Abstract
The timing and distribution of rainfall determine both the length and quality of the growing season, and hence have important implications for agricultural production and food security. Using over 50 years of climatic data for Arusha District in Tanzania, the paper presents an analysis of growing season characteristics and other meteorological variables. Results indicate that the climate of Arusha District and Oljoro in particular is changing. Both the length of the growing season and number of wet days within the season are showing a decreasing trend as rains appear to be starting later than they used to in the past. Other meteorological variables such as temperature, wind speed and reference evapotranspiration are showing an increasing trend. Changes in land use/cover in and around the study area in the 1970s through 1990s due to expansion of agricultural land and population pressure would seem to have fuelled the observed changes in the growing season characteristics. This does not augur well for rain-fed agriculture and thus judicial use of scarce water resources including rainwater harvesting would seem to be a viable option for sustainable agricultural production.
Highlights
Rainfall plays a central role in agricultural production and water supply in much of sub-Saharan Africa
Using over 50 years of climatic data for Arusha District in Tanzania, the paper presents an analysis of growing season characteristics and other meteorological variables
Changes in land use/cover in and around the study area in the 1970s through 1990s due to expansion of agricultural land and population pressure would seem to have fuelled the observed changes in the growing season characteristics. This does not augur well for rain-fed agriculture and judicial use of scarce water resources including rainwater harvesting would seem to be a viable option for sustainable agricultural production
Summary
Rainfall plays a central role in agricultural production and water supply in much of sub-Saharan Africa. The timing and distribution of rainfall determine both the length and quality of the growing season, and have important implications for agricultural production and food security. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that the growing season is gradually getting shorter in some tropical semi-arid areas (Kihupi et al, 2007) Anthropogenic factors such as extensive land clearance for agriculture, overgrazing and burning of fossil fuels have been linked with climate change (McCarthy, Canziani, Leary, Dokken, & White, 2001). This paper presents the findings of a study that was undertaken to analyze the trend of growing season characteristics in the semi-arid part of Arusha District which forms part of the Maasai Steppe in northern Tanzania and their implications for sustainable agricultural development for small-scale farmers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
