Aisha's Story

Supporting Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience.

Crop diversification techniques are assisting pastoralist communities in Tanzania adapt to the impacts of climate change. Aisha Hussein traditionally used to grow maize and beans but experienced poor harvests as these crops were non-drought resistant and vulnerable to unreliable rainfall. However, she has now diversified to growing crops such as tomatoes, sweet peppers and water melon. These high-value crops are providing an alternative source of income for Aisha and her family, as well as making them more food secure.

"It is 3½ years now since I shifted from growing maize and beans to horticultural crops mainly tomatoes, sweet pepper and water melon as a strategy for climate change adaptation". She pointed out that unlike maize and beans horticultural crops are high value crops which apart from being grown in two cycles per year, still result in more yield and income per acre. Citing specific examples Aisha said; "this year I have grown water melon twice and tomato once in a hired 1¼ acre and am expecting to grow tomato and sweet pepper in November".

Irish Aid is supporting CARE International in providing training on land rights, climate change and women's empowerment to pastoralist communities in Tanzania.