Pastoralist Communities Coping Strategies to Climate Change Induced Food Insecurity

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