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Climate Impacts on Agricultural and Natural Resource Sustainability in Africa
No full textThe major challenge related to sustainable management of natural resources,
agricultural and livestock production, and the assessment of innovative technologies
and policies is to identify solutions for these problems. Soil degradation, a serious
problem in sub-Saharan Africa, is affected by climate change through emission of
greenhouse gases (GHGs). Thus, restoration and sustainable management of soil to
minimize risks of soil degradation are important to adaptation and mitigation of climate
change and to advancing sustainable development goals of the United Nations.
Livestock is a source of animal proteins for humans on the one hand and a source of
nutrients and energy (biogas) on the other. However, livestock is vulnerable to many
climate change-induced disasters such as prolonged droughts and floods, resulting in
loss of animals and feed resources. In order to fully benefit from livestock, the targeted
interventions needed include adoption of feed preservation technologies, including hay
and silage for use during lean periods, controlled planning and management of com-
munal grazing areas, rehabilitation of degraded communal grazing areas, and range-
lands as a way of improving pasture availability. Research and development priorities
and emerging issues include conservation agriculture (CA), use of legume-based crop-
ping systems, integrated nutrient management (INM), climate-resilient livestock and
feed systems, value addition policies, and adoption of innovative technologies
On the absurdity of rapid urbanization: Spatio-temporal analysis of land-use changes in Morogoro, Tanzania
No full textThis study questions the frequent overemphasis on population growth aspects of African urbanization with little consideration of the spatial extent by analyzing the influence of population growth on the spatial expansion of the Morogoro urban municipality (MUM) in Tanzania between 2000 and 2016. Shannon's Entropy, a random forest supervised classifier, and spatial analysis were adopted to analyze Multi-temporal Landsat images obtained through the Google Earth Engine platform to quantify the spatial and temporal distribution and pattern of land-use change. Findings from this research show that Shannon's entropy values for MUM increased from 0.522 in 2000, to 0.761 in 2007, and to 0.901 in 2016 with the urban land cover recording a considerable and consistent increase. Similarly, the municipality's annual rate of change in population decreased from 4.17% in 1967 to 3.81% in 2016, and is estimated to rise to 4.54% by 2030 with a corresponding population of 25,262 in 1967 and 622,000 in 2016. From the results, the rate of population growth is not commensurate with the rate of spatial expansion, as the spatial extent is more than twice the population growth. An important contribution from this research relates to the limited attention to the faster rate of urban expansion compared to population
growth in African cities; a situation that is inconsistent with sustainable and resilient urban futures. It is recommended
that municipal authorities should consider initiatives (e.g., environmental planning models) to
reverse the current trend of urban growth in order to improve the health, density, sustainability and resilience of
the urban environment
Reporting systems and diagnostic capacities for Taenia Solium Cysicercosis/Taeniosis: The current status in selected regions of Tanzania
No full textMasters ThesisPorcine cysticercosis and human neurocysticercosis/taeniosis are two forms of a zoonotic disease
caused by Taenia solium tapeworm. There is a perceived inefficient diagnosis and reporting of
both forms of this parasitic disease in Tanzania. The aim of this study was to identify the challenges
associated with diagnosis and reporting of both forms of the parasitic disease in medical and
veterinary sectors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Babati, Mbulu, Kongwa, Mbinga and
Nyasa districts located in three regions namely Manyara, Dodoma and Ruvuma using qualitative
and quantitative research approaches. The districts were purposively chosen basing on the porcine
cysticercosis (PC) prevalence equal or more than 12.0% obtained through tongue palpation. In
depth interview was used to collect qualitative data involving medical and veterinary officers from
district to national level. Officers in charge of Zonal Veterinary Investigation Center and Tanzania
Veterinary Laboratory Agency found in Iringa and Arusha regions were included in qualitative data
collection to capture their perceptions and the role the investigation centers and laboratories were
playing in the reporting and diagnosis of porcine cysticercosis. The quantitative data were collected
by administering structured questionnaire to 154 medical officers in primary health facilities and
110 meat inspectors. Taeniosis diagnosis capacity was assessed for availability of functioning
laboratories and qualified laboratory technicians and clinicians in primary health facilities with
ability to test and diagnose helminthosis including taeniosis. Respondents’ awareness and
knowledge about T. solium tapeworm and T. solium cysticerci were assessed for their correct
descriptions of the two forms of the tapeworm, tapeworm hosts and mode of human infection by the
larval stage of the tapeworm. In addition, questions about pig slaughter slabs, transport facilitation
to meat inspectors, qualification and number of meat inspectors were asked to meat inspectors.
Information about availability of taeniosis and neurocysticercosis/epilepsy diagnostic facilities and
challenges for PC diagnosis was also enquired from 33 medical and veterinary respondents. T.
solium taeniosis, neurocysticercosis and PC reporting was assessed for availability of reporting data
of both forms of the disease in medical and veterinary reporting systems. Disease reporting was
assessed for the availability of reporting format, specific disease reported, report completeness,
timeliness in report submission, means of sending the report and presence of reporting feedback.
Quantitative data were analysed for proportions and Chi-square statistical test using Statistical
Package for Social Science (SPSS). Content analysis for qualitative data was undertaken using
ATLAS.ti software. Qualitative results based on ATLAS.ti revealed inadequate diagnostic facilities,
laboratory personnel and clinicians to diagnose taeniosis in primary health facilities and inadequate
CT scanners, MRI machines and physicians to diagnose neurocysticercosis/epileptic cases in
secondary and tertiary health facilities. On the other hand, T. solium taeniosis and
neurocysticercosis were not reportable diseases in the current medical disease surveillance and
reporting system although the system was adequately facilitated. Inadequate facilitation of the
general animal disease surveillance system particularly in the primary data collection hindered
efficient PC reporting. The reports lacked completeness, always lately submitted and sometimes not
submitted at all. Porcine cysticercosis diagnosis was challenged by availability of inadequate
qualified meat inspectors, inadequate slaughter slabs and inadequate facilitation of routine meat
inspection activities. Quantitative data revealed that only 33.8% of the visited primary health
facilities had laboratories with capacity to diagnose helminthosis, 46.5% of respondents relied on
patients’ history to diagnose taeniosis. Majority of meat inspectors (71.5%) scored above average in
T. solium cysticerci standard description compared to 57.9% medical personnel who scored below
average. On contrary, 61.2% of medical personnel scored above average in T. solium tapeworm
description while 57.4% of meat inspectors scored below average. Officers in charge with clinical
medical health profession correctly described T. solium cysticerci than those with other medical
health professions (P<0.019) whereas officers in charge with less working experience were much
more aware about T. solium cysticerci than those with more working experience (P<0.046). Large
proportion of meat inspectors with professional background other than animal health were aware
about T. solium tapeworm compared to those with animal health professional background
(P<0.009). Medical disease surveillance and reporting system was adequately facilitated in terms of
report preparation and submissions with 83.8% of respondents being able to submit reports timely
and 43.8% capable of physically submitting the reports. Nevertheless, meat inspectors were
inadequately facilitated in report preparation and submission, with 91.8% lacking abattoir disease
surveillance forms and 41.8% unable to submit reports on time. It is concluded that T. solium
cysticercorsis/taeniosis diagnosis and reporting is a challenge in both medical and veterinary
sectors. In addition to that, both forms of the disease are not listed under the reportable diseases of
the MoHCDGEC. Porcine cysticercosis was inadequately reported possibly due to inadequate
facilitation to enable timely disease reporting as reflected by the general lack of the abattoir
surveillance forms.
A One Health approach is needed to bring together medical practitioners and veterinarians and both
should be equipped with common understanding regarding the tapeworm biology including medical
and social economic importance of the parasite. Common strategies should be put in place to
enhance efficient surveillance and reporting of both forms of the disease in medical and veterinary
sectors.Cystinet Africa Projec
Improving dietary diversity through on-farm production and nutrition education in rural households of Tanzania
No full textBackground: The human body requires nutrients from varieties of food groups for a
healthy and productive life. These nutrients primarily are from food crops and livestock
products, thus make farm production as an important pathway for improving not only
dietary diversity but also good nutrition status of a population. However, availability of
foods is one thing but the choice and decision on what to eat, how to prepare and allocate
the foods to the family members is governed by several factors including Knowledge,
Attitude and Practice. The pathways and mechanisms in which dietary diversity is linked
with farm production and nutrition knowledge have not been adequately studied. Given
the fact that malnutrition is still a huge challenge especially in rural areas of Tanzania,
where farm production activities are mainly taking place, it will be important to explore
the pathways and associated factors. This study aimed to establish factors associated with
household dietary diversity in the context of farm production and nutrition knowledge.
The study intended to measure the associations and predictors of household dietary
diversity using different indicators of farm production in addition to nutrition knowledge,
socio-demographics, economic and agricultural characteristics.
Methods: The study was conducted in three phases, the baseline (July-August 2016),
intervention (September, 2017 to April, 2018) and the end-line phase July-August 2018.
The baseline phase involved cross-sectional data collection from 663 women/caregivers
in rural households of Dodoma and Morogoro regions. Nutrition education intervention
was given for a period of 8 months. It included 10 days group training with six-month
individual training follow-ups in the household. Spouses/ adult men were also invited to
participate in the intervention. Training contents included: functions of food, food groups,
malnutrition, food preparations, food consumption and homestead food production.
Women/caregivers were given pre-test at the baseline and a post-test during the end-line
survey to assess the effect of the nutrition education intervention. The end-line-phase
involved 577 women/caregivers in rural households of Dodoma and Morogoro regions.
Data for household dietary diversity, farm production, nutrition knowledge and other
socio-demographic variables were collected using questionnaires. Data were analysed
using SPSS version 20. For descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation were used
for parametric data, while median and interquartile ranges were used for non-parametric
data. Pearson correlation and Chi-square test were used to determine the correlation and
relationship among variables. Mean separation was done by using one-way ANOVA with
Tukey’s post hoc test, level of significance was set as P = < 0.05. Binary logistic
regression was applied to identify predictors of the association between dichotomous
variables. For non-parametric inferential statistics, Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used
for comparison of variables before and after the intervention, Mann–Whitney U test for
comparison of two groups and Kruskal Wallis test for comparison of more than two
groups. The McNemar test was also applied to establish differences in frequencies
between baseline and end-line.
Results: At baseline, the median household dietary diversity score (HDDS) was low (4.2)
with less than half (43.7%) of the households reported consuming at least 5 food groups
in all the regions. The Median HDDS differed significantly between regions; Dodoma had
lower HDDS (interquartile range) of 3.9 (2.9, 5.2) compared to Morogoro region of 4.5
(3.5,5.8). Furthermore, the baseline results revealed a high level of nutrition illiteracy in
the two regions. Only 14% of the population had received nutrition education/information
prior to the baseline survey. The mean score for nutrition knowledge and practice was 6.9
(±2.6) out of 20 and only 17% of the study population scored above the mean.
At the baseline all households (100%) reported growing at least a single crop and only
52.5% of the households owned at least one type of livestock species. Farm production
diversity and growing of specific food groups such as dark green vegetables, other
vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds had shown to increase HDDS.
Despite a mismatch between the proportion of households that reported keeping livestock
(52.5%) and those who reported consuming of animal source foods (26%), still livestock
keeping had shown to increase HDDS. After adjusting for socio-demographic and other
variables in the regression model, the higher farm production diversity, daily food
expenditure and nutrition knowledge consistently predicted an increase in household
dietary diversity score in both regions. The effect of farm production diversity on HDDS
was slightly higher in Dodoma households (ß-coefficient =0.29, t = 5.65, p<0.001) than in
Morogoro households (ß-coefficient =0.25, t = 4.62, p<0.001), however, the effects of
daily food expenditure on HDDS was more pronounced in Morogoro households (ßcoefficient
=0.29, t = 5.87, p<0.001) compared to Dodoma households (ß-coefficient
=0.19, t = 3.88, p<0.001).
Results of the end-line phase after implementation of nutrition education intervention,
indicated that 96% of mothers/caregivers reported having included at least 5 food groups
in their household meal compared to the baseline phase (54%). A significant increase in
the frequencies of consumption of vegetables, fruits and legumes were noted from the
baseline to the end-line survey (87% vs 98%, 63% vs 69% and 76% vs 87%), p<0.001,
respectively. Furthermore, the median scores for both nutrition knowledge and nutrition
practice increased significantly at the end-line survey. In particular, the findings revealed
that proportions of households knowing the importance of growing fruits and vegetable,
importance of including different food groups in a meal, dietary enhancers of iron and
recognition of malnutrition signs, increased at the end-line phase. The higher scores were
recorded among those who had received nutrition education, who had frequently been
exposed to nutrition education, whose spouses/men participated in the intervention and
those with a formal level of education than their counterparts.
Conclusion: The findings of this study entail that any intervention for promoting
household dietary diversity should consider farm production diversity, status of nutrition
knowledge, household food expenditure and market accessibility. The study has shown
that household ability to diversify diets is based on the capacity to produce more varieties
of food groups on their farmland. These include production of livestock coupled with
production of dark green vegetables, other vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables, nuts and
seeds. The importance of exposure to nutrition education came out
vividly in this study. Mothers/caregivers who had frequently been exposed to nutrition
education had higher household dietary diversity than their counterparts. In addition,
household dietary diversity was higher among the households in which their spouses/men
participated in nutrition education training than their counterparts. This suggests the
necessity of involving men in nutrition education intervention to facilitate the retention of
nutrition knowledge and the adoption of desirable dietary practices in households.
Furthermore, other dimensions such as food expenditure and market accessibility
appeared to enhance household dietary diversity especially when production diversity in
the home-stead farm is limited. The study has also shown that, access to the nearest
market and an increase in the household food expenditure diminishes the positive effects
of farm production diversity over the household dietary diversity. Therefore, observations
from this study call for further research to explore the influence of market accessibility
and food expenditure on the household dietary diversity especially in rural areas where
market infrastructure is poor and per capital income is low.Scale-N projec
Enhancing rangeland productivity through integrated Management of Kongwa weed (astripomoea hyoscyamoides vatke Verdc.): a case study of Kongwa ranch
No full textMasters ThesisIntroduction
Kongwa weed (Astripomoea hyoscyamoides Vatke Verdc.) is noxious weed species
in Tanzania which is defined as an unusual species that pose harmful effect to other
species and ecosystems hence causing significant economic damage in grassland and
cropland as well as natural areas. Recently, there is a decline of livestock production
due to insufficient animal feeds resulting from diminishing of pasture in range land
caused by weeds infestation. This study aimed to develop integrated management
strategies and technologies for management of Kongwa weed so as to increase
livestock production by improving the natural pasture in grazing land. Specifically,
the study sought: (1) To determine efficacy of selected plant species for allelopathic
effects against Kongwa weed, (2) To evaluate the effectiveness of selected cultural,
biological and chemical methods singly or in combination as management options
against Kongwa weed and (3) To establish the most economical integrated weed
management option(s) for controlling the Kongwa weed. The first chapter contains
general introduction, the second, third and fourth chapter in the dissertation comprise
manuscripts in the form of publishable papers which cover the first, second and third
specific objectives while chapter five covers general conclusion and
recommendation.
Methods
With respect to specific objective 1, the study was conducted in a screen house in
two phases. The experiment was laid out in factorial experiment; the pots were
2
arranged in a randomized complete block design with 12 treatment combinations
replicated four times. Factor A contained three types of plant extracts (M. azedarach,
R. communis and N. tabacum) and factor B contained four concentration levels (0.0,
2.5, 5.0 and 10 g l-1). Data were collected for plant growth parameters14 to 60 days
after sowing in seven days intervals. Data was analyzed using GenStat software
(version 16). Turkey's significant test at 5% level of significance. The study was
conducted in two sites located in Sejeli ward, Kongwa district. Site A and B
contained five and 12 treatments as weed management options applied in paddocks
occupied with Cenchrus ciliaris and Cynodon dactylon, respectively. The
experimental layout in site A and B followed a randomized complete block design
with four replications. Data were collected for plant growth parameters 7 to 35 days
after treatment application at seven days interval. Data was analyzed using GenStat
software (version 16). Turkey's significant test at 5% level of significance. The
economic analysis of natural pasture production and weed management package
were carried out based on benefit cost ratio using partial budget analysis per
objective 3. The variable costs for purchasing inputs, acquiring of plant materials and
labour cost calculated by working out expenditure using prevailing price on different
aspects of weed management and gross income under different treatments. The net
return and cost-benefit ratio were also calculated to determine the feasibility of the
treatments. Data collected from two sites were used to estimate the profitability of
pasture yield under different weed management options. The return produced from
each treatment was found by multiplying the pasture yield by the market price.
3
Findings
Results revealed that, the allelopathic effect of M. azedarach, R. communis at 10 g l-
1concentration showed significant effect at (P≤0.05) on weed height, girth, leaves,
leaf area and chlorophyll contents in phase I and II. Significant effect at (P≤0.05)
were recorded for treatments applied at concentration level of 10 g l-1 followed by 5
g l-1. Similar effects were observed on chlorophyll contents and number of survived
weed at the same concentration in phase I and II. Results showed that, at site A
treatment M. azedarach significantly affected the number of Kongwa weed survivors
(5) and number of weed leaves (7). Similar effect was observed on pasture DM yield
of (8.9 ton ha-1) in the same treatments at P<0.001. However results on site B showed
that, number of weed leaves (14), height (37.55 cm) and girth (3 mm) were
significantly affected at P<0.001 by 2,4-D treatment, while cutting + M. azedarach
treatment significantly affected weed survivor (10) at P<0.001 compared to other
applied treatments. Further, hand pulling + M. azedratch and cutting + 2, 4-D had
significant influence on pasture DM yield of 14.02 ton ha-1 at P<0.001 compared to
other treatments. However, the highest profits of controlling Kongwa weed was
obtained from M. azedarach (TSh. 435 555.00 ha-1) and 2, 4-D (TSh. 232 053.00 ha-
1) treatments resulted from the mean pasture MD yield of 8.94 t ha-1 and 6.58
respectively. While at site B, the highest net profit were recorded from treatments on
hand pulling + M. azedarach TSh.928 328.00 ha-1 followed by cutting + 2, 4-D TSh.
749 577 ha-1), 2, 4-D (TSh.682 949.00 ha-1) and hand pulling + 2, 4-D (TSh. 648
281.00 ha-1) with the average pasture DM yield of 14.02 t ha-1, 14.02 t ha-1, 12.76 t
ha-1 and 12.10 t ha-1 table 4.3 and 4.4 respectively.
4
Conclusion
The study concludes that M. azedarach is an important plant species in controlling
Kongwa weed due to its allelopathic effect and thus it can be used as a bio-herbicidal
plant for controlling the weed compared to R. communis and N. tabacum. However,
all allelochemicals activities depend on the level of concentration applied. Therefore,
appropriate weed control provided a favourable environment for the pasture growth
and development. Integrated weed management option was more effective than
single treatment when applied in high weed infestation. Where single treatment was
applied, lower yield and marginal return was consistently achieved compared to
where supplemented by a combination of treatments.
Recommendations
For sustainable ecosystems, M. azedarach and R. communis should be used as bioherbicides
in managing Kongwa weed in rangelands as an alternative to industrial
herbicides. Concentration (10 g l-1) of M. azedarach and R. communis should be used
in open field particularly grazing lands. Integrated weed management option applied
in high weeds infestation and herbicides or plant extracts applied singly in low weeds
infested range lands are recommended. The study suggests weeds management
practices; cutting + 2, 4-D, Hand pulling + M. azedarach and hand pulling + 2, 4-D
to reduce Kongwa weed in grazing lands consequently minimising the cost of
production required for forage optimum yield and increased profitability
Use and misuse of trypanocides and comparison of putatively Drug sensitive and resistant strains of trypanosome Congolense isolated from Tanzania
No full textPhD ThesisBackground: Tsetse-borne African Animal Trypanosomosis (AAT) greatly influences
livestock distribution and significantly slows livestock productivity in sub-Saharan Africa.
While a number of control methods targeting the vector tsetse are in field application,
treatment with the few available trypanocides continues to be the most widely applied
control method. Unfortunately, improper and frequent use of these few available drugs,
accelerated by poor veterinary service delivery, promote trypanosome drug resistance, the
magnitude of which has not been delineated. In the present study, current practices on
trypanocides application for control of bovine trypanosomosis in the field in Tanzania
were studied with a view to policy advice on safe and sustainable use of trypanocides.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire
administered to a total of 200 randomly selected livestock keepers in selected pastoral and
agropastoral areas within three districts namely Korogwe, Pangani and Mvomero in
eastern and north-eastern Tanzania. The data were handled using excel spreadsheet and
later exported to Epi-Info™ software program version 7 for descriptive analysis.
Results: In total, 50% of respondents in all three study districts had primary level of
education; over 40% had informal education and 5% with university education (all from
Pangani district). Most of the respondents aged 30-59 years with exception of Korogwe
district where 35% aged 20 -29 years. Over 95% of the respondents had knowledge on
tsetse as a vector of trypanosomosis and correctly identified tsetse in provided pictures.
Furthermore, 98.7% of the respondents applied pyrethroids for tsetse vector control.
Regarding parasite control practices, this study revealed significant variation in the usage
and application intervals of trypanocides. Whereas only 20% of the respondents used
chemoprophylaxis for trypanosomosis control, 69-95% wrongly used diminazene
aceturate thinking it is prophylactic while it is not. About 5-30% of the respondents used
the prophylactic drug isometamidium chloride. Most of the respondents (95% in Korogwe,
60% in Pangani and 93.1% in Mvomero) administered the drugs on their own. Improper
administration of trypanocides was significantly high in all study districts. The
respondents in Korogwe (75%) and Mvomero (72%) administered the drugs intravenously
with a view to achieve faster drug effect contrary to manufacturers’ recommendations. The
respondents (40%) in Pangani district used both intravenous and intramuscular routes.
Additionally, all respondents did not observe the recommended withdrawal periods for the
drugs.
Conclusion: This study revealed high level of trypanocides misuse that poses a high risk
of trypanosome drug resistance development as well as risks to human health from drug
residues in consumed animal products. This calls for improvement of veterinary service
delivery in pastoral and agropastoral areas of Tanzania to forestall misuse of
chemotherapeutics.Government of the United Republic of Tanzani
Prevalence and antimicrobial profiles of staphylococcus Aureus isolated from raw bovine milk in dairy and pastoral Farms of Morogoro, Tanzania
No full textMasters ThesisStaphylococcus aureus is an economic significant bacterium in dairy industry that can be
spread to humans through consumption of raw milk causing foodborne infections.
Severity of S. aureus infections either in animals or humans is enhanced by acquisition of
resistance to methicillin. A cross-sectional study was carried out to establish prevalence,
antibiotic susceptibility patterns and molecular characteristics of S. aureus in raw bovine
milk from dairy and pastoral farms in Mvomero and Morogoro Urban Districts, Tanzania.
A total of 397 milk samples were randomly collected from various wards in the study
area. The pure isolates were identified by their cultural, morphological and biochemical
features. Kirby Bauer Disk Diffusion method was used for the susceptibility testing.
Multiplex PCR was used for detection of Methicillin resistance and virulence genes.
Analysis of results revealed a prevalence of 124/397 (31.2%) for coagulase positive S.
aureus (COPS) and 29/397 (7.3%) for coagulase negative Staphylococci (CONS) isolates
based on conventional identification. All Coagulase positive S. aureus isolates were
susceptible to cefoxitin(30μg) and chloramphenicol (50μg) but had resistance to penicillin
G (10 UI), tetracycline (30μg), amoxicillin-clavulanic (30μg), oxacillin (1μg), gentamicin
(10μg), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (30μg) at 93.5%, 28.2%, 25%, 22.6%, 8.1%
and 1.6% respectively. The results also revealed that CONS had resistance of 86.2%,
17.2%, 17.2%, 10.3%, and 3.4% to penicillin G (10 UI), tetracycline (30μg), oxacillin
(1μg), amoxicillin-clavulanic (30μg) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (30μg) but were
susceptible to chloramphenicol (50μg), cefoxitin (30μg) and gentamicin (10μg). Of the
124 S. aureus isolates, 80 (64.5%) had spa gene and 1/124 (0.8% mecA gene. S. aureus
(31.2%) isolated from raw bovine milk at farm level constitutes a health hazard to
consumers hence, highlighting the importance of observing hygienic milking practices as
well as educating livestock farmers on proper usage of antimicrobials.Inter-University Council of East Africa-World Ban
Farm and off-farm linkages: The effect of off- farm employment on farm inputs and labour allocation in Kilombero valley, Tanzania
No full textThe East African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 1920: Vol 1(2)Engaging in off-farm employment among farming households may either have a competing effect or complementary effect
with households’ own farm work. Both effects have implications on the household's ability to enhance farm investment and reduce
poverty. This study first examines the role of off-farm employment on financing farm inputs, and secondly, it assesses the effects of
labour devoted to off-farm employment on a household’s farm labour supply. The survey data from 309 randomly selected farming
households in five villages of the Kilombero Valley were used. Tobit model that considers cornered solution has been used. Results from
the econometric estimation show that holding other factors constant, the increase of non-farm self-employment income is associated
with more expenditure on inputs. Qualitative evidence, however, suggests that some forms of labour-demanding off-farm employment
such as those related to farm wage have an undesirable labour effect on labour supply on households’ farms, with repercussions onfarm
productivity. It is recommended that rural development policies should establish synergy between farm and off-farm activities
taking into account the effect of both income and labour on off-farm employment
Efficacy of insecticides used for cotton insect pests management in Maswa district
No full textMasters ThesisThe efficacy of insecticides used for cotton insect pests management were investigated in
Maswa district from November 2018 to April 2019. The aim was improvement of cotton
productivity through use of appropriate insecticides at recommended rates of application.
The experiment was laid out as factorial in Randomized Completely Block Design
(RCBD) with three replications in different locations, i.e. Shanwa primary, Maswa girls
and Binza Secondary. The main plots consisted of three different insecticide
concentrations, i.e. 0.8 of actual, 1.0 actual, and 1.2 of actual, mls while the subplots
constituted the nine types of insecticides. These insecticides were applied three times
according to the recommended application regime and the economic thresholds of each
major cotton insect pest observed. Data collected were subjected to the ANOVA technique
using SAS 9.3 statistical software and followed by Least Significant Difference (LSD0.05)
means separation. Cotton insect pests dominant were Aphids followed by ants, which was
one a beneficial. All the insecticides and rates of application tested decreased cotton insect
pests densities and boll damage resulting in increased seed cotton yield when compared
with control. Attakan, Confidor, Thunder and Duduba were highly effective against
sucking insect pests of cotton. Based on Economic threshold (ET), dominant insect pests
were; Aphids (20% of infested plants) and American bollworm (0.5 flared squares per
plant) which was determined in order to initiate control measures which lead to increases
in seed cotton production per area. ET rationalizes the use of insecticides to overcome
inappropriate choices of insecticides, wrong timing of application, poor dosages and
limited knowledge on scouting pests and decision making largely contribute to
ineffectiveness of insecticides. Insecticides application therefore should be rotated in order
to lower insect pest abundance
Consumer willingness to pay for the colour of cooking oil: A comparison of rural and urban consumers' in Tanzania
No full textMasters ThesisColour is considered an important parameter consumers take into account during product
evaluation. However, this attribute may be lost or altered during processing of the product.
Sunflower is one of the Tanzanian priority crops under the Agricultural Sector
Development Programme Phase Two (ASDPII). To ensure food safety, it requires that all
cooking oil sold in the market is double refined. This study is about consumer preferences
and Willingness to Pay (WTP) for the colour of cooking oil among rural and urban
consumers in a developing country. In addition to this, the study also determine the effect
of information about the level of refinement on the WTP for the colour of cooking oil.
Using the multiple price list format in eliciting consumers WTP, an interval regression
model was estimated. The study identified health considerations, naturalness and sensory
taste as the most important factors influencing consumer preference and WTP for the
colour of cooking oil. The study found that without information, the average WTP for dark,
light and very light cooking oil were TZS 3288/litre, TZS 3096/litre and TZS 2756/litre
respectively. It was also found that urban consumers reduced their WTP for dark oil after
getting information by 30.1% while rural consumers increased their WTP by about 7.2%
regardless. On the other hand, both rural and urban consumers increased their average
WTP for very light oil by about 26% when they received information. Furthermore,
estimates from the interval regression model revealed that very light-coloured cooking oil
was discounted in the absence of any information, but that changed once consumers were
exposed to information on the level of refinement. With information, urban consumers
were willing to pay significantly higher for very light cooking oil followed by light
cooking oil and dark cooking oil than their rural counterparts. The study recommended that
the government should embark on educating the population to allay fears that pushes them
away from very light cooking oil and also government can revisit its policy on double
refined cooking oil and make room for consumers who prefer unrefined due to health
concerns