Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection

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Browsing Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection by Subject "Agricultural development"

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    Floods stress in lowland rice production: experiences of rice farmers in Kilombero and Lower-Rufiji floodplains, Tanzania
    (Frontiers Media SA, 2023-11-30) Michael, Paulo Sulle; Mwakyusa, Lupakisyo; Sanga, Hilda G.; Shitindi, Mawazo J.; Kwaslema, Damiano R.; Herzog, Max; Meliyo, Joel L .; Massawe, Boniface H. J.
    The resilience of rice production to floods is a crucial aspect of agricultural development in flood-prone regions. However, little is known about the farming practices and challenges of rice farmers in two river basins in Tanzania: Lower-Rufiji and Kilombero, where rice is the main crop grown. This study aimed to investigate the experiences of farmers in these two rice-growing floodplains regarding the impact of floods on lowland rice production and farmer livelihoods, and the strategies they use to cope with floods. The study used a mixed-methods approach that involved household surveys, key informant interviews, and transect walks to collect data from 180 rice farmers and 14 experts and community leaders. The data analysis revealed that floods were the dominant stressor affecting rice production, occurring mostly during the long rainy season and experienced by all farmers in both locations. Floods not only caused significant crop losses, especially in Lower-Rufiji where farmers reported losing between 75 and 100% of their yield in cases of extreme floods, but also made it difficult to establish and manage crops, leading to crop land abandonment. Floods also affected the livelihoods of rice farmers by forcing them to abandon, rent, or sell their farms. Coexistence of floods with other biotic and abiotic stresses such as crop diseases and droughts also limited the use of short maturing high yielding rice varieties. Farmers have adopted on-farm strategies such as adjusting planting schedules, using different varieties of rice, changing to other crops or activities after the floods to cope with floods, but these practices face numerous challenges. The study recommends the development of early warning systems, breeding for flood-tolerant rice varieties, introgression of tolerance traits to multiple stresses and improving crop establishment methods to enhance the resilience of farmers to floods and other extreme climate events.
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    Investigation of the environmental attributes for agricultural development in kitanda village, Mbinga district, Tanzania
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1996) Msanya, B.M; Wickama, J.M; Kimaro, D.N; Maggogo, J.P; Meliyo, J.L
    This report describes the study of environmental attributes of Kitanda village as part of the continuing project on the assessment of the natural resources of Mbinga district. The study involved measurements of terrain elements, quantitative investigations of soil properties, inventory of land use systems and an assessment of the ecological potential and constraints as determined from a balance sheet analysis of resources and land use requirements.
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    Soil and land resources of Morogoro urban district, Tanzania
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2000) Msanya, Balthazari, M; Kimbi, G.G; Kimaro, D.N; Mbogoni, J.D.J
    A semi-detailed characterization of soils ofMorogoro Urban district was carried out to provide a physical resource base for developing suitable programmes on land use planning, agricultural development and natural resources conservation at district level. The generated information would also be used for develop the agricultural land suitability, with a statement of potential and constraints on sustained use of soil and land resources of Morogoro Urban district. Results of the study could also facilitate transfer of agrotechnology from one area to another. Base map for the study was compiled from aerial-photo interpretation and subsequent overlaying on 1:50,000 scale topographic map of the district. A geological map was later on prepared and overlain on the former map to produce a landform and geology map of the district. A tentative working legend based on landforms and geology was developed for the landform and geology map. Field observations on soil morphology and their spatial distribution were carried out following the established landform and geology units. Soils were studied and described according to standard FAO (1990) guidelines. Both disturbed and undisturbed soil horizon samples were taken for laboratory studies including physico-chemical and mineralogical characterization of the soils.