Abstract:
This study investigates the impacts of climate change on agricultural practices and food
security among smallholder farmers in the Arusha City Council of Tanzania. The study
employed a Pragmatism philosophy as it prioritized practical outcomes and solutions
tailored to real-world problems, through a mixed-methods approach that combines
quantitative data from structured questionnaires and qualitative insights from interviews.
The study employed a convergent parallel design to investigate the impact of climate
change on food security in the Arusha region of Tanzania. The study utilized stratified
random sampling techniques to ensure a representative sample of smallholder farmers,
households, and key stakeholders in the Arusha region. Stratification was based on agro-
ecological zones, socio-economic status, and farming practices, to capture a wide range
of perspectives and variations in vulnerability. The study revealed that a significant
proportion of farmers have shifted to more resilient crop varieties, altered planting and
harvesting schedules, and adopted new irrigation methods to cope with changing
climatic conditions. The study further explores farmers' perceptions of the effectiveness
of their adaptation strategies, revealing a predominantly positive outlook despite the
challenges posed by climate change. While a majority of respondents rated their
strategies as moderately to very effective, a minority expressed concerns regarding the
limitations of their approaches, particularly in the context of extreme weather events.
Qualitative data corroborates findings showcasing farmers' understanding of the
interplay between various factors affecting their adaptive measures and the importance
of integrating multiple strategies to enhance resilience. With challenges like with limited
financial resources and inadequate technical support identified as significant barriers, the
study calls for increased funding and resources to empower farmers in adaptation efforts.
While training and financial assistance programs are in place, the study reveals gaps in
resource availability and access to critical information.
