Climate Change

This study assessed the impacts of climate change and variability on crop production and its implications to food security in Mvomero District, Tanzania. Large part of the study area has already experienced food insecurity. A sample size of 7% of all household heads were sampled at random from the two villages and interviewed through questionnaires. The result show that there is no correlation between the amount of rainfall and the number of wet spells.The study area has been recording high rainfall with fewer wetspells and the vice versa. Also, it has been found that a good number of wet spells which are fairly distributed within a growing season is a good determinant factor for better crop production due to sustainabililty of moisture. Also, an increase in temperature leads to severe drought due to evapotranspiration. Severe drought has lead to poor crop yields and subsequently food insecurity. Therefore, to ensure food security to rural people; adaptation measures and coping mechanisms are recommended, some of these include; the use of drought resistant crops, irrigation, mixed farming, and implementation of seasonal climate forecasting.

Autorentext

Mr. Msafiri Y. Mkonda is the Assistant Lecturer at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania. He has obtained his MSc. in Natural Resources Assessment and Management in 2011 at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Also he has worked as a Tutor at Korogwe Teachers College as well as Academic Officer at the College of Business Education.