Climate change adaptation benefits from rejuvenated irrigation systems at Kiwere and Magozi schemes in Tanzania

Abstract

We examine whether soil moisture and nutrient monitoring tools and Agricultural Innovation Platforms improve farmers adaptive capacity to climate change in the context of two small-scale irrigation schemes in Tanzania. Analysis of household surveys and farmer field books show that these interventions have significantly increased household income and diversification and reduced water use and conflicts. This has contributed to rejuvenating the schemes and increased the willingness to collaborate. Farmers within these schemes report less COVID-19 impact than farmers within surrounding schemes. We argue that the interventions have increased farmers’, and their communities’, resilience and capacity to adapt to climate change.