Institutional and land use dynamics of Chagga homegardens in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

Abstract

This study examined the dynamics of institutions in managing homegardens and land use changes in the pre- and post-independence Tanzania, specifically by the Chagga people, dwellers of slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. Socio-economic data were collected using household questionnaires, key informants, checklist and focus group discussions. Spatial data were analyzed by using ERDAS Imagine 2011 and ArcGIS 10.0 software programs. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics respectively. Results indicate a decline in importance of informal institutions due to changes in political landscape from the pre- to the post-independence era. We observed, through land cover change between 1987and 1995 and between 1995-2013 that the Chagga homegardens declined in size by 70.42%, a trend that is likely to continue. We conclude that changes that have taken place in management of the home gardens is an alarm calling for strategies to protect the traditional agro forestry practices that have contributed significantly to livelihood and food security of the communities. We recommend that homegarden land use systems be identified, protected and promoted to tap the rich indigenous knowledge and skills that were used in balancing and sustaining agricultural production, food and livelihood security with environmental conservation.