x
The Average of live animal prices have also increased in areas without destocking since the
beginning of the flood, especially for pigs (22 percent), cattle (13 percent), chicken (7
percent) and ducks (9 percent). Contrarily, most of the average live animal prices in areas of
destocking have decreased compared to prices before the floods. The price of pigs decreased
by 46 percent, goats (37 percent), sheep (35 percent), cattle (32 percent) and chicken
(17 percent). Destocking is a clear sign of asset depletion triggered by failure of crops and the
necessity to purchase food, new agricultural inputs and address other basic needs such as
paying school fees, buying medicine, etc.
Crop production, followed by animal rearing and agricultural casual labor are considered the
three most important sources of income for the communities assessed in order of importance.
Considering the loss of crops and the impact on the livestock sub-sector, most of the
vulnerable households, especially women, will need to still rely on casual labor to generate
income. However, due to the effects of “El-Niño”, the demand to carry out agricultural labor
activities such as weeding or harvesting has diminished, leading to reduced possibility of
income generation affecting the most vulnerable households.
Engagement in distress copying mechanisms was generally reported among the regions
assessed, especially among women. Reducing the amount of meals per day was indicated as
the most commonly used coping mechanism by 90 percent and 73 percent of women and men
respectively, followed by purchasing food on credit (53 percent of women) and (36 percent of
men) and relying on less preferred food (54 percent of women) and (49 percent of men).
In order to support the rehabilitation of the agriculture sector and its sub-sector, a set of
recovery interventions are required in the short, medium and long term. The most urgent
interventions (next six months) should mainly consist of the provision of crop and vegetable
seed packages including hand tools. Restocking of poultry, together with provision of animal
feed and vaccines especially to women vulnerable groups should be also considered. Delivery
of food assistance to the most affected households is also necessary based on the results of
the assessment. Whereas, medium-long term interventions should enhance the capacity of
farmers and animal keepers to generate higher productivity, reduce post-harvest losses,
increase their access to irrigation and mechanization, as well as aiming at increasing
accessibility and marketability of both animal and agricultural products.
Monitoring of the agro-meteorological situation in relation to the upcoming main agricultural
season is imperative in order to estimate the final implication of the “El-Niño’s” effect on the
livelihood of the population already affected and for those additionally exposed. A more in-
depth food security and nutrition assessment at the end of the agricultural season (Jun / July
2016) is also needed to determine the situation in these areas. In fact, at present, the
combination of the report’ findings are already indicating a higher likelihood of food
insecurity and malnutrition, especially in the affected areas.
xi
List of Acronyms
AEZs
Agro-Ecological Zones
DMD
Disaster Management Department
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organisation
of the United Nations
FGDs
Focus Group Discussions
ITCZ
Inter-Tropical
Convergence Zone
KIIs
Key Informant Interviews
LGA
Local Government Authority
MALF
Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fishery
NGO
Non-Governmental
Organization
PO-RALG
President Office - Regional Administration and Local Government
TMA
Tanzanian
Meteorological Agency
TSh
Tanzania Shilling
UNICEF
United Nations Fund for Children’s Fund
WHO
World Health Organization
1
1. General information and methodology
1.1.
Background information
Heavy floods attributed to “El-Niño” rains have been occurring since October 2015, causing
serious destruction on crops, livestock and other farmer’s properties, including houses,
specifically in Arusha, Dodoma, Mwanza, Kagera, Kigoma, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro
and Shinyanga regions initially affecting more than 25 000 households. In addition, since
January 2016, three additional regions were also hit by floods, namely Iringa, Katavi, and
Manyara.
1
This has threatened the livelihood, food security and nutrition situation of the affected
households, as well as reduced food supply to the urban population. On 1st January 2016,
Tanzanian Meteorological Agency (TMA) announced the “worst El-Niño coming”. The
agency said this year’s rains would likely double the 1997 El- Niño’s events that destroyed
roads, washed away homes, bridges and farms, causing famine, waterborne diseases and
leaving thousands of people homeless.
In response to the floods and the projected scenario, the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock
and Fisheries (MALF), requested FAO to provide an emergency support in conducting a
rapid agriculture needs assessment in order to estimate the impact on the agricultural
livelihoods of the population affected.
This assessment would be have been a useful input towards the development of mitigation
and resilience plans, and would also assist in planning the required emergency support to the
affected households and communities.
1.2.
Objectives of the survey
Assess the major damages and losses caused by the floods on the agricultural sector
and its sub-sectors including crop production, livestock, and irrigation.
Assess the risks and vulnerabilities caused by the floods, especially in relation to
agricultural livelihoods.
Assess the immediate mitigation and recovery needs for the affected population who
largely depend on agriculture for their livelihood and identify suitable short, medium
and long-term interventions.
Project a likely scenario in relations to the continuation of the already experienced
“El-Niño’s” effects.
1.3.
The methodology
The assessment used a combination of primary and secondary tools for data collection and
covered a sample of the affected region (see Annex a).
Checklists for Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were
also developed in order to gather all necessary pre and post-disaster information (see Annex d
and e). In addition to this, reports, publications, newspaper articles and other secondary
informative material were collected and analysed.
1
Source: Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fishery and Disaster Management Department, 2016.