Migration dynamics of smallholder farmers in semi-arid rural areas: harnessing coping and adaptation strategies for climate change effects in Tanzania

Migration is a widely adopted adaptation strategy by smallholder farmers facing climate change effects such as frequent droughts. However, its role in facilitating adaptation is underexplored. This study investigates how migration, through remittances, enhances adaptation to climate change effects. Data were collected from two villages in the Chamwino district of Dodoma region, Tanzania, using household surveys from 167 households, and focus group discussions for qualitative insights. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were employed. Findings reveal that remittances were utilised to finance short-term coping needs such as purchasing food during shortages and long-term adaptation strategies, such as: adopting short-maturing drought-resistant seeds, purchasing livestock, and financing deep tillage cultivation using improved tools such as tractors and ploughs. Notably, deep tillage cultivation was significantly associated with recipient households compared to non-recipients (p value < 0.05). In contrast, no significant associations were observed between remittance receipts and adaptation strategies such as livestock ownership, farm size diversification, mixed cropping, and ownership of communication devices (p value > 0.05). These findings underscore the potential of remittances in financing household adaptation strategies in areas that experience frequent drought and erratic rainfall. By harnessing remittances more effectively through supportive policies, households can strengthen their capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change.