Agricultural Food Crop Production and Management Challenges Under Variable Climatic Conditions in Rungwe District, Tanzania

Abstract

This study explores the dynamics and challenges for agricultural food crop production from the perspective of climate variability in Tanzania. It describes the variations in agricultural crop production as a result of differences in the types of farming systems, socio-economic situation and implications of climate variability across agroecological zones. The technological aspects and policy options for developing adaptation options and minimising adverse effects on agricultural production under changed climate are also presented. The study is based on both primary and secondary data, collected through household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. The qualitative data were subjected to content and trend analysis, whereas the quantitative data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. The results indicate the decline in food crop production and increased vulnerability to food insecurity among the smallholder and subsistence farmers. The main reasons for the change in production include climate change and variability (manifested by the fluctuating rainfall, drought and changes in temperature), land exhaustion and low adaptive capacity. Addressing the main challenges to increasing agricultural productivity on the existing farm lots to meet the growing demands for food and to offset the climate variability-induced yield losses was recommended. This includes putting in place appropriate policies, strategies, investment plans and collective actions to support the local farmers and enhance their resilience to the changing environment. This will need to enhance productivity and market efficiency among the farming community to increase the uptake of the recommended packages for agricultural crop production.