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Sustainable Intensification for Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation in Tanzania

Bell, Patrick
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1468359165

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Environmental Science.
Over 70% of Tanzanians live on less that $2 per day and over 75% of the population is involved in agriculture. Increasing agricultural productivity is seen as a way to decrease poverty and stimulate the economy. Sustainable Intensification (SI) is widely promoted as a means to sustainably increase agricultural production for smallholder farmers. Practices considered being SI should increase productivity on the same land with more efficient use of resources, in a way that minimizes negative effects on the environment. The objectives of these studies were to evaluate SI practices for their effect on agronomic productivity and soil quality for smallholder farmers in Tanzania. Further, these studies sought to identify the impact that these practices have on smallholder farmer profitability and water management within an irrigation scheme. These objectives were achieved through experiments carried out at three locations over three growing seasons within the Lower Moshi Irrigation Scheme (LMIS) in Mabogini Village, Kilimanjaro Region, United Republic of Tanzania. The studies each evaluated improved cropping systems that are appropriate for various areas within the scheme. The first three studies evaluated the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), crop rotations and nutrient management strategies, and reduced tillage for their effect on agronomic productivity and soil quality. Two further studies evaluated the profitability of SRI and the occurrence of dry spells in the region and the implications this has for rainfed maize (Zea mayes) production. Within continuous rice (Oryza sativa), SRI and conventional had similar yields to those under conventional practices in the region except for during the last season, in which SRI systems yielded on average 1.25 Mg ha-1 higher than conventional systems. If SRI is adopted throughout the LMIS, there is potential to increase rice production by 4,173 Mg due to increased water use efficiency and the ability to increase the area under rice production. This translates into a potential net income in the region of $622,000 annually. The study evaluating crop rotations indicated that improved nutrient management resulted in higher yields regardless of other management practices. However, in rice-maize rotations, these studies indicate that bulk density and effective rooting depth issues will need to be addressed over the long term as they both violate critical limits established for maize production in tropical soils. The dry spell occurrence analysis indicated that the region is under a dry spell of greater than 15 days for 63% of the seasons analyzed. However, while maize yields under reduced tillage and supplemental irrigation were not significantly different from conventional tillage, all treatments received supplemental irrigation and yields ranged from 3.5-4.1 Mg ha-1—4 fold higher than current farmer yields. While rainfed maize is not feasible in the region, effective water management and supplemental irrigation can increase production in the area and should be explored further. Results from all the studies underline the importance of field-testing agricultural technologies within the context they are to be promoted and used. Overall, SI practices can be appropriate to farmers in the region but will require modification to ensure long-term sustainability.
Lal Rattan (Advisor)
222 p.
Agronomy; Soil Sciences
food security, soil quality, sustainability, agriculture development, agronomy

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bell, P. (2016). Sustainable Intensification for Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation in Tanzania [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1468359165

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bell, Patrick. Sustainable Intensification for Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation in Tanzania . 2016. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1468359165.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bell, Patrick. "Sustainable Intensification for Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation in Tanzania ." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1468359165

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1468359165
946
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.