Perils of Taungya to the Productivity of Forest Plantations and Need for Modification: Case Study of Meru Forest Plantation in Tanzania

摘要

Factors affecting productivity of forest plantations were investigated in the Mount Meru natural system in Northern Tanzania. Taungya emerged top in the agenda - it caused inappropriate use of agrochemicals, over pruning of trees, damage to forest trees and encroachment of forestland for farming. Case studies from Thailand, Ghana, Uganda and Kenya are cited to show how similar problems were addressed. In this study, an improvement path is proposed for Meru forest plantation. It strongly urges forestry professionals and local administrators to look at the case studies vis-à-vis proposed improvement path and initiate a high-end consultative process with farming communities and other stakeholders to redress the situation. This is one of the most comprehensive studies regarding taungya practice in Tanzania.