Conservation agriculture Tanzania_casestudy.pdf - Sokoine ...

NgorongoroKageraMaraMonduliArumeruMwanzaShinyangaArushaKimimanjaroKaratuArushaKigomaRukwaRukwaTaboraManyaraTangaDodomaSingidaIringaPwaniMbeyaMorogoroLindiPembaUngujaDSMRuvumaMtwaraFigure 1. Map of Karatu.Human population and demographyThe official population of the district is 178,434 people: 92,895 men and 85,539women, growing at an annual rate of 3.2% and aggregated into 33,000 households.The average population density is 52 person/km 2 with low densities in the westernzone along Lake Eyasi (7–10 person/km 2 ) and higher densities (100 person/km 2 )in Karatu and Mbulumbulu division (URT 2004b). Most people live in the higherrainfall areas where the average population density tends to be high.Land physiographyLakes Manyara and Eyasi in the district influence the climate through low and highpressure belt mechanisms, especially at the end of the dry season when winds blowvigorously, drying up the landscape and vegetation, and moving the clouds awayfrom localized areas.Based on relief, land physiography and drainage pattern, Karatu can be categorizedinto three zones—uplands, midlands and lowlands—with altitude ranging from1000 to 1900 m. When entering Karatu District from Mto wa Mbu (MonduliDistrict), there is a clearly defined escarpment in the Rift Valley, rising to more than400 m. Lake Manyara and Manyara National Park occupy the plains at the bottomof the Rift.At the top of the Manyara Escarpment in the highlands around Karatu, vegetationbecomes more lush and green. The extinct, gently sloping Ol Deani volcano is aprominent feature of the landscape. In the past, the area around Karatu and OlDeani was of great importance to the German colonial administration. The area’scool climate, fertile green hills, and pleasing views were popular with settlers andfarmers. Extensive arable fields cover the slopes of the volcano and the land aroundKaratu town. Coffee was the main export crop, and a few large farms that remain60 Ringo et al.