Conservation agriculture Tanzania_casestudy.pdf - Sokoine ...

egin until the first rains. Maize yield had dropped to less than 1 t/ha (Mkoga et al.2002; ARI 2004, and response to inorganic fertilizer on maize yield was low andunpredictable, partly from low soil moisture (Isaac Kimaro, village extension officerWanging’ombe Division 1998, pers. comm.).Because 85% of the land is cultivated by the ox plough, ox-drawn soil moistureconservation with reduced tillage and labour-saving rippers, ridgers and tie-ridgerswere introduced for evaluation. Legume cover crops and shrubs (mucuna, lablab,canavalia, tephrosia, pigeon pea and sesbania) were also introduced to improve soilfertility and retain soil moisture.LivestockThe principal livestock kept by farmers in both Wanging’ombe and Mshewe wardsare cattle, donkeys, goats, sheep, poultry and pigs. Cattle are the most importantand are owned by about 40% of households. They are used for power, manure,dowry, ceremonial rituals, meat and security during famine.Households that own cattle find it easier to invest in implements than do thosewithout. Owning cattle enables them to sell an animal to purchase an implement,such as a ripper, and to use draught-animal power. Within households, men decidewhen to dispose of livestock, except chickens. This gender imbalance hindersintroducing draught-animal power for tasks men do not do or do not understand,such as the drudgery in head porterage and hand hoe weeding. Consequently, oxcarts for domestic chores, a women’s task, or ox weeders for women crops, such asbeans and bambara nuts, receive the least investment.Crop and livestock interactionThe importance of cattle in the farming systems cannot be overemphasized.Manure from cattle is highly valued, although almost always applied without beingadequately composted. Oxen provide highly valued power for farm operations.Livestock is herded collectively. About 5–10 households from a single hamlet bringtheir cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys together and rotate the responsibility ofherding them—about two days in two weeks. Details of livestock and ownershipare given in table 3.Table 3. Livestock, livestock ownership and herd sizeLivestock Wanging’ombe Mshewe UsesOwnlivestock(%)Livestockunits(mean)Ownlivestock(%)Livestockunits(mean)Cattle 40 5 35 6 draught, manure, sale, meatGoats 3 4 5 6 sale, meat, manureSheep 1 4 2 4 sale, meat, manure, ritualsDonkeys 1 3 1 4 pack transportation, manurePigs 5 3 5 3 sale, meat, manureChickens 95 6 85 4 meat, eggs, sale, manureSource: Survey dataMbeya District 119