The adequacy of Off-farm coping strategies in reducing livelihood risks associated with climate variability in dry-land farming areas

Abstract

The impacts of climate variability and change on the agricultural sector are projected to steadily manifest through changes in land and water regimes. All together affects crop production eventually affects livelihoods. There are varieties of measures that have been taken so far to cope with the situation, off-farm activities being one of the strategies. Therefore, this paper assess as the adequacy of off-farm coping strategies in reducing livelihood risks associated with climate variability. Data were collected from a sample of 150 farming households via questionnaire survey, in five villages located in the upland, midland and lowland areas of Same district of Northern Tanzania along the Pangani river basin. Multistage analysis was used for descriptive and quantitative data analyses. Findings revealed that crop production was low compared to household food needs during 2008/2009 agricultural season. None of the zones managed to produce enough food to sustain entire household for the whole season. Therefore, evidently findings had shown the importance of off¬-farm activities in rescuing farmers during various shocks, especially when there is crop failure. Sell of livestock and livestock products; small businesses; labour intensive activities; as well as transfer payments were the major off-farm activities used by farmers to supplement the household food and income due to crop failure in the 2008/2009 agricultural season. However, farmers were advised to do most of the off-farm activities which have comparatively high returns with fewer risks.