A Multicriteria Analysis of Agricultural Production Options for Sustaining Uluguru Mountains Natural Resource Base

This paper presents results of a study conducted in parts of Eastern Arc, Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania. The main objective was to identify and select best agricultural production options for sustaining the natural resource base of the Mountains. A cross sectional single-visit interview of 120 farmers from Konde, Tawa and Kiswila villages representing high, medium and low altitudes, respectively was conducted. Differences in accessibility to the market were also considered when drawing a sample. Multi-Criteria analysis (MCA) as decision support tool (DST) was developed to identify best cropping options suitable for specific location for sustainable management of the mountain. Results show high differences in production options within and across the villages caused by differences in plot positions (sloppy grounds or valley bottoms) and households’ socio-economic characteristics. Banana, clove and cassava are common crops for Konde village located at high altitude; banana, pineapple and maize for Kiswila village located at low altitude and banana, pineapple and cassava for Tawa village located at medium altitude. MCA results were collated with profitability index to identify the crops and livestock production options in fragile mountain resource base. The study recommends promotion of cassava and banana production as ideal crops both for food security, income and effectiveness in natural resource conservation. Crops such as rice, pineapple and cloves should be avoided in mountain ecosystem for sustainability reason.