Agroforestry

Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) coordinates, conducts, and promotes Agroforestry research which integrate trees with crops to create sustainable systems that provide environmental, economic, and social benefits, including improved soil health, carbon sequestration, increased biodiversity, and diversified farm income. Agroforest research focuses on various approaches, such as establishing profitable forest foods for commercial production and integrating trees for soil nutrient cycling and erosion control. 

Key Areas of Agroforestry Research:

System Design: Research explores integrating trees with crops and livestock to optimize land use and resource utilization, such as designing multi-layered forest foods and using Nitrogen-fixing plants to improve nutrient cycles. 

Environmental Benefits: Studies focus on the positive impacts of agroforestry on the environment, including increased carbon storage in trees and soil, enhanced biodiversity, improved water resource protection, and significant reductions in soil erosion. 

Economic Viability: Research investigates how agroforestry systems can improve farm productivity and profitability by producing specialty crops, generating diverse products, and reducing farmer risk through diversified income streams. 

Soil Health: Agroforestry research examines the way trees and shrubs improve soil structure, fertility, and nutrient cycling, which contributes to more resilient and productive agricultural environments. 

Social & Community Benefits: Studies explore the role of agroforestry in strengthening communities by alleviating poverty, improving food and nutritional security, and enhancing livelihoods through sustainable practices. 

 

 

 

Climate Change

Climate change research in Tanzania focuses on understanding erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and their severe impacts on agriculture, public health, and water resources, with a notable focus on both climate modelling and the socio-economic consequences of extreme weather events like droughts and floods. Research highlights a warming trend across the country and increased rainfall intensity, leading to more frequent dry spells and floods, threatening livelihoods and food security. Significant research has also been conducted on the role of climate change in migration and the need to strengthen local adaptation strategies, including research collaborations and community-level awareness initiatives. 

Key Areas of Research:

Climate Modelling and Projections: Studies use multi-model ensembles to project a significant increase in mean temperature, decrease in frequency of rain days and an increase in the intensity of rainfall, suggesting a more variable rainfall pattern. 

Climate impacts on Key Sectors:

Agriculture: Research points to decreased crop yields and increased food insecurity due to prolonged droughts and floods, impacting the livelihoods of a population reliant on rain-fed agriculture. 

Health: Climate change is linked to outbreaks of infectious diseases like cholera and malaria, posing significant public health challenges. 

Water Resources: Researchers have documented the significant recession of lakes like Victoria and Rukwa and the loss of glacial mass on Mount Kilimanjaro, with potential long-term consequences. 

Ecosystems and Wildlife: The country's vulnerable ecosystems, wildlife, and tourism sectors are also threatened by changing climate patterns. 

Adaptation and Resilience: Research informs the development of adaptation strategies to build resilience in vulnerable communities, although limited local awareness remains a significant challenge. Studies focus on the link between climate change, environment, and migration, examining the causes and consequences of climate-induced internal migration. 

Research Collaboration and Gaps: There is a recognized need to strengthen research collaboration between Tanzanian institutions and international partners to enhance the quality and quantity of climate research output. Further studies are recommended to understand the motivations for collaboration and the funding patterns of climate change research within the country.