The Shift of Traditional Agroecosystems in the in Eastern Arc Catchments of Tanzania

The purpose of this study was to identify the drivers of the shift of traditional agro-ecosystems and their implication on catchment resources management of Eastern Arc Catchments of Tanzania. Lower Mngeta and Upper Zigi water catchments are situated within Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. Household questionnaire, key informant interviews and focus group discussion were used for collecting primary data. The findings indicated that most of the participants (85.9% and 90.4% in Lower Mngeta and Upper Zigi catchments respectively) depend on subsistence rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods. However, there are significant changes in production as a result of land fertility deteriorating and negative climatic changes (seasonal shift). This has become a major challenge for most of the farmers. To cope with agro-ecosystem dynamics, farmers in the study areas use both traditional and modern strategies as illustrated in the results section. While tradition always reported to be inexpensive, some modern agro-ecosystem practices reported to cause siltation, killing of fish and herbal plants, easy rotting of seeds (for maize) and bad aroma (for rice)in spite of having a high rate of return. It was also reported that depletion of traditions and norms of conduct, accelerated by multi-cultural interaction from immigrants, have led to deterioration of traditional agriculture practices. Moreover, arrival of agriculture companies and introduction of spice farming was reported to have caused manpower imbalance, unequal distribution of natural resources and less diversity of indigenous plants. The study concludes that communities are much into economic opportunity derived from agro-ecosystem than stewarding it. The study recommends that the effort restoring catchment ecosystem should come from both traditional and modern strategies so as to harmonize and accommodate environmental, economic and traditional values.

Traditional Utilization of Aquatic Resources in Eastern Arc Catchments of Tanzania

Aquatic resources are vital for human well-being particularly to rural communities that largely depend?onthem for livelihood. Currently, it appears that pressure from human activities related to utilization has impacted negatively on catchment management, particularly of the aquatic resources. This study focuses on the aquatic resources found in the Eastern Arc Catchments of Tanzania which include Upper Zigi and Lower Mngeta. The study employs catchment community participatory mapping approach so as to elucidate how man interacts with and modifies the aquatic environment, the impacts of their behavior, and the responses to changes which occur. The aim of the research is to realize a more comprehensive understanding of water resource management from a cultural, social, economic, political, and biological perspective and facilitate sustainable socio-hydrological interaction model. The study found that there are some similarities and differences in aquatic resources management and utilization among communities. Also, it established that there are more aquatic resources in Lower Mngeta catchment than in Upper Zigi catchment. The study found out that the manner of utilization of aquatic resources depends on their availability, levels of skills, knowledge, and beliefs among members of the communities of the catchments. It was also found that the traditional cultural structures that regulated aquatic resource utilization are weakening at an alarming rate due to factors such as modernization and the establishment of?the?formal?institution. Weak traditional structures contribute in many ways to mismanagement and destruction of aquatic resources. The study recommends that ecological database should not only focus on the resources stock, but also on the dynamics of resources utilization. This would lead identification of appropriate local actors with knowledge and skills and cultural advantage who can be involved in planning and management of these important resources. It would also help to reverse the negative impact already experienced, promote sustainable practices and eventually guarantee?theavailability?of adequate aquatic resources for the present and future generation.