Brewery industry-led seed sector development for sorghum in Tanzania

The use of sorghum improved variety seeds has been low among sorghum farmers in Tanzania. Due to this, stakeholders such as brewing companies have launched various initiatives to expand the use of improved sorghum seeds. In general, this study was undertaken to assess the contribution of brewing industry to the sorghum value chain in Tanzania. Specifically, this study aims to determine the extent of use of sorghum in brewing (by quantifying the amount of sorghum grain sold to brewing companies and grain off-takers), identifying stakeholders in the value chain, and the impact of the brewing industry on use of improved seeds by smallholder farmers. The study was conducted in 11 districts in 6 regions of Tanzania covering sorghum farmers, grain off-takers, brewing companies, extension officers, and seed producers. Purposive and simple random sampling was used to select respondents: 591 individual farmers, 160 farmers from 16 focus groups, 15grain off-takers, 14 extension officers, 4 Quality Declared Seed (QDS) producers, and 2 brewing companies. Data was then analyzed using descriptive analysis statistics, Probit Regression, and cost-benefit analysis

Farmer perceptions on labor-saving technologies in groundnut production systems in Tanzania

Groundnut is among the most valuable crops in Tanzania. It is a good source of oil, food, and income to many households however, it is considered a labor-intensive crop. Farmers perform tedious and laborious activities during ploughing, planting, weeding, harvesting, and shelling just to mention a few. Therefore, in ensuring that groundnut production achieves its potential within and outside the country, the introduction and use of labor- saving technologies cannot be overemphasized. This study intended to assess the farmers perception on groundnut labor-saving technologies in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at (i) analyzing the labor-saving technologies used by groundnut farmers; (ii) Investigating farmers perception on the LSTs. Also, (iii) Comparing the farmers’ resource (such as time and finances) use associated with the traditional tools versus the labor-saving technologies (LST) and (iv) Discussing policy environment for labor saving technology in Tanzania

A Business Case for Enhanced Investments in the Groundnut Value Chain in Tanzania

Apart from providing food, agriculture contributes to economic growth and the livelihoods of people in both urban and rural areas through trade. This study analyzes the business case for groundnut farmers and off-takers in Tanzania and beyond to identify opportunities for enhancements along the commodity value chain. A systematic sampling was used to collect data from 300 groundnut farmers in 11 districts across seven agro-ecological zones through individual interviews. Of the farmers interviewed, 240 were from Tropical Legumes (TL) III project intervention districts and 60 were from non-intervention districts. Also, 123 off-takers were purposively selected from commercial areas. Secondary data was obtained from literature and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute at Naliendele. Descriptive statistics, probit regression model, cost-benefit analysis and economic efficiency model were used for data analysis. The empirical results showed that a total of 17 improved groundnut varieties have been released with their adoption rate among groundnut farmers being 35%. The adoption rate was found to be influenced by age and gender, farmer group membership, availability of improved seed and seed cost. Results further showed that only 25% of the groundnut produced annually is used for subsistence purposes while 75% is for commercial purpose. It was further revealed that a farmer is assured of gaining at least TZS 475,000/ha annually by way of groundnut farming. However, only 31% economic efficiency in grain production was noted among farmers, as this was influenced by their level of education, experience and group membership. Finally, it was observed that about 21 t of groundnut grain varieties similar to those available in Tanzania is imported from neighboring Malawi and Zambia

Spatial relationship between deforestation and protected areas, accessibility, population density, GDP and other factors in mainland Tanzania

Deforestation is a problem that adversely affects the socioeconomic and ecological dimensions of human life locally, nationally and globally. This paper reports on the analysis of the spatial relationships between deforestation (study period: 1995–2010) and protected areas, accessibility, human population density, regional gross domestic product (GDP) and geographic and climatic factors using land use/land cover maps covering the whole of mainland Tanzania. Multiple linear regression analysis was used for statistical analysis of the relationship between deforestation and the explanatory variables. Deforestation was estimated at the rate of 320,067 ha/yr. High deforestation was associated with unprotected areas, low distance to railway, road and town, high population density and high regional GDP. These results have at least the following four implications: (1) Protected areas are better in controlling deforestation than if there were none. (2) Town dwellers depend on forests for wood and livelihood. (3) Roads and railways are not used only to access off farm activities but also to access forests for exploitation and conversion to other land covers than forest. (4) High population density and high GDP did not result in switching from dependence on forests for wood and livelihoods. It is recommended that appropriate strategies should address these implications so that the patterns of dependence on forests for wood and livelihoods are redressed

Deforestation and loss of bushland and grassland primarily due to expansion of cultivation in mainland Tanzania (1995–2010)

Journal of Sustainable Forestry 2019Information on land use and cover changes (LUCC) is important for planning of conservation and development and thus ensure forest sustainability. The current paper assesses LUCC for the whole of the mainland Tanzania. The analyses were done using land use and cover maps covering the whole of mainland Tanzania for 1995 and 2010. For 1995, forest, bushland, grassland, cultivation and other land use and cover (built up areas, bare land, etc.) covered 43.5%, 19.8%, 23.5%, 11.2%, and 2.0% of the study area, respectively. For 2010, the same land use and cover classes covered 38.0%, 14.5%, 6.9%, 36.5%, and 4.1% of the study area, respectively. The annual rate of deforestation was 320,067 ha, which is equivalent to 0.9%. Bushland and grassland were lost at 313,745 and 969,982 ha/year, respectively. Most forest was con- verted to cultivation and least to other land use and cover. In conclusion, the net changes were deforestation and loss of bushland and grassland primarily due to expansion of cultivation. Further research on how to reduce or halt expansion of cultivation may shed light on improving sustainability of forest, bushland, and grassland in mainland Tanzania

Impact of traditional beekeeping on Mgori village land forest reserve in Singida District, Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation 2016, Vol. 86(1)A study was conducted in villages around Mgori Village Land Forest Reserve (VLFR), Singida District in Tanzania to assess the impact of traditional beekeeping on the condition of forest resources. Data collection involved participatory rural appraisal, questionnaire survey and forest inventory. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Ms Excel. The Shannon-Wiener index was used to analyse evenness in species diversity. Results indicated that the majority of households practice traditional beekeeping using log hives. There is no proper management system of traditional beekeeping apart from regular forest patrols. The majority (82%) of respondents viewed traditional beekeeping as an effective way of managing forest resources as it helps to protect the forest against destruction and results in increased plant productivity through pollination. Results further showed that although not statistically significant (p>0.05), sites where beekeeping was practiced had more stems per hectare (ha) for dbh ≤10 cm compared to sites where there was no beekeeping implying high regeneration of species due to minimal disturbances in beekeeping sites. Forest destruction, decreasing bee forages and drought were identified to be the main threats to traditional beekeeping. If well implemented, traditional beekeeping can be a tool for sustainable forest management. The need to promote best beekeeping practices which contribute to sustainable forest management in the area and beyond is recommende

Community-based forest management in Tanzania: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats

In developing countries, the failure of the policing model of forest management whereby the central government protected forest reserves by preventing local communities from using them led to the emergence of Participatory Forest Management (PFM). In Tanzania PFM takes two main forms: Joint Forest Management (JFM) whereby the forest is owned by the central government or district council and the local people are involved in conservation of the forest and Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) whereby the community is given the right to own and use the forest that is on the general land. In both JFM and CBFM the village is the focal point in management of the forest and hence this approach to forest management is referred to as village-based forest management in this paper (VBFM). The paper discusses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of village-based forest management in Tanzania in the light of the origin and characteristics of villages and governance in the country. A historical account of forest management is given. Among the strengths are the government structure with strong villages for many years, willingness of people to participate in CBFM initiatives and community-village collaboration. The fact that the approach is exogenous both in conception and funding, its poor spiritual basis, inadequacy of technical knowledge at the community level, inequality in cost and benefit sharing, poor infrastructure and lack of legal documentation of the villages are seen as weaknesses of CBFM. Opportunities for CBFM include appropriate national policies and international conventions and funding initiatives for sustainable forest management. Threats to CBFM include land grabbing for bio-fuel production and other enterprises, conflict of interest with the district and higher-level government and poor governance. The paper concludes by suggesting the way forward for tapping the strengths and opportunities of VBFM and addressing its weaknesses and threats

Impact of traditional beekeeping on Mgori village land forest reserve in Singida District, Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation 2016, Vol. 86(1)A study was conducted in villages around Mgori Village Land Forest Reserve (VLFR), Singida District in Tanzania to assess the impact of traditional beekeeping on the condition of forest resources. Data collection involved participatory rural appraisal, questionnaire survey and forest inventory. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Ms Excel. The Shannon-Wiener index was used to analyse evenness in species diversity. Results indicated that the majority of households practice traditional beekeeping using log hives. There is no proper management system of traditional beekeeping apart from regular forest patrols. The majority (82%) of respondents viewed traditional beekeeping as an effective way of managing forest resources as it helps to protect the forest against destruction and results in increased plant productivity through pollination. Results further showed that although not statistically significant (p>0.05), sites where beekeeping was practiced had more stems per hectare (ha) for dbh ≤10 cm compared to sites where there was no beekeeping implying high regeneration of species due to minimal disturbances in beekeeping sites. Forest destruction, decreasing bee forages and drought were identified to be the main threats to traditional beekeeping. If well implemented, traditional beekeeping can be a tool for sustainable forest management. The need to promote best beekeeping practices which contribute to sustainable forest management in the area and beyond is recommende