Exploring Agroforestry practices adopted among smallholder farmers in the Hanang District, Tanzania

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying Agroforestry systems, technologies and assessing adoption level in Hanang’ District Manyara region in the mainland Tanzania. Three divisions were randomly selected from the district. In each division, one village was selected and in each village, nine households were selected making 270 households for the whole study. Data were collected through questionnaires, checklists, and direct observation. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the collected data sets. Findings revealed that 74.81% of local communities adopted agroforestry, utilizing four systems i.e. Agrosilviculture (51.49%), Agrosilvopasture (30.69%), Silvopasture (13.39%) and Aposilviculture (4.46%) and seven technologies namely; mixed intercropping, integrated tree/pasture management, home gardens, alley farming, contour-ridge planting, live fences, and beekeeping/tree-bee interaction. Agroforestry adoption should be promoted among smallholder farmers in the Hanang' District through training and capacity building initiatives focusing on the identified systems and technologies. Further research is needed to explore socio-economic impacts, implementation challenges faced by farmers, and strategies to overcome these obstacles. These comprehensive investigations would contribute to evidence-based decision-making and sustainable agricultural practices in Manyara Region and elsewhere in Tanzania.