Institute of Resource Assessment

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    Review of Climate Change Mitigation in Agriculture in Tanzania
    (MICCA Programme, FAO, 2014-09) Majule, Amos Enock; Rioux, Janie; Mpanda, Mathew; Karttunen, Kaisa
    This report assesses and identified policies, strategies and initiatives led by the Tanzanian government towards addressing the impact of climate change in agriculture. Supporting 80% of the population, agriculture is still the main stay of the economy, and hence any negative impact originating from climate change to this sector has significant effect to the country economy and community livelihoods. The commitments of the Tanzanian government towards combating climate change at national, international and local level have been exemplary. Furthermore, due to less mechanized form of agriculture which also a rainfed, less input in terms of inorganic fertilizer and chemical pesticides, the country is still contributing less to the emission of the greenhouse gases (GHG). GHGs emission in Tanzania is reported mainly to be from land use change and forestry by 87.33%, energy and agriculture ranking second and third by contribution 6.39% and 5.68% respectively. This information gives an impression that despite less emission of GHGs in agriculture compared to other sectors, special attention needs to be paid on soil and livestock in order to reduce the emission from agriculture. The expected growth in agricultural sector may trigger acceleration of GHGs emission which might surpass other sectors, currently the conversion of natural forests and woodlands into agricultural fields is at alarming rate, the current rate of deforestation that have been reported by the government stands at 400,000 ha/year, agricultural sector is said to be the key contributor of deforestation. The REDD+ readiness phase is the most significant mitigation program, the readiness phase has been implemented through the UN-REDD and the NICFI programme with a total budget of over 100mil USD. The readiness phase has laid down a foundation to most ground work to support accounting on GHGs emission. Moreover, the readiness phase gave set up of the MRV system together with a road map for RL/REL. currently the ability of the nation to collect emission data (NFI) is much enhanced than before. Institutional arrangement and coordination for Carbon monitoring is well underway through the NCMC. However the development of MRV system in Tanzania is still at infancy stage as many of the key issues are not in place viz. NFMS, RL/REL and the definition of forest. Tanzania has a good foundation of policy framework to address adaptation and mitigation of climate change in agriculture. It needs very complex and accommodating methods and tools that iii will capture differences in agro-ecologies farming systems, agricultural input levels and other land management.
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    The significance of indigenous weather forecast knowledge and practices under weather variability and climate change: a case study of smallholder farmers on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro
    (International Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, Premier Publishers, 2016-06) Chengula, Fasco; Nyambo, Briggite
    his paper discusses the implication of indigenous knowledge-based weather forecasts (IK-BFs) as a tool for reducing risks associated with weather variability and climate change among smallholder farmers on the south eastern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Moshi Rural District of Tanzania. Participatory research approaches and household surveys were used to identify and document past and existing IK-BF practices. Local communities in the study transect use traditional experiences and knowledge to predict impending weather conditions by observing a combination of locally available indicators: plant phenology (40.80%), bird behaviour (21.33%), atmospheric changes (10.40%), insects’ behaviour (7.20%), environmental changes on Kilimanjaro, Pare and Ugweno mountains (4.80%), astronomical indicators (4.8%), animal behaviour (4.00%), water related indicators (3.73%) and traditional calendars (2.93%). The study established that 60% of farmers use and trust IK-BFs over modern science-based forecasts (SCFs). Although about 86.3% of respondents observed some correlation between IK-BFs and SCFs, and 93.6% supported integration of the two sets of information, the nature and extent of their correlation is not yet established. We none the less recommend that IK-BFs be taken into relevant national policies and development frameworks to facilitate agro-ecological conservation for use and delivery of effective weather and climate services to farming communities
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    Dissemination of agricultural weather forecasts under weather and climate variability: a case of the smallholder farmers in Moshi rural District, Tanzania
    (International Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, Premier Publishers, 2017-06) Chengula, Fasco; Nyambo, Briggite
    Since its formation in 1978, the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) has continued to provide agricultural weather forecasts among other climate products. However, the uptake and use of these weather forecasts by target end users under changing environment is uncertain. In this paper, production and dissemination pathways of agricultural weather forecasts in Tanzania with a focus to Moshi Rural District are presented. A combination of participatory research approaches and household surveys were used to explore perceptions of local communities on dissemination, application and reliability of agricultural weather forecasts. While the study shows that 96% of farmers depend on climate and weather information for on-farm decision making, only 40% of farming communities rely on TMA weather forecasts. The rest of farmers rely on indigenous knowledge-based weather forecasts. The TMA seasonal weather forecasts lack local/area specific focus. The forecasts relates to area-wide patterns, amounts, distribution, onset and offset of rains, its associated impacts and advisories on possible actions to be taken by users in risk areas. TMA forecasts are unpopular because of too high degree of local unreliability in terms of spatial and temporal distribution and use of technical language. Challenges of packaging and dissemination of seasonal agricultural weather forecasts to smallholder farmers by TMA were identified, and some suggestion on the way forward made
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    Carbon Stocks in the Small Estuarine Mangroves of Geza and Mtimbwani, Tanga, Tanzania
    (International Journal of Forestry Research, 2016-08-29) Alavaisha, Edmond; Mangora, Mwita M
    Mangrove forests offer important ecosystem services, including their high capacity for carbon sequestration and stocking. However, they face rapid degradation and loss of ecological resilience particularly at local scales due to human pressure. We conducted inventory of mangrove forests to characterise forest stand structure and estimate carbon stocks in the small estuarine mangroves of Geza and Mtimbwani in Tanga, Tanzania. Forest structure, above-ground carbon (AGC), and below-ground carbon (BGC) were characterised. Soil carbon was estimated to 1 m depth using loss on ignition procedure. Six common mangrove species were identified dominated by Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. and Rhizophora mucronata Lamarck. Forest stand density and basal area were 1740 stems ha−1 and 17.2 m2 ha−1 for Geza and 2334 stems ha−1 and 30.3 m2 ha−1 for Mtimbwani. Total ecosystem carbon stocks were 414.6 Mg C ha−1 for Geza and 684.9 Mg C ha−1 for Mtimbwani. Soil carbon contributed over 65% of these stocks, decreasing with depth. Mid zones of the mangrove stands had highest carbon stocks. These data demonstrate that studied mangroves are potential for carbon projects and provide the baseline for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) to support the projects.
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    Seeing Through Fishers’ Lenses
    (SAGE Publications, 2016) Moshy, Victoria H.; Bryceson, Ian
    Insights from traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of the marine environment are difficult to integrate into conventional science knowledge (CSK) initiatives. Where TEK is integrated into CSK at all, it is usually either marginalized or restricted to CSK modes of interpretation, hence limiting its potential contribution to the understanding of social-ecological systems. This study uses semi-directive interviews, direct observations, and structured open-ended questionnaires (n = 103) to explore TEK of marine ecological changes occurring within the Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania, and factors contributing to these changes. It illuminates TEK insights that can be valuable in parallel with CSK to provide a more nuanced understanding of ecological changes. In some areas, fishers observed coral reef growth, increased fish abundance, and increased sea temperatures, whereas in others, they reported decreases in sea level, coral cover, fish abundance, catch composition, catch quantities, and fish size. They associated these changes with interrelated factors emanating from environmental processes, conservation outcomes, marketing constraints, population dynamics, and disappearance of cultural traditions. Utilizing TEK without restricting it to CSK modes of interpretation has the potential to improve CSK initiatives by promoting complementarity and mutual enrichment between the two kinds of knowledge, thereby contributing new insights that may enhance adaptive management and resilience in social-ecological systems.
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    Social-Ecological Changes, Livelihoods and Resilience among Fishing Communities in Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania
    (Taylor & Francis, 2015) Moshy, Victoria H.; Bryceson, Ian; Mwaipopo, Rosemarie
    Analysis of societal dimensions is increasingly receiving attention in social–ecological resilience research. This study investigates the impacts of neo-liberal marine conservation and economic policies, and environmental changes on the livelihoods of two fishing communities in Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania, and their response strategies towards attempting to maintain livelihood resilience. These communities are in similar geographical and administrative settings but differ in their proximity to Park headquarters, conformity to Park regulations and engagement in fish trade. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, direct observation and questionnaire surveys. Interviewees from both villages reported increasing poverty in terms of reduced capacity to meet their basic needs, and decreases in numbers of meals per day, variety of foods and fish consumption, reduced access to resources, low productivity and prices of local produce. Women experienced raised household responsibilities for food security and meeting other household needs. Their main responses to these changes included loan seeking, reduction of expenditures, skipping meals, selling assets, collective fishing, livelihoods diversification, change of fishing techniques and gears, abandoning of fishing activity and outward migration. Their responses only contributed to survival without resolving the challenges. Paying attention to these societal experiences is therefore necessary, if resilience of social–ecological systems in a marine conservation area is to be maintained or enhanced.
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    Undernutrition among Under-Five Children in Two Fishing Communities in Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania
    (Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2013-06-01) Moshy, Victoria H.; Masenge, Theopista J.; Bryceson, Ian
    Undernutrition and food insecurity are critical problems among under-five children in many developing countries. This study was carried out for eight months between 2009 and 2011. It combined quantitative data (N=156) and qualitative data to explore nutritional status among under-five children in Jibondo and Chole villages within Mafia Island Marine Park in Tanzania. Weight-for-age analysis was performed according to World Health Organization standards to determine the proportion of underweight children among the samples. The prevalence of underweight children was high in both villages, and in Jibondo village it was even higher (69%) than in Chole village (40%). Interviewees attributed the exceptionally high underweight problems in Jibondo to a substantial reduction in breast-feeding frequency. This was because mothers resumed seaweed farming and octopus fishing soon after delivery. Consequently, infants were fed poor-quality nutritional substitute foods at a tender age. Decreased family income, food insecurity, changes in gender roles and increased responsibilities for women were also perceived to be key underlying problems contributing to higher levels of undernutrition among children in the study areas. If healthy generations and sustainable social-ecological systems are to be achieved within the Park in the future, policies that review fishing restrictions, improve fish trading, increase household food security and liberate mother’s time for breastfeeding and child-caring activities would be essential to address the current undernutrition among the under-fives.
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    The Impact of HIV/AIDS on the Education Sector in Tanzania
    (2004) Kauzeni, Athanas S.; Kihinga, C.
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    Developments in Soil Conservation in Tanzania
    (1987) Kauzeni, Athanas S.; Kikula, Idris S.; Shishira, E. K.
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    Survey and Mapping of Land use/cover and Erosion hazards in Lake Victoria Basin
    (2001) Yanda, Pius Z.; Shishira, E. K.; Madulu, F. N.; Kauzeni, Athanas S.
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    Serengeti Regional Conservation Strategy: a Socio-Economic Study
    (1994) Kauzeni, Athanas S.; Kiwasila, H. L.
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    Local Knowledge and Food Security: The Experience of Magindu Village, Kibaha District, Coast Region
    (2000) Kauzeni, Athanas S.
    Local knowledge (LK) as it relates to food security, refers to a wide-rage of accumulated local experience about the ecosystem or natural resources use and how they are managed in the context of local organisational and institutional arrangements. It also includes belief and value systems of the people. All these dimensions need to be carefully evaluated for possible inclusion in the rural development process at both micro and macro levels. Local knowledge (LK) can be enhanced with the infusion of outside knowledge and vice versa. The challenge is to come up with the right dosage of local knowledge to be mixed with other outside (scientific, modern) knowledge. This mixture is particularly useful where food security issues are being considered. Local knowledge as used in this paper does not only refer to knowledge of the local environment but also to the kn
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    Assessing the Cost of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation by Smallholder Farmers in Tanzania: the Case of Kasulu District.
    (2013) Mwakaje, Agnes G.; Yanda, Pius Z.; Mung'ong'o, Claude G.; Kangalawe, Richard Y. M.
    The impact of climate change on smallholder agriculture has led to different strategies of adaptation and mitigation intending to reduce the risks and GHG emissions. But what is the adaptation and mitigation practices taking place and what are the cost implications for smallholder farmers in poor countries? This study is an attempt to fill this gap. A total of 142 farmers were selected randomly in the two villages of Kasulu District. There was also a consultation with focus groups and key informants. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. The findings revealed different strategies for adapting to climate change impacts by smallholder farmers such as planting drought and disease-resistant crops, the application of fertilizers/pesticides, mulching and irrigation. As regards mitigation, the farmers were sensitized to avoid deforestation and farming on river banks and catchment areas and to plant trees. Nevertheless, the cost of undertaking these activities was found to be high and poor farmers were incurring more costs than benefits. For successful and cost-effective adaptation and mitigation efforts by poor smallholder farmers there should be capacity building and supportive policies. These may include access to credit, timely and accurate climate information, improved infrastructure, environmental education and access to extension services.
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    Structural Adjustment Programmes and Peasant Responses in Tanzania
    (1995) Mung'ong'o, Claude G.; Loiske, V. M.; Simon, D.; Spengen, W. V.; Dixon, C.; Närman, A.
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    Risks, Livelihoods and Vulnerability to Flooding in Kyela District, Southwestern Tanzania
    (2006) Mung'ong'o, Claude G.; Yanda, Pius Z.
    This study aimed at establishing how local livelihoods had changed due to flooding in Kyela District, Tanzania. Both primary and secondary socioeconomic data were gathered using a household questionnaire and qualitative methods. The questionnaire was administered to sample households in three villages. Secondary data were gathered through literature search. Findings from this study show that sample villages have experienced normal flooding, occurring between April and May, and excessive flooding which occurs in cycles of 5-10 years. Local people perceive a decrease in frequency and magnitude of flood occurrence. Associated biological changes have included the disappearance of some banana and orange tree species, disappearance of some wild animals, and rotting and drying out of some cocoa and banana trees. Other impacts have included outbreak of new crop diseases. Socioeconomic consequences have included destruction of crops, animals, buildings and other infrastructure. Others have included the outbreak of cholera and other waterborne diseases. Coping strategies to excessive flooding have been temporal. Communities’ response to flooding has differed according to the economic access qualification of concerned wealth groups. The rich (mnoge) have coped well by shifting to higher areas, and hiring or buying farmland disposed off by other wealth groups. They also employ cheap labour from among the poor (ndondo). During and after floods the mnoge buy commodities from other and sell them to the flood affected people at a profit. The ndondo are the most affected group as they are less able to cope with the situation. Often they are forced to sell their assets at very low prices, and end up living on begging or working for other wealthier groups.
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    The Right to Food, Land and Democracy. An Analysis from a Grassroots Perspective in Three Semi-Arid Rural Districts in Tanzania.
    (Nordic Journal of African Studies, 2002) Mung'ong'o, Claude G.
    This paper shows how changes in the policy environment associated with economic reforms have undermined rural food security and increased poverty among the grassroots poor in three research districts in Tanzania. It demonstrates how smallholder producers no longer have access to key support systems such as producer goods subsidies, minimum producer prices, and soft loans. It also shows how smallholder farming and livestock-keeping has become a part-time activity for many women and men, who are forced to seek additional cash incomes from off-farm activities. This reduces the amount of time available to farming and processing of food, thus undermining food security at the household level. The struggles over land, markets and other key resources between large scale investors and small scale producers, both cultivators and livestock-keepers, men and women, are emphasised.