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Monetary incentives to avoid deforestation under the reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD)+ climate change mitigation scheme in Tanzania
No full textThis article is available at http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11027-014-9607-y/fulltext.htmlThe paper estimates and compares the level of Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) payments required to compensate for the opportunity
costs (OCs) of stopping the conversion of montane forest and miombo woodlands into
cropland in two agro-ecological zones in Morogoro Region in Tanzania. Data collected from
250 households were used for OC estimation. REDD+ payment was estimated as the net
present value (NPV) of agricultural rent and forest rent during land clearing, minus net returns
from sustainable wood harvest, divided by the corresponding reduction in carbon stock. The
median compensation required to protect the current carbon stock in the two vegetation types
ranged from USD 1 tCO2e−1 for the montane forest to USD 39 tCO2e−1 for the degraded
miombo woodlands, of which up to 70 % and 16 %, respectively, were for compensating OCs
from forest rent during land clearing. The figures were significantly higher when the cost of
farmers’ own labor was not taken into account in NPV calculations. The results also highlighted
that incentives in the form of sustainable harvests could offset up to 55 % of the total
median OC to protect the montane forest and up to 45 % to protect the miombo woodlands,
depending on the wage rates. The findings suggest that given the possible factors that can
potentially affect estimates of REDD+ payments, avoiding deforestation of the montane forest
would be feasible under the REDD+ scheme. However, implementation of the policy in
villages around the miombo area would require very high compensation levels.The Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (CCIAM) program under NORAD support
Skill and usefulness of regional seasonal forecasts for adoption to climate change for agricultural production in Tanzania
No full textThe world climate is changing and sub-Saharan Africa experiences it through
climate variability. Since the majority of people in the region depend on
agriculture for their livelihood, the predictability of rainfall is very critical in
reducing their vulnerability and seizing opportunities. This study aimed at
verifying skill and usefulness of the forecasts from two drought monitoring
centres-GHACOF and SARCOF-by looking at accuracy, bias and skill in 16
synoptic stations in Tanzania. The results have indicated that seasonal
forecasts by the two centres have similar patterns of accuracy. Both have better
accuracy in the northern parts of Tanzania compared to the southern parts
during October·November-December (OND) period. During January-February-
March for SARCOF and March·April·May for GHACOF forecasts show better
accuracy indices in the southern parts compared to the northern parts of the
country. The usefulness of both forecasts is still very low because the accuracy
levels are below 0.8. The forecasts are not showing much bias, i.e., they are not
over· or under· forecast rainfall amounts. However, the forecasting skill for both
centres is very low (majority of stations with HSS < 0.2). This study
recommends the two centres, together with national meteorological services, to
improve accuracy and skill of seasonal rainfall forecasts. The seasonal forecasts
should be disseminated widely to users, including farmers. However, a caution
should be provided to farmers as the accuracies of the seasonal forecasts are
seasonal, location and forecast dependent.University of Dar es Salaa
Sorghum yield response to changing climatic conditions in semi-arid central Tanzania: evaluating crop simulation model applicability
No full textThis article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/as.2014.510087Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) and Agricultural Production Systems
SIMulator (APSIM) were calibrated and evaluated to simulate sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L.
Moench) var. Tegemeo under current and future climate in central Tanzania. Simulations for both
current and future periods were run assuming present technology, current varieties and current
agronomy packages to investigate rain-fed sorghum yield response. Simulations by both crop
models using downscaled weather data from eight General Circulation Models (GCMs) under the
Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) and Representative Concentration Pathway
(RCP 4.5) by mid-century show a mixture of increase and decrease in median sorghum yields.
Four GCMs project yields to increase by 5% - 23.0% and one GCM show a decrease by 2% - 9%.
Model simulations under the remaining three GCMs give contrasting results of increase and decrease.
Adjustment of crop duration to mimic the choice of growing local cultivars versus improved
cultivars seems a feasible option under future climate scenarios. Our simulation results
show that current open-pollinated sorghum cultivars would be resilient to projected changes in
climate by 2050s but things seem better with long duration cultivars. We conclude that crop
simulation models show their applicability as tools for assessing possible impacts of climate
change on sorghum due to agreement in the direction of crop yield predictions in five out of eight
selected GCMs under projected climate scenarios. The findings provide useful guidance and motivation
to government authorities and development agencies dealing with food security issues to
prioritize adaptations policies geared to ensuring increased and sustained sorghum productivityRegional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM
Adoption of soil conservation technologies and crop productivity in West Usambara Highlands, Tanzania
No full textSoil erosion has continued to be an alarming problem in the
West Usambara highlands, Tanzania. This paper established the level of
adoption of Soil Conservation Technologies and crop productivity in the
West Usambara highlands following intensive campaigns on soil and water
conservation from the early 1980s. A total of 98 randomly selected
households from four villages responded to the survey. During data
collection, a structured questionnaire survey, interviews, focus group
discussions and observation method were used. Multiple linear regression,
Paired-samples t-test, and Chi-square were used for analysis in addition to
descriptive statistics. Based on the variation of adoption, the Composite
Index of Adoption was 0.512±0.156 out of maximum 1. The maximum and
minimum Index adoption was 0.86 and 0.14 respectively. This indicates that
each farming household managed to adopt at least one among the Soil
Conservation Technologies (SCTs). Hence, the overall level of technology
adoption was moderate. Grass strip, multipurpose trees and bench terraces
were found to be the dominant technologies used by the majority of farmers
in an integrated pattern. The average household farm plot under soil
conservation intervention in the hillside was 0.54±0.45 acre. However, the
paper found overall significant association (X2 (3) =55. 237; p<0.001) of crop
productivity between the two periods (before and after adoption of SCTs).
Using t-test, the study also found a significant increase (p<0.001) in crop
productivity before and after the adoption of SCTs. Therefore, it is
concluded that the adoption of SCTs had a contribution on farm plot
productivity in hillsides. The paper recommends that there should be
holistic, integrative and multisectoral intensive soil conservation campaigns
in areas with high soil erosion rates.Tengeru Institute of Community Development (TICD
Effects of food insecurity among pastoralist families in the changing climate of Iringa rural district, Tanzania
No full textMasters ThesisDietary intake measures are useful for assessing nutritional status of an individual.
Dietary intake depends on the availability of healthy foods, as well as on resources
available to an individual, allowing them to purchase or access foods. This study was
carried out in 20 villages in Iringa Rural District, between July and September 2013 to
assess effects of food insecurity among pastoralist women and their infants. Interviews
were used to gather information on food insecurity and food frequency in pastoralist
households. Anthropometric measurements and haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations of the
participants were also collected. A total of 200 women and 30 infants were included in
the study. The results indicated that majority (75.8%) of women's diet was of plant origin.
Approximately 75% of women had food shortages, defined as having at least one meal
per day composed of limited food groups and quantities. All children were given meals
mainly composed of carbohydrates (40%) once a day with no consistent pattern of types
of foods or feeding times. Data on the nutritional status of children indicated that 6.6% of
the Barbaig children experienced wasting while 10% of the Sukuma children were
stunted. For women, 28% were underweight, while 7% were obese. Haemoglobin data
indicate that 87.5% of children were anaemic while 42% of women were anaemic. It is
concluded that most women and children had food insecurity and poor nutritional status
which partly would be caused by climate change. It is recommended that nutritional
education programs should be introduced in health facilities and in schools so as to
improve the knowledge on nutrition. Also education should be given to the heads of
households on how to utilize livestock in improving their livelihood/income and strategies
to climate change adaptations.Health for Animals and Livelihood Improvement (HALl) project, a collaborative project
between Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and the University of California,
Davis. USAID's Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Adapting
Livestock Systems to Climate Change, administered by Colorado State Universit
Woodlands degradation in the Southern Highlands, Miombo of Tanzania: implications on conservation and carbon stocks
No full textThis article is also available at http://www.academicjournals.org/IJBCMiombo woodlands is one of the major forest vegetation types covering about two thirds of the country forest land and form an integral part of the rural landscape in Tanzania, also they play crucial role in providing wide range of ecosystem services including carbon sequestration. This study aimed at assessing the effects of degradation on the structure and carbon stocks of miombo woodlands. Data were collected from 50 rectangular plots measuring 40×20 m. Stump diameter, diameter at breast height, tree height and species local and botanical names were recorded. Analysis was done by using R software and excel spread sheet. Results showed total harvesting of 10.53 m3ha-1 as compared to standing volume of 32.6 ± 2.3 m3ha-1 with basal area of 4.73 ± 0.5 m2ha-1. Estimated annual harvesting was found to be 6.63 ± 3.0 m3 ha-1 which exceeds mean miombo annual increment of 4.35 m3 ha-1 year1, this is indicator for unsustainable utilization which could results into woodland change. Harvesting resulted into total loss of 4.1±0.9 tCha-1 equivalent to 15.05 ± 3.3 tCO2eha,-1 new harvesting presenting 9.91 tCO2e ha-1 and old 5.14 tCO2eha-1. Managing the miombo woodlands carbon stocks for emissions and climate change mitigation in Tanzania and elsewhere requires rigorous effort to reduce anthropogenic degradation.CCIAM programme in Tanzania jointly implemented by Norwegian government and Tanzania government
Tenure Issues in REDD+ Pilot Project Sites in Tanzania
No full textREDD+ has been proposed as a viable option for addressing climate change in the near term, and at relatively low cost. There is a broad consensus that clearly defined tenure rights are important for the implementation and success of REDD+, both to manage forests effectively and to protect local communities’ livelihoods. We use primary data from 23 villages in six REDD+ pilot sites in Tanzania to identify causes of deforestation and forest degradation, and tenure rights issues, at the village level prior to project implementation. Further, interviews with project proponents and examination of project documents yields insights into how the proponents plan to address tenure issues. Most villages perceive their tenure as secure and have exclusion rights, while collective action challenges are prevalent in villages experiencing deforestation and forest degradation. These findings suggest that the main tenure issues are related to internal institutional arrangements. While we find that tenure is high on the agenda for all the project proponents, they are mainly focusing on formalization and securing tenure rights from state to community level. Though we do find this to be a precondition for reducing deforestation and degradation, some of their focus should be shifted to strengthening village institutions and enhancing internal compliance
Assessment of effectiveness of social and environmental safeguards in the REDD+ pilot project in Kilosa district, Morogoro, Tanzania
No full textMasters ThesisClimate change is regarded to be one of the global threats leading into increased
temperatures, unreliable rainfall, unpredictable synchromes and storms. To date, efforts to
reduce impacts of climate change rely on Reducing Emission through reducing
Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) initiatives. Effectiveness of REDD
requires safeguards to encounter risks associated with REDD+ activities. Research studies
on safeguards in Kilosa REDD+ pilot project are limited. This study assessed the
effectiveness of social and environmental safeguards on REDD+ pilot project in three
villages involved in the project. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. A
total of ninety households were randomly selected from three villages. Content analysis
was used to analyze qualitative data while SPSS version 16 computer program was used
for quantitative data analysis. More than 94% of the respondents were found to experience
positive impacts of REDD+ activities on community livelihood contrary to 5.6% who
perceived differently. A proportional (60%, 56.7% and 16.7%) of the respondent in
Chabima, Nyali and Dodoma isanga respectively reported that the status of safeguards is
very good. It was found further that majority of the local community are aware of REDD+
initiatives and safeguard measures. Results on perception of REDD+ safeguards shown
that 55.6%,40% and 4.4% of the respondent reported that the safeguards are benefiting the
local people; safeguards benefit the project and other reported nil respectively. It is
therefore recommended that for successful implementation of REDD+ initiatives
safeguards are needed to encounter the community livelihood to be explored and enhanced.
Local community through safeguards should be assured on provision of appropriate
incentives and stakeholders' consultation.Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (CCIAM) programme in Tanzani
Experimental tests of tropical forest conservation measures
No full textAvailable in Proceedings of the International Conference on Reducing Climate Change Challenges through Forestry and Other Land Use PracticesWe conducted framed field experiments (FFEs) with local forest users in Tanzania, testing three different conservation treatments: command and control (CAC), payment for environmental services (PES) and community forest management (CFM). Our participants display more pro-social behaviour than similar studies have shown, indicating that forest specific framing is influential for participants’ behaviour. We also find that treatments have strong impacts through non-pecuniary channels. CFM is as efficient as CAC in increasing pro-social forest use, despite not directly affecting the pecuniary gain. PES – as designed here – is the least effective treatment, but the results might be parameter sensitive. Women use forests more intensively than men, but are also more responsive to the treatments. The behavioural validity of the experiment is supported by strong correlation between behaviour in the experiment and stated real life forest behaviour, while treatment validity cannot be tested directly. We propose that FFEs should become a supplement to traditional impact assessments (IA) of forest conservation policies, as it avoids several challenges facing more traditional IA methods.Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (CCIAM) Programme funded through the Norwegian embassy in Tanzani
Climate change: the challenges of adopting green economy model in Africa
No full textAvailable in the Proceedings of the International Conference on Reducing Climate Change Challenges through Forestry and Other Land Use Practices. Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (CCIAM) ProgrammeExperts estimate that developed economies with 15 percent of the global population and utilizing about half of global resources have contributed to large increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere through the burning fossil fuels, that have contributed immensely is climate change. African countries are amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, although they have contributed the least to the problem and also have the least infrastructure for managing and adapting to the impact of climate change. According to IPCC assessment reports, while African continent contributes less than 4 percent of global GHG, about 70 million Africans will be exposed to water shortage by 2020. This is a clear indication of the huge vulnerabilities associated with climate change. The vulnerabilities are a testimony to the direct impacts of climate change on development with regard to climate-sensitive activities such as agriculture. Indeed, the crisis is a significant threat for people living in African countries due to the high reliance of their livelihoods on climate-sensitive economic activities such as; rain-fed agriculture, livestock rearing, forestry and marine eco-systems. This shows that climate change is expected to exacerbate existing challenges such as land tenure insecurity, inequality and marginalization of rural populations, weak natural resource governance and management, slash and burn agriculture and its attendant soil degradation problems and lack of access to alternative energy sources. In the context of the impacts of climate change on socio-economic development and its exacerbation of the existing vulnerabilities, policies and strategies for adaptation and mitigation of the old and new vulnerabilities associated with climate change, by the African countries become not only a priority but also an imperative. However, such policies and strategies have to be underpinned by adopting a green economy model. The model is defined as “an economy that aims to improve human welfare and social equity and concurrently reduce environmental risks and ecological scarcities”. The objective of the paper is to analyze the kind of challenges that Africa faces in adopting the model. The challenges range from those of raising awareness amongst stakeholders, donor dependence, weak and low capacities for planning and enforcement, to Africa’s low voice in global economic, social and political affairs.Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (CCIAM) Programme funded through the Norwegian embassy in Tanzani