Climate change and household food insecurity among fishing communities in the eastern coast of Zanzibar

This paper examines the local vulnerability of households in two study communities in the east coast of Zanzibar focusing on food security, which is negatively impacted by climate variability and change. Findings have indicated that overall the local people in eastern coast of Zanzibar are insecure with respect to most major sources of food. Households solely dependent on natural resources through farming, fishing, livestock and poultry farming, have been found to be more vulnerable to food insecurity as these activities are facing considerable uncertainties associated with climate change and variability as well as other stress factors. Agricultural failure resulting from various factors, including local climate variability, coupled with uncertainty of fishing has many pushed households towards increasing dependence on market for their staple food supplies. Therefore, this enhances the household’s vulnerability to food insecurity especially among households with low purchasing power. With increasing demand of fisheries resources in urban areas associated with the expanding tourism industry in the study area the price for fisheries resources has increased, causing the poor, including the fishers, to consume less fish and other seafood, and thereby limiting their dietary protein intakes.   Key words: Agriculture, climate change, coastal communities, fisheries based livelihoods, food insecurity, food accessibility, vulnerability, Zanzibar.