Effectiveness Of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies For Cattle Keeping: A Case Of Tarime District, Mara Region

ABSTRACT

This study assessed effectiveness of climate change adaptation strategies for cattle keepers in Tarime District. Four selected villages namely; Muriba, Taghare, Bungurere and Kubori were involved in the study. Data were collected using household questionnaire, observation and interviews. Ninety eight respondents and ten key informants were involved in the study. Quantitative data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20, and content analysis was used for qualitative information.

Results of the study revealed that, majority (91.2%) of the respondents were aware of the climate change and variability and some of the respondents were able to identify effect of climate change i.e., decrease of water, decrease of pasture and increase of temperature. Overall majority (85.9%) used different methods to adapt to climate change, some of the methods were (30.6%) drilling of wells, (28.9%) performing zero-grazing, (15.4%) diversify cattle feeding, (12.5%) change of cattle species and (11.7%) adopt dipping. Challenges of climate adaptation strategies on cattle production were identified, these included decrease of water (43.8%), decrease of pasture (36.1%) and prolonged drought (20.1%).

In addition to that, respondents proposed some measures which would improve effectiveness of climatic change adaptation strategies for cattle keepers i.e., (43.9%) suggested that, the government has to provide water, (37%) suggested provision of education and (16.6%) suggested provision of expertise to help improve livestock production to farmers.

The study concluded that, animal cattle keepers, are exposed to climate change and variability so Government and NGO has to ensure local community are provided with education, water and extension officer who will help to improve productivity.