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Commercialization Pathways: Synegies Between Small And Medium Scale Farmers In Tanzania
No full textThe changing farm structures in sub-Saharan countries, with the emergence of medium and large
scale farmers, has elicited opposing views in the literature. While much of this is largely positive,
pointing to positive spillover effects in the larger agro-food industry, some studies point to some
evidence of negative spill overs, especially due to land scarcity in the rural areas due to holding of
land for speculation purposes, or higher food prices where large producers dedicate land to
production for non-food crops. Nevertheless, evidence on the effects of these investments is scarce,
with much of the evidence coming from case studies. This study investigates spillover effects of
medium-scale farms and large scale farms on small scale farms productivity and
commercialization in Tanzania. The study utilizes a sample of about 600 small scale farmers (less
than 5 hectares of cultivated land) and about 600 large farmers, 300 medium scale (5 hectares to
10 hectares of cultivated land) and 300 large scale (greater than 10 hectares cultivated land)
farmers drawn from eight district in rural Tanzania. A spatial econometric method is used to
capture spillover effects from the large farms to small scale farms. Results show positive
significant spatial dependence and spillover effects among medium scale and large scale farms on
small scale maize productivity and commercialization, but not on rice, another major crop in the
region
The influence of weather on the occurrence of aflatoxin b1 in harvested maize from Kenya and Tanzania
No full textJournal Article: A study was conducted using maize samples collected from different agroecological zones
of Kenya (n = 471) and Tanzania (n = 100) during the 2013 maize harvest season to estimate a
relationship between aflatoxin B1 concentration and occurrence with weather conditions during the
growing season. The toxins were analysed by the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. Aflatoxin B1 incidence ranged between 0–100%
of samples in different regions with an average value of 29.4% and aflatoxin concentrations of up to
6075 µg/kg recorded in one sample. Several regression techniques were explored. Random forests
achieved the highest overall accuracy of 80%, while the accuracy of a logistic regression model was
65%. Low rainfall occurring during the early stage of the maize plant maturing combined with high
temperatures leading up to full maturity provide warning signs of aflatoxin contamination. Risk
maps for the two countries for the 2013 season were generated using both random forests and logistic
regression models
Resources allocation and sharing in wireless virtual networks
No full textJournal articleThe rapid growth of the mobile devices and its services being experienced in a recent years brought both
challenges and opportunities in the wireless network systems. The scarcity of the resources, high capital and
operational costs are among the challenges facing the provision of the growing mobile services. The development of
wireless network virtualization brought hope for the future networks to fulfil the users’ demands. It allows different
service providers to share the same physical infrastructure which in return, reduces both capital expenses (CAPEX) and
operational expenses (OPEX). In this paper, the framework for wireless network virtualization is proposed. Also, the
detailed description of the model based on the software define network (SDN) architecture is presented. On top of that
we have proposed a load based resources sharing approach among the virtual networks (VNs). Our proposed approach
has shown that, through sharing the excess resources, the VNs can significantly minimize unnecessary cost and utilize
the available resources effectively
Aflatoxins contamination in spices and associated predisposing factors in Morogoro region, Tanzania
No full textDissertationAflatoxins contamination in spices can result to serious health impact to consumers. Little
information is available about levels of aflatoxins in spices traded in Tanzania. This study
investigated awareness on aflatoxins and handling, storage and packaging practices of
spices in relation to aflatoxins contamination as well as levels in black pepper, cinnamon,
cloves and turmeric in Morogoro, Tanzania. A total of 120 spices samples were collected
from 52 spice dealers among spice traders and analyzed for aflatoxins B 1 , B 2 , G 1 , G 2 , total
aflatoxins and moisture content. Aflatoxins were analyzed using HPLC with fluorescence
detector. The association of aflatoxins contamination in spices with traders’ demographic
and sociological characteristics, awareness and handling practices were determined using
a questionnaire. Results showed that 24.2% of the spice samples were contaminated with
aflatoxins; whereby 11.7% was with aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) . Spices from Morogoro rural had
high rate of aflatoxin contamination (33.3%) compared to those from Morogoro
municipality (15.0%). Turmeric had the lowest contamination rate of AFB 1 (0.0%) and
total aflatoxins (3.3%) while cloves had highest contamination with 20% and 50.0% for
AFB 1 and total aflatoxins, respectively. Lowest aflatoxins contamination was 0.2 μg/kg in
cloves while the highest was 164.9 μg/kg in black pepper. Percentage of spice samples
exceeded European Union regulatory limit was nine point two percent for AFB 1 and
13.3% for total aflatoxins. Majority (96.2%) of spice traders store their spices and storage
time varied from 0 to 100 weeks. Among spice dealers who were doing storage, 34.9% of
their samples had aflatoxin contaminations. Half of the respondents who were doing
sorting, 65.4% of them discarded the rejected spices. Aflatoxin contaminations for the
samples from respondent who were not doing sorting was 61.5%. Occurrence of aflatoxins
in spices was associated (p>0.05) with sorting, criteria for sorting, handling of rejected
spices, storage practices, awareness on causes of spoilage and awareness on aflatoxins in
food. It is concluded that spices in the study area were highly contaminated with aflatoxins
some of them beyond the maximum limit set by EU. The study revealed limited awareness
and knowledge on aflatoxins contamination in spices among spice traders. Awareness
creation on aflatoxins contamination in spices and preventive strategies need to be
considered to reduce aflatoxins contamination to safeguard health of spices consumers in
Morogoro, Tanzania.management of Tanzania Bureau of Standard
Drought Risk Reduction Strategies in Rural Zimbabwe: Opinions of Mhondoro-Ngezi District Communities
No full textJournal ArticleThis paper highlights the perceptions of Mhondoro-Ngezi rural communities regarding
drought risk reduction strategies. The study was motivated by personal experience as a
minister of religion deployed in Mhondoro-Ngezi District. The researcher witnessed the area
becoming increasingly prone to drought leading local people to reduced livelihoods both at
household and community levels. Set in a rural community of Zimbabwe, Mhondoro-Ngezi
District has a population of about 102 342 (Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency, 2016). A
purposive sample of 8 key informants was selected for interviews. In addition, four Focus
Group Discussions (FGDs) from 32 respondents were purposively selected. Data was
analysed qualitatively according to emerging themes. Results showed that drought was
really a cause for concern for rural communities in Mhondoro-Ngezi District. Hence, local
knowledge regarding mitigating the effects of drought was considered important and
sustainable. The study recommends that the central government of Zimbabwe should help
rural communities develop mechanisms for water harvesting so that people have safe and
sufficient water for domestic and agricultural use. It should also support their effort to grow
drought tolerant crops by providing short season seed, agricultural equipment as well as
food processing technologies. The study would generate new insights into drought risk
reduction strategies, thereby contributing to the growing body of literature in drought
management issues. As a result, scholars and scientific researchers in related areas of
study can access such theoretical and empirical information and enrich their understanding
of drought risk reduction practices in rural African communities
Performance characteristics and costs of serological tests for brucellosis in a pastoralist community of northern Tanzania
No full textThe control of brucellosis across sub-Saharan Africa is hampered by the lack of standardized testing
and the use of tests with poor performance. This study evaluated the performance and costs of
serological assays for human brucellosis in a pastoralist community in northern Tanzania. Serum
collected from 218 febrile hospital patients was used to evaluate the performance of seven index
tests, selected based on international recommendation or current use. We evaluated the Rose Bengal
test (RBT) using two protocols, four commercial agglutination tests and a competitive enzymelinked
immunosorbent assay (cELISA). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative
predictive value, Youden’s index, diagnostic accuracy, and per-sample cost of each index test were
estimated. The diagnostic accuracy estimates ranged from 95.9 to 97.7% for the RBT, 55.0 to 72.0%
for the commercial plate tests, and 89.4% for the cELISA. The per-sample cost range was 0.79
for the RBT, 1.14 for the commercial plate tests, and $2.51 for the cELISA. The widely used
commercial plate tests performed poorly and cost more than the RBT. These findings provide evidence
for the public health value of discontinuing the use of commercial agglutination tests for human
brucellosis in Tanzania.DELTAS Africa Initiative Afrique One-ASPIRE scholarship scheme
(Afrique One-ASPIRE/DEL-15-008, http://afriq ueone aspir e.org). Â.J.M is supported by The University of Glasgow’s
Lord Kelvin/Adam Smith (LKAS) PhD scholarship. R.F.B received scholarship support from the UK Biotechnology
and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Department for International Development
(DFID), the Economic & Social Research Council, the Medical Research Council, the Natural Environment
Research Council and the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory, under the Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock
Systems – Associated Studentship (ZELS-AS) programme (grant number BB/N503563/1). This study was
also supported by the Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock Systems program grant numbers BB/L018845 and BB/
L017679 http://www.bbsrc .ac.uk/)
A study of Local Government in Africa through Participatory Action Research (PAR)
No full textJournal ArticleTanzania has crafted one of the most creative models of local governments in the world with the potential to improve the lives of marginalized communities. As such, the author used Participatory Action Research (PAR) in an attempt to improve the model and for its strengths in empowering communities. The author collaborated with 120 community representatives, as co-researchers, from across four selected local government councils in Tanzania to examine the role of local governments in delivering public services to marginalized smallholder farmers. The exercise was enriched through the interaction with 128 local government officials. Overall, although the Tanzanian local government model has the potential to improve lives, there is a need to focus on increasing its efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services. The current focus aiming at creating more units of local government increases operational expenses. Increased operational expenses hinder the ability of the local governments to deliver agricultural extension and other public services. Moreover, the findings imply that although local governments need to be awarded some autonomy, they ought to continue working with the central government for the common good of the entire nation. Finally, this study serves as evidence that PAR can help build participatory local government structures on a sustainable basis. The local governments need to be more participatory through the creation of participatory social structures. Those can pave way for the full realization of the potential of the Tanzanian model of local government. The gender perspective has to be incorporated in local governance because the findings highlight that women are disproportionately affected by the failure of the local governments in the provision of public services. The article uniquely seeks to contribute to the African political literature as well as literature highlighting the role of PAR through fostering both co-learning with local co-researchers as well as transformative dialogue among researchers, local governments, and local communities
Women related factors influencing Household Socio- Economic status in selected areas of Morogoro district, Tanzania
No full textThesisIn Tanzania, households in rural areas are characterized by low socio-economic status
(SES). Although contribution of women on household economy is essential, the
relationship between women’s socio-demographic and reproductive factors and SES of
rural households regardless the sex of household head, have not been fully explored. This
study aimed to examine the relationship between women’s socio-demographic and
reproductive factors on SES of households in Morogoro district in Tanzania. A cross-
sectional study was conducted in six randomly selected villages of Morogoro Rural
District. A total of 542 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and their respective
households were studied. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 software.
Socio-demographic factors that include being older age (≥35 years) [OR 1.26 (95% CI:
1.82-2.94) and residing in villages with better road access [OR 4.08 (95% CI: 2.40-6.94)]
relate with higher household SES. Having under five children [OR 0.34 (95%CI: 1.033-
2.502] associated with low household SES. Likewise, reproductive factors, the desire to
have many children [OR 0.31 (95%CI: 1.17-2.06] associated with less likelihood to attain
higher SES of household. Furthermore, being pregnant at >19 years of age was associated
with a higher household SES ([OR 1.76; 95% CI: (1.48-3.83), but more than half (56.5%)
of the women had their first conception at the age of ≤ 18 years. It was also noted that,
there was significant difference in time spent in economic production and family care
activities between men and women (p<0.01), with women spending 2.23 hours less per
day in economic production compared to their male counterparts. This study concluded
that women’s age, road accessibility to the locality of residence, age composition in
households, number of children desired by women and the age at first pregnancy are
important factors to be considered for improving household SES in rural areas. Findings
from this study calls for economic empowerment of young women and improving the
roads to increase connectivity and transportation thus enhance women engagement in a
diverse of economic activities consequently contribute to improving SES of households.
Furthermore, sexual and reproductive health education, including use of family planning
measures should be strengthened to discourage early pregnancies to promote growth of
SES of households. In the other hand, the time spent by women in family care giving
activities during economic productive hours should be reduced by improving technology
for performing domestic activities. Likewise, access to social services such as clean water
and electricity should be improved to easy care giving activities.Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH)-SU
The causes and detrimental effects associated with the use of 'fake' inputs and seeds to the smallholder farmers in Tanzania
No full textJournal ArticleThis paper attempts to study the causes and detrimental effects of using fake agro-inputs and
seeds by using primary survey data collected from four regions of Tanzania. The study
employed mixed methods of data collection entailing secondary review of the relevant
documents in the seed input sector. It involved an intensive field survey using structured
questionnaire tool as well as consultative interviews/meeting with all key informants across
the entire agro-inputs and seeds value chain in Mbeya, Morogoro, Njombe and Arusha
regions. The achieved sample size of this study were total of 495 people from selected
different categories including famers, input dealers, research institutions, seed producers and
Apex bodies- regulators in the country. The study applied sampling procedures of both
random and systematic sampling throughout the entire seed value chain. The data collected
were descriptively analyzed by the help of the computer program known as Statistical
Package for Social Science (SPSS). The causes that are accelerating the existence of fake
agro-inputs and seeds in the markets include the shortage of improved certified seeds in the
market whereby the businessmen take advantage of this situation to falsify brands and sell
these to unsuspecting farmers at exorbitant prices thus masking the inferior quality
perception; also, farmers perceive the cost of certified seeds/inputs to be high, they do not
understand the value proposition for buying improved seeds ending up buying fake seeds
sold at low prices. Besides, there are a number of detrimental effects including social effects
such as household food insecurities; failed marriages attributed to crop failures. The
economic effects were decreased income of up to 60 percent and in some instances, up to
90% due to crop failures; reduced individual and household purchasing power; most
households depend on the sale of crops to smoothen their cash flows. The environmental
effects include; decreased soil fertility leading to reduced productivity and loss of biodiversity.
Therefore, the study recommends the creation of supportive business environments for
investment in production of various seed varieties production to increase supply as well as
strengthening the regulatory authority bodies for enforcement of the laws and regulations that
will regulate the agro-inputs and seeds markets in the countr
Communication channels for exchanging agricultural information among Tanzanian farmers: A meta-analysis
No full textReview ArticleThis study investigates how communication channels to exchange agricultural information were chosen.
Specifically, it identifies the communication channels used by farmers in Tanzania and determines the factors
influencing the choice of communication channels for exchanging agricultural information. The study employs a
meta-analysis review methodology in identifying, evaluating and interpreting studies relevant to the topic of
interest. The results indicate that radio, mobile phones, television, fellow farmers, agricultural extension agents
and newspapers were the commonly used communication channels for transferring agricultural information.
Moreover, the channels’ influence, availability, affordability, communication network coverage, and the
resources and facilities needed to use a particular communication channel were found to influence the
choice of channels. It is concluded that understanding the audience, the characteristics surrounding
messages and choosing appropriate communication channels are important for enhancing access to
agricultural information. It is recommended that agricultural information providers should understand the
factors surrounding communication channels before disseminating agricultural information