Browsing by Author "Maleko, David Dawson"

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Effects of dry season supplementation of Calliandra calothyrsus leaf-meal mixed with maize-bran on dairy cattle milk productivity in the West Usambara Highlands, Tanzania
(Research Square, 2022-06) Maleko, David Dawson; Msalya, George M.; Mtei, Kelvin M.
The dry seasons decline in milk production due to insufficient feed supply to dairy cattle poses a great challenge to sustainability of smallholder dairy production systems in Tanzania. Locally produced leguminous fodder tree leaf meals combined with maize bran provide a great potential for overcoming the dry season protein-energy deficit in the basal roughage feeds. This study evaluated the effects of dry season Calliandra calothyrsus (Calliandra) leaf-meal: maize-bran based protein-energy homemade supplementary ration (HSR) on milk production of lactating cross-bred dairy cows in the Western Usambara Highlands (WUHs), Tanzania. Complete randomized design was employed whereby four groups of 4 lactating dairy cows were subjected to four levels of HSR rationed at 0, 2, 4 and 6 kg/cow/day. The lactating cows which were not subjected to HSR supplementation (0 kg/cow/day) were left under farmers’ feeding practices as a control. HSR had significant effect on dry season milk yields (P < 0.001) whereby milk yields were 2.7, 4.5, 5.6 and 6.1 litres/cow/day for 0, 2, 4 and 6 kg HSR/cow/day, respectively. In addition, simulated year-round daily milk yields indicated that 4 and 6 kg HSR/cow/day would double the milk yields. Nevertheless, there was overall significant difference in the income to cost ratios (P = 0.02) whereby it was 0.50, 0.79, 1.06 and 1.09 for 0, 2, 4 and 6 kg HSR/cow/day, respectively. However, the income to cost ratios for 4 and 6 kg HSR/cow/day did not differ significantly (P < 0.05). In conclusion, if the dairy farmers in WUHs are to produce profitable milk amounts during the dry seasons the supplementation level of 4 kg HSR/cow/day to the basal diets is recommended.
Review: Rangeland management in Tanzania: opportunities, challenges, and prospects for sustainability
(INTL J TROP DRYLANDS, 2023) Muzzo, Bashiri Iddy; Maleko, David Dawson; Thacker, Eric; Provenza, Fred D
Muzzo BI, Maleko DD, Thacker E, Provenza FD. 2023. Review: Rangeland management in Tanzania: Opportunities, challenges, and prospects for sustainability. Intl J Trop Drylands 7: 83-102. Rangelands in Tanzania play a crucial role in supporting local livelihoods and the country's economic development. However, their long-term sustainability is threatened. This review paper identifies challenges and explores opportunities to ensure their continued sustainability. Opportunities include implementing dedicated policies and regulations, using expertise in range science, leveraging technological advancements, investing in land for private ranches, using ample bushes and shrub resources for small ruminant production, and responding appropriately to high market demand for milk and meat from ruminants. Major challenges include insufficient technology and limited technical know-how, low and erratic rains leading to dry season pasture scarcity, infectious diseases and the spread of invasive species. Other challenges include conflicting interests from other land users that have led to the massive conversion of communal rangelands to croplands, and the need for areas to protect wildlife and human settlements. These challenges can be addressed by policy enforcement, strengthening pastoral organizations, fostering the growth of experts in climate-adapted forage and livestock breeding, and embracing advanced technology. Active involvement of local communities in decision-making processes and facilitating rangeland restoration can ensure the sustainable management of rangelands in Tanzania. Another promising avenue is the strategic use of locally adapted livestock species to control invasive plants, complemented by governmental enforcement of a grading system for meat and establishing a price-based quality meat market. Incorporating these prospects into rangeland management strategies can enhance the ecological sustainability and resilience of rangelands while supporting local livelihoods. Future research should focus on evaluating and implementing these strategies to promote sustainable rangeland management practices in Tanzania and elsewhere with similar environment.
Review: Rangeland management in Tanzania: opportunities, challenges, and prospects for sustainability
(Trop Drylands, 2023-11-24) Muzzo, Bashiri Iddy; Maleko, David Dawson; Thacker, Eric; Provenza, Fred D.
Muzzo BI, Maleko DD, Thacker E, Provenza FD. 2023. Review: Rangeland management in Tanzania: Opportunities, challenges, and prospects for sustainability. Intl J Trop Drylands 7: 83-102. Rangelands in Tanzania play a crucial role in supporting local livelihoods and the country's economic development. However, their long-term sustainability is threatened. This review paper identifies challenges and explores opportunities to ensure their continued sustainability. Opportunities include implementing dedicated policies and regulations, using expertise in range science, leveraging technological advancements, investing in land for private ranches, using ample bushes and shrub resources for small ruminant production, and responding appropriately to high market demand for milk and meat from ruminants. Major challenges include insufficient technology and limited technical know-how, low and erratic rains leading to dry season pasture scarcity, infectious diseases and the spread of invasive species. Other challenges include conflicting interests from other land users that have led to the massive conversion of communal rangelands to croplands, and the need for areas to protect wildlife and human settlements. These challenges can be addressed by policy enforcement, strengthening pastoral organizations, fostering the growth of experts in climate-adapted forage and livestock breeding, and embracing advanced technology. Active involvement of local communities in decision-making processes and facilitating rangeland restoration can ensure the sustainable management of rangelands in Tanzania. Another promising avenue is the strategic use of locally adapted livestock species to control invasive plants, complemented by governmental enforcement of a grading system for meat and establishing a price-based quality meat market. Incorporating these prospects into rangeland management strategies can enhance the ecological sustainability and resilience of rangelands while supporting local livelihoods. Future research should focus on evaluating and implementing these strategies to promote sustainable rangeland management practices in Tanzania and elsewhere with similar environment.
Vegetation Composition, Forage Biomass and Soil Seed Bank of a Continuously Grazed Rangeland Site in Tropical Sub-Humid Environment, Tanzania
(SET Publisher (Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences), 2022-06) Mdegela, Tito Eleutery; Maleko, David Dawson; Msalya, George Mutani; Mtengeti, Ephraim Joseph
Most rangelands along the agro-pastoral villages of Tanzania are yearlong grazed and at various states of degradation. These rangelands contribute to over 60% of the meat and milk production in the country. An inventory was conducted to assess the status of grazing resources in a typical agro-pastoral village of Tanzania having communal rangelands. Systematic random sampling techniques were employed whereby line transects and quadrat frame were used following standard procedures to collect samples and undertake field measurements for both vegetation and soil parameters. The vegetation cover for desirable pasture species, undesirable pasture species and litter were 67.7%, 10.5% and 9.4%, respectively. The soil bare patches covered 12.3 % of the surveyed rangeland site. The most dominant grass species were Enteropogon macrostachyus, Bothriochloa insculpta and Heteropogon contortus. Forage dry matter (DM) yield was 806.8 kg DM/ha. Tree density was 1500 trees/ha and the total canopy cover was 63.49%. Combretum collinum was the most dominant tree species. Soil bulk density, pH, 3 organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were 1.4 g/cm , 6.3%, 1.14%, 0.09%, 0.89 mg/kg and 0.33 g/kg, respectively. A total of 11 dicotyledonous species mainly forbs and 9 monocotyledonous species including two perennial grasses were revealed from the incubated soil samples. The findings of this study demonstrate that the communal grazing areas have low pasture productivity, poor soil seed-bank and high cover of woody plants mainly bushes. In order, to improve forage biomass at the study site and elsewhere with similar environments selective bush clearing and re-seeding should be considered.