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smallholder farmers
Woodlot Management Guidelines for Smallholder Farmers
Submitted by andrea on Mon, 2011-02-07 21:54
Summary:
Details on Lessons Learned from the Woodlot Management Guidelines for Smallholder Farmers, January 2010. These details are a product of the research project on "Improving Smallholder
Livelihoods through Woodlots Management: An
Adaptation to Climate Variability & Change in Makete
District, Tanzania".
The best practices are documented in this publication in
the form of Guidelines for Woodlots Management in
Makete District. These Guidelines were developed based
on farmers’ own experience in managing their woodlots
and technical recommendations of the
researchers from the Faculty of Forestry and Nature
Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture and the
Tanzania Forestry Research Institute. Forest staff and the
management of Makete District Council also participated
in this research. The research was funded by the
government of Denmark through The UNEP/UNDP
Climate Change and Development: Adapting by
Reducing Vulnerability (CC DARE) programme.
Adaptation Experience:
Tree planting programme in Tanzania has been advocated for decades but adoption of these activities is not promising in most parts of the country. To the contrary, people in Makete district responded positively to tree planting due to unfavorable climatic conditions and poor soils that contributed to poor agricultural crop production. Also they already know the importance of trees as they contribute highly to the economy of individual households and to the District at large.
Results and Learning:
The guidelines have been structured into the following subtopics, which are considered crucial for proper woodlot management by rural communities: * Site and tree species selection; * Source of planting material; * Land preparation; * Field planting and spacing; * Woodlot tending activities; * Weeding * Thinning * Pruning * Suitable harvesting time; and * Marketing channels for timber.
Sustainability:
Refer to Guidelines.
Replication:
Although these guidelines are meant for Makete district, they may be applied in other districts in Iringa region and Tanzania as a whole with few modifications.
Image(s):
Funding Source:
Final Report for the study on Improving smallholder livelihoods through woodlots management: an adaptation to climate variability & change in Makete District, Tanzania.
Submitted by andrea on Mon, 2011-02-07 21:45Summary:
A study on improving smallholder livelihoods through woodlots management as an
adaptation measure to climate change variability and change measure was conducted in
Makete Districts, Tanzania. Tree planting programme in most part of the country has been
advocated for decades but adoption to these activities still is not promising to most part of the
country. In contrary, people in Makete do not need sensitization regarding tree planting. They
already know the importance of trees as they contribute highly to the economy of individuals
and to the District at large. Previously people in Makete Districts depended their income
through agricultural products such as maize, white flour, potatoes and pareto.
_Source: Final Report - Improving Smallholder Livelihoods - February 2010._
Adaptation Experience:
Overall conclusion on the results The project has succeeded in assessing management practices of smallholder woodlots in Makete district. It has also assessed marketing of timber in Makete district. The main output of the project is the guideline on the best practices for woodland management and marketing. This document will for a very useful tool for woodland management by small holder farmers not only in Makete district but also in other places in Tanzania.
Results and Learning:
In Makete district people practice woodlot farming as an adaptation strategy following agricultural crop failure. It is important to stress here that when people face problems associated with climate change they develop coping strategies by themselves or with little assistance from the government or local governments. While adopting the coping strategies, they use their indigenous knowledge which is scattered among them. It is the duty of researchers and extension officers to pack the scattered local knowledge and integrate it to the scientific knowledge in order to impart good practices to the local communities.
Sustainability:
A follow up study on rate of adoption of recommended woodlot management practices has been recommended as a post project activity.
Replication:
More studies on adaptation to climate change and variability are recommended in order to provide information necessary for planning for adaptation and mitigation measures in Tanzania.
