Browsing by Author "Lema, Anza"

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Assessing Vulnerability of Food Availability to Climate Change in Hai District, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
(Scientific Research Publishing Inc, 2014-09) Lema, Anza; Munishi, Linus; Ndakidemi, Patrick
Climate change has a large effect on agriculture sector and, consequently, on the food available for residents of Hai District and other regions of Tanzania. Based on four decades of climate data, this study assessed the impacts of climate change and its potential vulnerability on food availability in Hai District, Kilimanjaro region. The results from this study suggest an association between food crop production and variation in climate (temperature and rainfall) in Hai District. Considering the aspect of rainfall and temperature, we demonstrate that rainfall and temperature have significant relationship with maize and bean outputs. The rainfall had a strong positive association with maize and beans production and whereas temperature had inverse relationship with maize and beans yields. With the annual loss $0.04 million and $0.01 million per year from cattle and goats/sheep respectively and the additional annual loss of $29 million and $10.8 million from maize and bean crops respectively in Hai District during years of severe and prolonged droughts, our study highlighted how severe droughts can dramatically affect agriculture production and food security in the area. To mitigate climate change and provide effective adaptation measures, it is imperative to develop a broader research framework, which integrates bio-physical and socioeconomic aspects of food systems which addresses its vulnerability and thereby improve food security.
Decline in maize and beans production in the face of climate change at Hai District in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2015) Munishi, Linus; Lema, Anza; Ndakidemi, Patrick
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how climatic change in Africa is expected to lead to a higher occurrence of severe droughts in semiarid and arid ecosystems. Understanding how crop productions react to such events is, thus, crucial for addressing future challenges for food security and poverty alleviation. Design/methodology/approach – The authors explored how temperature and rainfall patterns determined maize and beans production in Hai District in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. Findings – Annual food crops were particularly sensitive to the drought and maize and beans yields were lower than perennial crops during the years of drought. The authors also report strong and significant association between maize and beans production with temperature and rainfall patterns. Practical implications – This study highlights how severe droughts can dramatically affect yields of annual crops and suggests that extreme climatic events might act as a major factor affecting agriculture production and food security, delaying or preventing the realization of the Millennium Development Goals. Originality/value – This is the first study that highlights how severe droughts can dramatically affect yields of annual crops in Hai District contributing to other climate studies done elsewhere in Tanzania and the world at large.