Cassava as an adaptation crop to climate variability and change in coastal areas of Tanzania: a case of the Mkuranga district.

Abstract

Abstract This study was carried out in two villages, Kizapala and Kazole, of the Mkuranga District, in the Coast Region of Tanzania. The objective of the study was to establish the role of cassava as an adaptation crop to the changing climate and household food security. Primary data were obtained using household questionnaires and different participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques which included focus group discussions (FGDs), key informants and expert meetings. Secondary data were collected through a literature review, whereas temperature and rainfall data from 1984 to 2014 was obtained from the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA). In each village, a sample size of 10% of all households was interviewed. Findings showed that 96% of respondents from Kazole village and 90% from Kizapala linked climate change with major climatic extreme events such as prolonged droughts and occasional abnormal floods. Analysis of temperature data for the last 30 years (1984-2014) revealed that temperature had significantly risen by a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.4936 for maximum and R2 = 0.777 for minimum temperature. The field survey results closely correlated with findings from the analysis of TMA rainfall and temperature data. Findings revealed a decline in crop production which resulted in food shortages and livelihood insecurity in the study villages. The respondents in both villages consider cassava as a crop that is least affected by climate and environmental extremes, thus serves to ensure food availability and security in their households. As a result, growing cassava should be considered as an adaptation strategy to climate change and variability now and in the future. Improving cassava production, processing, marketing and value chain infrastructures is, therefore, crucial for enhancing sustainable adaptation in the district.