An analysis of agroforestry practices in the southern highlands of Tanzania with emphasis on the Hagenia abyssinica system /
Research was conducted in the southern highlands of Tanzania to analyze current agroforestry systems and to determine the extent to which socio-political/cultural changes have influenced agroforestry practices. One of the most potentially profitable indigenous systems, Hagenia abyssinica borders sur...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1999.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=731681041&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | Research was conducted in the southern highlands of Tanzania to analyze current agroforestry systems and to determine the extent to which socio-political/cultural changes have influenced agroforestry practices. One of the most potentially profitable indigenous systems, Hagenia abyssinica borders surrounding agronomic plantations, was analyzed for its effect on wheat yields when pruned and when left unprimed. Agroforester households were using 15 agroforestry systems, based upon the use of 27 trees/shrubs. Over the past 30-40 yearns confounding changes in forest laws, indigenous knowledge, and gender roles had contributed to an increased use of six systems and a decreased use of eight systems, seven of which were based primarily on indigenous species. Use of one indigenous system, Morus alba borders, had remained constant. A small cadre of expert agroforester households had maintained relatively strong ties to ancestral knowledge and resources throughout periods of socio-political change. These changes, which had exacerbated male emigration and contributed to a decrease in agroforestry expertise and supportive household labor, were hindering ordinary agroforester households (particularly female-headed households) from realizing the full potential of their agroforestry practices. Because of their relatively long-standing ties to ancestral land and the security that this afforded, expert households tended to use more indigenous agroforestry systems and on larger scales compared to ordinary households. Differences between tamale- and male-leaded agroforester households were evident in the types of systems each used. Female-headed households used systems with flexible, light labor input requirements and subsistence production orientation more frequently than male-headed households. Conversely, male-headed households used labor intensive, cash oriented systems more frequently than female-headed households. H. abyssinica borders exerted a significant influence on wheat yield within 9 m of pruned/unpruned trees. Two-year composite wheat yields were significantly greater under pruned, mature H. abyssinica canopies (809 kg/ha) than under unprimed, mature H. abyssinica canopies (516 kg/ha). Wheat yields associated with pruned borders significantly declined by 13% from canopy areas into open root zone areas and by 18% from root zone areas into areas beyond the root zone. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Rangeland Ecology and Management". |
| Physical Description: | xv, 160 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-137). |