Abstract:
The study intended to examine pastoralists communities coping strategies to climate
change induced food insecurity, The study was conducted in Mfereji village in Monduli
district. The cross-sectional technique was used to collect data. Purposive and Simple
random sampling methods were used to obtain 100 respondents. Both structured and
unstructured questionnaire were used in data collection, supplemented by focus group
discussion and key informants. Data were statistically analyzed using computer
programmes and content analysis method. 'Jhe descriptive statistics such as frequencies,
and percentages were computed, "Jhe finding from this study reveals that people have
experienced the presence of climate change; the chronic food insecurity and the
pastoralists have developed different coping strategies to address the situation. "Jhe most
used coping strategies included: rural urban migration, engaging in off-farm activities,
reducing number of meals per day, crop cultivation during rainy season, selling animals
to buy food, diversification of animals kept, herd splitting, and selling labour (casual
labour). fie dependence on animals’ product% for food and lack of food storage facilities
were identified as the main contributing factors to food iinsecurity to the pastoralist. 'Ihe
study concluded that, there is a need for improving the coping capacity of the pastoralists
by strengthening their coping Strategies to improve food availability and stability. It is
recommended that long term development measures such as training (extension
education) on crops and animals' husbandry, construction of quality dams that can store
water over a long period, food processing and storage techniques should be provided to
the pastoralists so as to ensure food security in their households
