Browsing by Author "Rustis, Glory"

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Assessing the accessibility, conservation and production of fodder for livestock for the agro pastoral societies in Magu district, Tanzania.
(NM_AIST, 2023-08) Rustis, Glory
The access to adequate and high-quality livestock fodder has become a great challenge which in turn threatens the sustainability of the agro pastoral societies in Magu district. This study was done to assess the accessibility, conservation and production for the agro-pastoral societies in Magu district, Tanzania. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the sample plots allocation and the households for interview in the study area. The findings revealed that there are no significant differences in diversity and relative species abundance between the highland and lowland agro-ecological zones (p = 0.009 and z = 45.5). However, the results show significant differences in the diversity of fodder species between the highland and lowland zones. Household survey was done to assess the accessibility, conservation and production of livestock fodder. The results reveal that, seasonal variation (dry and wet) shaped the accessibility of fodder within the agro-pastoral households. Households land size, number of livestock, and physical capital indicated a positive influence (p = 0.009, p = 0.083, p = 0.002 respectively) on the accessibility of fodder in the wet seasons while, households’ land size, physical capital and the number of livestock (p = 0.000; p = 0.027; p = 0.075 respectively) indicated the negative influence during the dry season. Households’ head level of education and income (p = 0.035; p = 0.087) show a greater influence on the conservation of rangelands and fodder sources. Results also show that the need for livestock feed and the need to protect the environment both motivate agro pastoralists to invest in fodder production however, poor assets households were more interested in livestock feed than their counterparts. Therefore, this study suggests the need to improve the community livelihood by enhancing households’ socioeconomic development through extension services regarding fodder and livestock production
Determinants of Agropastoralist Households’ Fodder Accessibility and Rangeland Conservation in Magu District, Tanzania
(Elsevier, 2022-03) Rustis, Glory; Hambloch, Caroline; Swamikannu, Nedumaran; Moyo, Francis
The availability and accessibility of adequate and quality fodder is a huge challenge for pastoral and agropastoralist communities in Tanzania. Fodder scarcity, primarily driven by rangeland degradation, population growth, and climatic changes, limits livestock productivity and deepens rural poverty. This study assessed factors influencing agropastoralists’ access to fodder and their willingness to conserve fodder sources in Magu District, Tanzania. A total of 210 agropastoralist households were surveyed in three wards covering six villages. The results show that access to fodder during the wet season is positively influenced by a household's income, land size, number of livestock, and physical capital. Dry season fodder accessibility is negatively influenced by households’ land size, physical capital, and the number of livestock. Results also show that more than 60% of the agropastoral households accessed fodder sources formally (legally) in open areas, while 35% accessed fodder informally (illegally) in traditionally reserved highland areas, people's farms, and restricted urban areas. Conservation of rangelands and fodder sources is positively influenced by a head of households’ level of education and income, and only 40% of households participated in conservation of rangelands and fodder sources. Improved land tenure, education, and income diversification can improve households’ access to fodder and their willingness to conserve fodder sources.