Browsing by Author "Rweyemamu,Dinah Leonard Tinuga Kabingile"

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The analysis of existing indigenous agroforestry systems and their relationship to land scarcity problem in Ukerewe district,Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2001) Rweyemamu,Dinah Leonard Tinuga Kabingile
This study was aimed at assessing the existing indigenous agroforestry systems practiced in Ukerewe district. The specific objectives were: to identify the existing indigenous agroforestry systems in the area of study; to identify crops and trees or livestock used in each system; to identify the yield trend of cassava crop in the past 1997-1999; to identify the constraints in productivity and sustainability associated with agroforestry systems in the area and to recommend areas of intervention for improvement. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting divisions, wards, villages and households for which the study was carried out. Six villages were involved and three structured questionnaires were used to extract information from the farmers, village leaders and extension workers both at division and district levels. The data were analysed by using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) computer programme. Five farming systems were found in the area which include homegardens (agrosilvopastoral systems), mixed cropping with trees (agrosilvicultural systems), mixed cropping farming systems (purely agricultural systems), monocropping farming systems (purely agricultural systems) and valley bottoms farming systems. Out of the five farming systems found in the area only two are indigenous agroforestry systems, which are homegardens (agrosilvopastoral systems) and mixed cropping with trees (agrisilvicultural systems). The cassava yield crop in the years 1997, 1998 and 1999 was not regular. The numbers of people with surplus yield were increasing whereas those with sufficient and insufficient yield were decreasing. Land scarcity, drought, lack of reliable market for produce, diseases to livestock, inadequate farm inputs, soil fertility, water shortages, poor extension services and encroachment to pastureland were constraints prioritized as limiting productivity and sustainability of agroforestry systems in the area. Areas of intervention for the improvement of existing indigenous agroforestry systems include:- Stocking density oftrees should be increased in both homegardens and cropland farms as well as an improvement on the arrangement of components. iii Application of organic fertilizers should be enhanced in order to increase crop yield and improve soil fertility. There is a need to improve livestock production through zero grazing in order to combat the shortage of farmyard manure, and soil fertility problems. In order to motivate farmers to produce more the market intelligence unit should be established and be responsible for searching for markets for farm produce. The government should assist people with land scarcity problem to shift elsewhere in the country where land is abundant.