Use of Weather and Climate Information in Decisions on Conservation of Water Resources in Kilombero River Catchment, Tanzania

The authors thankfully acknowledge the financial support from Uncertainty Reduction in Models for Understanding Development Applications (UMFULA) Project under the Future Climate for Africa (FCFA). Special thanks go to Declan Conway (London School of Economics and Political Science) who contributed invaluable inputs to the publication. Abstract This study assessed the use of climate information in decisions on the conservation of water resources and determined influencing factors in Kilombero River Catchment in Tanzania. A cross-sectional research design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to select Kilombero, Ulanga and Malinyi districts and Lumemo, Nakafulu and Biro villages while simple random sampling was used to select respondents. A total of 120 household respondents were interviewed in the three villages. In addition, 7 Key Informants’ Interviews (KIIs) involving officers from Kilombero Game Controlled Area (KGCA) and Rufiji Basin Water Board (RBWB) and 3 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with the villagers were conducted. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and STATA computer programs while qualitative information was analyzed using content analysis. Results show nearly half of respondents of weather and climate information in decisions to conserve water resources. Although ten decisions were identified in the area, weather and climate information was highly used in deciding conservation measures (X2=5.992, p<0.05), construction of small pans or bore holes for water storage (X2=6.580, <0.05) and reducing the number of livestock (X2=5.889, p<0.05). Four variables which had significant and positive correlation with conservation of water resources were identified. Foremost among them is extension visits (ß=0.079; p<0.01) which implied access and frequency of extension visits influence use of weather and climate information in making decisions. It is concluded that communities in the area use weather and climate information in decisions which conserve water resources.  Policy makers are advised to emphasize factors which had positive significant correlation with conservation of water resources. Keywords: Climate Information Use, Water Conservation Decisions. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-4-06 Publication date: April 30th 202