Indigenous Knowledge Use in Seasonal Weather Forecasting in Tanzania: The Case of Semi-Arid Central Tanzania
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Date
2014-01-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sabinet Online
Abstract
This paper is based on part of the findings of a PhD study that was carried out to determine how
farmers have used indigenous knowledge (IK) to adapt to climate change and variability in the semiarid
region of central Tanzania. Two villages, Maluga and Chibelela, were used as the case studies.
The study applied Rogers’ (2003) Diffusion of Innovations theory and model. It adopted a
predominantly qualitative approach and a post-positivist paradigm. The study population was made up
of farmers, agricultural extension officers and the Climate Change Adaptation in Africa project
manager. The principal data collection methods were interviews and focus group discussions. The
qualitative data collected were subjected to content analysis whereas quantitative data were analysed
with the help of SPSS to generate descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that the farmers in the
two villages under study perceive conventional information on weather as unreliable and untimely.
Consequently, the farmers turned to IK to predict weather patterns and make the necessary farming
adjustments. It was established that uncertainty about seasonal weather forecasts is one of the most
critical factors which forces farmers to continue using IK. Farmers’ knowledge of birds, insects, plants,
animals, wind direction and astronomical indicators is used to predict weather patterns. The
recommendations include the provision of timely and accurate weather forecast information to the
farmers to enhance their coping and adaptation strategies under varying climate conditions; and a
clear policy framework on the dissemination of information related to weather patterns in rural
Tanzania.
Description
Keywords
Seasonal weather forecasting, Climate variability, Indigenous knowledge, Climate change, Semi-arid regions, Tanzania
Citation
Elia, E.F., Mutula, S. and Stilwell, C., 2014. Indigenous Knowledge use in seasonal weather forecasting in Tanzania: the case of semi-arid central Tanzania. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 80(1), pp.18-27.