Terrace Farming: A Sustainable Solution to Soil Degradation Around Uluguru Nature Forest Reserve

Terrace farming has emerged as a key solution to soil degradation in the areas surrounding the Uluguru Nature Forest Reserve, within the Morogoro Municipal Council. For years, farmers relied on slash-and-burn agriculture, locally known as “sesa,” migrating to new plots annually in search of fertile land. This unsustainable practice led to widespread deforestation, destruction of water sources, and soil erosion, severely damaging agricultural land and the fragile ecosystem of the Uluguru Nature Forest Reserve. The abandoned, barren land lost its fertility, drastically reducing crop productivity and farmers’ livelihoods.

To tackle this crisis, the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF), in partnership with the Morogoro Municipal Council, implemented a conservation project focused on protecting water sources, preventing soil erosion, and ending deforestation. Central to this initiative was the introduction of terrace farming—a sustainable agricultural method that allows farmers to stay on the same plots long-term. Terrace farming prevents soil erosion, enables the use of organic manure to boost soil fertility, and eliminates the need for shifting cultivation.

Thanks to this approach, forest destruction and shifting agriculture have sharply declined. Farmers now enjoy improved yields and increased stability, remaining on their plots and cultivating them year after year. The occurrence of forest fires has also reduced, as there’s no longer a need to clear new forest areas for farming or hunting.

Overall, this project has not only preserved the Uluguru Mountains’ environment but has also enhanced farmers’ lives. With terrace farming, communities have seen a remarkable rise in crop production, proving the method’s long-term benefits for both agriculture and environmental conservation.

Through this farming method, EAMCEF provides incentives in the form of dairy goats to farmers who adopt terrace farming practices. These goats offer several benefits to project beneficiaries, including:

Goats produce manure used to fertilize fields, ensuring the soil remains fertile year after year. This has helped farmers increase crop production without the need to move in search of fertile land.

Goat milk provides families with high-quality nutrition, essential for good health, especially for children and the elderly. Goat milk is richer in nutrients compared to milk from other animals.

Project beneficiaries also boost their income by selling goats and the milk. This has significantly improved farmers’ economic conditions and reduced poverty.

Story Details

Location:
Mambani Village, Morogoro Municipal
District Surrounding Forest:
Uluguru Nature Forest Reserves

KEY DATA

70+ acres of farmland were developed using terrace farming methods.
81 community members from Choma, Mundu, Bohomela, Mambani, and Kivaza benefitted from the project.
142 dairy goats are now available, up from an initial 68 goats.
13 goats were sold, generating a total of TZS 1,620,000 in income.
4 goats were slaughtered and used as food.
1 to 3 liters of milk are produced daily by each milking goat.

After starting terrace farming, I have seen an increase in income and improved my farming practices. Terrace farming has provided valuable knowledge and inspired me after seeing the benefits others have gained. I left slash-and-burn farming and started terrace farming, wherein in the first phase I grew beans and sold them, earning 200,000 shillings to buy household items. Currently, this farming method helps conserve the Uluguru forest, as people used to clear the mountains for farming but have now stopped. Terrace farming helps preserve the land and prevent erosion.

Idd Thabit Athuman

Before starting goat farming and terrace farming, we were severely affected by soil erosion, especially during heavy rains. I used to see soil washing away and destroying farms. But after starting terrace farming, the soil has stabilized, and even heavy rains no longer damage the fields. With dairy
goats, I benefit from both milk and manure, which is crucial for my crops. I recently sold a goat and used the money to support my child. Previously, I
could not do something like that. I am very grateful for this project as it has significantly reduced poverty.

Salumu Uliza Magongo

After using manure on my farm, I planted five kilograms of Jesca beans and harvested 35 kilograms from a small plot of less than a quarter acre. This increase in yield boosted my income, allowing me to expand my goat herd to ten, including a recent addition. This has greatly motivated me. The
manure I use improves crop yields, enabling me to increase my income from crop sales, livestock, and milk.

Said Omary Mkae

Story Details

KEY DATA

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