Household Tree Planting In Kilosa District, Tanzania

The objective of this study was to assess household tree planting efforts and to investigate current constraints to afforestation in Kilosa District, Tanzania. The results of the study showed that 77 % of farmers in the district have planted trees in their farms, whether by themselves or previous farm owners. The average total number of planted trees was estimated to be 40 + 7 (SE) trees per household. Men headed household tended to have more planted trees [44 + 9 (SE)] than female headed households [31 + 11 (SE)]. Middle age households had planted more trees [49 + 14 (SE)] than younger [29 + 13 (SE)] and elder households [33 + 8 (SE)]. Tree planting appeared to be positively influenced by farm size and education. Fruit trees dominated in the home gardens (53 %) while non-fruits trees were more abundant far away from homestead. An investigation of constraints to tree planting and tending revealed that lack of seedlings (32 % of respondents), shortage of designated planting sites (24 %) and uncertainty over land ownership appeared to be the most important obstacles to tree planting in the district. It was surprising that land shortage became as the second leading constraint to tree planting despite the apparent low density of human population (32 people per km2 in 2000). The study concludes by recommending that in order to promote tree planting in the country\'s rural areas, farmers have to be assisted in production of seedlings. Other necessary prerequisites are effective land-use planning and clear secured tenure over land. TJFNC Vol. 75 2004: pp. 99-10

Charcoal Supply In Dar Es Salaam City, Tanzania

In Tanzania, charcoal is the primary source of energy particularly in urban areas. Dar es Salaam, being the largest urban center in the country, is also the largest consumer of charcoal. Assuming that all charcoal transported in the city is consumed, an investigation to estimate the amount of charcoal supplied daily was undertaken through monitoring at checkpoints the amount of charcoal transported daily to the city of Dar es Salaam. The study reveals that on average about 6,000 bags of charcoal are transported daily to the city. The figure may be an underestimation by four fold as most charcoal enters the city unrecorded. The highest amount of charcoal comes from North-West (34 %) and South (31 %) of Dar es Salaam. Open trucks transport the highest amount of charcoal (88 %) into the city. However, bicycles are the most frequent means of charcoal transportation constituting on average about 64 % of all individuals engaged daily in charcoal transportation. Though there are some new vehicles, the greatest percentage of vehicles involved in charcoal transportation are old (mainly registered in the 1980's). Most of the charcoal is transported during morning hours (56 %). Most of the charcoal transported to the city is for commercial use. The revenues from charcoal transportation taxes contribute a significant amount of money to both Local and Central Governments. If properly collected and used, they can effectively contribute to the development of the country and sustainable management of the catchment areas for charcoal. TJFNC Vol. 75 2004: pp. 108-11

Impact of community-based forest management and joint forest management on forest resource base and local peoples' livelihoods : case studies from Tanzania

Copublished with Centre for Applied Social Sciences, University of ZimbabweCASS/PLAAS occasion paper seriesIn recent years, there has been a move in eastern and southern African countries from centralised and state-driven management of natural resources towards decentralised and people-centred based regimes. In Tanzania, the inception of the 1998 national forest policy has led to institutionalisation of community-based forest management (CBFM) and joint forest management (JFM). A number of years later, it is worth assessing the impact of this policy on the resource base and people’s livelihoods. This paper uses two case studies of forest reserves under participatory forest management to explore this issue. Secondary data was gathered from various studies conducted in those two forest reserves. In addition to the analysis carried out by the various authors, further analysis involving content and structural analysis and synthesis of documented information was done. The results of the study revealed that CBFM at Duru-Haitemba had a positive impact on the resource base and people’s livelihoods – the forest is healthier than before and people are satisfied with the products they collect from the forests. On the other hand, the impact of JFM at Kwizu Forest Reserve has not yet produced desirable results since illegal activities are still rampant and, apparently, forest exploitation has increased instead of decreasing. The reasons behind the success at Duru-Haitemba and relative failure at Kwizu are varied, but are most probably linked to ownership of resources and law enforcement. Clear definition of rights, returns and responsibilities and adequate incentives are important for sustainability of people-centred management of natural resources

The impact of community-based forest management and joint forest management on the forest resource base and local people’s livelihoods: Case studies from Tanzania

In recent years, there has been a move in eastern and southern African countries from centralised and state-driven management of natural resources towards decentralised and people-centred based regimes. In Tanzania, the inception of the 1998 national forest policy has led to institutionalisation of community-based forest management (CBFM) and joint forest management (JFM). A number of years later, it is worth assessing the impact of this policy on the resource base and people’s livelihoods. This paper uses two case studies of forest reserves under participatory forest management to explore this issue. Secondary data was gathered from various studies conducted in those two forest reserves. In addition to the analysis carried out by the various authors, further analysis involving content and structural analysis and synthesis of documented information was done. The results of the study revealed that CBFM at Duru-Haitemba had a positive impact on the resource base and people’s livelihoods – the forest is healthier than before and people are satisfied with the products they collect from the forests. On the other hand, the impact of JFM at Kwizu Forest Reserve has not yet produced desirable results since illegal activities are still rampant and, apparently, forest exploitation has increased instead of decreasing. The reasons behind the success at Duru-Haitemba and relative failure at Kwizu are varied, but are most probably linked to ownership of resources and law enforcement. Clear definition of rights, returns and responsibilities and adequate incentives are important for sustainability of people-centred management of natural resources

Resource use conflicts in Usangu Plains, Mbarali District, Tanzania

Conflicts over natural resources such as land, water, and forests are ubiquitous. People everywhere have competed for natural resources to enhance their livelihoods. However, the dimensions, level and intensity of conflict vary greatly from one place to another. This study was conducted in Usangu plains, Mbarali district, Tanzania, to investigate resource use conflicts and their underlying causes. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and household survey using a structured questionnaire were the major tools for data collection. Participant observation and secondary data sources were also used to supplement information. The study revealed the existence of resource use conflicts in the area. About 50% of respondents argued that relationships between the various ethnic groups in Usangu plains were bad. Conflicts were centred on competition for water and land. Crop damage was ranked highest (25% of respondents) as a cause behind many conflicts in the area. The study recommends that the government should redefine land tenure and land rights, enhance crop-livestock linkages and carry out a stakeholder analysis in the Usangu plains

Impact of indigenous-based interventions on land conservation: A case study of a soil conservation and agroforestry project, Arumeru district, Tanzania

Land degradation has been identified as a serious problem in Tanzania since the 1920s. Among the factors normally cited as contributing to land degradation are deforestation, overgrazing and inappropriate farming practices. Several attempts by the government to arrest the problem have been based on top-down approaches. Indigenous-based interventions are among the alternative practices adopted by the Soil Conservation and Agroforestry Project in Arumeru District, Tanzania. The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of the indigenous-based interventions on land conservation. More specifically the study intended to assess farmers’ perception of land degradation, the adoption rate of indigenous-based interventions, the impact of those interventions, and lastly the sustainability of those interventions. Data for the study were collected through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques and a questionnaire survey. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 1 ) was used to analyse quantitative data and Content and Structural-Functional Analyses were used for qualitative data. The study found that the rate of land degradation was perceived by respondents to be rather severe. The study also revealed that indigenous-based interventions, which require minimal labour and capital, have been highly adopted by many farmers while labour/capital intensive ones have been taken up by fewer farmers. In general, indigenous-based interventions appear to have eased farm operations and contributed towards increased crop yield, improved soil fertility and increased income. Success in some of the indigenous interventions warrants their wider promotion beyond the project area. Copyright # 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd