Household Tree Planting In Kilosa District, Tanzania

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess household tree planting efforts and to investigate current constraints to afforestation in Kilosa District, Tanzania. The results of the study showed that 77 % of farmers in the district have planted trees in their farms, whether by themselves or previous farm owners. The average total number of planted trees was estimated to be 40 + 7 (SE) trees per household. Men headed household tended to have more planted trees [44 + 9 (SE)] than female headed households [31 + 11 (SE)]. Middle age households had planted more trees [49 + 14 (SE)] than younger [29 + 13 (SE)] and elder households [33 + 8 (SE)]. Tree planting appeared to be positively influenced by farm size and education. Fruit trees dominated in the home gardens (53 %) while non-fruits trees were more abundant far away from homestead. An investigation of constraints to tree planting and tending revealed that lack of seedlings (32 % of respondents), shortage of designated planting sites (24 %) and uncertainty over land ownership appeared to be the most important obstacles to tree planting in the district. It was surprising that land shortage became as the second leading constraint to tree planting despite the apparent low density of human population (32 people per km2 in 2000). The study concludes by recommending that in order to promote tree planting in the country\'s rural areas, farmers have to be assisted in production of seedlings. Other necessary prerequisites are effective land-use planning and clear secured tenure over land.

TJFNC Vol. 75 2004: pp. 99-107