Impacts of climate change and variability on crop production and its implications to food security a case of Mvomero district, Tanzania

Abstract

This study assessed the impacts of climate change and variability on crop production and its implications to food security in Mvomero District, Tanzania. Large part of the study area has already experienced food insecurity. A sample size of 7% of all household heads were sampled at random from the two villages and interviewed through questionnaires. Also; FGD, interview with key informants and participant observation survey were used to collect data. Rainfall and temperature data were collected from Kongwa and Kinyasungwe meteological stations, and from farmers. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12 and MS-Excel. The analyzed data were presented into tables and figures. Analysis show that the trend based on mean annual rainfall data provide general impression which may not capture actual situation on the ground particularly on droughts and associated crop failures in the field. Hence, the number of wet spells were analysed. The result show that there is no correlation between the amount of rainfall and the number of wet spells. The study area has been recording high rainfall with fewer wetspells and the vice versa. Also, it has been found that a good number of wet spells which are fairly distributed within a growing season is a good determinant factor for better crop production due to sustainabililty of moisture. Also, an increase in temperature leads to severe drought due to evapotranspiration. Severe drought has lead to poor crop yields and subsequently food insecurity. Therefore, to ensure food security; adaptation measures and coping mechanisms are recommended, some of these include; the use of drought resistant crops, irrigation, mixed farming, and implementation of seasonal climate forecasting.