Sustainable Agricultural Practices for Enhancing Resilience to Climate Change in Tanzania: The Case of Manyoni District, Singida Region

Abstract

This research evaluates farmers’ farming practices, and pinpoints areas where sustainability and climate change resilience are lacking in Tanzania. Specifically, the research examines the strategies, setbacks and responses of peasants and farmers to climate change and its effect on agricultural productivity in Manyoni District, Singida Region. Methodologically, the study used a mixed-method approach to include both qualitative and quantitative data. The research involved 150 respondents from Manyoni District, and data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, observation, and documentary review, followed by analysis that employed descriptive statistics using SPSS version 22. The findings indicate that smallholder farmers in Manyoni District actively implement various coping mechanisms to deal with climate variability. The mechanisms include establishment of cash crops like cashew nuts, the use of hybrid seeds, irrigation, and diversification through mixed farming. However, the efficacy of these practices is severely limited by systemic obstacles, such as disputes between cashew investors and pastoralists, drought conditions associated with deep water tables that make underground water drilling difficult, and high operating costs combined with a lack of knowledge about crop suitability in low-rainfall areas. The results highlight the necessity of a comprehensive strategy for agricultural sustainability that takes into account social, economic, and environmental factors. Since the trend of agricultural productivity is declining, it is recommended that laws and bylaws should be set to prohibit bad farming practices that harm the climate. This research offers practical insights to policymakers, peasants, farmers, and other stakeholders to enhance climate change-resilient and future-generation-supporting adaptive agricultural systems, by combining traditional wisdom with contemporary scientific advancements. Further, the study recommends development of institutional capacity for district agricultural officers to offer technical assistance on climate-resilient farming and to increase agricultural extension services to train farmers in sustainable practices that increase productivity amidst climate challenges.