Reverting Woodlots to Crop Fields in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

Abstract

For some decades, woodlots have been a salient feature of the agricultural landscapes of Mount Rungwe and Uporoto Highlands in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Their proliferation amidst socioeconomic conditions and innovation in farming practices influence production choices, and consequently, land use changes. Recently, farmers are reverting prevailing woodlots into crop fields, particularly, Irish potatoes. We investigate this process in order to examine the determinants of the reversion and the implications to agricultural development and people’s livelihoods. The findings come from a survey of smallholders of woodlots in four villages around Mount Rungwe and Uporoto Highlands. Data were collected through structured and in-depth interviews, discussions with focused groups at village levels, review of documents and direct field observation. Time lag for woodlots, safeguarding households’ food security, lack of agricultural support services, high rental market, and emergence of other fruit trees are determinants of the reversion. The reversion has implications for farmers’ decreased access to reliable source of fuelwood as well as opportunity for livelihood diversification.