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.
