Examining Smallholder Farmers’ Drought Resilience Strategies in Iramba District, Tanzania

Abstract

Despite promising crop yields experienced by smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions, escalating drought is still a threat to food security and is currently more pronounced in the central regions of Tanzania, necessitating the need to adequately explore specific farmer-driven strategies that may potentially promote sustained yields. This paper addresses the specified knowledge gap by examining drought adaptation strategies employed by smallholder farmers in Iramba District, over the period 1995–2024. The study adopted a descriptive research design and collected data using a mixed-methods approach; incorporating structured interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, in-depth interviews, and document reviews. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS (version 29), while Qualitative data were analysed through thematic analysis. The results demonstrate that most farmers utilise multiple strategies to withstand drought impacts, including the adoption of drought-tolerant crops, modification of planting dates, traditional irrigation, and improved crop varieties. Importantly, crop yields increased concurrently with a rising incidence of drought events. Based on these findings, this article recommends a broader implementation of effective drought adaptation measures through coordinated action among farmers, government institutions, and non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, policymakers and decision-makers should integrate proven adaptation strategies into national agricultural policies to enhance support for smallholder farming systems.