Zehnder A, Jeje B, Tanner M, Freyvogel T A
Swiss Tropical Institute Field Laboratory, Ifakara, Tanzania.
Acta Trop. 1987 Jun;44(2):245-60.
Food production, land utilisation and agricultural structures were surveyed at Kikwawila village, north of Ifakara (Kilombero District, Morogoro Region) in 1984. This study was part of a more comprehensive, longitudinal programme to investigate the health status of a rural community, aiming in particular at the interrelations between nutrition, parasitic infections, immunity and the environment. Out of 340 households, 100 were interviewed and their subsistence farming activities recorded. The soil was found to be of great variability, being fertile where it was of alluvial origin but of reduced potential where it was non-alluvial. In all, 70 plant species were registered as being cultivated, with rice, maize, cassava and beans providing the main staple food. Apart from a few exceptions, the fields were cultivated without any mechanization. The seasonal distribution of agricultural work is described, but no detailed workload analysis of the villagers with regard to age and sex has been performed. At the foot of the mountains, where artificial irrigation has been introduced, dry season cropping was practised in addition to the prevailing wet season farming, which rendered the cultivation of marketable crops (mainly tomatoes) possible. The farmers were found to be imaginative and capable of adapting to various conditions, irrespective of their tribal origins. Alternatively, the quality of the soil and the unreliable availability of water set limits to the potential of food production in the area. Although land is still available, it is becoming more scarce as the human population increases. The further impoverishment of the land represents an imminent danger. Therefore, top priority ought to be given to soil conservation, followed by intercropping and/or crop rotation, seed production and crop protection against game and pests. Means of implementing such measures are discussed. It is suggested that Community Agricultural Workers be installed, elected by the villagers and trained to establish the link between the existing agricultural extension service and the farmers' communities.
1984年，对伊法卡拉以北的基夸维拉村（莫罗戈罗地区基洛姆贝罗区）的粮食生产、土地利用和农业结构进行了调查。这项研究是一个更全面的纵向项目的一部分，该项目旨在调查一个农村社区的健康状况，尤其关注营养、寄生虫感染、免疫力与环境之间的相互关系。在340户家庭中，对100户进行了访谈，并记录了他们的自给农业活动。发现土壤差异很大，冲积土地区土壤肥沃，而非冲积土地区土壤肥力较低。总共登记了70种种植的植物品种，其中水稻、玉米、木薯和豆类是主要主食。除了少数例外情况，农田耕种没有任何机械化操作。描述了农业工作的季节性分布，但没有对村民按年龄和性别进行详细的工作量分析。在引入人工灌溉的山脚下，除了主要的雨季耕作外，还进行了旱季作物种植，这使得种植可销售作物（主要是西红柿）成为可能。发现这些农民富有想象力，并且能够适应各种条件，无论他们来自哪个部落。然而，土壤质量和水资源供应的不可靠限制了该地区粮食生产的潜力。虽然土地仍然可用，但随着人口增加，土地越来越稀缺。土地的进一步贫瘠化是一个迫在眉睫的危险。因此，应将土壤保护列为首要任务，其次是间作和/或轮作、种子生产以及作物防兽和防虫。讨论了实施这些措施的方法。建议设立社区农业工人，由村民选举产生，并进行培训，以建立现有的农业推广服务与农民社区之间的联系。
