Browsing by Author "Lyimo, James G."

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    Climate change, Adaptive Strategies and Rural Livelihoods in Semiarid Tanzania
    (Scientific Research, 2013-07) Kangalawe, Richard Y. M.; Lyimo, James G.
    Climate change is a global challenge to both sustainable livelihoods and economic development. In Tanzania as in most African countries, farming depends almost entirely on rainfall, a situation that makes agriculture and thus rural livelihoods especially in semiarid environments particularly vulnerable to climate change. This study analyses the impacts of climate change and variability on rural livelihoods with particular focus on agricultural production, food security and adaptive capacities in semiarid areas of Tanzania. The methods used in this study included focus group discussions, key informant interviews, household surveys and field observations. Results from the study indicate that communities understood climate change in terms of variability in rainfall patterns and amount, temperature patterns, wind, water availability, increased incidences of drought and decreased agricultural productivity. Communities in the study area acknowledged that while rainfall amounts have decreased over the last thirty years, temperatures have increased; an experience is also supported by meteorological data. Such changes were claimed to have reduced agricultural productivity particularly due to prolonged drought, inadequate and uneven distribution of rainfall as well as unpredictable onset and ending of rains. Stressors such as crop diseases and pests, low soil fertility and inadequate extension services were also reported to contribute to the decline in agricultural productivity and re-occurrence of food insecurity. In response, communities have developed multiple adaptation strategies, including growing of drought tolerant and early maturing crop varieties, increasing wetlands cultivation, water harvesting for small-scale irrigation and livestock keeping. However, households with limited livelihood assets are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and food insecurity. The study argues that diversification of adaptive strategies, such as water harvesting for small-scale irrigation, integration of livestock and crop production are crucial to ensuring sustainable livelihood in a changing climate.
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    Population dynamics, rural livelihoods and environmental degradation: Some experiences from Tanzania
    (Springer Netherlands, 2010-12) Kangalawe, Richard Y. M.; Lyimo, James G.
    Population growth and environmental degradation are closely linked. Increasing population has in many rural areas of Tanzania contributed to changes in land use/cover patterns, land fragmentation and livelihood insecurity. Increasing demand for food, energy and other environmental services has contributed to expansion of agriculture, including marginal areas, and deforestation often leading to environmental degradation. Increased reliance on natural resources for rural livelihoods, subsistence nature of the agricultural sector and limited economic opportunities in rural areas are among the factors leading to rural–rural and rural–urban migrations searching for better livelihood opportunities. The high urban demand for food and biomass energy from rural areas has also contributed to rural deforestation and overall environmental degradation. This paper addresses the linkages between population and environmental degradation in Tanzania. It argues that effective implementation of development and resources management policies can lead to environmental sustainability even with growing populations. It provides evidence from successful land management interventions such as HADO, HASHI and SECAP, which support the argument that with effective implementation of resource management initiatives even larger populations can be supported by the available resources. Such successful interventions ought to be emulated elsewhere with similar environmental problems.
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    Vulnerability and adaptive strategies to the impact of climate change and variability. The case of rural households in semi-arid Tanzania
    (2010) Lyimo, James G.; Kangalawe, Richard Y. M.
    This study assesses the community vulnerability and existing adaptive strategies to the impact of climate change in semi-arid areas of Tanzania. The study was undertaken in Shinyanga rural district. The study methods included focus group discussions, key informant and household interviews. Findings from the study showed that the local communities are aware that the climate is changing, as characterized by variability in rainfall patterns and increasing temperature. Rainfall amounts have decreased and became more unpredictable, and drought prolonged. Temperatures have also increased. Consequently, there has been declining crop productivity and increasing food insecurity. Such situation has increased the vulnerability of local community livelihoods to the impacts of climate change. Different socio-economic groups of households (the well-off, intermediate and poor) have differently pursued multiple adaptation strategies, including growing of drought tolerant crops, increasing wetlands cultivation and diversification to non-farm activities, depending on their livelihood assets. The poor groups with limited livelihood assets were reported to be more vulnerable to impacts of climate change and more food insecure as compared to the well-off group, mainly due to their low adaptive capacity. The study concluded that livelihood diversification strategies, including integration of on-farm and nonfarm activities, are crucial to enhance adaptive capacity and ensure sustainable rural livelihood in a changing climate.