Ecological impact of tobacco farming in miombo woodlands of Urambo District, Tanzania

Mangora, Mwita M.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2028.2005.00603.x

Cited by 18 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…With more technical agricultural practices beyond the reach of small-scale tobacco growers, production expansion is only possible through the clearing of additional forest land. Also in Tanzania, Mangora found that virgin land is preferred for tobacco growing because of the fear of soil-borne diseases and the increased yield it provides 23. According to this study, 69% of tobacco farmers in the Urambo District clear new areas of woodlands for tobacco cultivation every season, while only 25% of them grow tobacco on the same plot for two consecutive seasons and only 6% do so for more than two consecutive seasons.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 75%

Environmental health impacts of tobacco farming: a review of the literature: Table 1

Almeida²,

et al. 2012

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Objective To review the literature on environmental health impacts of tobacco farming and to summarise the findings and research gaps in this field. Methods A standard literature search was performed using multiple electronic databases for identification of peer-reviewed articles. The internet and organisational databases were also used to find other types of documents (eg, books and reports). The reference lists of identified relevant documents were reviewed to find additional sources.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 75%

Environmental health impacts of tobacco farming: a review of the literature: Table 1

Almeida²,

et al. 2012

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“…The mean area of fallow is 2.2 ha, equalling 12% of all landholding. However, only a third of the farmers grow tobacco on the same piece of land for 2 or more consecutive years, which means a shortening of the fallow period to 4 years (while at least 20 years would be required for the restoration of natural fertility) (Mangora, 2005). This implies that a shift has occurred from slash-and-burn agriculture as practiced in the 1970s (Boesen and Mohele, 1979, p.…”

Section: Tanzaniamentioning

confidence: 98%

“…For example, China appears to have achieved an energy transition from wood-to coal-based curing technologies probably about two decades ago (Zhang, 1997), and the preliminary results from this study also prove that the massive deforestation statement applies especially if not exclusively to some growing areas (less so, countries) in the African miombo ecosystem zone (Saloojee, 2004). On the other hand, due to methodological improvements to measure the combined effects of deforestation through land clearance and curing-driven deforestation (Mangora, 2005), the extent of tobacco-related annual deforestation in these growing zones might be considerably higher than estimated in previous studies, which were based on energy needs in curing only (e.g., Geist, 1999). In sum, the usage of terms such as environmental "crisis" (WHO, 2004a, p. 2) or "desertification" (Waluye, 1994, p. 252), used to describe the particular and excessive impact of tobacco curing on native forest cover worldwide with hardly any differentiation made between different growing areas, very likely means an undue inflation of what the term actually implies (O'Connor, 1987).…”

Section: Environmental Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tobacco growers at the crossroads: Towards a comparison of diversification and ecosystem impacts

et al. 2009

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a b s t r a c tAn international Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has been in force since 2005, also aimed at regulating tobacco farming: FCTC article 17 on diversification, and FCTC article 18 on socio-ecological issues. Relating to the FCTC, information was gained and evaluated from tobacco farmers of growing areas sampled from major world regions (Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil, Tabora/Tanzania, Meinung/Taiwan, and Germany/Europe). A local farming survey was carried out in 2007, using a common data protocol, which covered, among others, questions on area and production development, energy used in curing, workforce, economic livelihood situation, and diversification opportunities. In addition to the survey, secondary (national-scale) statistics, public testimonies and other published data were explored. We analyzed these data using a portfolio approach, which combined statistical analysis, meta-analytical study and descriptive narratives. The projected trend of a global shift of tobacco cultivation into the developing world is confirmed, but also refined. Wood is used in Brazil and Tanzania for curing Virginia green leaf, thus contradicting the projected continuous reduction of this energy source. Child labour remains a major component of family farm tobacco operations in Brazil and Tanzania, while the cost and availability of seasonal labour turns into a bottleneck of production in Germany. More diversification opportunities exist than generally claimed, but no efforts are seen to address poor and vulnerable growers, in particular. German and Taiwanese tobacco growers can reasonably be predicted to discontinue farming in the near future, while tobacco cultivation in Brazil and Tanzania is seen to expand, mainly due to the political economy of low-cost production. Conclusions are drawn with respect to the work of the UN Study Group on Economically Sustainable Alternatives to Tobacco Growing (ESATG), effective since 2007.

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“…However, these data on woodland deforestation are only indicative and may not reflect actual situation on a countrywide scale given that charcoal and firewood is consumed in significant amounts across all other Tanzanian cities. Further, in some parts of Tabora and southern (Iringa and Mbeya) regions deforestation stands at >3% annually in the miombo woodlands (Mangora 2005) because of shifting cultivation and excessive use of woods for curing tobacco (Sauer and Abdallah 2007). For example, the land converted from natural vegetation to cultivated land increased to 11.2% (between 1995 and 2000) from 4.7% (between 1984 and 1995) in some parts of Tabora (Yanda 2010).…”

Section: Habitat Degradation and Loss And Associated Risks Of Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging issues and challenges in conservation of biodiversity in the rangelands of Tanzania

Rija¹,

Kideghesho²,

Mwamende³

et al. 2013

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Tanzania rangelands are a stronghold for biodiversity harbouring a variety of animal and plant species of economic, ecological and socio-cultural importance. Efforts to protect these resources against destruction and loss have involved, among other things, setting aside some tracks of land as protected areas in the form of national parks, nature reserves, game reserves, game controlled and wildlife management areas. However, these areas and adjacent lands have long been subjected to a number of emerging issues and challenges, which complicate their management, thus putting the resources at risk of over exploitation and extinction. These issues and challenges include, among other things, government policies, failure of conservation (as a form of land use) to compete effectively with alternative land uses, habitat degradation and blockage of wildlife corridors, overexploitation and illegal resource extraction, wildfires, human population growth, poverty, HIV/AIDS pandemic and human-wildlife conflicts. In this paper, we review the emerging issues and challenges in biodiversity conservation by drawing experience from different parts of Tanzania. The paper is based on the premise that, understanding of the issues and challenges underpinning the rangelands is a crucial step towards setting up of plausible objectives, strategies and plans that will improve and lead to effective management of these areas. We conclude by recommending some proactive measures that may enhance the sustainability of the rangeland resources for the benefit of the current and future generations.

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Ecological impact of tobacco farming in miombo woodlands of Urambo District, Tanzania

Cited by 18 publications

References 5 publications

Environmental health impacts of tobacco farming: a review of the literature: Table 1

Environmental health impacts of tobacco farming: a review of the literature: Table 1

Tobacco growers at the crossroads: Towards a comparison of diversification and ecosystem impacts

Emerging issues and challenges in conservation of biodiversity in the rangelands of Tanzania

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