Extension advisory services on farmer’s climate change mitigation strategies in Misungwi district, Tanzania: issues and options

Journal article

This study evaluates the impact of extension advisory services on farmers’ climate change mitigation strategies. Questionnaires were completed by 64 extension agents and data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study found that the most common method used for identifying farmers’ climate change adaptation needs is extension agents visiting farmers (84.6%), followed by training sessions are less frequently used (26.2%), and other methods are rarely employed (1.5%). Insufficient training on climate change, with a frequency of 55, resource constraints, reported by around 49 respondents and limited access to climate information also stand out as a significant issue, with a frequency of about 41, and lastly knowledge barriers with 39 respondents were shown as the challenges encountered during dissemination of advisory services to farmers. This study revealed that majority (56.9%) of extension agents reported receiving transport facilities, while 41.5% had access to timely updated information. Though, only 18.5% of respondents indicated receiving regular training. This study concludes that the majority of extension agents have reported that they do not receive sufficient support in their efforts to educate farmers on how to adapt to climate change. The extension agents are not prepared to deal with the complexities of climate change, despite the fact that they rely on personal visits to capture the needs of the farmers. The low level of diversity engagement approaches, the low rates of hands-on training, and the moderate perceptions of comfort in communicating climate information are all indicators that this is the case. In addition, many extension agents believe that the increase of these concerns is caused by resource problems, which include inadequate access to timely information, inadequate training, and inadequate financial resources. This study recommends that the government should allocate enough resources aimed at supporting the extension agents in fulfilling their operations.