Composition, structure and diversity of homegardens and implications on livelihoods in Moshi rural district Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania
| dc.contributor.author | Samagwa, Dafrozah | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-05-26T15:56:02Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-05-26T15:56:02Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2014 | |
| dc.description | Dissertation | |
| dc.description.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. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | EPINAV project | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7611 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokoine University of Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Diversity- homegardens | |
| dc.subject | Implications-livelihood | |
| dc.subject | Agro forestry homegardens | |
| dc.subject | Local communities | |
| dc.subject | Kilimanjaro region | |
| dc.title | Composition, structure and diversity of homegardens and implications on livelihoods in Moshi rural district Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania | |
| dc.type | Thesis |