Context
The Usambaras are one of four major highlands [i.e. Mt Meru near Arusha, Kilimanjaro near Moshi, the Pare Mts around Same, and the Usambaras around Lushoto] in North East Tanzania. Each of these highlands has higher rainfall than the surrounding lowlands, so greater agricultural productivity and higher population densities also distinguish them from those lowlands. The steep gradients which are common in these highlands present special problems for farming, especially when tree clearance precedes cultivation of the soil. Tree felling is often followed by surface runoff of rainwater and soil erosion, which results in the rapid environmental damage. Some of these problems can be avoided by the use of terraces on the steep hillsides, replanting of trees, and careful channeling of waterflow – as can be seen in the photo below.
Typical scenery near Soni Seminary
However, these activities require much laborious effort and on many hillsides such soil conservation work is missing. The consequence of inattention to soil conservation practices is widespread soil erosion on the slopes around Soni.
The Usambaras are also part of a series of highland blocks known as the Eastern Arc. They include the Taita Hills in Kenya, the Pare Mts, the Usambaras, the Uluguru Mts near Morogoro, and the Udzungwa Highlands near Iringa. These mountains are characterized by exceptional biodiversity of global significance, so tree-planting to provide an alternative source of fuelwood to indigenous species is encouraged.
Contact
The initial stages of this project are planned to take place within the grounds of St Joseph’s Seminary, Soni. The current Rector at St Joseph’s is Fr Tom Kiangio, who is eager to make more productive use of the steep slopes that are part of the Seminary grounds. He is responsible for the organization of work done and the care of trees within the Seminary grounds. Sustainable Global Gardens has agreed to promoting interest and finding sponsors for tree-planting work both within the Seminary grounds and also at several other sites around Soni village.
St Joseph’s Seminary seen from the upper slopes
The tree crisis in the Usambaras will not be solved by a successful tree project within the grounds of one institution, so in subsequent stages of this project it is hoped to engage another person of high standing in the community as an appropriate contact person. By 1/2/2007 the Bishop of Tanga, Baba Anthony Banzi, the owner of St. Joseph’s Soni Seminary, had given encouragement and his blessing to the project. Also Bw. Amiri Sheiza, a Moslem councilor for Soni village, has agreed to promote tree-planting on lands owned by the Moslem community, who make up the majority of the residents in the locality. Mr Kombo Siwa, the Zonal Manager for the Tanzania Tree Seed Agency, Northern Zone has also expressed interest in working with this project.
Project Proposal
The initial proposal is that there will be a two stage project which is planned to run for at least five years. The starting work will be a replanting of the Seminary upper slopes. By 20/1/2007 there had been some replanting of this slope with a mixture of 2000 young grevillea and pines. However, on a visit to the site at that time those small trees were overgrown with weeds, so that it was difficult to establish the survival rate of those trees. Thus, initial work requires:
immediate employment of two labourers for two weeks to clear away the weeds + to use such weeds to make trash lines on the steep slope and thereby discourage surface runoff and soil erosion + to prepare holes for new trees in unplanted areas and where young trees from the previous planting have been lost.
A tree census to identify both mature exotic[eucalyptus] & indigenous trees to be preserved + young gravillea/pines planted in 2006 + other useful trees found within Seminary grounds. Consultation with the Forestry Officer Mr Kombo Siwa at Lushoto with a view to purchase of trees to reafforest the upper Seminary lands. A donation from SGG of ₤100-150 to undertake this immediate work and the planting of up to 1000 small trees, work which is to be completed before 31/3/2007. Consideration of what would be appropriate tree-planting or agroforestry for the Usambara environment. For this SGG is indebted to Lars Johannson, author of the book “Ten Million Trees Later : Land Use Change in the West Usambara Mountains”, for information about what has been successful and unsuccessful development in the Usambaras since 1980. Lars is now resident at Maweni Farm, which is situated next to St Joseph’s Seminary in Soni.
an investigation within the parish of Soni concerning the potential for tree-planting, increased fruit production and marketing of such fruit. In January some initial discussions suggested that avocado may be the most appropriate fruit. However, there is much avocado production that is wasted in North-East Tanzania. SGG would need to be satisfied that there is a stable market for any tree crop before providing funds for planting.
an investigation concerning the possibility of replanting some of the watershed sites & upper slopes with high-density indigenous cover in order to stabilize water supply and reduce soil degradation. At present many of these very steep & upper slopes are cultivated for maize. Yields are usually low and unsustainable, so it has been suggested that payment at/above maize yield income for farmers to convert to tree-planting may prove a sustainable policy. There is some evidence to favour such an approach . However, this will require significant finance which may not be sustainable. The findings of any such investigation will probably be the basis of policy when tree-planting occurs beyond the limits of the Seminary grounds. SGG looks for substantial funds in UK, the European Union, and within Tanzania to support such tree-planting anywhere within Soni locality.
The next stage of this project, which is intended to start with the advent of the next short rains in November 2007, is the planting of trees on the very steep slopes which surround the new Islamic school in Soni. This school is sited on a spur above the village and has approximately 10 acres of land, which require reafforestation. There are a few trees already planted here, but much of this land is unused except for rough grazing at present. If grevillea are planted 2.5m apart, it is estimated that approximately 5,000 trees are required to replant this site. Should funds become available such planting could commence in November, but as sources of funding are as yet uncertain, this work may be delayed until the long rains of March 2008. Bw. Sheiza has indicated that the Moslem community is willing to contribute 20% of the cost of this stage of the project, either in the form of cash or as voluntary work on the site. However, this cannot be confirmed until the next meeting of the Moslem Council which is in March.
Bw. Sheiza also indicated at a meeting with SGG and Fr Tom Kiangio on 1/2/07 that Soni village would greatly appreciate help in the reafforestation of the large hillslope to the west of the village. At present there is scattered cultivation on this steep, largely deforested land. It is easy to see the rills which indicate the high risk of soil erosion on this hillslope. Successful reafforestation at this location will require tens of thousands of trees, so SGG is able to undertake such a task only with the backing of a significant funding. It has been agreed that SGG will look for such funding, but that this stage of the project may need to wait until late 2008. Councillor Sheiza has pointed out that the Tanzanian government has encouraged the village to replant this slope, so he has assured SGG that support from the community will be forthcoming as soon as funds are found. The field visit by SGG in January 2007 established that there are schools and other institutions close to Soni who are interested in tree-planting work. By 1/2/07 plans for this stage of the project are sketchy, but it is intended to incorporate any interested groups in more extensive tree-planting after late 2008. These plans will be decided during SGG’s annual field visit to Soni in January 2008.
Progress so far
Fr Kiangio has already made a start with tree-planting at Soni. In 2006 some 2000 pine & grevillea seedlings were planted. During the long holidays there have been good rains at Soni so in January 2007 those young trees were overgrown. It is uncertain at present how many of these trees have survived.
Fr Kiangio has also encouraged tree growth by the construction of a new school jiko, which is much more fuel-efficient. Such a jiko will reduce the need for the Seminary to buy or cut timber.
SGG is also ready to make a contribution to this project. So far SGG has raised ₤180.12p towards a “tree-planting project in East Africa”. Bill and Jackie have also kindly offered to invest a further ₤40 for tree-planting over the coming year. These funds should be sufficient to pay temporary employment for care of the trees, and purchase about 1,000 seedlings, which are mainly grevillea.
Thus, by 26/1/2007 it seemed that what we needed to do was employ workers to clear the land, prepare holes for the trees, and wait for the March rains. By 1/2/07 Tsh20,000 /= had been paid to four day labourers for two days work to clear the slope of weeds so that an estimate of the number of surviving trees could be made.
Also on 1/2/2007 the new Islamic Secondary School at Soni was visited. SGG agreed to look for funding for as many as 5,000 young trees [mainly grevillea], while Councillor Sheiza agreed to bring the matter before the Soni Council at their next meeting. He also agreed that the local community would provide at least 20% of the costs of such a project, either in the form of work or as cash.
Also on 1/2/07 the following trees were ordered from the Tanzania Tree Seed Agency:
- 700 Grevillea robusta
- 50 Pinus patula to fill in spaces between previously planted pine seedlings
- 50 Eucalyptus grandis & 50 Eucalyptus saligna to extend the area of trees on the lower grounds of the Seminary
- 100 indigenous trees to be planted to extend the area of native trees next to Maweni Farm & on the small hill with native trees on the lower grounds & in the VMM garden. These trees will include 30 Albizia schimperiana [mshai], 30 Cordia Africans [mringaringa], 10 Khaya anthotheca [mkangazi/African mahogany – to be grown on lower parts of the Seminary grounds], and 30 Podocarpus usambarensis [mpodo]
- 20 Calyandra spp to experiment with agroforestry on the Seminary shamba & at VMM garden
- 20 Persia Americana [mparachicha]
- 20 Mangerifera indica [mwembe]
- 10 Atocarpus spp. These last three are all fruit trees for the Seminary and VMM gardens
These trees were ordered to be ready by 1/3/07 at a total cost of 970 x 250T/= [for 1st 5 items] + 50 x 2500T/= [for fruit trees] ie. Tsh242,500/= and Tsh125,000, which equals Tsh367,500/=, which is approximately ₤147. This sum was to be paid by SGG in March 2007.
On 2/2/07 a person was appointed to act as a ‘treeworker’ for the following 3 months [Feb/March/April 2007] until the above trees are planted. The treeworker’s duties include : weeding & clearing a space around each of the trees planted in 2006; making sure that the young trees remain vertical & are not half-buried by soil etc; using the weeds + plants which were cut in late January to make ‘trash lines’ to discourage surface runoff & soil erosion; to fill any erosion rills with dead plant material to discourage soil erosion; to regularly cut the grass as necessary in the tree area so that all young trees are clearly visible; to plant the trees ordered above when the long rains arrive; to establish a tree nursery with at least 2000 seedlings for future planting in and around the Seminary grounds.
On 2/2/07 a count of the young trees on the Seminary upper slope which were planted in early 2006 was made. It was estimated that there were at least 424 young trees [ 305 pines & 119 grevillea] in the area of slope which had been cleared after 3 days work. The wood collector [Peter] suggested that there were many trees on the upper slopes which had not be been cleared, so it would have been reasonable to suggest that there were already 600 young trees on these upper slopes. Such a figure implied that the survival rate of the trees was low as 1000 pines & 1000 grevillea had been originally planted. This emphasized the need to clear weeds especially during the first year of tree growth and therefore also to have a permanent worker responsible solely for tree production on the Seminary grounds.
On 17/3/07 SGG began a second visit of one week to the Seminary. A cursory glance at the Seminary slopes established that much progress had taken place since the last visit. Most of the long grass had been cleared. Also a total of 1006 trees from last years planting have been found, and an area cleared of vegetation around each young tree. On 19/3/07 the Tanzanian Tree Seed Agency in Lushoto delivered 860 trees for planting within the Seminary grounds at a cost of Tsh 302,500/- [about ₤121]. This meant that not all the trees ordered on 1/2/07 were ready. In particular most of the indigenous species requested were either too small or not produced, but it was agreed that this part of the programme could be delayed until after Easter when the main slopes would be replanted. This meant that there was still ₤59.12p or Tsh147,800/- available for labour costs and the establishment of a tree nursery after SGG’s field visit. In addition, Jackie & Bill Neale have pledged an additional ₤40 to further the project, as mentioned previously.
On 21/3/07 700 grevillea robusta and 50 pinus patula were planted on the Seminary upper slopes by the Form 3 and Form 4 students. If the majority of these trees survive it will mean that most of the upper slopes have some tree cover. Moreover, a new agreement was made with the ‘treeworker’ Amoro. It has been agreed that the project will provide Amoro with a monthly salary of Tsh25,000/- for his taking care of all trees within the Seminary grounds. Part of Amoro’s duties will include the establishment of a tree nursery where it is hoped to grow several thousand seedlings. At the beginning such a nursery will produce mainly grevillea, but later it is intended to produce many species of seedlings, including indigenous species. To encourage Amoro in this new development it has been agreed that 50% of the seedlings produced will belong to Amoro. Thus, he has the opportunity to greatly increase his income through sales of his produce. It is anticipated that the Seminary will have several thousand grevillea for sale by November 2007.
Students carrying grevillea for planting on the upper slopes
On 21/3/07 700 grevillea robusta and 50 pinus patula were planted on the Seminary upper slopes by the Form 3 and Form 4 students. If the majority of these trees survive it will mean that most of the upper slopes have some tree cover. Moreover, a new agreement was made with the ‘treeworker’ Amoro. It has been agreed that the project will provide Amoro with a monthly salary of Tsh25,000/- for his taking care of all trees within the Seminary grounds. Part of Amoro’s duties will include the establishment of a tree nursery where it is hoped to grow several thousand seedlings. At the beginning such a nursery will produce mainly grevillea, but later it is intended to produce many species of seedlings, including indigenous species. To encourage Amoro in this new development it has been agreed that 50% of the seedlings produced will belong to Amoro. Thus, he has the opportunity to greatly increase his income through sales of his produce. It is anticipated that the Seminary will have several thousand grevillea for sale by November 2007.
On 22/3/07 there was an inspection of the Seminary lands by Kombo Siwa , SGG, Bill Neale and Fr Tom. This established that there were large areas of cleared land on steep gradients without any young trees. It was estimated that at least 2000 young trees would be needed in order to give some protection to soil on these slopes. It was therefore decided to use remaining funds to purchase 1000 grevillea robusta for ₤100 and to plant these as soon as possible. Such work was felt to be more urgent than the planting of indigenous trees on the lower hill. As a consequence of this decision, there is no longer any SGG funds available to pay Amoro his monthly wage.
On 23/3/07 the Tanzanian Tree Seed Agency delivered 1000 grevillea robusta to the Seminary. About 800 of these trees were planted on the same morning. The remaining 200 trees will be used to fill in the numerous gaps left by the seminarians during hot and dusty work on the very steep upper slopes next to Maweni Farm. Most of this filling in of gaps and checking of the seminarians work will be done by Amoro during the next two weeks.
The end of a planting session on the upper slopes
Conclusion
This report was largely completed before 24th March when my second visit to Soni finished. There have been no detailed reports of further progress since then. Nevertheless, it is the intention of SGG to make seek further donations to support the second stage of this project, which is tree-planting beyond the property of Soni Seminary. Before that second stage is implemented it is planned that there will be a third visit to monitor the progress of these trees. Is there anybody who is a supporter of Sustainable Global Gardens able to visit this most beautiful part of Tanzania in 2008?