Variation of basic density and fibre length in Lonchocarpus capassa (Rolfe) wood from Kilosa District, Tanzania

Within tree radial and axial variations ofwood basic density and fibre length ofLonchocarpus capassa (Rolfe) wereinvestigated using three mature defect freetrees from Kilosa District, Tanzania.Samples for determination of wood basicdensity and fibre length were collectedfrom the butt, the middle and the tip of thestem height and six radial positions. Woodbasic density and fibre length weredetermined following standard procedures.The average wood basic density and fibrelength were 569.3 kg m-3 and 1.38 mm,respectively. Statistical analysis indicatedthat stem height and radial positions hadsignificant effect on wood density andfibre length. There was no positive linearrelationship between wood basic densityand fibre length. Based on density, thewood of L. capassa is heavy and is moreor less comparable to that of Khayaanthotheca. The two species can thereforebe used exchangeably if wood density isthe only pre-requisite. Normally, heavytimbers are suitable for wood fuel fromtheir high calorific values. The fibres of L.capassa are longer than those of thecommonly used species in pulp and paperproduction in Tanzania, showing thepotential of L. capassa for being used inpulp and paper making

Effects of quality improvement in health facilities and community mobilization through women's groups on maternal, neonatal and perinatal mortality in three districts of Malawi: MaiKhanda, a cluster randomized controlled effectiveness trial

BACKGROUND: Maternal, perinatal and neonatal mortality remains high in low-income countries. We evaluated community and facility-based interventions to reduce deaths in three districts of Malawi. METHODS: We evaluated a rural participatory women's group community intervention (CI) and a quality improvement intervention at health centres (FI) via a two-by-two factorial cluster randomized controlled trial. Consenting pregnant women were followed-up to 2 months after birth using key informants. Primary outcomes were maternal, perinatal and neonatal mortality. Clusters were health centre catchment areas assigned using stratified computer-generated randomization. Following exclusions, including non-birthing facilities, 61 clusters were analysed: control (17 clusters, 4912 births), FI (15, 5335), CI (15, 5080) and FI + CI (14, 5249). This trial was registered as International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial [ISRCTN18073903]. Outcomes for 14 576 and 20 576 births were recorded during baseline (June 2007–September 2008) and intervention (October 2008–December 2010) periods. RESULTS: For control, FI, CI and FI + CI clusters neonatal mortality rates were 34.0, 28.3, 29.9 and 27.0 neonatal deaths per 1000 live births and perinatal mortality rates were 56.2, 55.1, 48.0 and 48.4 per 1000 births, during the intervention period. Adjusting for clustering and stratification, the neonatal mortality rate was 22% lower in FI + CI than control clusters (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.60–1.01), and the perinatal mortality rate was 16% lower in CI clusters (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.97). We did not observe any intervention effects on maternal mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Despite implementation problems, a combined community and facility approach using participatory women's groups and quality improvement at health centres reduced newborn mortality in rural Malawi

The importance of socio-economic context for social marketing models for improving reproductive health: Evidence from 555 years of program experience

BACKGROUND: Over the past two decades, social marketing programs have become an important element of the national family planning and HIV prevention strategy in several developing countries. As yet, there has not been any comprehensive empirical assessment to determine which of several social marketing models is most effective for a given socio-economic context. Such an assessment is urgently needed to inform the design of future social marketing programs, and to avoid that programs are designed using an ineffective model. METHODS: This study addresses this issue using a database of annual statistics about reproductive health oriented social marketing programs in over 70 countries. In total, the database covers 555 years of program experience with social marketing programs that distribute and promote the use of oral contraceptives and condoms. Specifically, our analysis assesses to what extent the model used by different reproductive health social marketing programs has varied across different socio-economic contexts. We then use random effects regression to test in which socio-economic context each of the models is most successful at increasing use of socially marketed oral contraceptives and condoms. RESULTS: The results show that there has been a tendency to design reproductive health social marketing program with a management structure that matches the local context. However, the evidence also shows that this has not always been the case. While socio-economic context clearly influences the effectiveness of some of the social marketing models, program maturity and the size of the target population appear equally important. CONCLUSIONS: To maximize the effectiveness of future social marketing programs, it is essential that more effort is devoted to ensuring that such programs are designed using the model or approach that is most suitable for the local context

The roles and values of wild foods in agricultural systems

Almost every ecosystem has been amended so that plants and animals can be used as food, fibre, fodder, medicines, traps and weapons. Historically, wild plants and animals were sole dietary components for hunter–gatherer and forager cultures. Today, they remain key to many agricultural communities. The mean use of wild foods by agricultural and forager communities in 22 countries of Asia and Africa (36 studies) is 90–100 species per location. Aggregate country estimates can reach 300–800 species (e.g. India, Ethiopia, Kenya). The mean use of wild species is 120 per community for indigenous communities in both industrialized and developing countries. Many of these wild foods are actively managed, suggesting there is a false dichotomy around ideas of the agricultural and the wild: hunter–gatherers and foragers farm and manage their environments, and cultivators use many wild plants and animals. Yet, provision of and access to these sources of food may be declining as natural habitats come under increasing pressure from development, conservation-exclusions and agricultural expansion. Despite their value, wild foods are excluded from official statistics on economic values of natural resources. It is clear that wild plants and animals continue to form a significant proportion of the global food basket, and while a variety of social and ecological drivers are acting to reduce wild food use, their importance may be set to grow as pressures on agricultural productivity increase.</jats:p

Balancing wood and non-wood products in Miombo Woodlands

Working Papers of the Finnish Forest Research Institute 50: 64–70In most of the sub-Saharan countries including Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia, more than 80% of rural people are poor and traditionally rely on existing non-wood goods and services provided by miombo. These woodlands are among the most threatened of the tropical ecosystems. There is a need of investigating the importance of miombo ecosystem, their threats and the governments concerned to ensure sustainable and equitable use of these dwindling resources. This paper gives an overview of the roles played by miombo in the provision of both wood and non-wood products and how the utilization can be balanced for sustainability. It is evident that there has been limited research on miombo productivity and the impact of management on non-timber product supplies. This needs immediate attention in order to address the demand-supply situation. Also sustainable use of trees and shrubs is an integral part of balancing variable products and uses in miombo woodlands. Conservation of miombo while raising the living standard can be enhanced through controlled harvesting, improved domestication and utilization and commercialization of trees and their products

Medicinal resources of the Miombo woodlands of Urumwa, Tanzania: Plants and its uses

Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 2011: Vol. 5(27), pp. 6352-6372A study was done to document different plants and their use for primary health care by communities around the Miombo woodland of Urumwa, Tanzania. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews and discussion with key stakeholders. G-tests were carried out to seek differences in ethnobotanical knowledge between women and men. 110 plant species were documented to have 74 medicinal uses. Men were found to be ethnobotanically knowledgeable than women. The ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plant resources at Urumwa need to be recognized and preserved to ensure future effectiveness of the primary health care system. Due to the global interest in medicinal plants, there is a need to carry out phytochemical and pharmacological studies for most unstudied but potential documented species to validate usage, find new pharmaceuticals, increase confidence among users and contribute to the developlent of the traditional medicine sector in Tanzania and other areas in Africa within the Miombo ecoregion

Attitude,adoption and economic potentials of Agroforestry in Kilosa District Tanzania

International Journal of Agriculture Innovations and Research 2016: Vol. 4(5)The paper aimed at describing the existing agroforestry systems and technologies, examining the level of attitudes towards agroforestry, identifying socio factors influencing agroforestry adoption and estimating costs and benefits of agroforestry in Kilosa District. Information and data on agroforestry was obtained by interviewing a random sample of 120 households based upon questionnaire. Results revealed that agroforestry systems practiced were agrosilvopastoral and agrosilvicultural arranged in mixed intercropping, boundary planting and homegardens. A substantial number of respondents had a positive attitude towards commercialization (90% resource conservation (89%) and attitude towards land productivity (82%). Farm labour force, farm size, attitude towards land productivity, commercialization and attitude towards land resource conservation significantly influenced adoption of agroforestry at P < 0.05. The selected agroforestry systems had positive Net Present Value per hectare and Benefit Cost Ratio was greater than one at discount rate of 10% meaning that the systems were economically viable. Internal Rate of Return was higher than the World Bank’s rate of 10% indicating the worth of investing in agroforestry. It is recommended that, the government and development agencies should provide education and training to farmers who are ignorant of the benefits of engaging in agroforestry f agroforestry disseminators should improve the benefits of agroforestry practice since high attitude towards agroforestry were due to the respondents’ perception that investment in agroforestry was associated with more benefits than costs. Increasing the efficiency of agroforestry through technology development, improving marketing systems and credits will improve the economic benefits from agroforestr

Medicinal plant parts and practices used by communities around the Miombo woodlands of Urumwa, Tanzania

Journal of Medicinal Plant Research 2014: Vol. 8(15); pp. 599-606A study to document medicinal plants parts and practices in relation to sustainable use was performed in communities around the Miombo woodland of Urumwa in Tanzania. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews and discussion with key stakeholders. G-tests were used to ascertain differences in medicinal plants practices between women and men. Roots were the commonly used parts for medicine followed by barks. In practice, boiling and grinding were the preferred methods for preparing remedies. Remedies are admistered orally in decoctions form with lack of standardized dosages. Medicinal plants are collected from the reserve using both root digging and bark stripping methods. Local communities need sensitization through trainings on various aspects of medicinal plants practices especially issues of sustainable harvesting methods, simple processing, domestication and the importance of standardized dosages so as to improve work performance, ensure resource sustainability and contribute to development of the primary health care system in Tanzania

Fuelwood consumption in brick making: A case of Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

International Journal of Education and Research 2015: Vol. 3(11)The study aimed at determination of the annual fuel wood consumption caused by brick making activities in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania. The collected and analyzed data were based on field survey and quantitative measurements. Field survey based on interviews with group leaders dealing with brick making activities as the main focus was conducted. Data were collected from brick maker’s survey as well as from some relevant secondary sources. The study revealed that almost all brick makers in the municipal used fuelwood as the major energy sources. The average annual fuelwood consumption for brick making was 8,610 m3. In order to reduce heavy dependency of fuelwood in the area, use of alternative energy sources in brick making such as rice husks, maize cobs and baggasse are recommended. The study also recommends the establishment of woodlots in all wards, establishment of agro-forestry systems and intensive afforestation and reforestation programmes to be undertaken by the municipality for more sustainable fuelwood use. Keywords: Fuelwood, consumption, brick making, Tanzani

Determination of basic density and strength properties of Cordia africana lam. grown in agroforestry system in Lushoto, Tanga

Basic density and strength properties of Cordia africana Lam. grown in agroforestry systems in Lushoto, Tanga were determined. Six sample trees were randomly selected in the same farm at Shashui village near Soni. After measuring dbh the trees were felled and total tree height recorded. Four discs were cut at breast height, 30%, 60% and 90% of the total tree height for basic density determination. A one metre long log was cut above 1.3m for strength properties determination. A central plank measuring 6cm including pith was sawn in east-west direction from each log. Standard methods were used in determination of basic density and strength properties. The main findings of this study were as follows: Basic density was 0.40g/cm3; Basic density increased moderately from the pith to a certain point after which it remained more or less constant; Basic density decreased from the butt to the top of the tree. Mean values for modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, maximum crushing stress and shear parallel to grain, compression stress and cleavage perpendicular to grain were lower than those for common hardwoods such as Ocotea usambarensis and Albizia spp. found in Lushoto. There was positive correlation between basic density and strength properties. It was recommended that, wood from C. africana grown in Lushoto and other areas with similar soil and climatic conditions could be used for light construction work and furniture making. It was further recommended that, more studies should be done in other geographical conditions where the species is grown so as to make concrete conclusions on efficient utilization of the species. TJFNC Vol. 75 2004: pp. 37-4