Abstract:
This study assessed the impact of climate change on food security in Dodoma City
Council, Tanzania. The study used Pragmatism as a research philosophy because it
prioritized practical outcomes and solutions tailored to real-world problems. A
descriptive research design was employed, combining both qualitative and quantitative
methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of food security in the study area.
The target population included citizens and employees of Dodoma City Council, with
a sample size of 204 respondents determined using Yamane's formula. Data collection
involved surveys and interviews, complemented by document reviews for secondary
data.
The correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between climate variability
(r = 0.67, p < 0.01), access to agricultural inputs (r = 0.59, p < 0.01), governance
policies (r = 0.65, p < 0.01), and food security. The regression analysis indicated that
climate variability and governance policies were the most significant predictors of
food security, with β values of 0.45 (p < 0.001) and 0.43 (p < 0.001) respectively.
These findings underscore the critical role of effective governance and climate
resilience in ensuring food security. The regression model explained 62% of the
variance in food security (R² = 0.62).
This study makes several contributions to the understanding and enhancement of food
security. It identifies key factors influencing food security, provides empirical
evidence for targeted interventions, and offers practical recommendations to improve
food security outcomes. By engaging local communities and stakeholders, the study
ensures that the proposed interventions are contextually relevant and sustainable. The
recommendations include promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices,
enhancing access to agricultural inputs, improving policy coherence, and empowering
communities through participatory decision-making processes. Further research areas
suggested include longitudinal studies to track changes in food security and the impact
of climate change adaptation strategies.
