Barriers in Implementation of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies among Smallholder Farmers in Semi-Arid Areas of Iringa District Tanzania

Abstract

This paper explored barriers that hinder effective implementation of climate change adaptation strategies. Two divisions namely; Ismani and Pawaga in Iringa district were purposeful selected. A cross sectional research design was used. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select divisions, wards, villages and households. Wards, Villages and household were selected randomly whereby a sample of 240 household respondents was obtained. Quantitative data were collected through household survey whereas qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussion and key informant interview. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The findings revealed several barriers to smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies. Such barriers were unreliability of weather forecast information, lack of access to agricultural extension services, and lack of access to water for irrigation. Other barriers were lack of financial sources, lack of access to affordable credit institutions, lack of farm assets and cost of agricultural inputs. The findings also revealed that there were relationship between age, income and barriers to adaptation strategies. Existence of those barriers hinders effective implementation of adaptation strategies in the study area. The government and other stakeholders should facilitate adaptation by enabling farmers to overcome barriers reported in this study.