Abstract:
This paper examines livelihood responses to climate variability and other stressors in the
Morogoro region in south-eastern Tanzania, with an aim to understand the implications of
these responses to adapting to changing climate in the region in the future. The paper
indicates how farmers have responded to draughts by expanding cultivations, reducing
fallows, switching crops and engaging in wage employment or in charcoal, timber and brick
production. Farmers also frequently migrate on temporary basis to locations which have
favourable farming conditions or better access to markets. More permanent migration to
towns and cities has also increased. Farming practices and heavy reliance on forest
resources have resulted in soil erosion and deforestation which have reduced water
retention, increased flooding after rains and reduced water flow between the rains. These
environmental changes complicate living with increased climate variability in the future
because reduced natural resource base may not be able to provide the same safety net
functions as it currently provides during periods of stress. This would be particularly
problematic for those who live in more remote rural villages and who suffer from limited
access to markets, public services and utilities. Efforts to reduce vulnerability to increased
climate variability in the region would need to safeguard the natural resource base, promote
market access and augment human capital. Natural resource base demands attention
because its safety net functions are important to large proportions of rural and urban
population and because the loss of ecosystem services would increase the exposure of
large downstream populations to floods and scarcity of water. The promotion of market
participation can provide incentives to diversification and intensification and help reduce
dependence on risky agricultural production. Finally, diversification of livelihoods is
constrained by deficiencies in physical health, skills and knowledge. Therefore, public
spending and programs related to health, education and wellbeing can facilitate
diversification in the future.
