Determinants of beekeeper’s perceptions and the adaptation strategies to climate variability in Njombe and Manyoni Districts, Tanzania

Abstract

Climate variability and extremes are one of the most significant threats to bees and beekeeping. A study was conducted to determine beekeepers’ perceptions and adaptations to climate variability and the determinants of their perceptions in Njombe and Manyoni Districts Tanzania. Household Interviews (HHI) covering 120 respondents were used to collect qualitative data on socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, their perceptions on climate variability and the adaptation strategies they use to cope with the impacts experienced. Four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with 7–10 respondents and Key Informants Interviews (KIIs) were also employed to obtain more information regarding the current study. Results showed that beekeepers perceive that climate variability is happening in their local areas and performed several practices as adaptation strategies. The binary logistic regression model predicted the age of the respondents (OR = 0.15), experience in beekeeping (OR = 40.24) and access to extension services (OR = 4.05) to be the main determinants of beekeepers’ perceptions on climate variability in Njombe. In Manyoni District, only access to extension services determined the perception of climate variability. Beekeepers without access to extension services had a lower perception (OR = 0.37). This study recommends that in Njombe District, mentorship programs and trainings should target young and less experienced beekeepers. In Manyoni District, improving access to extension services through regular mobile visits and community-based climate information dissemination could strengthen beekeepers’ understanding of climate variability and support effective adaptation practices.