Article 2: DEFIES AND PROSPECTS IN SUSTAINING A GREEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN TANZANIA (Vol. 1, Iss. 1; pp. 9-23)

Brown Gwambene

Text | Abstract | PDF

DEFIES AND PROSPECTS IN SUSTAINING A GREEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN TANZANIA

 

Brown Gwambene[1]  

*Corresponding author E-mail: gwambene@gmail.com

 

A R T I C L E  I N F O

Article Type: Research

Received: 13, Sep. 2018.

Accepted: 21, Oct. 2018.

Published: 21, Oct. 2018.

 

 

 A B S T R A C T

It has been evinced that smallholder farmers are good managers of risks, through experience and alternative responses to climate extremes. Their bequest and local knowledge to successfully adapt to environmental changes is an opportunity for sustaining their livelihood and development of a green economy and food security. However, with their long-term experience still they face a number of challenges. To understand the challenges and opportunities for smallholder farmers in Tanzania, this study used a survey method in gathering information that includes a household questionnaire, Key informant interviews, focus group discussions and documentary review. The investigation revealed the increased stress in farming activities as evidenced by increased agricultural production risk resulted from climate variability, fluctuating market price and increased production cost. The Rio+ 20 seem to be an opportunity to devise strategies for supporting a green economy and food security especially for poor farmers in developing countries. However, implementation of agreements, policies and plans remain in the papers in many places. Attaining these objectives will require effective implementation of strategy, ensure a fair price to farmers for their product, improve access to inputs and optimise logistics to reduce production cost, as well as a smooth transfer of know-how and best practices.
Keywords:

Climate variability, Smallholder farmers, Food security and Green economic

[1] Brown Gwambene, Lecturer/ Researcher, Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences and Entrepreneurship, Marian University College, P.O. Box 47, Bagamoyo, Tanzania.

References

  1. Anley, Y, Bogale, A & Haile-Gabriel, A. (2007). Adoption decision and use the intensity of soil and water conservation measures by smallholder subsistence farmers in Dedo district, Western Ethiopia. Land Degradation and Development 18, 289–302.
  2. Antle, J.M. (2009). Agriculture and the Food System: Adaptation to Climate Change. An Initiative of the Climate Policy Program at RFF report available from http://www.rff.org/rff/documents/rff-rpt-adaptation-antle.pdf (Accessed on 23 June, 2011)
  3. Bishaw B, Neufeldt H, Mowo J, Abdelkadir A, Muriuki J, Dalle G, Assefa T, Guillozet K, Kassa H, Dawson I.K, Luedeling E & Mbow C. (2013). Farmers’ Strategies for Adapting to and Mitigating Climate Variability and Change through Agroforestry in Ethiopia and Kenya. Edited by Davis C.M, Bernart B and Dmitriev A. Forestry Communications Group, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. http://tinyurl.com/psdza52 (Accessed 01August, 2015).
  4. Burton I, Challenger B, Huq S, Klein R.J.T & Yohe G. (2010). Adaptation to Climate Change in the Context of Sustainable Development and Equity. BARRY SMIT (CANADA) AND OLGA PILIFOSOVA (KAZAKHSTAN) Available from: http://observatory.ph/resources/IPCC/TAR/wg2/pdf/wg2TARchap18.pdf (Accessed on 24July, 2010)
  5. Dai, A. (2011). Drought under global warming: a review. Advanced review, 2, 45-65, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
  6. Daniel, S & David, L. (2011). Climate Variability and Agricultural Productivity: Evidence from Southeastern US, 2011 Annual Meeting, February 5-8, 2011, Corpus Christi, Texas 98894, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
  7. Dixon J; Gulliver A; David Gibbon & Hall M. (2001). Farming Systems and Poverty: IMPROVING FARMERS’ LIVELIHOODS IN A CHANGING WORLD, FAO and World Bank, Rome and Washington D.C. ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/003/y1860e/y1860e.pdf (Accessed on 3 November, 2012)
  8. FAO (2009b). Global agriculture towards 2050. Rome http://tinyurl.com/63trq5u (Accessed 16 July, 2013).
  9. FAO, (2008). Climate Change, Water and Food Security: technical background document form the expert consultation held on 26 to 28 February 2008, FAO, Rome.
  10. Gwambene B. (2011). Climate Change and Variability Adaptation Strategies: Implication of adaptation strategies on land resources in Rungwe District, Tanzania LAP LAMBERT, Saarbrucken Deutschland.
  11. Gwimbi, P & Mundoga, T. (2010). Impact of Climate Change on Cotton Production under Rainfed Conditions: Case of Gokwe”, Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, Pennsylvania, Volume 12, No.8, 2010 ISSN: 1520-5509.
  12. Hassan R & Nhemachena C. (2008), Determinants of African farmers’ strategies for adapting to climate change: Multinomial choice analysis, AfJARE Vol 2 No 1 p 83-104
  13. IPCC, (2007). Climate change 2007: Climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. A report of the Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Fourth Assessment Report. 23 pp.
  14. Kangalawe R, (2012). Food security and health in the southern highlands of Tanzania: A multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the impact of climate change and other stress factors. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 6(1), pp. 50-66.
  15. Kangalawe R.Y.M, Liwenga E.T, Majule A.E & Madulu N.F, (2007). The dynamics of the Farming Systems, Food Security and Poverty Alleviation Strategies in Semi-Arid Areas of Sukumaland, Tanzania. Research Report Submitted to REPOA, Dar es Salaam.
  16. Lamboll R, Nelson V & Nathaniels N, (2011). Emerging approaches for responding to climate change in African agricultural advisory services: Challenges, opportunities and recommendations for an AFAAS climate change response strategy. AFAAS, Kampala, Uganda and FARA, Accra, Ghana. Available from http://tinyurl.com/krxsk29 (Accessed 15 July, 2013).
  17. Mbilinyi A, (2013). Do We Really Know How Climate Change Affects Our Livelihood? Evidences from Village Communities in Rural Tanzania; Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) Policy Brief, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  18. Mbillinyi P, Mahoo H.F, Tumbo S.D, Mpeta E, Rwehumbiza F.B, Mutabazi K and Kahimba F.C, (2016). Impacts of and Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability in Tanzania Agricultural Systems: A Review. http://preview.tinyurl.com/z93ftzv (Accessed on 4 October, 2016)
  19. Morton J F (2007) The impact of climate change on smallholder and subsistence agriculture Available from: http://www.pnas.org/content/104/50/19680.full (Accessed on 24 May, 2013)
  20. Nyunza G and Mwakaje A E. G. (2012), Analysis of Round Potato Marketing in Tanzania: The Case of Rungwe District, Tanzania; International Journal of Business and Social Science, Vol. 3 No. 23, pp 86-97.
  21. Orindi V.A and Murray L.A (2005). Adaptation to Climate Change in East Africa: A Strategic Approach, iied. Gatekeeper Series 117: International Institute for Environment and Development.
  22. Pervez, A.K.M.K., Gao, Q., & Uddin, M.E. (2016). The management of agricultural risk in Bangladesh: A proposed process, Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 12(1), 1-13.
  23. Tanzania National Business Council (2009). Kilimo Kwanza, Towards Tanzania Green Revolution; conduct beach hotel & resort, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  24. United Nations Global Compact Office (2012). Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum Partners -Innovation and Collaboration for the Future We Want: Overview and Outcomes Summary Report, UN Global Compact Office, Two United Nations Plaza, New York
  25. URT (2007b). Agricultural and Livestock Policy. Ministry Of Agriculture and Co-Operative Development, Dar es Salaam.
  26. URT (2011). National Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, Division of Environment, Vice President’s Office
  27. URT (2015). Tanzania Climate Smart Agriculture Program 2015 – 2025. Ministry of griculture Food Security and Cooperatives and Vice President’s Office.
  28. Van den Bossche P & Coetzer J A. (2008). Climate change and animal health in Africa, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Animal Health Department, Belgium, August 2008
  29. World Bank (2013). Opportunities and Challenges for Climate-Smart Agriculture in Africa. Policy Brief. Available from http://preview.tinyurl.com/llm4pyx (Accessed 15 July, 2013).
  30. Yanda P.Z & Mubaya C.P (2011). Managing a changing climate in Africa: Local level vulnerabilities and Adaptation experiences. Mkuki na Nyota Publisher LTD, Dar es Salaam Tanzania.