Climate variability and crop yields synergies in Tanzania’s semiarid agroecological zone

Abstract

Introduction: The consequences of climate change have been considerably high to smallholders in most of Sub-Saharan Africa. These impacts have been more enormous to crop production and other attached livelihoods. However, the comprehensive assessment of these impacts has suffered numerous challenges because crop productivity is also susceptible to other factors involved in the production process. This study aimed to understand how crop yields are affected by climate change in the semiarid zone of Tanzania. The findings would establish a thorough literature within smallholder adaptation in the area. Furthermore, they will intensify strategies to cope with reduced yields attributed by climate-change impacts. Outcomes: There has been a dramatic decrease in rainfall (R 2 = 0.21) and increase in temperature (R 2 = 0.30). In addition, we found that rainfall and temperature variability had positive (R 2~0 .5) and negative (R 2~0 .3) correlations with crop yields, respectively. Discussion: The decline in yields at both local and national levels elevated the magnitude of food shortage and poverty. The increasing climate impacts necessitate undertakings of various studies to plan, design, recommend, and implement various useful adaptation measures, especially in the vulnerable communities. Conclusion: To limit climate effects, we need to increase investments in adaptation and mitigation measures.

Conservation Agriculture for Environmental Sustainability in A Semiarid Agroecological Zone under Climate Change Scenarios

“…This district is located on the leeward side of Ukaguru Mountains with an area of ~4041 km 2 and a varying elevation between 900 and 1000 m a.s.l. (6°19′660" Latitude The framework portrays the major roles of CA as a tool firstly for increasing crop yields and secondly for environmental conservation to improve soil fertility through no-or reduced-tillage, mulching, agroforestry and crop rotation [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61]. It also increases crop yields in terms of quality and quantity.…”

“…This will enhance the adaptive capacities among the smallholder farmers and limit the level of vulnerability from the global and local environmental change [15,16,45]. Thus, while proposing the increased CA adoption at a local level and in various agroecological zones, we also advocate its adoption at national, regional, continental and global levels because mitigation measures can have both global and local impacts [52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61].…”

“…This situation improves the interaction between roots and microorganisms Moreover, a study by Haoa et al [29] further indicated that no-tillage, crops rotation, mulching and agroforestry were the sinks of the top three greenhouse gases, i.e., carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (NH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O), and, thus, confer adaptation and mitigation. It is thus obvious that the CA practices have multiple benefits to environmental sustainability [30,[55][56][57][58][59]. Hence, CA practices have significant contributions to sustainable environmental conservation focusing on lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere.…”

“…As a result, it is advisable to build the capacity of the smallholder farmers (who form 70% of Tanzanian agriculture) so that they can effectively integrate AC in their farming. If this integration reached at least 20% of the total farm size of every household, it would definitely increase crop yields and environmental services [33,[55][56][57][58][59][60][61]. This would have a long-term positive impact in serving the present needs of the people and environment without compromising the needs of future generations [55][56][57][58][59][60][61].…”

A Novel Assessment of the Impacts, Vulnerability, and Adaptation of Climate Change in Eastern Africa

“…The current situation shows that despite having numerous strategies, practices, and programs to address climate change impacts, the level of vulnerability is still high in most developing countries [51]. This is because there are other factors that affect negatively the efforts of increasing resilience to climate impacts.…”