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Abstract
Grazing in miombo woodlands has been increasing in Tanzania and Sub-Saharan Africa were miombo ecosystems exist. The livestock keepers face various pressures that intensify grazing in these areas. The pressures include population growth, climate change, livelihood needs and lack of alternative grazing land. It is vital to sustainably address these pressures to ensure the long-term health of miombo woodlands. This also support the livelihoods of local communities by ensuring sustainable management of livestock keeping and miombo woodlands. This research objective is to comprehend the perspectives of pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and farmers regarding grazing in miombo and factors influencing these perception so as to mitigate the stated problems. The study was conducted in Kilosa, Kilombero and Handeni districts in Tanzania. The study involved 435 respondents through Focus group discussions, Key Informant Interviews and Questionnaires surveys. The study observed diversified perceptions amongst pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and farmers. The positive perceptions towards grazing in miombo woodlands were prominent amongst the pastoralists and agro-pastoralists unlike what was amongst the farmers. The study concludes that it is important to consider diverse perspectives of livestock keepers and farmers for sustainable management of miombo woodlands. The study recommends livestock grazing should be managed using rotational grazing practices to ensure regeneration of vegetation in miombo woodlands, there should be collaboration and common agreements between livestock and policy makers so as to come up with appropriate policies which suit all groups of pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and farmers.