Composition, structure and diversity of homegardens and implications on livelihoods in Moshi rural district Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania
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Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study assessed the composition, structure and diversity of agro forestry homegardens
and implications on the livelihoods of the local communities in Moshi Rural District in
'Kilimanjaro Region. Purposive sampling was used to select three villages which arc
Msuni, Rau and Chekereni Weruweru from highland, midland and lowland agro-
ecological zones respectively. Primary data were collected using village surveys, on farm
inventories, household interviews and focused group discussions.
Data analyses was
done using SPSS and excel softwares. The results revealed that there are five agrofbrestry
systems practiced in the homegardens of the surveyed villages with Agrosilvopasture
being
the
most
widely
practiced
system
followed
by
Agrosilvicultural,
Agroaposilvipastoral, Agroaposilvicultural and Agroaquosilvopastoral. The technologies
practiced in agrofbrestiy homegardens are mixed intercropping, live fence and boundary
planting. Agrofbrestiy homegardens comprised of herbaceous crops, livestock, insects
and fish under various interactions with woody perennials. There were 85 plant species
comprised of 61 woody perennials and 24 herbaceous crops. The most dominant trees
based on basal area are Grevillea robusta, Albizia schimperiana. Persea americana and
Manginifera indica. A few additional crops have been introduced in the homegardens
with increasing time including Manihot esculenta, Vigna imgiiiculata and Cajanus cajan
due to their capacity to withstand drought. The production of different crops is said to
have decreased in such a way that only 62.5% of the respondents currently meeting their
annual household food requirements from their farms. A more diversified homegarden is
needed so as to reduce dependence on the currently herbaceous crop and woody perennial
based products only. Adoption of agrofbrestry technologies that can prevent soil erosion
and capable of providing more nutritious rich leguminous leaves for ruminant animals are
important. Alternative sources of household energy need to be sought to reduce
dependency on fuelwood and promote the adoption of drought tolerant plants.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Diversity- homegardens, Implications-livelihood, Agro forestry homegardens, Local communities, Kilimanjaro region