ASSESSING ADAPTATION MEASURES TO CLIMATE CHANGE APPLIED BY OUT-GROWERS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF SUGARCANE IN TANZANIA

This study assessed the adaptation measures to climate change applied by the out-growers to the sustainable production of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in Tanzania. Out-growers at Kilombero Sugar Company Ltd, one of the five sugarcane companies in Tanzania were the study population due to high volume of sugarcane production. The data was collected using interviews of key informants and survey questionnaires in the sugarcane community (out-growers). A sample used in this study was 63% of the study population plus 30 key informants. Results indicated that climate adaptation measures of out-growers included land intensification (15.4% and 19.4%), use of field borders (49.3% and 53.3%), enhanced nutrient management (11.8% and 15.8%), crop rotation (7.6% and 11.6%), cover crops (5.6% and 9.6%), use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers at 50 and 100 kg N ha-1 (5.4% and 9.4%) in cane fields, reduced tillage (1.4% and 5.4%), irrigation (1.4% and 5.4%), and use of pesticides (2.1% and 6.1%). The test for association showed that Likelihood Chi-square was not significant (p = 0.676) hence the practices were independent of the site and the out-growers. Results also indicated that the climate non-adaptation practices were deforestation during land preparation (32.3%), industrial emissions during cane processing (12.9%), and overgrazing and farming near catchment areas (9.7%) in closer proximity to the sugarcane industry. The test for association showed that Likelihood Chi-square was significant (p = 0.002) hence each practice is site-specific and it does not have any association with the same practice performed in either of the site. Furthermore, of the identified additional practices that favour adaptation to climate change, the test showed that Likelihood Chi-square was significant (p = 0.051) indicating that if any practice is conducted at one site, then the same practice and its magnitude is equally to be applied to the other site as a climate adaptation measure for the sustainable sugarcane production by the out-growers.