Impact of Climate Change and Adaptations in Clove Farming in Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Clove farming is highly impacted by climate change, specifically changes in rainfall and temperature. The study evaluated how cloves farming is affected by climate change and the adaptation approaches farmers have used to deal with the problems. Climatic data on temperature, rainfall, and clove production from 2015 to 2019 were collected. Furthermore, questionnaires were used to collect information about problems facing clove farming and adaptation measures taken by the farmers. The study demonstrated a strong positive relationship between rainfall and clove production (R=+0.989, p = 0.001). The productivity of cloves was significantly correlated negatively with temperature (R=-0.903*, p=0.036). In addition, the study results revealed that 24.4% of farmers were affected by pest diseases,51.1% dryness of the clove trees, 3.33% frequent flooding and 34.44% seed dormancy. The study also revealed several adaptations measured undertaken by farmers to overcome climate change: 20% of farmers used irrigation, 56% mulching, 8.89% replanting, 11.11% application of fertilizers, 20% changing of planting pattern, 10% weeding, 14.44% increased plant spacing and 50% used intercropping method. Therefore, clove farming was affected by climate change factors, and farmers took several adaptation measures to overcome the challenges.