An Assessment Of The Use Of Indigenous Knowledge In Soil Management. • , Case Study: Musoma Province Mara Region Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Soil faces many threats throughout the world, deforestation for charcoal burning and

brick making, overgrazing by livestock, and agricultural practices that fail to conserve

soil are three main causes of accelerated soil loss. There has been a general trend of soil

productivity decline on crop land in Musoma province. Soil degradation is one of major

threats to agricultural development in the province and it has become the prob !em in

many parts of the province. As the scenario leads to decline in plant availability soil

moisture, reduce soil fertility, soil compaction and erosion, has been identified as the

major factor behind this gradual decline in agricultural productivity. Soil degradation is

seriously threatening the sustainability of agricultural productivity and weakening the

ability to meet the subsistence food requirements of its rapidly increasing population.

These problems have raised the need for assessment of the use of indigenous knowledge

in soil management in the province. Indigenous Africa farming systems contain a wealth

of environmental knowledge on conservation practices and flexibility which have not

been fully recognized. Many indigenous conservation farming practices now need

adaptation in order to remain effective in a rapidly changing environment. Environmental

and economic knowledge and perceptions of local farmers are the best foundation on

which to base assistance to integrate resource management initiatives. Therefore this

study helps as decision aid for soil management measures and sustainable utilization of

the soil resource through the use of indigenous knowledge.

A study on assessment of the use of indigenous knowledge in soil management carried

out in Musoma province, Mara region in Tanzania intended to study and identify how

indigenous knowledge used in soil management. It was identified most of the community

members who base and use soil in their activities, are well applying indigenous measures

to manage soils. The study conducted to identify the way local communities apply their

knowledge to manage soils from arresting degradation through traditional farming

practices. This research sought to answer questions on soil degradation generated by human activities carried out within the area, efforts of local residents in conserving soils and the greater role played by indigenous knowledge to improve soils.