Anthropogenical Drivers on Land Use/Cover Change and their Implications to Rural Livelihood in Kilombero Wetlands, Tanzania

Anthropogenic activities and their influences are well-known around the globe; their intensity and severity are higher in ecosystems rich in biodiversity and natural resources such as tropical forests and wetlands. This paper examined the influence of anthropogenic drivers on land use/cover change and their implications to rural livelihoods and wetland resources in Kilombero wetlands. Different methods including household questionnaire survey, key informants interview, focus group discussion, wealth ranking and participatory field observation were used in data collection. Remote sensing techniques were used to analyze satellite images – namely, Land sat MSS of 1975 and Land sat TM of 2010 scenes to trace spatial and temporal land use/cover changes. The study observed spatial and temporal changes in land use/cover mainly agricultural land use expansion and intensification, expansion of human settlementsand decreased forests and woodlands cover. Further, the study established that, the anthropogenic drivers to these changes were high population growth, removal of subsidies on agricultural input and the growing market demands for different agricultural and forest products, coupled with improved road and railway infrastructures. Moreover, other factors include rainfall variability and increased temperatures have also fuelled land use/cover changes. As a result of such changes, households have opted for diverse livelihood strategies to adapt the impacts of land use/cover changes depending on their ownership of livelihood assets, which varied from one socio economic group to another. In this context, the well-off group were found to have more livelihood assets that influence them to cope with situation as compared to medium and low wealth groups which possess relatively less assets. The study recommended to the government to facilitate participatory land use planning at village level, agro-forestry, provision of extensions services, and modern family planning services to check overpopulation for sustainable land use and improvement of rural livelihoods in and beyond the study area.Keywords: Land use/cover changes, population growth, rural livelihoods, Land Use Pla

The Use of Chemistry of Garnets and Heavy Minerals Around Lalago Kimberlite Pipe in Deciphering Diamond and Non-Diamond Bearing Kimberlite Pipes in Tanzania

More than three hundred kimberlite pipes have been reported in Tanzania. Only a few are diamond–bearing. A prospecting criteria to outline the diamond and non-diamond bearing kimberlites has been proposed. Bulk rock chemical analyses and chemistry of garnets and black minerals (picroilmenite, magnetite, rutile and titanite) collected around one kimberlite pipe in Tanzania were studied using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and Electron Microprobe (EMP). Although chromite and zircons occur in kimberlite pipes, they were not used in this study because they also characterize other surrounding rocks. Electron microprobe analysis of heavy minerals indicate that the ilmenites (picroilmenite) are poor in MgO contents (0.03 – 0.6 wt.%); but are rich in MnO (9.94 – 12.27wt.%). The garnets are poor in Cr2O3 with pronounced almandine content which has led to the conclusion of having a barren kimberlite source. It is suggested that combination of the chemistry of garnet and heavy minerals may be used as an exploration tool for deciphering diamond and non-diamond bearing kimberlites.Keywords: Electron microprobe, black minerals, mineral and fluid inclusions, kimberlites, garnets

Smallholder Farmers’ Practices and Understanding of Climate Change and Climate Smart Agriculture in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

Adverse effects of climate change and variability remain to be a major threat to smallholder farmers and rural livelihoods. It posed a challenge of developing innovative technologies to improve rural livelihoods, environmental conservation and ensuring adoption of such technologies. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is used as a mitigation and adaptation option to reduce the negative impacts of climate change and improve agricultural productivity. To achieve the desired objectives, CSA requires a complete package of practices that increase productivity and income, build resilience and reduce green gas emission.  However, adoption is largely dependent on farmers’ understanding, preferences and their capacity and willingness to practice. The study explores smallholder farmers’ understanding of climate change impacts and their proclivity on climate smart agricultural practices. In engaging with smallholder farmers, a range of methods was used, including focus group discussions (FGD), key informant interviews (KI), household questionnaire survey and field observations. Results indicate that less than half (26%) of smallholder farmers interviewed have low knowledge on climate change in the study area, however, they are adapting and coping with the impacts of climate change. The low knowledge, coupled with the low ability to effectively adapt to the impacts of climate change, might have contributed to reduced agricultural yields.  Developing appropriate and feasible climate smart and resilient agriculture practices, is a pre-requisite towards improving food security and income to smallholder farmers. The study suggests the need to consider appropriate and sustainable local-based technologies to increase production. The local-based knowledge and technologies are cost effective, easy to adopt and can be easily out-scaled to other communities within the region. We conclude that the availability of improved local-basedtechnologies alone is not a sufficient condition to bring about the change and transformation among smallholder farmers. Effective institutions and sustained policy support play a significant role in the adoption of CSA practices. There is an urgent need for scientists and users to co-produce the climate information and CSA practices so as to ensure action-oriented recommendations. Therefore, establishing an enabling local environment, including by supporting strong and innovative rural institutions, to increase the uptake of good practices are indispensable. Keywords: Climate change, climate smart agriculture, Southern Highland, smallholder farmers and perceptio

Development, Implementation, and Scale Up of the National Furaha Yangu Campaign to Promote HIV Test and Treat Services Uptake Among Men in Tanzania

Evidence has demonstrated that immediate HIV treatment initiation upon a positive HIV test, referred to as Test and Treat, can help people living with HIV live longer, healthier lives and prevent HIV transmission. Although Tanzania adopted the evidence-based Test and Treat strategy since 2016, men were not being adequately reached for HIV services. A national campaign was launched to promote the new HIV services with a focus on men. To inform the development and implementation of the campaign, we conducted formative audience insights-gathering (AIG) sessions to assess facilitators and barriers to accessing HIV Test and Treat services and inform the concepts and materials for the campaign. Qualitative AIG interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 54 people who were unaware or aware of their HIV status and currently or not currently on treatment, as well as health workers. Facilitators and barriers included a fear of testing positive, the desire to belong, control their narratives, and reinvent themselves to achieve their dreams and live a happy life. The campaign played off a My Happiness! creative concept to position antiretroviral therapy (ART) as a solution to fears around what life would be like after a positive HIV diagnosis. The development and implementation of the campaign were informed by the AIG sessions and national stakeholders, leading to strong partners? buy-in that supported the scale-up of the ongoing campaign from 12 to 26 regions via the collaborative efforts of government, donors, and implementing partners