Examining Effects of Climate Change on Household Food Security in Rural Areas: A Case Study of Selected Households in Kapela Ward of Mwense Constituency in Mwense District

This study explored how climate change affects household food security in rural areas, focusing on selected households in Kapela Ward, Mwense Constituency, Mwense District. The research investigated how climate change is affecting household food security in Mwense District. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods for a thorough understanding. Data was collected through household surveys, group discussions, and interviews with local leaders to identify challenges and strategies for coping. Climate data from the region was also reviewed to find links between weather changes and food security trends in recent years. The findings show that the climate change is evident in the study area a unanimous 100% of respondents reported changes in planting season timing over the past decade.92% of respondents observed erratic planting seasons, highlighting climate change's impact. There is also reduced yield of agricultural products,92% of respondents reported a decrease in crop yields over the past 10 years. 82% of respondents reported not being food secure, indicating widespread vulnerability. While 98.04% of respondents reported increased difficulty growing food due to changing weather patterns.84.31% of respondents use drought-resistant crop varieties as a primary adaptation strategy.

Farmers are experiencing significant income reductions due to climate change and market dynamics. Droughts and erratic rainfall are causing reduced yields and crop losses. Reduced crop quality contribute to income decreases. The percentage of income loss varies, ranging from 25% to 60% depending on the farmer and crop.

Considering these results, it’s recommended that the government should continue to provide access to and information about drought-resistant crop varieties. Program implementers should support the adoption of other adaptation strategies like soil conservation and agroforestry. Researchers should conduct further research to understand challenges and adaptation effectiveness.