The Traditional Agrosilvipastoral Complex System in the Kilimanjaro Region, and its implications for the Japanese-Assisted Lower Irrigation Projact

Abstract

There are many farming systems in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. This paper examines two farming systems: the traditional farming of the Chagga people on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and the modern paddy farming introduced by Japanese foreign aid. The Chagga practice intensive land use by intercropping coffee and banana. They also combine farming, forestry and livestock in a sophisticated homestead farm, the "kihamba, " which I call an "agrosilvipastoral complex" system. Japanese style modern paddy farming started from 1985 in the semi-arid lower zone. Its economic performance varies greatly among farmers. It is thus important to grasp the significance of, and limits to, both traditional and modern farming in this area.