Browsing by Author "Michael, James"

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    Traditional agro forestry systems for enhancement of community livelihood The case of Chagga home gardens in Rombo, Kilimanjaro Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2013) Michael, James
    This study was undertaken in two villages, Mamsera juu and Mamsera chini in Rombo district. The study aimed at assessing the contribution of traditional agroforestry systems in enhancing community livelihood. Specifically the study assessed the status of homegardens in Rombo district, evaluated the contribution of homegardens to the livelihoods of the farmers and identified challenges associated with homegardens in the study area. Data were collected through household questionnaire survey, Focused Group Discussion (FGD), key informant interviews and review of various published and unpublished documents. Findings show that, the sizes of homegardens owned by Households are increasingly decreasing with time. Changes in the structure and composition of the homegardens are currently taking place, changes in production pattern caused by diseases, the introduction of new crops and livestock varieties and changes in the tree cover in the home gardens were the main changes identified. Further results show that, homegardens are potential producer of both food and non food products needed by farmers in day to day life, but it does not produce enough to satisfy household needs. Homegardens were also found to be the main income generators in the study area but income obtained from selling homegarden products does not satisfy the need of the farmers, income diversification was therefore an option to enhance income security in the study area. On the other hand households were seen to be deprived of natural capital as well as human capital but with promising social and financial networks. This study found that insufficient knowledge in agroforestry practices to both farmers and extension agents, low income of the farmers and poor institutions are the threats to the sustainability of the homegardens. For the sustainability of the homegardens, formulation of policies and special units to enable provision of agroforestry knowledge to farmers and extension agents should be the starting point. In line with this is the introduction of spice crops to supplement income from coffee which is no longer viable. In addition, government and other stakeholders have to find means to enhance livelihood capital and to engineer livelihood strategies which will ultimately produce sustainable livelihood while maintaining natural features of the homegarden.