Effects of Climate Change on Small Farmers' Livelihoods A Case of Ngarenairobi and Naibili in Siha District

Abstract

The overall objective of this study was to assess the effects of climate change on small farmers' livelihood in Siha district particularly in Ngarenairobi and Naibili villages. Specifically, the study sought to: evaluate the farmers' level of knowledge on climate change, identify evidence of climate change, assess the effects of climate change on small farmers' livelihoods activities and examine the main adaptive and mitigation measures to climate change effects. A descriptive survey design was opted for the study of all two villages of Ngarenairobi and Naibili in Siha district of Kilimanjaro region. Various methods were used for data collection such as interviews, questionnaires, and documentary review. The information was collected from small farmers, village officers and agriculture extension officers from the two selected villages. The findings revealed that small Farmers had wider knowledge in climate change as they were able to point out evidences of climate change such as drought, unpredictable rainfall and crops and animal diseases. Farmers revealed that, crop farming and livestock keeping had been affected negatively by climate change. As a result, farmers have opted different adaptation and mitigation measures to reduce clirnate change effects Based on the findings, it was recommended that farmers need more education on how to deal with climate changes. Speciali7ßd education on climate change trip increase farmers knowledge and help them in adapting to climate change.