This study proposes an African life sustaining eco-theological framework for tilling and preserving the earth in the context of food insecurity and environmental degradation. The study argues that food insecurity in Tanzania results from an unjust economic order, application of modern farming methods and a lack of concern for the environment. The study examines the impact of the industrial agricultural revolution and the green revolution on food security and the environment. It argues that although these modern approaches to agriculture have improved the status of food security in many places in the world, their negative impact on the environment cannot be underestimated. More importantly, most of these modern farming methods are not compatible with the smallholder farmers in rural Tanzania due to their cost concentrated nature. The study has identified organic farming methods as having the potential to increase food production and take care of the environment. The study concludes that an African life sustaining eco-theological framework must comprise, but not limited to, six principles. These include: an African world view, a life-centred vision, a focus on sustainability, an African ethic of care, an understanding of salvation as holistic and recognition of an ecumenical earth community. An African life sustaining eco-theological framework that embodies these principles is capable of developing a sustainable relationship between humankind and non-human creatures. Further, such a framework ensures the sustainability of life within the entire ecumenical earth community. It will stand against all forces, powers, structures and systems that are a threat to life in all its dimensions. This framework will advocate for the systems, structures and practices that are life affirming. However, in order for this framework to be fruitful, the application of these principles should not be restricted to the human community alone. Rather they must extend to include the entire earth community which form a web of life on earth. In a long run this will help shape the behaviour, attitudes and practices of humankind in relation to nature, which will then lead to the addressing of issues of food insecurity and environmental degradation in Tanzania. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

A sample of 260 farm households that were randomly selected in Katumba ward, Rungwe district, Tanzania were studied for the effects of storage methods on the quality of maize grain and household food security using qualitative and quantitative methods. Maize storage problems, amounts of maize that farm households harvested and amounts of maize that farm households lost to pests per year, food security status and farm households’ perceptions concerning their food security status were investigated using face - to - face semi - structured and structured interviews. Common storage methods that farm households used to store maize and the dietary importance of maize were investigated through interviews, seasonal calendars and the matrix for scoring and ranking. The quality of maize was investigated through conducting mycological analysis and through investigating levels of insect infestation using the incubation method on maize samples collected from a sub-sample of 130 farm households at harvest and after five months of storage period. It was found that farm households in Katumba ward preferred maize meal rather than other types of food that provide bulk such as rice and green bananas/plantains. Maize contributed 66.8 % - 69.5 % of the total energy and 83 - 90 % of the total protein required per day, and farm households stored maize using roof and sack storage methods. It was also found that 34.5 % of 2323 tonnes of maize that were harvested per annum in Katumba ward were lost to pests during storage. Fusarium, Diplodia, Aspergillus and Penicilliums species were identified as the main fungal pathogens that attacked stored maize. Sitophilus zeamais, Sitotroga cerealella and rodents were also identified as the main maize storage pests. About 25 % of the maize samples that were collected at harvest and 93 % of the maize samples that were collected from the same farm households after five months of storage were infested by either Sitophilus zeamais or Sitotroga cerealella or both. Maize samples from the two storage systems had an average number of 80 insect pests per 120 maize kernels (or 51 g of maize), amounting to 1569 insects per kg. The high levels of insect infestation reduced the amount of maize that could have been available to the farm households and subjected stored maize to fungal infections and subsequent contaminations, thus, rendering the farm households vulnerable to food insecurity. Furthermore, it was also found that most of the infestation of maize by insect pests and moulds in Katumba ward occurred during storage, and that farm households were not well informed concerning maize storage and the negative effects that fungal activities in maize can have on the health of the consumers. An average of 87717 μg/kg fumonisins, 596 μg/kg aflatoxins, 745 μg/kg ochratoxins and 1803 μg/kg T-2 toxins were detected in the maize samples. Currently, there are no set standards for T-2 toxins, whereas the internationally accepted standards for aflatoxins, fumonisins and ochratoxins in cereals are 20 μg/kg, 4 mg/kg and 50 μg/kg, respectively. It was concluded that the levels of mycotoxins detected in maize from Katumba ward were far above the internationally accepted standards and that the farm households were at risk of ill health through consuming maize meals made from contaminated maize grain. The presence of high concentrations of mycotoxins, together with the high levels of insect infestation in the maize led to the conclusion that reduction of the nutrient content of the maize grain in Katumba ward was inevitable. Thus, the pests that infested maize stored using the roof and sack storage methods in this ward compromised not only the availability of food, but also the utilization of the nutrients in the maize and its safety, leading to the farm households’ food insecurity. It was further concluded that the quality of maize stored using roof and sack storage methods in Katumba ward was low and that the roof and sack storage methods were inadequate for protecting stored maize from pests. It was recommended that an efficient method for rapid drying of maize prior to storage be found, that the roof and sack storage methods be improved so that they can effectively protect stored maize from moisture content problems. It was also recommended that the farm households’ awareness concerning maize storage and food security be raised, and that the extension staff in Katumba ward should urge the Tanzanian government to implement an agricultural policy which promotes efficient maize storage and maize quality in order to improve the current status quo. Above all, since maize is the predominant staple, it was recommended that the maize breeding program in Tanzania should emphasize development of maize varieties that are resistant to ear rots, storage insects and to contamination by mycotoxins as part of a larger program to improve food security in this part of the country. Breeding programs that aim at enhancing the nutritional value of maize were also recommended. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Climate variability and change as well as sea level rise poses significant challenges to livelihoods, water and food security in small island developing states (SIDSs) including the Zanzibar Islands. Thus, without planned strategic adaptation, the future projected changes in climate and sea level will intensify the vulnerability of these sensitive areas. This thesis is based on research conducted in two sites located in the north eastern parts of each island, namely Kiuyu Mbuyuni, Pemba Island and Matemwe, Unguja Island. The research focused firstly on assessing the vulnerability of these two coastal communities to climate variability and change and other stressors. This included investigation of (1) the perceptions of fishers, farmers and seaweed farmers regarding climate stressors and shocks and associated risks and impacts, (2) existing and possible future water and food security issues, and (3) household's access to important livelihood assets. This was followed by an exploration of the coping and adaptive responses of farmers, fishers and seaweed farmers to perceived shocks and stresses and some of the barriers to these responses. Lastly, an analysis of the implications of the findings for achieving sustainable coastal livelihoods and a resilient coastal community was undertaken. The general picture that emerges is that local people along the east coasts of both islands are already vulnerable to a wide range of stressors. Although variability in rainfall is not a new phenomenon in these areas, increasing frequency of dry spells and coastal floods resulting from the influence of El Niño and La Niña events exert enormous pressures on local activities (fishing, farming and seaweed farming) which are the crux of the local economy. The main argument of the study is that the nature and characteristics of these activities are the main source of sensitivity amongst these communities and this creates high levels of vulnerability to climate shocks and trends. This vulnerability is evidenced by the reoccurrence of localised food shortages and the observed food and water insecurity. The study found that food insecurity is a result of unreliable rainfall, drought and seasonality changes. These interacted with other contextual factors such as poor soil, low purchasing power and the lack of livelihood diversification options. In addition to exposure to these almost unavoidable risks from climate variability, the vulnerability of the local communities along the east coasts is also influenced by the low level of capital stocks and limited access to the assets that are important for coping and adaptation. Despite this, some households managed to overcome barriers and adapt in various ways both within the three main livelihood sectors (fishing, farming and seaweed farming) as well as through adopting options outside these sectors resulting in diversification of the livelihood portfolio. However, the study found that most of the strategies opted for by fishers, farmers and seaweed farmers were mainly spontaneous. Few planned adaptation measures supported by state authorities were observed across the sites, with the exception of the provision of motorised boats which were specifically meant to increase physical assets amongst fishers, reduce pressure in the marine conservation areas and prevent overfishing in-shore. Furthermore, numerous strategies that people adopted were discontinued when further barriers were encountered. Interestingly, some of the barriers that prevented households adapting were the same ones that forced households that had responded to abandon their adaptations. To increase resilience amongst east coast communities to current and future predicted changes in climate and sea level, the study argues that traditional livelihood activities (fishing, farming and seaweed farming) need to be better supported, and access to a range of livelihood assets improved. This may be achieved through increased access to local sources of water and facilitation of rainwater harvesting, expanding the livelihood options available to people and increasing climate change awareness, and access to sources of credit.