Assessing the Impact of Climate Change and Variability on Pesticides-Usage for Rice (Oryza Sativa) Farming in Zanzibar

The study explores the impact of climate change and variability on pesticide usage for rice production in Zanzibar. The study used anecdotal data from interviewer responses, climate datasets from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA), while rice production records (in tones) and pesticide (in liters) data were acquired from Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources. Pearson correlation (at p ≤ 0.05) was used to determine the relationship between rice production and pesticide usage under different climate conditions. Paired T-test was used to explore the mean significant difference of production, pesticides and climate parameters for the two periods 2012 – 2017 and 2016 – 2020. Time series graphs and charts were used to present and discuss the results. The findings highlighted on the negative effects of chemical agents on biodiversity, environment, food quality, and human health. Results revealed a strong correlation between pesticides and rainfall with climate parameters in rain fed farms and weak ones in irrigated farms. For instance, strong correlation of r =0.8 and r =0.6 (p ≤ 0.05) between rainfall and rice production was shown at Pondeani, and Kinyakuzi rice farms. Minimum temperature had shown to have strong correlation (r = 0.7, 0.6, and 0.5) with pesticides the rice farms of Pondeani, Mwera, Mtwango, and Kinyakuzi, respectively), while maximum temperature had weak positive/negative correlations (r = 0.4). Based on the respondents responses the study has shown that pesticides has large spectrum of impacts ranged from, human health, soil fertility, biodiversity, and environmental issues. Moreover, the study has shown that proper education and skills on pesticide usage farmers was inadequate resulting the farmers to spend more on pesticides, hence leading to poor yields.Thus, the study concludes that climate have significant impact to rice production especially rain fed, schemes while pesticide usage has great impact, to production environment as well as human heath. Hence extensive awareness on effective usage of pesticide is highly recommended for all rice farmers in Zanzibar.