Browsing by Author "Soka, G."

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Exploring alternatives for livestock production in Lushoto, Tanzania: Playing the Transformation Game
(2018-09) Pfeifer, C.; Morris, J.; Soka, G.; Moses, E. A.; Mkiramweni, N. P.; Omari, A.; Msoka, E.; Kahamba, J. S.; Sengelela, M. L.; Mdoembazi, H.; Massawe, B. H. J.; Mahimbo, O.
This report presents the design for and preliminary results from the second ResLeSS workshop in Tanzania. The workshop is focused around the development of socio-economic indicators that are shared between stakeholders, and a “Transformation Game” that engages stakeholders in scenario development and assessment focused on the CLEANED environmental impact simulation tool. This approach enabled participants to engage with the knowledge about higher-yielding dairy production and an opportunity to plan for the future. An explicit focus on equity, through the design of the workshops and Game, and the treatment of economic indicators that encompass wider perceptions of value than finance alone, helped ensure that dialogue was able to emerge rooted in an appreciation of the different perspectives held by stakeholders. The Game opened a space for discussion that has yielded important insights for future development planning and was valued by the workshop participants. Participant feedback makes clear that the workshop developed new knowledge and achieved the objective of creating an opportunity for joint learning - participants welcomed the opportunity to plan for the future and to be challenged on what is feasible in the future. The workshop revealed a shared desire among stakeholders for livestock livelihoods to provide an improved standard of living and wellbeing, and a shared appreciation that improved feed and animal management coupled with shifting to higher-producing breeds can double milk production. There were different opinions on how much to change – “he who dares wins” pitted against a more cautious approach recognising that many in Lushoto would not cope with the increased costs of keeping pure exotic breeds. The transformation game provided rhetorical space to explore the two perspectives, although participants missed having a simple cost calculator. The results indicate a clear sense that participants are focused on meeting socio-economic goals (expressed for the most part in terms of increased income from livestock) and that, in the highland part of Lushoto, a strategy of moving to cross breeds and exotic breeds with good management presents an opportunity to reduce environmental impacts in Lushoto. Pressure on land and water is reduced and although greenhouse gas emissions increase, the emission intensity reduces. The move to zero-grazing will benefit soil fertility in Lushoto, as more manure can be applied to fields. However, three trade-offs arise: i) There are financial costs of keeping the high-producing breeds to take into account, as they are more vulnerable to disease and have high feed and maintenance requirements – and as production increases, the milk price in Lushoto may fall. Not everyone in the district will have the financial resources to invest in high-producing breeds. ii) The feedbasket for high-producing breeds relies mainly on planted fodder and purchased concentrates. In an area where land is restricted, the additional planted fodder will compete with existing crops, potentially affecting food security. Although there is a sense that planted fodder for milk would provide higher returns than ill-suited maize, producers will need to consider what is the best use of their land. iii) The reliance on purchased concentrates effectively exports the environmental impact, allowing for the reduced pressure in Lushoto. Although this benefits Lushoto, national planning should take this into consideration. Overall, the workshop was a positive learning experience for all, providing an important opportunity to come together, but it is only the start of an ongoing conversation.
Plant communities and tree species associations in a Miombo ecosystem in the Lake Rukwa basin, Southern Tanzania: implications for conservation
(Academic Journals, 2011-02) Munishi, Pantaleo K.T.; Temu, Ruwa-Aichi P. C.; Soka, G.
This study assessed the plant communities and species associations in the eastern Miombo woodlands eco-region of the Lake Rukwa basin southern Tanzania. Information was collected from 288 temporary sample plots in 32 sampling sites established randomly in the area and covering as much variation in the landscape as possible. Detailed analysis of the vegetation identified six tree communities of conservation importance, which included Brachystegia boehmii-Pericopsis angolensis woodland, Julbernardia globiflora woodland, Combretum molle-Sclerocarya birrea-Combretum zeyherii-Acacia seyal var fistula woodland, Bridelia cathartica-Diospyros mespiliformis woodland, Brachystegia bussei- Pterocarpus tinctorius woodland and Brachystegia microphylla-Isoberlinia tomentosa-Hymenocardia acida- Syzygium owariense woodland. Majority of the described plant communities are typical of Miombo ecosystems dominated by trees belonging mainly to the genera Brachystegia and Julbernardia. A mixture of non-legume species but typical of the Miombo ecosystem, however, dominates two out of six described plant communities. Apparently, there is high variability of plant communities in the Miombo ecosystem of southern Tanzania, an indication of the diverse nature of the Miombo ecosystem, also, an implication of high species diversity. This documentation on the patterns of species assemblages is the beginning of unveiling the diversity of assemblage of species in dry forest ecosystems which occupy a wide area in the region. These associations are important targets for conservation and monitoring vegetation changes in this ecosystem.
The role of on-farm trees as an adaptation strategy to climate change effects around Mkingu Nature Forest Reserve in the Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania
(2016-12) Msalilwa, U; Laswai, F; Balama, C.; Mbwambo, L.; Soka, G.
A study was conducted to investigate the role of on-farm tree as a long-term and sustainable adaptation strategy to climatic stresses in eight villages around Mkingu Nature Forest Reserve (MkNFR) in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. Specifically, the effects of climate change to peoples’ livelihoods and the role of onfarm as an adaptation to the climate change effects were assessed. The role of existing on-farm trees as an adaptation to climate change effects was also investigated. Data was collected using household questionnaire surveys, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), key informant interviews, tree stocking assessment on-farms and direct field observations. Temperature and rainfall data for the past 30 years were obtained from Mtibwa Sugar Company Weather Station. Results showed that the majority (92%) of the respondents were mainly engaged in farming and/or involved in various other economic activities such as livestock keeping, fishing, trading of forest products and petty business. CRiSTAL model results revealed that the main effects of climate change on peoples’ livelihoods include decreased yield of agricultural crops, availability of fuelwood and increase in human diseases and natural disasters. Seventy percent of the respondents reported to rely on on-farm trees as an adaptation to climate change effects in the area. About 76% of the respondents in the area planted trees in their farms for this purpose. It was further learnt that people living around the reserve also used crop diversification, irrigation, fishing and petty business were as adaptation strategies to the. Results also indicate that adaptation to climate change is constrained by several factors such as lack of information and funds and shortage of water for irrigation in the study area. Findings of the study suggest the need for greater investment in local communities’ education and improved institutional set up for climate change adaptation to improve their livelihoods.