Agricultural Production Dynamics Under the Changing Climate in Rungwe District, Tanzania (e-book) (used book) | bookbook.eu

Description

Climate variability affecting and threatening agricultural production and food security of smallholder farmers. It has increased the vulnerability of agricultural outputs and livelihoods of people who predominantly depend on climate sensitive resources. This study aimed at understanding the dynamics, challenges and opportunities of agricultural crop production from the perspective of climate variability to enhence resilience and food production. The study employed a survey method to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative were subjected to content and trend analysis, whereas the quantitative analysed using Microsoft excel and SPSS software. The results indicate variations in the agricultural crop production across agro-ecological zones characterised by land fragmentation, lack of information to inform the best adaptation measures and realisation of opportunities accrued from climate variability. Lack of proper measuring units and poor record-keeping compounded the challenges affecting quantification of productivity and production trends. Thus, understanding the challenges and opportunities of climate variability and other stressors is essential in developing adaptation options and minimising adverse effects on agricultural production. This include strengthening capacity of farmers and institutions though awereness raising on improving livelihoods, productivity and agricultural production. Such knowledge and initiatives require an appropriate information and exploitation of opportunities in agricultural production, with particular attention on packaging the information to inform the decision making process for all stakeholders.