Browsing by Author "Msanga, H. P."

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Challenges of producing quality tree seeds to support afforestation in Tanzania
(Tanzania Forest Fund (TAFORI), 2018-10) Msanga, H. P.; Masunga, E. W.; Andrew, S. M.; Fandey, F. H.
There is an increase of awareness among local communities, NGOs, the private sector and government agencies on the importance of afforestation in fostering the supply of important environmental goods and services. However, in order to sustain the afforestation initiatives and realize the anticipated impacts, quality seed production is critical. The history of tree seed production in Tanzania started as early as the 1902. In the 1970’s, the Government launched the national tree planting campaigns which led to the establishment of the National Tree Seed Programme (NTSP) in 1989. Following Government reforms, NTSP was transformed to Tanzania Tree Seed Agency (TTSA) in 2003. TTSA mandate is to produce and market high quality tree seed and other propagating materials. Currently, there is an increasing demand for quality tree seed for afforestation both locally and internationally. This paper identifies the challenges facing the production of quality tree seeds such as seed quality, low investments in tree seed industry, inadequate policy, and specific law to regulate and control tree seed quality, human resource limitations, and inadequate institutional integration with related expertise, research and climate change. Others issues include, problems of seed dormancy for some species, inadequate data on individual seed protocol for storage and germination. In addressing these challenges, the paper recommends investment in establishing as many seed orchards as possible, integrating institutions with related discipline at each node to create a multiplier effect on abundance, quality, and distribution as well as financing the tree seed industry, support training and recognition of the tree seed industry through policy and legal mechanisms.
Growth performance of azadirachta Indica provenances in Morogoro, Tanzania
(Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 2004) Andrew, S. M.; Maliondo, S. M. S.; Mtika, J.; Msanga, H. P.; Nsolomo, V. R.
The growth performance of 20 provenances and one land race of Azadirachta indica (neem) from 10 countries was evaluated at Mkundi Fuel Wood Forest Reserve in Morogoro region, Tanzania. The experiment was established in a randomised complete block design with six replications. This is one of the provenance trials under the International Neem Network. The assessment involved tree height, diameter at breast height, number of branches, stem quality, survival and total volume after 58 months of planting. Except for survival, differences between provenances as well as between provenance and land race were observed in all the parameters studied. Provenances Ban Bo, Ban Nong (Thailand), Ghaati (India), Doi Tao (Thailand), Ramanaguda (India), Vietianne (Vietnam), Kuliyapitiya (Sri Lanka), Annur, Mandore, Chitradunga (India) and Bandia (Senegal) were the best performers. Yezin (Myanmar), Allhabad (India), Balharshalt (Nepal), Sunyan (Ghana), Lamahal, Geta (Nepal), Chamwino (Tanzania), Chanatorin (India), Muttan, Tibbi Laran (Pakistan) were marginal performers. It is recommended that further assessments on provenance performance be carried out up to half rotation age for identification of promising provenance.
Potentials of lesser known and lesser utilized indigenous agroforestry timbers in Kilosa District, Morogoro Tanzania
(International Journal of Education and Research, 2015-11-12) Makonda, F. B. S.; Augustino, S.; Gillah, P. R.; Ishengoma, R. C.; Kitojo, D. H.; Ruffo, C.; Eriksen, S.; Msanga, H. P.
The paper presents baseline results of gathered important information for inference in establishing optimal production and utilization of Lesser-known (LK) and Lesser-utilized (LU) indigenous agroforestry timber species (IAGTS) in improving incomes of rural communities in Kilosa District. The main key questions were: what are the characteristics of the sites for establishing LK and LU IAGTS; who are the main actors in establishing LK and LU IAGTS; what are LK and LU IAGTS and other species for establishment in the study area and what are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for establishing LK and LU IAGTS in the study area. Data collection was participatory, involving key stakeholders, participants’ observations and literature surveys. A total of eight villages were identified as potential sites for nursery establishment with seven main actors’ mostly local communities engaged in tree planting activities under associations. Five priority LK and LU IAGTS were identified and selected for nursery establishment. These were: Lonchocarpus capassa (Mfumbili), Sclerocarya birrea (Mng’ongo), Vitex doniana (Mfudu), Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia (Msolo) and Combretum zeyheri (Mlama mweupe). The strengths and opportunities favouring the establishment of LK and LU IAGTS nurseries were identified, with a few weaknesses and threats which needed to be worked upon.
Vitex doniana sweet: A potential lesser-known and lesser utilized agro-forestry timber species in Kilosa District, Morogoro Tanzania
(2016-01) Makonda, F. B. S.; Kitojo, D, H.; Augustino, S.; Ruffo, C.; Ishengoma, R. C.; Gillah, P. R.; Eriksen, E.; Msanga, H. P.
Tanzania is classified as among the 15 poorest nations in the world, with an estimated per capita income of less than US$ 190. Over 80 % of the country’s population of about 46 million lives in rural areas. Living in such a poor country, the people have few feasible alternatives to exploiting the forest resources resulting in high deforestation rate estimated at 2 % annually. Nevertheless, many timber species are still not known to users, resulting into over-exploitation of few well-known timber species. The timber stakeholders need alternatives and the national economies need better ways to derive value from the remaining forests in order to maintain their many useful but under-valued functions. One option is to optimize the production and utilization of lesser-known and lesser-utilized indigenous timber species which are potential for agro-forestry. One of such species is Vitex doniana Sweet which belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It is a deciduous tree with medium-growth rate and is widespread in tropical Africa. V. doniana is being threatened by habitat loss. This paper attempts to analyze some potentials of V. doniana as an agroforestry tree. The studied properties were: i) Physical – Tree dimension, form and quality, wood colour, texture, workability and basic density ii) Strength - Static bending, compression, shear and cleavage and iii) Anatomical - growth rings, vessels arrangement, density and size, gum deposits, parenchyma and ray tissue. The average physical properties are as follows: The sapwood is white while the heartwood is pale greyish-brown and basic density is 650 kg m-3. The strength properties are: Modulus of elasticity (11,100 N mm-2), Modulus of rapture (98.14 N mm-2), Work to maximum load before failure (0.131 mm N mm-3) and Total Work (0.239 mm N mm-3). The impact bending strength was 1.02 m, Hardness (4,580 N), Compression parallel to the grain (52.5 N mm-2), Shear parallel to the grain (15.6 N mm-2) and Cleavage (9.0 N mm-1). This species depicts well-marked growth rings and therefore ring-porous, meaning a course textured timber. The average strength properties are closely comparable to those of Tectona grandis (Teak). Also, Vitex doniana has other multiple benefits: bears edible fruits, suitable as ornamental tree and windbreak, shade and its leaves are useful as vegetable and as well as for soil improvement.