Welcome to SUAIRE
Sokoine University of Agriculture Institutional Repository (SUA IR). This repository was built and is maintained by the university library (Sokoine National Agricultural Library-SNAL) , in order to collect, preserve and disseminate scholarly output generated by University research community (staff and students) members.
This repository hosts a variety of openly accessible materials including: scholarly articles and books, theses and dissertations, conference proceedings and technical reports. For assistance about depositing your research output in the repository click here. SUA IR Policy click here or any queries contact us at snal@sua.ac.tz.
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- The Agroforesty Community is a collaborative network dedicated to advancing sustainable land-use practices that integrate trees, crops, and livestock. It serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, research dissemination, and practical innovations in Agroforestry. By fostering connections among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and local communities, the Agroforestry Community promotes environmental conservation, enhanced agricultural productivity, and resilient livelihoods.
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Recent Submissions
Evaluation of sprinkler irrigation performance at Simunye Sugar Estate in Swaziland.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1995) Magongo,Bongani Harmon
The performance the evaluated study irrigation system at Simunye,objectiveswere:parameters,(1)To identify the original parameters,(2)To investigate performance parameters,whether the system is operating as designed,and (3)To recommend suitable changes in the operation and system configurations that could be implemented to improve the irrigation efficiency.
The results showed that there were no available design parameters on which the system of Simunye Sugar Estate was designed. The system showed a uniformity coefficient (Cu)of 76%,which is within recommended Cu range for design market acceptance.The Distribution uniformity obtained was 61% and the potential application efficiency for the low-quarter (PELQ) was found to be 54%.Both of these parameters were lower than the recommended ones, and they were significantly different when compared with the recommended ones of at least 67% and 75-85%, respectively.The actual application efficiency for the lower-quarter (AELQ) was found to be 45% which is too low when compared to the PELQ.The minimum basic infiltration rate of the soils irrigated by sprinkler system was 5 mm/h. Factors which contributed to the non-uniformity of the system were wind velocity and wind the direction operating pressure (which was too high or lower than the recommended one for the system), evaporation losses,and the sprinkler spacing. From the results it was shown that management of the irrigation system had an effect on the poor performance of the system.
Effects of Mswiswi watershed degradation on stream flow in Usangu village irrigation project
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1997) Malongo,Gerald Wanda Sere
The effect of Mswiswi watershed degradation on stream flow was investigated as one of 5 watersheds used by Usangu Irrigation Project as source of water. The watershed was calibrated upon itself by establishing four watershed degradation scenarios as the basis for comparison of watershed degradation parameters and stream flow characteristics. The established degradation scenario were 1960-65, 1965-75, 1975- 86 and 1986-92. The 1960-65 degradation scenario was taken as the control period i.e the period for which watershed degradation was at the minimum level. Therefore all parameters of watershed degradation and stream flow of certain probabilities in
1960-65 were compared with the same parameters in other three scenarios.Watershed degradation evidence analyzed from aerial photographs of 1977 and 1992 shows that: watershed forest loss was 0.105 , 0.032 and 0.497 km2/year for mixed forest,forest reserve and low dense miombo woodland, respectively. Soil degradation through gully expansion was 0.049 km2/year.The study shows that precipitation in Mswiswi watershed is decreasing from 1963-1986. This has been evidenced by decreasing trend of 5-year moving averages of precipitation and precipitation of certain probabilities. Comparison of watershed degradation parameters in four degradation scenarios shows that there were a differences among scenarios as a result of degradation. There was a general decreasing trend of parameters such as watershed storage and watershed loss factor from degradation scenario of lower order (1960-65) to scenario of higher order (1986-92). This means that the trend of decrease in watershed degradation parameters was from 1963-1989. Watershed degradation parameters such as curve number and watershed degradation factor were, on the contrary, increasing from 1963-1989. The decrease of watershed loss and watershed storage indicate that watershed was degrading as has been evidenced by watershed forest loss. Similar indication of watershed degradation was shown by increase of curve number and watershed degradation factor.
This study shows that there was a relationship between increasing trend of runoff and increasing or decreasing trend of watershed degradation parameter from one degradation scenario to another for a particular probability of exceedance. Runoff of 10 % probability was increasing from watershed degradation scenario of lower order to scenario of higher order as watershed storage and loss factor of the same probability was decreasing. The trend of changes in base flow of particular probability of exceedance was more related to the trend in which watershed degradation factor of the same probability was varying. Stream flow from Mswiswi watershed is affected by both climatic changes and watershed degradation. To evaluate the effect of watershed degradation alone, the developed runoff and base flow models were run for equal rainfall events, so as to see how the watershed in the process of degradation in different periods was responding or would respond to the same rainfall events. The results of model utilization show that runoff was increasing as the watershed was degrading for equal rainfall events. In the case of base flow, the results of model utilization show that watershed degradation was causing cyclic trends of base flow variability. The maximum and minimum base flow for equal rainfall were having recurrence intervals of ten years. The magnitude of maximum and minimum base flow was decreasing with time as watershed was degrading for equal rainfall events.
Sustainability of irrigation schemes for small scale farmers: a case study of furrow irrigation scheme at Buleya Malima, Gwembe Valley Zambia.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1995) Masinja,Rusmus
This study was carried out to determine factors that influence sustainability of smallholder irrigation schemes in Zambia.This was against background the that many schemes have been opened by the government to resettle people and have operated smoothly under its management. But upon government withdrawal, farmers have failed to manage these schemes. The study was carried out at Buleya Malima smallholder irrigation scheme.The objectives of study were; (a) to evaluate the schemes using technical and socio-economic parameters inherent current practices in the scheme,
and, (c) improving the performance assess the to make recommendations for of the (b)scheme to
and management practices. The average results for technical study were: 26.4%, 64.5% and 9.2%
for application efficiency, tailwater ratio and deep percolation ratio respectively. The results revealed thSustainability of irrigation schemes for small at there was a waste of water by farmers through tailwater runoff. Thus, the system was performing poorly, and could not be sustained at these levels of water loss.The study on socio economic revealed that irrigated farming could be sustainable if properly designed and planned with
the involvement of the farmers. The big problem was lack of managerial ability innovativeness and by the scheme management to provide farmers with enabling environment to form their own viable organisations which could see the continuity of the scheme even after the government had withdrawn.
Farmer Participation in planning,decision-making and implementation of these decisions is advisable in order to sustain the scheme operations. Enabling environment for Management should create farmers to form viable associations through which farmers and management would co ordinate their operations. Formal and informal training in technical operations of irrigation infrastructure and new agricultural practices should be provided, so that farmers are able to operate the irrigation system with minimum dependence on management trained management Therefore,
personnel to provision of well impart appropriate knowledge on the operations and maintenance of irrigation system is advisable.
Effects of farmer-initiated modifications of water control structures on performance of irrigation system:a case study of Mkindo Scheme, Morogoro, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2000) Matiku,John Magorombe
A study to assess the effects of farmer-initiated modifications of water control structures
on the performance of the irrigation system in Tanzania was carried out at Mkindo
farmer managed irrigation scheme (FMIS) in Morogoro region. The scheme had two
phases. The changes made on the original water control structures were assessed, the
performance of the existing water distribution system, and the effect of the existing water
control structures on performance of the irrigation system was evaluated.
The result of the study shows that changes were made by farmers on the original design of
already constructed water control structures in the scheme as follows: some of the field
canals and the original centrally located field drains were removed by farmers in order
to increase irrigable area (bigger utilised land area). Therefore, some farmers were
doing field-to-field irrigation method; the main drainage for phase-I has been converted
to field irrigation canal by nearby farmers; dimension of existing paddy field earth
bunds and secondary canal banks were smaller than original ones; water harvesting
from main and secondary canal by farmers outside the scheme exists and no water
control gates (wooden stop-logs originally provided) exists at division box openings and
at turnout level for the scheme.
Applicable indicators for the performance of FMIS are quantified as follows:-Overall
irrigation efficiencies were 6% and 8.3% for phase-I and phase-II of the scheme
respectively: Average productivity dropped from 6.6 ton/ha in 1995/96 to 3.1 ton/ha in1998/99 season. The organisation of Mkindo FMIS was appropriate, however, the
scheme was weak in irrigation management as the essential operation and maintenance
activities were not carried out effectively. The scheme had canal maintenance problem.
There was a corresponding big error in waler adequacy of 72% and 68% for both phase-
I and phase-II of the scheme respectively arising from improper water control along the
main canal and at secondary canal offtake. Both phase-I and phase-II of the scheme
were not able to distribute water equitably, reliably as well as maintaining a correct
field water depth from tilling to flowering and grain formation stage. This was shown
by relatively high error of equity of 18% and 20% for both phases respectively. These
figures are far greater than zero, which is the indicator for highest performance.
Therefore, the FMIS in Tanzania may perform better, or be sustainable, if original
design of already constructed water control structures are maintained (i.e. not changed)
by farmers at operation stage. This emphasises farmer’s involvement and empowerment
at planning, design and construction stages of the scheme.
Conflicting interests over natural resource use: the case of interactions among livestock keepers, farmers, and wildlife at Kilombero Valley, Tanzania
(Frontiers in Sustainable Resource Management, 2025-11-14) Mariki Sayuni B.; Binego Liliane
Conflicts over natural resources use among farmers, livestock keepers, and
wildlife are escalating in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania, posing significant threats
to livelihoods, security, and sustainable development. This study investigated the
types, drivers and impacts of these conflicts using a mix-methods approach,
including questionnaire survey, key informant interviews, and focused group
discussions. Descriptive statistics and content analysis revealed 16 distinct
conflict types, with the most prevalent being crop raiding by livestock before
harvest (farmers-pastoralist conflict) and disputes over farm boundaries (farmer-
farmer conflict). Key drivers of conflicts varied between groups but commonly
included an increasing number of livestock, inadequate supervision of herders,
and seasonal flooding of grazing lands. The primary consequences identified
were reduced crop yields, social tension, and emotional distress. To mitigate
these conflicts, the study recommends enforcing adherence to village land use
plans, promoting coexistence through community education, providing training
in livestock management and good practice, and regulating livestock influx into
the area