Root Properties of Plants Used for Soil Erosion Control in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Mwango, S. B.; Msanya, Balthazar M.; Mtakwa, Peter; Kimaro, Didas N.; Deckers, J; Poesen, Jean; Massawe, V.; Bethuel, I.

doi:10.9734/ijpss/2014/12102

Cited by 14 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…In most cases, however, plant roots are used to stabilize terrace edge. In the Usambara Mountains, Guatemala grass is grown for dual purpose, to control soil erosion and as a source of livestock fodder [127].…”

Section: Contour Farmingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review on Managing Agroecosystems for Improved Water Use Efficiency in the Face of Changing Climate in Tanzania

Kimaro

2019

Advances in Meteorology

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Agroecosystems are important for food production and conservation of biodiversity while continuing to provide several ecosystem services within the landscape. Despite their economic and ecological benefits, most agroecosystems in Tanzania are degraded at alarming rates. Rapid increase of human population and unprecedented impacts of climate change have influenced depletion of natural resource base within agroecosystem in recent decades compared to what communities have experienced before. Increased food demands owing to population increase have increased pressure on exploitation of land resources including water. Cultivation area and irrigation water demands have increased steadily in the last six decades. Nevertheless, approaches used for water supply have not been improved; thus, water use efficiency in most irrigation schemes is quite poor. Conversely, climate smart agricultural practices are practiced less in Tanzania. There is poor adoption of recommended adaptation among smallholder farmers due to several socioeconomic reasons. One of the key objectives of climate smart agriculture is to improve bio-geochemical interactions within landscape and decrease competition of natural resources between humans and other component of agroecosystems. This underscores the assumptions that most cropping systems in Tanzania are not managed sustainably. Moreover, comprehensive assessment of hydrological dynamics within smallholder farming in Tanzania is highly lacking. Therefore, actual causes and extent of water resources depletion are largely unknown among stakeholders. In most tropical landscapes, water resources degradation is influenced by interaction of both anthropogenic and biophysical factors operating at different times and space scales. As the capacity of water-supplying sources continues to decline, Tanzania needs profound changes in agricultural production systems in order to nourish the growing human population. This calls for strategic approaches that have wider adaptability. A literature survey study with the following objectives was conducted (i) to assess current state of agricultural water use and irrigation activities in Tanzania and (ii) to determine major constraints for sustainable water management and identify appropriate adaptation measures for their improvement across diverse cropping systems.

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Section: Contour Farmingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review on Managing Agroecosystems for Improved Water Use Efficiency in the Face of Changing Climate in Tanzania

Kimaro

2019

Advances in Meteorology

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“…Differences in the erosion-reducing potential of different plant root systems call for a selection of the most appropriate plant species in programs of erosion control or hillslope stabilization (e.g. De Baets et al, 2007bBaets et al, , 2009Stokes et al, 2009;Reubens et al, 2011;Burylo et al, 2014;Mwango et al, 2014). However, the extrapolation of the relationships between root properties and erosion rates, observed in individual case studies, to other sites, with differences in climate, root and soil characteristics, remains difficult (Stokes et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of the mechanical effects of plant roots on concentrated flow erosion rates

Vannoppen

Vanmaercke

Baets

et al. 2015

Earth-Science Reviews

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230

134

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“…Landholdings are diminishing due to human and animal population increase hence increased land use competition which poses an unformidable challenge to smallholder dairy farmers to choose whether to grow crops or pasture in limited land units. Mwango et al, (2014) in their study also found out that in Usambara Mountains in northern Tanzania the average farm size of 1.4 ha and farmers have opted to grow food crops and vegetables with pasture being restricted only around farm boundaries and contour strips. In Uganda and the East African region, most rural households are poor and cannot afford feed technological costs given the high poverty incidences (Aikaeli, 2010).…”

Section: The Socio-economic Factors Associated With Adoption Of Suppl...mentioning

confidence: 94%

Adoption of Supplementary Feeding in Smallholder Dairy Cattle Production in Mbarara District

Twesigye¹,

Ssemakula²,

Bahame³

2022

AJA

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Purpose: This study sought to assess the level of adoption of supplementary feeding, associated socioeconomic factors and the relationship between supplementary feeding and dairy cattle production among smallholder dairy farmers in Mbarara District. Methodology: The study adopted a mixed approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from 198 smallholder farmers and 12 key informants using a semi-structured interview guide and key informant interview guide respectively. Cluster sampling was used to divide the target population into clusters and then selected elements from each cluster using Simple Random Sampling technique. Collected data was compiled, sorted, and entered into Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSSv26.0) for analysis. Findings: The study revealed that 81.3% of smallholder farmers adopted supplementary feeding. However, the level of supplementary feeding varied among smallholder farmers of different socioeconomic characteristics. Basically, there was low level of adoption of supplementary feeding among farmers with few household members, having little knowledge about supplementary feeding and little funds to finance the costs involved in application of supplementary feeds. In relation to dairy cattle production, there was a positive significant relationship between the level of adoption of supplementary feeding and milk yield. Unique contribution to practice and policy: This study suggests to policy makers and other relevant authorities to formulate polices that emphasize adoption of supplementary feeding among dairy farmers in order to increase milk production in cattle.

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Root Properties of Plants Used for Soil Erosion Control in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Cited by 14 publications

References 14 publications

A Review on Managing Agroecosystems for Improved Water Use Efficiency in the Face of Changing Climate in Tanzania

A Review on Managing Agroecosystems for Improved Water Use Efficiency in the Face of Changing Climate in Tanzania

A review of the mechanical effects of plant roots on concentrated flow erosion rates

Adoption of Supplementary Feeding in Smallholder Dairy Cattle Production in Mbarara District

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