Biochar may contribute to both agricultural productivity and atmospheric carbon dioxide removal. However, despite the many potential upsides of adding biochar to amend carbon-depleted soils in sub-Saharan Africa, deployment is largely lacking. This paper explores the socio-economic factors that can explain tendencies to avoid action. Based on a survey of 172 farming households, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions in the Mbeya and Songwe regions of Tanzania, which were targeted for a biochar aid program in 2014, several socio-economic drivers behind the continued use of biochar deployment were identified in this follow-up study. A key deployment driver was the increased crop yields, perceived to be the result of adding biochar to soils, increasing yields from 1 metric ton per hectare to 3 metric tons per hectare. Food security and family income were cited as the main reasons to engage in biochar production and use. Climate change mitigation and increased resilience were other key reasons that motivated adoption. In terms of socio-economic factors, farmers with low education and income, the majority being males aged 40–60 years, contributed to low adoption rates in the study area. Respondents often cited the alternative usage of biochar feedstocks, lack of government involvement or extension services, traditions, and farming customs as the main constraints limiting biochar deployment.

The world’s agricultural production is declining due to severe loss of soil fertility through natural processes or because of human activities. Biochar has been identified as a potential soil amendment to regain its fertility and increase crop productivity. This study aimed to assess the effects of biochar on soil nutrients and crop yields in the southern highlands of Tanzania. Data were collected through key informant and household interviews, and from sampling of soils in coffee farms where biochar of maize cobs origin was incorporated at the rate of 3 t ha-1. Purposive sampling approach was deployed to identify the villages in which farmers have been incorporating biochar in farms. A total of 172 households, 30 key informants, and 12 top and subsoil samples were involved in this study. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, and excel spreadsheet was used for descriptive results and relationships. The findings revealed that biochar significantly increased soil pH, iron (Fe), organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and exchangeable bases (potassium-K, magnesium-Mg). T - tests showed significant increase of soil nutrients in biochar treated soils. In addition, biochar increased coffee and maize yields from 1 t ha-1 to 3 t ha-1. Keywords: Biochar; Soil Nutrients; Food Security; Resilience; Adaptation

Drawing on collective experience from ten collaborative research projects focused on the Global South, we identify three major challenges that impede the translation of research on sustainability and resilience into better-informed choices by individuals and policy-makers that in turn can support transformation to a sustainable future. The three challenges comprise: (i) converting knowledge produced during research projects into successful knowledge application; (ii) scaling up knowledge in time when research projects are short-term and potential impacts are long-term; and (iii) scaling up knowledge across space, from local research sites to larger-scale or even global impact. Some potential pathways for funding agencies to overcome these challenges include providing targeted prolonged funding for dissemination and outreach, and facilitating collaboration and coordination across different sites, research teams, and partner organizations. By systematically documenting these challenges, we hope to pave the way for further innovations in the research cycle.

Climate change adaptation finance is central to global climate discussions; however, its allocation process is less researched. Using the actor-oriented theory, this paper examines actors, decision-making processes and factors used in allocating adaptation finance in Tanzania. Purposive sampling was used to obtain respondents based on climate financing experience. Mixed methods were used that included document review, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed for descriptive statistics using an Excel spreadsheet to find R². Qualitative data was thematically analyzed using NVivo version 13. Results show that Tanzania has defined actors composed of members from developed countries and the national and district councils and supported by a decision-making process. Results show that the vulnerability factor had strong relationships with developed countries, where R² = .5353, the national budget, where R² = .4644, and a moderate relationship with Karatu, where R² = .3071. The economic factor had a strong relationship with developed countries, where R² = .5669, and national budget, where R² = .4183. Institutional capacity and political factors had strong relationships with the national budget, where R² = .4850 and R² = .6825, respectively, and also in Karatu, where R² = .5754. Historical factors had a very strong relationship with the national budget, where R² = .6825. This paper concludes that financial allocation for adaptation is increasing, while factors used in allocating finance are transforming toward social economic development. This study recommends a balanced allocation of finance between adaptation and a broad development goal to prevent maladaptation. Keywords climate change adaptation, adaptation finance, allocation factors, climate financing

Climate change adaptation finance plays a prominent function in the global adaptation efforts, yet its governance remains underexplored in Tanzania. This paper evaluates the existing institutional architecture governing adaptation finance established by the Environmental Management Act of 2004 to understand key institutions, interactions, and governance gaps to propose an effective architecture. Using qualitative methods, data was collected through institutional review and key informant interviews and was thematically analyzed using NVivo 13. Results show that adaptation finance is governed by institutions within the operating architecture, such as the Vice President’s Office, and by institutions outside the architecture, such as the Planning Commission. There are governance gaps in coordination, overlapping duties, and inadequate linkages. Results propose to retain existing institutions and introduce others to enhance the architecture. This paper concludes that strengthening architecture is essential for effective governance of climate adaptation finance in Tanzania. It recommends timely reviews of the architecture to enhance institutional performance.