Farmers’ perceptions, attitudes and adaptation to rainfall variability risks in dryland areas of Tanzania

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dc.contributor.authorMutabazi, Khamaldin Daud Suleyman
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-24T08:00:17Z
dc.date.available2023-03-24T08:00:17Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.description.abstractThe thrust of this study was to examine farmers’ perceptions and attitudes towards risks, and local adaptation strategies against agricultural risks caused by rainfall variability. Specific objectives were to: (i) analyse the characteristics of agricultural risks caused by rainfall variability, (ii) analyse farmers’ perceptions and attitudes to risks, and heterogeneity in risk perceptions, (iii) assess farmers’ adaptation strategies against risks, and (iv) analyse economic viability of rainwater harvesting as a strategy for adapting to risks. The data for this study were collected through household, key informants’ and local scheme managers’ interviews. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of 200 farming households in three villages located in the upland, midland and lowland areas of the Makanya River Watershed in Northern Tanzania between October and November 2004. Data were analysed using descriptive and quantitative methods. Implying the possibility of climate change, long-term maize yields exhibited a declining trend the same way as recorded rainfall. Farmers perceived flood to be resourceful as they could locally manage it to improve availability of soil moisture in the cropland. The relatively poor farmers demonstrated to be more exposed and vulnerable to market-related risks compared to non-poor farmers. Micro-level aspects which reduce exposure and sensitivity while increasing adaptive capacity to risks were found to be high literacy level, smaller household size, improved welfare capability in terms of consumption level and increased stock of cattle. Farmers were found to be risk takers contrary to what is thought under peasantry theory which categorises them as risk averse. The risk taking behaviour was significantly explained by the extent of livelihood diversification and attitude towardsii market orientation. Rainwater harvesting was among the most important strategies used by farmers to adapt to agricultural risks caused by rainfall variability. The policy-relevant recommendations are: First, addressing the agricultural risks caused by rainfall variability them should be central to policies and interventions aiming at reducing poverty and vulnerability in dryland areas. Second, by design, the programmes and projects aimed at reducing vulnerability to risks should to take into account the existing heterogeneity among farmers in terms of their perceptions and attitudes to risks. Third, public responses to disasters should shift from the current short-lived reactive disaster mitigation to proactive management investments which increase local adaptive capacity. Lastly, rainwater harvesting should be promoted through investments and technology transfer.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipSoil and Water Management Research Programme at Sokoine University of Agricultureen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/5085
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherSokoine University of Agricultureen_US
dc.subjectDryland areasen_US
dc.subjectFarmers’ perceptionen_US
dc.subjectRainfall variabilityen_US
dc.subjectFarmers’ adaptation strategiesen_US
dc.subjectEconomic viabilityen_US
dc.titleFarmers’ perceptions, attitudes and adaptation to rainfall variability risks in dryland areas of Tanzaniaen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

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