Contribution of Indigenous Knowledge to Climate Change Adaptation in the Agro-Pastoral Region of Nyagatare and Gatsibo Districts, in Rwanda.

Habakubaho, Théogène (2024) Contribution of Indigenous Knowledge to Climate Change Adaptation in the Agro-Pastoral Region of Nyagatare and Gatsibo Districts, in Rwanda. Doctoral thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The main objective of this research was to assess the contribution of indigenous knowledge in formal adaptation to climate change with reference to the agro-pastoral region of Nyagatare and Gatsibo Districts, in Rwanda. To meet this objective, the research responded to three questions. How does the local community perceive continuing climate changes and associated effects? What is indigenous knowledge developed by agro-pastoralists to cope with changes in climate patterns? What is the contribution of indigenous knowledge to adaptation to climate change in agro-pastoral system in the study area? Under descriptive research, the researcher relied on secondary and primary data collected through questionnaire, focus group discussion, and interviews with key informants. These data were analysed using statistical software such as Excel and SPSS Statistics 28.0.1. Results indicates that 89% of responds perceived a decrease in amount of rainfall as major change while 70% perceive changes in reduction of length of rain season. Reported causes of climate change are dominated by environmental degradation (85.6%), deforestation (57.2%). Perceived effects of climate change on community livelihoods include decline of annual households’ income (88.3%), increased incidences of pests and diseases in crops (90.1%). The most predominant indigenous knowledge in predicting weather focus is cloud/sky colour 387(80.6%), change of temperature during the day 319(66.5%), direction and strength of winds 282(58.8%) and lightning and thunder 222(46.3%). Other indigenous knowledge for diseases and pests used by respondents include the use of locally made pesticides 206(42.9%), Burning of pastures and farm residues 198(41.3%), early hand-weeding 297(59.8%), early planting 295(61.5%), use of indigenous medicines 160(33.3%) and selection of indigenous crops and livestock breeds 293 (61.0%). There is evidence of people using indigenous knowledge in adaptation to climate change in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Despite its limitations and challenges, results of this research indicated that indigenous knowledge can contributes to the adaptation to climate change by complementing scientific knowledge. This is mostly relevant when designing adaptation actions at community and local levels. Thus, this research recommend to formally recognize indigenous knowledge through national policies and strategies and incorporate indigenous knowledge into the design and implementation of adaptation actions. Keywords: Adaptation, Agro-pastoralism, Climate change, Indigenous knowledge.

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