Zanzibar islands have complex and dynamic systems in terms of both human activity and biophysical conditions with a substantial proportion of the national population and support several community livelihood options. Unfortunately, in Zanzibar, the economy, and the livelihood sectors are under threat from climate change due to being climate sensitive with high levels of vulnerability and face environmental degradation. Chuini Shehia found in Zanzibar’s West A district is no exception to this. This comprehensive baseline study was conducted in Chuini, a pilot Shehia, as an integral part of the project's implementation. The study aimed to collect, analyze, and report information related to project objectives and indicators as a benchmark to inform project interventions. Furthermore, this study intends to provide a thorough understanding of the context of the climate change era concerning the aspects targeted by this project. These aspects include livelihood activities, climate knowledge, attitude, and practice, as well as need and access to weather and climate services, gender equity and equality, knowledge, decision-making, plans, agenda, and strategies in place with the general practices and linkages.

Key findings

1. The study found that people engage in a variety of livelihood activities specifically to get income and food to cater for their households’ basic needs. A good percentage of livelihood activities found in the study area are climate-sensitive, and hence face threats from changing climate and its challenges, thereby increasing their susceptibility.
2. The study also discovered an increase in women's engagement in undertaking and participating in household livelihoods.
3. Respondents showed inadequate awareness of Climate Change, though the effects have posed significant challenges to smallholders' livelihoods, leading to a vicious cycle of poverty while expanding vulnerable groups in the study area.
4. There are different coping mechanisms implemented in the community across the different livelihoods.
5. The study discovered that the majority of respondents primarily rely on information from TMA, with fewer relying on traditional forecasters.

Recommendations:

Recommendations for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies:

1. The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to invest in Tanzania's meteorological authority to improve data collection and interpretation and promote institutional capacity for climate change coordination.
2. To establish frameworks for evaluating areas affected by climate change, involving all stakeholders in the process
3. The integration of scientific weather forecasts and traditional weather forecasts should be put into consideration to enable the downscaling of weather forecasts, making them more useful, accurate, and reliable for enhanced climate resilience.
4. TMA cooperates with local government authorities and community members (traditional weather forecasts) to undertake the integration process at the district level, where development plans and budgets are prepared to inform the regional and national decision-making processes.
   

Recommendations for Local Government

1. Local Government Authorities are advised to enhance the capacity of district and ward extension officers to support smallholders in interpreting weather and climatic information
2. The local government should also safeguard traditional weather forecasting knowledge and facilitate clear data flow between the community and district-level leadership. Measures should be taken to perpetuate this knowledge and counteract negative impressions associated with Indigenous Knowledge (IK).

Recommendations for Chuini Community:

1. Chuini community and its stakeholders, the study recommends the development of a comprehensive, community-led adaptation plan to build resilience against the effects of climate change.

This baseline report was developed in the scope of a project funded by Bread for the World