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Personality traits of high-performing lead farmers in farmer-to-farmer extension projects employing the ripat approach in Tanzania
No full textPhD ThesisRECOD
Performance evaluation of Dakawa irrigation scheme Morogoro Tanzania
No full textMasters ThesisMany irrigation schemes which have been built in Tanzania are performing below
standard. This situation has resulted in low scheme production. Major causes for poor
performance may vary between different schemes. However, a comprehensive
performance evaluation of these schemes may bring a common understanding on the way
to improve the performance and enhance crop productivity in the irrigation schemes. This
Study was conducted to evaluate the overall irrigation performance of a cooperate
irrigation scheme in Dakawa Irrigation Schemes. In this scheme, water abstraction weir
was designed and constructed along Wami river to deliver water to a main canal in a
typical cooperate irrigation schemes. Flows to each of the secondary canals were
measured using calibrated staff gauges. The discharge data along with climatic data was
used in computing overall irrigation performance, irrigation water supply, distribution
performance, productivity of land and water, equity of irrigation water supply, relative
water supply, relative irrigation supply, water delivery capacity and irrigation ratio.
Moreover, social economic survey was also conducted to assess financial self-sufficiency,
fee collection, relative water costs, technical knowledge of staff and sustainability of
irrigable area. Irrigation performance indicators were also used to compare performance
among different cultivated areas. Review of documents, key informant interviews, focus
group discussions and field measurements was administered to collect information on
irrigation and land use practiced by farmers. The results show that the main canal supplied
4160 l/s of water for irrigation to all secondary canals which uses 4003 l/s during the
cropping season to meet crop demand for the entire irrigation scheme. However, the
farmers at the head and middle reaches abstracted more water than they required and
consequently caused a shortage of water supply to farmers at the tail-end reach. The result
also shows that the overall coefficient of variation in the discharge of water to al
secondary canals was within the acceptable range which is 67%. This adequate
coefficient of variation was due to improvements done in the whole scheme area including
the pump house. The seasonal equity of water distribution in secondary canals in Dakawa
was considered fair because all eight secondary canals equity values were above 62.5
percent. The productivity of land and output per command area in the Dakawa scheme is 8
198 346 US$. High productivity could be attributed to use of high–level inputs including
sub-optimal cropping intensities. The relatively high values of output per irrigation supply
suggest that the efficiency with which water is being used in the scheme is high. From the
focus group discussion, it was found out that farmers still have limited understanding of
irrigation scheduling and irrigation water management, as a result, some areas were overirrigated
while others faced water shortage. This situation calls for more farmers training
to be conducted in the Dakawa Irrigation Scheme. Same actions may be considered to
other existing irrigation schemes in Tanzania
Willingness to pay and accept compesation for conservation of the Usangu plain in Mbarali district Tanzania
No full textMasters ThesisPayments for ecosystem services (PES) compensate individuals or communities for
undertaking actions that increase the provision of ecosystem services such as water flows.
These payments rely on incentives to encourage behavioral change and can consequently
be considered part of the broader class to stimulate market-based mechanisms for
environmental policy. This study was carried out to estimate willingness of both
downstream and upstream user of Usangu plain to Pay and accept compensation for
conservation to aid flow of water downstream throughout the year. The specific objectives
were to estimate downstream willingness to pay (WTP), upstream willingness to accept
(WTA) compensation for conservation and adoption of environmentally friendly practices
and to determine factors influencing WTA compensation for conservation. Primary data
were collected through questionnaire which was administered to a random sample of 200
respondent’s upstream Usangu plain in four villages, while data for WTP were gathered
through checklists. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics whereas data from
choice experiment was analyzed by Conditional Logistic Model (CL) to elicit WTA
compensation for conservation, Multinomial logistic model (MNL) was used to assess the
factors influencing WTA compensation. Results show that downstream users were not
willing to add any addition payment apart from what they pay as water user fees. Further
results from CL show that upstream users are willing to accept several proposed
conservations and environmentally friendly practices if they are compensated based on
the performed practice and this is highly influenced by socio economic factors including
age, education level and marital status. It is concluded from this study that both users of
the plain are aware of the degradation status of the plain and their willingness to
participate in conservation varies. The study therefore recommends involvement of all
stakeholders in the development of conservation goals.Development Corridor Partnership (DCP
Gliricidia agroforestry technology adoption potential in selected dryland areas of Dodoma region, Tanzania
No full textArticle 2020Declining soil fertility is one of the major problems facing producers of field crops in
most dryland areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. In response to the declining soil fertility, extensive
participatory research has been undertaken by the World Agroforestry (ICRAF) and smallholder
farmers in Dodoma region, Tanzania. The research has, amongst others, led to the development of
Gliricidia agroforestry technology. The positive impact of Gliricidia intercropping on crop yields has
been established. However, information on farmers’ willingness and ability to adopt the Gliricidia
agroforestry technology on their farms is limited. This study predicts the adoption of Gliricidia
agroforestry and conventional mineral fertilizer use technology. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)
were conducted with groups of farmers, purposively selected based on five sets of criteria: (i) at least
2 years of experience in either trying or using Gliricidia agroforestry technology, (ii) at least 1 year of
experience in either trying or using the mineral fertilizer technology (iii) at least 10 years of living
in the study villages, (iv) the age of 18 years and above, and (v) sex. The Adoption and Diffusion
Outcome Prediction Tool (ADOPT) was used to predict the peak adoption levels and the respective
time in years. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the effect of change in adoption variables
on predicted peak adoption levels and time to peak adoption. The results revealed variations in peak
adoption levels with Gliricidia agroforestry technology exhibiting the highest peak of 67.6% in 12
years, and that the most influential variable to the peak adoption is the upfront cost of investing in
Gliricidia agroforestry and fertilizer technologies. However, in Gliricidia agroforestry technology
most production costs are incurred in the first year of project establishment but impact the long term
biophysical and economic benefits. Moreover, farmers practicing agroforestry technology accrue
environmental benefits, such as soil erosion control. Based on the results, it is plausible to argue that
Gliricidia agroforestry technology has a high adoption potential and its adoption is influenced by
investment costs. We recommend two actions to attract smallholder farmers investing in agroforestry
technologies. First, enhancing farmers’ access to inputs at affordable prices. Second, raising farmers’
awareness of the long-term environmental benefits of Gliricidia agroforestry technology
Implication of quality uncertainty on market exchange: The case of seed industry in Kilolo district, Tanzania. [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]
No full textEmerald Open Research 2020,An increasing demand of agricultural intensification and value addition
necessitates the use of improved inputs such as improved seed.
Smallholder farmers contribute about 70 % of agricultural production in
Tanzania. Agriculture sector in Tanzania contributes about 24.1 % of the
GDP, 30 % of exports and 65% of industrial raw materials. Thus, agriculture
development, economic growth and industrialization are inseparable. Due
to the nature of the product, smallholder farmers cannot judge the overall
excellence of seed at the time of buying. This paper assessed quality
uncertainty in maize and vegetable seed and its implication for market
exchange between farmers and seed sellers in Kilolo district, Iringa
Tanzania. The study used a random sample of 130 smallholder farmers and
representatives from ten seed companies. Asymmetric information prevails
between the two trading sides i.e. sellers and buyers. Moreover, product
augmentation is profoundly overlooked whereby most of seed companies
have not augmented their products. Despite that genetic and environmental
interaction sways crop performance, the paper offers a thorough deduction
of the results and its implication on market exchange. This paper adds
information in the body of knowledge on how an improved seed can
intensify upsurge production of food and industrial raw materials, which is a
step towards desired industrialization agenda in Tanzania
Influence of habitat characteristics on rodent abundance, diversity and occupancy in a restored Lulanda forest reserve, Southern Tanzania
No full textMasters ThesisRestoration of degraded natural areas to enhance genera conservation is widely gaining
pace; however, effort geared at assessing response of animal community particularly in
restored forests is still low. I used a CMR method to trap rodents and measured vegetation
characteristics to examine the association of vegetation characteristics with rodent
abundance, diversity and occupancy in a secondary forest 20 years after restoration. the
results found first, five rodent genera were in the secondary forest and three genera in the
primary forest and that, abundance of the most dominant genera Praomys sp. was
significantly higher in primary than in secondary forest. In addition, results showed
highest genera diversity in the secondary forest than the primary forest, supporting earlier
studies in this forest reserve. Second, rodent community in the study area showed strong
association with some measured local habitat characteristics in the secondary forest,
suggesting the importance of forest restoration on the small mammal assembly in restored
habitats. Third, in occupancy modeling, results showed detection probability strongly
influenced by habitat type. In contrast, the study revealed that herbaceous cover, shrub
cover and number of trees were the most important vegetation characteristics driving
rodent occupancy in the studied forests. Fourth, the negative generalized linear models
revealed number of saplings and percent shrub cover were the strongest predictors of
rodent abundance across the study sites while the habitat types strongly predicted the
Praomys sp. abundance in the studied area. Based on study findings, the forest restoration
improves rodent genera coming back in restored areas, continuing to restore degraded
areas elsewhere is an increasing priority.African Centre of Excellency Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor
Technology (ACEII-IRP and BTD)
Knowledge, attitude and socio-economic factors affecting receptivity of malaria control strategies in Lindi and Mtwara regions, Tanzania
No full textDespite efforts to control malaria with its morbidity and mortality rates in Tanzania, it still
persists. The main objective of the study on which this thesis is based was to investigate
people’s knowledge, attitudes and socio-economic factors associated with receptivity of
malaria control strategies. The specific objectives of the study were to assess knowledge
about malaria control strategies and its association with demographic and socio-economic
variables, examine attitude towards malaria control strategies and its association with
demographic and socio-economic variables, and determine relationships between
receptivity of malaria control strategies and knowledge, attitude and socio-economic
factors. The study was conducted in Lindi and Mtwara Regions in 2017 and used a cross-
sectional research design. Random sampling was used to select 306 heads of households.
Quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Quantitative data were collected using a
structured questionnaire, but qualitative data were collected through focus group
discussions and key informant interviews. Qualitative data were analysed by being
summarized by their themes, and comparing and contrasting arguments given by different
interviewees based on content analysis. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS
Statistics Version 26 Software whereby both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics
were employed in analysis. Knowledge about malaria was moderate; the overall score on
the scale that was used to measure it was 53%. The knowledge was significantly
associated (p < 0.05) with sex of respondent, education level of respondent, main
occupation of respondent, and income of household. The overall attitude towards malaria
control strategies was positive (54.5 points above 48.0 points that indicated undecided
attitude). There were significant associations (p < 0.05) between attitude towards malaria
control strategies and sex of respondent, marital status, education level, main occupation,
and household income. The minimum, median and maximum scores on a five-point scale
which was used to measure receptivity of malaria control strategies were 126.72 and
198.00 respectively, and 20% and 80% of the respondents, respectively, had lower and
higher receptivity. Receptivity of malaria control strategies was significantly different (p
< 0.05) among respondents with different levels of knowledge, among respondents with
different attitudes towards malaria control strategies, among respondents with different
marital statuses, among households of various sizes, among households whose heads had
various levels of education, among households with different amounts of income, and
among respondents who had different occupations. On the basis of the findings, it is
concluded that community members in the research area have information on malaria
preventive strategies, but that they hardly have knowledge about malaria causes, how to
utilize preventive measures, and the importance of using bed nets for malaria prevention.
It is also concluded that sex of respondent, education level of respondent, main
occupation of respondent and household income are main factors which explain
knowledge about malaria in the research area. Another conclusion is that community
members in the research have positive towards malaria control strategies, but that they
have negative attitude towards distribution and use of mosquito nets. Moreover, sex of
respondent, marital status, education level, main occupation and household income are
main factors which explain the attitude. Besides, it is concluded that levels of knowledge
levels, different attitudes towards malaria control strategies, different marital statuses,
household sizes, levels of education, household income, and different occupations are
main factors related to receptivity of malaria control strategies. On the basis of those
conclusions, in order to increase receptivity of malaria control strategies and hence
control malaria more effectively, the following recommendations are given. The
government and relevant stakeholders should increase provision of knowledge about the
nature of malaria, its prevention and cure. Communities should make effort to get the
right knowledge about malaria and practise it. In provision of the knowledge about
malaria, the main factors which are associated with it (sex of respondent, education level
of respondent, main occupation of respondent, and income of household) should be given
priority. Campaigns to control malaria should address attitude towards strategies to
control it since attitude is inextricably connected with receptivity of malaria control
strategies. In order to increase receptivity of malaria control strategies, knowledge about
the strategies, attitude towards the strategies, marital statuses, household size, levels of
education, household income, and different occupations should be given high priority as
they are main factors related to the receptivity
Women empowerment and the nutrition status of children aged between 6-59 months
No full textJournal of Nutrition and Health Sciences 2020Malnutrition remains a concern in the central province, despite being the most productive province in terms of Agriculture. Most studies in the province have not paid attention to the importance of women empowerment and the nutrition outcomes of the population. In light of this knowledge gap, this study focused on the Women’s empowerment and the nutrition status of children aged 6-59 months. The study assessed the extent to which women are empowered in agricultural activities. This study sought to determine the association of women empowerment and nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months in Kapiri-Mposhi district in the Central Province of Zambia. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire. A total of 99 households were randomly sampled and the nutritional status of one child from each household assessed using anthropometric measurements. A total of 99 children were included in the study. Up to 21% of the children were stunted; 2% were wasted; and 9% underweight. There was a significant relationship between access to credit or income opportunities and Z-scores for wasting (WHZ) (p<0.05). This study suggests that further investment into women’s access to income may help improve the nutrition status of children
Assessment of household water services accessibility in Karatu district Tanzania a case of world vision dream village wash project
No full textMasters ThesisThe study aimed at assessing household water service accessibility in Karatu District
Tanzania, a case of world vision dream village WASH project. Specifically, the study
wanted to establish the level of access to water services before and after the dream village
WASH project, to assess community involvement in dream village WASH project, and to
determine household water users’ opinions on dream village WASH project. The study
adopted both quantitative and qualitative research approaches, whereby a descriptive
social survey research design was involved. Data were collected from 120 household
water users from three villages (Mbuganyekundu, Jobaj, and Dumbechand) and 10 key
informants. Questionnaire, interview, and FGDs were used in data collection. Inferential
analysis was involved in establishing the relationship between independent (intervention,
community involvement and water users’ opinions) and dependent variables (access to
water services). Qualitative analysis involved content analysis. The findings show that
before the project, people used to walk for more than 4 kilometres to find water and they
used unprotected water sources, but after the project the level of access to water improved
and the distance from households to the water points was reduced. The findings also
indicate that the community was involved in stages of implementing the project and
community had positive opinion on the project. The study also found the statistical
significant level ((p≤0.05) between independent (intervention, community involvement
and water users’ opinions) and dependent variable (access to water services).The study
conclude that, there is improved level of access to water services, community
involvement in water service project and household water users’ opinion in water services
may influence accessibility of water services among the households
Management of smut disease and analysis of nutritional value of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) in central Tanzania
No full textSorghum smut disease is one of the serious constrain in sorghum production especially
when seeds are not treated before planting, where grain yield loss of up to 80% is
reported in different parts of the world. A study was conducted to increase potential of
sorghum productivity by enhancing smut disease management in Central Zone of
Tanzania. Field experiment were laid out in 6 x 4 (Sorghum varieties x fungicides)
factorial in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications
whereby sorghum samples from each variety were analyzed for proximate composition.
Results revealed that there was very highly significant difference observed among
sorghum varieties tested (p< 0.05) on disease incidence and severity. The lowest
incidence and severity of 4.57 and 11.41% were recorded on NACO Mtama1which also
corresponded with the highest grain yield 3210kg/ha, while the highest incidence
(22.18%) and Severity (19.07%) which also corresponded with the lowest grain yield
2380kg/ha were in Langalanga landrace. For fungicides the lowest disease incidence
(3.71%) and severity (11.15%) were with application of Apron star while the highest
incidence (36.93%) and severity (26.68%) were recorded on control. Apron star, the seed
dressing fungicide application led to the highest yield while the lowest was from control
with no fungicide application. The proximate analysis revealed that sorghum samples
contains appreciable nutrient contents whereby protein content ranged from 7.14 – 10.16
g, fat 3.34 – 5.34 g, Fibre 1.12 – 2.00g, total carbohydrate 74.89 - 78.15g.From the
present study, NACO Mtama1 has shown promising results as potential variety for
sorghum production and source of resistance to smut disease, while the fungicide Apron
Star is recommended for smut management in central part of Tanzania, due to the lowest
smut disease incidence, highest grain yield and highest net profit among other methods of
sorghum smut management.International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT Mali