Abstract:
The study investigated the knowledge of the paddy farmers of Kahama District on climate versus
three decades meteorological data in the District. Cross sectional research design was employed
on which a randomly selected sample of 312 farm households were interviewed. The study
employed a triangulation approach on which primary data were collected through household
surveys, field observation and key informants’ interviews. Secondary data on the other hand were
obtained from the Tanzania Meteorological Station (TMA) and were subjected to excel sheet on
which linear series of rainfall and temperature were reported. The findings from primary and
secondary data revealed changes in both rainfall and temperature in around three decades. The
knowledge among the farmers on climate change was reported to be acquired in diverse ways
Original Research Article
Lunyelele and Zellah; Int. J. Environ. Clim. Change, vol. 14, no. 5, pp. 352-366, 2024; Article no.IJECC.116457
353
including from the meteorological stations, information sharing among the farmers, NGOs and own
experience. Farmers perceived a decreased in the onset and cessation of rainfall, increased pests
and diseases and increased drought incidences. Secondary data obtained from the meteorological
station confirmed the decreased rainfall and rising temperature in 30 years. These challenges
negatively impact paddy productivity in the study area. The study recommends on upscaling of
information dissemination among the farmers and across the other parties involved in paddy
productivity. Further investigation on contextual-level adaptation responses is recommended as
well.
