Shimbwe Juu Kihamba Agro-Forestry Heritage Site, Tanzania
GIAHS since 2011

©FAO/Felipe Rodríguez
Northern Upland Agro-forestry system is characterised by a structural diversity as a strategy adopted by farmers to achieve higher efficiency of resource use by efficiently harvesting solar energy and using soil nutrients and moisture. It also helps to exploit the space, both temporally and spatially in order to meet the many demands of food, fodder, fuel, timber, organic mulch, and medicinal plants.
Growing a high diversity of crops and trees but also animals, the agroforestry system is highly integrated to its environment. It also participate to maintain the soil fertility but mainly to regulate the the water flow from the Mt. Kilimanjaro as a water-tower for the region.
Satisfying the needs of local communities from Northern Tanzania, this systemic system is nowadays threatened mainly due to land scarcity, population growth and migration of younger generations. Beyond its feeding role, this system is an example of synergy between human, plants and animals contributing to keep a sustainable environment.
Site location: Shimbwe Juu Village, Moshi Rural District, Northern Tanzania
Area of GIAHS: 615 ha
Population working for this system: 2569 persons
Topological Characteristics: non fertile soils
Climatic Classification: Humid tropical mountain forest
Ethnic Groups/Indigenous People: Chagga community
Primary Income Sources: agro forestry system
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Global importance
In Northern Tanzania, farmers have developed agro forestry systems adapted to their environment. Fertile soil and water are two issues which needed to be overcome. Thanks to a synergic and integrated multilayered system including four main vegetation layers, livestock and harvest from the forest, the local population has been able to satisfy their needs.
However, Upland Agro-forestry system is facing serious threats. Among the major ones are: land scarcity, population growth, migration of younger generation leading to a disruption of the traditional transmission from one generation to the next, changes in dietary habits, land use changes and fragmentation.
Food and livelihood security
First of all, these very rich systems allow growing many food crops such as banana, cassava, yams, taros, ginger and pineapple which are part of the basics local food. In addition, fruit trees help to meet fodder, fuel, medicines, fire wood and timber requirements for the community.
Moreover, introduced during the 19th century, coffee has been cultivated as a cash crop allowing increasing the income of the farmers. Today it is still the major cash crop. The animals not only enhance the nutritional status of the household members but also help to augment the farm income by the sale of milk, eggs, and kids.
Biodiversity and ecosystem functions
As a multilayered system, these home gardens have a high biodiversity reaching over 500 used plants including 400 not cultivated but preserved in their system. The most important are coconut, banana, cassava, yams, taros, ginger, turmeric, pineapple, cashew, jackfruit, mango, and banana.
Because of its high biomass and on farm recycling of organic matter, it contributes significantly to carbon storage, above and below ground. Its trees and dense vegetation allow it also to contribute significantly to the role of Kilimanjaro as a water-tower for the region. Urban communities and commercial farms in the lowlands surrounding Mt. Kilimanjaro critically depend on this
Knowledge systems and adapted technologies
The traditional Kihamba system has a multi layered vegetation structure similar to a tropical montane forest, composed of four main vegetation layers. The uppermost layer is formed by sparsely spaced trees which provide shade, medicine, fodder, fruits, firewood and timber, and fix nitrogen. Under these trees multiple varieties of bananas are grown. Under the bananas there are coffee shrubs and under these, vegetables of variable species, including climbers are grown. This multilayer system maximizes the use of limited land and provides a large variety of foods all year around. No food deficit was found during the project’s baseline study.
The Kihamba are irrigated by a traditional irrigation system complimented with storage ponds (Nduwas), which help overcome water shortages in the dry season.
Cultures, value systems and social organizations
The community displayed a strong sense and cultural custodianship towards conservation of the agricultural land. The Kihamba or (Chagga home garden) is central to the identity and culture of the Chagga tribe. It is the central locus of social and ceremonial life. People are born, come of age, marry and are buried on their Kihamba.
Traditionally, the kihamba is managed by the family. There is a division of labour whereas pruning of coffee trees, de-suckering of banana, clearing of water canals, irrigation of the kihamba is done by men while collecting firewood, weeding, feeding cattle, cleaning the shed and milking is done by women. Men are the supervisors of the kihamba and their roles were passed to the boys by fully involving them in related duties.
Remarkable landscapes, land and water resources management
The Chagga home garden is characterized by the unique feature of multilayered vegetation structure similar to a tropical montane forest. As a synergic system, lands and water resources are efficiently used and sustainably maintained. Functioning as a tropical mountain forest, the farmers have succeeded in keeping a landscape integrated to its environment.
The home gardens are irrigated by traditional canals tapping water from perennial streams/rivers originating from the montane forest, as well as by trapping run-off in furrows.
Responsible Ministry
Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives
Other Stakeholders
National Environmental Management Council
Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism
Action plan

Action Plan for the dynamic conservation of the Uru Shimbwe-Juu as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS)
10/10/2011
The Kihamba Agroforestry System in Tanzania, aligned with GIAHS goals, merits support for its resilience. It combines targeted conservation and policy backing to ensure food security, livelihood, and environmental sustainability, aiming to preserve this agricultural heritage. This strategy promotes sustainability and traditional knowledge, essential for future generations.
Multimedia

Photos
Flickr Album: Shimbwe, Tanzania
01/01/2011
Growing a high diversity of crops and trees but also animals, the agroforestry system is highly integrated to its environment. It also participate to...
Video
‘Kihamba’ – Chaga home gardens on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro
02/01/2024
Discover the Kihambas of Mt. Kilimanjaro, a testament to agricultural heritage and sustainability. Through the eyes of generations-old farmers, learn...
Events
26/ 1
2021
Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems: an opportunity to restore ecosystems and achieve the SDGs
Virtual Event, 26/01/2021
GIAHS site representatives from China, Japan, Peru, Morocco, Spain and Tanzania shared their experiences and challenges on the sustainable use of natural resources as well as the types and functions of their ecosystem services. They explored how GIAHS can contribute to the objectives of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Story

Publications

FAO characterisation of Global Heritage Agroforestry Systems in Tanzania and Kenya
10/09/2011
In 2008, the FAO project aimed at preserving agricultural heritage in Kenya and Tanzania highlighted the Maasai pastoral and Upland Agro-forestry systems for their sustainability and historical value. Focus shifted to pilot sites including Chagga home gardens, with Uru-Shimbwe Juu emerging as a key site for its rich heritage attributes, underscoring the importance of conserving traditional agro-systems.

Tanzania's policies and laws in support of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems
10/01/2011
The goal of the initiative is: to identify and safeguard GIAHS and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems through catalyzing and establishing a long-term programme to support such systems and enhance global, national and local benefits derived through their dynamic conservation, sustainable management and enhanced viability.