Title: Profitability and Risk Reduction Efficacy of Adaptation Strategies Under Climate Variability in Dry Land Farming System in Same District, Tanzania.
Abstract
This study was motivated by the threat of ongoing global weather changes which as a result variability of climate is rapid and devastating to smallholder agricultural productivity. Generally, profitability and risk reduction efficacy of adaptation strategies under climate variability in dry-land farming system were assessed. Specifically, the study; assessed profitability of recommended agronomic strategies for adaptation to climate variability, analyzed efficacy of recommended agronomic adaptation strategies in reducing risks associated with climate variability; and assessedadequacyofoff-farmcopingstrategies in reducing livelihood risks associated with climate variability. Data were collected from a sample of 150 farming households using a structured questionnaire survey instrument, in five villages located in the upland, midland and lowland areas of Same district in Northern Tanzania in May 2009. Statistical packages SPSS 12.0 and FRONTIER 4.1 were used for descriptive analyses and technical efficiency respectively. In the three zones agronomic strategies in farming were significant in explaining maize output (P<0.001), 80% of respondents managed to cover the costs of production from crop produced, though lowland farmers were having high profit margins compared to other zones. The mean efficiency of maize production was low at 44%. Proper use of combined strategies increased the productive efficiency; therefore there is possibility of farmers to increase efficiency of these strategies by the remaining 56%. Maize produced in 2007/08 season was not enough for households’ food requirements for the whole season, off-farm activities supplemented food deficit. Since farming land in upland zone is scarce, it is recommended that farmers from this area maximize profit by increasing efficiency using different agronomic strategies instead of expansion. Use of combined agronomic strategies should be location based with topographical parameters and socio- economic factors perspective. Moreover, farmers are encouraged to keep a reasonable number of livestock that can be manageable profitably.