climate.
dc.language en
dc.publisher Scientific Research
dc.subject Climate Change
dc.subject Adaptive Strategies
dc.subject Food Insecurity
dc.subject Rural Livelihoods
dc.subject Semiarid Tanzania
dc.title Climate change, Adaptive Strategies and Rural Livelihoods in Semiarid Tanzania
dc.type Journal Article, Peer Reviewed


Files in this item

Files Size Format View

There are no files associated with this item.

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

Search COSTECH


Advanced Search

Browse

My Account