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Challenges associated with the use of information and communication technologies in information sharing by fish farmers in the Southern highlands of Tanzania
No full textJournal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, 2020; 18 (1): 44-61Purpose – This paper aims to examine the challenges facing fish farmers in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in information sharing on fish farming.
Design/methodology/approach – This study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. It involved 240 fish farmers who were randomly selected. Questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs), observation and key informant’s interviews were used as methods of data collection. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, while content analysis was used for qualitative data.
Findings – It was found that the most frequently used ICTs by fish farmers in sharing agricultural information were mobile phones, radio and television. Also, the study revealed that major challenges facing fish farmers in sharing information include unfavourable radio or television broadcasting time, high cost of acquiring and maintenance of ICT facilities, lack of training on ICT, poor network connectivity and low level of literacy. Moreover, it was further found that there was negative significant relationship (P < 0.05) between challenges associated with the use and degree of ICT usage by fish farmers.
Originality/value – The study is original with the exception of areas where citations have been made. Besides, it provides awareness and understanding of the challenges facing fish farmers in ICT usage in information sharing on fish farming, and this will enable improvement of timely provision and access to relevant information and hence improved fish farming production
A home gardening tactic developed to address undernutrition in rural households in Tanzania
No full textBook Chapter in "Research Trends in Food Technology and Nutrition, Chapter 6 2020, pp. 212-143The aim of the project was to implement, monitor, establish and assess
the impact of vegetable gardening combined with a household-based
nutrition education in rural areas in Tanzania on nutritional status and dietary
diversity. The objectives of the intervention were to increase production and
consumption of green leafy vegetables as well as increasing participants’
knowledge of nutritional aspects. Nutrition training covered various gaps
observed in a preceded nutrition survey (baseline). Gardening practical
demonstrations and hand on implementation skills were carried out to the
participating 360 households. Data on demographics, vegetable consumption
patterns, dietary diversity and nutritional status were collected at baseline
and endline periods. Pearson’s chi square tests were conducted to compare
the baseline to endline results for each section of the questionnaire. Results
indicated that 75.8% of the caregivers had never heard about pocket/bag/sack
vegetable gardening at baseline but at endline all the caregivers (100%) had
heard about this type of gardening whereas 77% of the caregivers had never
received any kind of nutrition education and 85.2% did not know anything
about food groups at baseline, but during the endline study, 82% had ever
heard about nutrition training and 95% knew about food groups. At baseline
only 27% of households had a high Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) as
compared to 52% at endline. For the vegetable types that were introduced in
the kitchen gardens, daily and weekly consumption rates increased by 10-
50% from baseline to endline periods. Water shortage, pests, diseases and
insects were reported by a significantly (p<0.05) percentage of households in
the end of the intervention than at the beginning of the intervention. The
intervention increased consumption of green leafy vegetables, dietary
diversity and participants’ nutrition knowledge in the topics covered. The
project recommends progressing this type of intervention further by selecting
foods containing high vitamin A amounts to be included in the pocket/sack
gardens
Predictors of pigeon peas consumption among school aged children in kongwa district, Dodoma region
No full textProtein energy malnutrition (PEM) and iron deficiency (ID) are global public health
problems affecting developing countries with major consequences on human health as well
as social and economic development. PEM at early childhood has serious long-term
consequences because it impedes motor, sensory, cognitive, social and emotional
development. Food-based strategies such as food production, dietary diversification and
bio-fortification are the most sustainable and best approaches to increase the macro and
micronutrient intake in a population. Despite these interventions, the adoption of foods
resulting from introduced crops remains doubtful. People in Kongwa district have remained
quite rigid in adopting new foods such as pigeon peas which are highly rich in protein and
iron. This study aimed to investigate factors predicting consumption of pigeon peas among
school-aged children living in Kongwa District. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey
based on a combined model of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Health Belief Model
was undertaken, and reported here. A sample of 138 caregivers with school-aged children
(5–12 years), preferably those involved in food preparations in households, was randomly
selected from 4 villages in Kongwa. The selection also focused on those who were familiar
with, or had consumed pigeon peas before. Intention to consume pigeon peas was
significantly correlated with pigeon peas consumption (rs=0.263, P=0.002) while attitudes
towards behaviour (stand. β=0.206, P=0.035) contributed significantly to the prediction of
intention to consume pigeon peas. Perceived barriers appeared to be an important
interaction term in the relationship between intention and behaviour (stand. β=-0.268,
P=0.001). Health value (stand. β=0.485, P=0.000) contributed significantly to the
prediction of health behaviour identity. In order to promote pigeon peas consumption,
intention to consume pigeon peas could be increased by focusing on positive subjective
norms, health value and attitudes towards pigeon peas consumption. Finally, knowledge on
the nutritive richness of pigeon peas should be emphasized so that people can appreciate
the health benefits of consuming pigeon peas i.e. stimulate a positive attitude.International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT
Youth employment in agriculture and livelihood outcomes in Tanzania: a case of vegetable farmers in Dodoma city Anna Enock
No full textThis paper examines the contribution of vegetable farming to livelihood outcomes among
the youths in Ihumwa and Mtumba wards in Dodoma City. The paper employed a crosssectional
research designs whereby a mixed methods research approach was adopted. The
approach involves combining or integration of qualitative and quantitative research and
data (Cresswell, 2014). Quantitative data were obtained by administering interview
schedules to the youth vegetable farmers while qualitative data from Key Informant
Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were collected using interview
guides. A livelihood outcome index was developed to measure the livelihood outcome
levels of the youth involved in vegetable farming. The index sought to measure whether
engagement in vegetable production improved human capital, social capital, assets,
household food security and a household’s income. Each livelihood outcome indicator was
measured by three sub-indicators which were measured in a 3 point Likert scale (low,
medium and high livelihood outcomes) and coded as 1, 2 and 3. Ordinal logistic regression
model (OLRM) was employed to determine the chances of the youths’ livelihood outcome
levels being high due to vegetable farming. This paper concludes that a greater proportion
(58.4%) of the youth was categorized into the high livelihood outcomes. This means
vegetable farming contributes highly to the livelihood outcomes of the youth. With regard
to the factors contributing to this, the results from OLRM revealed that land size, access to
credit, vegetable variety and education were the most significant (p≤ 0.05) predictors of the
livelihood outcomes. Thus, it is recommended that the government in collaborations with
other development partners and the youth address these factors when designing
intervention for improving the livelihoods of youth engaged in vegetable farming.University of Dodoma (UDOM
Young child feeding practices of women in common market places in Morogoro municipality and factors influencing adoption of recommended practices
No full textMasters ThesisThe purpose of this study was to assess young child feeding practices of women who earn
their living by working in common market places in Morogoro Municipality and identify
factors influencing adoption of recommended practices of feeding children aged 0-24
months. A sample of 90 such women was selected, either randomly or in some cases by
convenience, and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were
performed and multiple regression analysis at significance level of P ≤ 0.05 was used. The
data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The
findings revealed that only about a half of the interviewed women (51.1%) had practiced
exclusive breastfeeding as required (the first six months of a child). On the other hand,
common aspects of responsive feeding, which include encouraging child to breastfeed and
use of eye-to-eye contacts during feeding were used by almost all the sampled women (for
more than 96% each). The study also revealed that almost two thirds of the respondents
(62.2%) had good knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding and about forty percent
(44.4%) had good knowledge about responsive feeding. Guided by the theory of planned
behaviour (TPB), the analysis showed that almost seventy percent of the respondents
intended to exclusively breastfeed their babies or apply the various aspects of responsive
feeding that were tested. The findings also revealed that women’s subjective norms was a
significant factor in the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.043), whereas women’s
attitude was significant for adoption of responsive feeding (p = 0.024). The subjective
norms include influence of the people surrounding these women such as parents and
friends or other relatives. Nutrition education programmes should be put in place by
government and Development Partners targeting such special vulnerable group, who are
very often left out in the normal implemented interventions. Other special initiatives can
also include provision of baby care facilities in those market places
Role of rural initiatives for participatory agricultural Transformation (ripat) approach in agricultural Technologies dissemination and adoption in Ikungi District, Tanzania
No full textMasters ThesisAgricultural technologies are important in increasing crop productivity. However, the rate
of adoption of disseminated technologies has remained low among farmers. The study on
which this dissertation is based aimed at assessing the role of the Rural Initiatives for
Transformation Agricultural Technologies (RIPAT) approach in adoption of disseminated
agricultural technologies in Ikungi District, Singida Region, Tanzania. The specific
objectives were to: determine association between socio-demographic factors and farmers’
adoption of selected agricultural technologies, compare agricultural productivity among
the RIPAT approach participants who practise different technologies disseminated by the
RIPAT, determine influence of the RIPAT approach factors on agricultural productivity,
and determine attitude of farmers towards the RIPAT approach in agricultural knowledge
dissemination and adoption. A cross-sectional research design was adopted whereby
quantitative and qualitative data were collected from a sample of 120 respondents and five
key informants. Qualitative data were collected using key informant interviews.
Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Qualitative data were
analysed using content analysis, and quantitative data were analysed descriptively and
inferentially using chi square test, one-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression.
Findings from the study showed that, of the four technologies that the RIPAT
disseminated, home gardening technology was the most adopted technology, followed by
poultry mother unit technology and conservation agriculture technology while rain water
harvesting technology was the least adopted. In addition, the findings showed that
education of household head was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with adoption of
poultry mother unit, harvesting rainfall and home gardening technologies. The findings
also showed that the use of the RIPAT approach had managed to increase contact among
farmers and extension agents through sequential training provided to extension agents as
well as in provision of working tools among extension agents. The findings also showed
that the extent of the RIPAT disseminated technologies was higher at 75% as compared to
that of other common technologies which was at 60%, and the extent of overall adoption
was 66.67%. The majority of the respondents were engaged in maize production compared
to other crops. Moreover, the findings showed that farmers growing maize (68), sorghum
(6), millet (29), finger millet (35) and sunflower (25) had adopted for at least three
different technologies among conservation agriculture technologies, poultry mother unit
technology, harvesting rain water technology and home gardening technology. The
findings also showed that farmers’ experience on the use of the RIPAT disseminated
technologies had a significant p ≤ 0.05 effect on crop productivity. The findings further
showed that 65% of the respondents had favourable attitude towards adoption of
conservation agriculture technology, rain water harvesting technology, raised home
gardens technology and poultry mother unit technologies disseminated by the RIPAT
project. It is concluded that the surveyed farmers in Ikungi District were practising
traditional technologies to a large extent but more with the application of the RIPAT
approach conservation agriculture, poultry mother unit, harvesting rain water and home
gardening agricultural technologies. The farmers had a chance of improving their
technologies through increasing their participation in new technologies. Basket of options
gives farmers choices in practising the most favourable technologies meeting their needs.
It is recommended that RECODA organisation staff should conduct campaigns to promote
RIPAT agricultural technologies so that more farmers can have more favourable attitude
towards the technologies. This will enhance adoption of the disseminated agricultural
technologies. In order to increase farmers’ knowledge, adoption and willingness to
participate and practise RIPAT disseminated technologies, there is a need for provision of
subsidies by projects applying RIPAT approach to farmers and increase collaboration with
government extension officers
Risk inclusion in forecasting and economic feasibility analyses of staple food cereals in Tanzania: the case of maize, sorghum and rice
No full textPhD ThesisMaize (Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) are
major staple food crops to the most population in Tanzania. The three crops provide the
primary source of livelihood for the majority of rural farming households. Of the three
crops, maize is the most important, accounting for about 20% of the total agricultural
GDP, followed by rice. Sorghum plays an important role in fighting hunger and food
insecurity in central Tanzania, particularly in Dodoma and Singida regions. Unfortunately,
like any other crops, some uncertainty exists about the future productivity and profitability
of these important food crops. Such uncertainty hinders the implementation of different
agricultural policies, plans and strategies set to achieve an agriculture revolution, hence
impacting the decision of investment in agricultural technologies. The inadequacy of
accurate and timely information on productivity and profitability of crops have a
tremendous impact on farmers' decisions, as well as on policy and planning. Hence, a
complete model to help in forecasting and economic analyses of crucial crop sub-sectors
while including their stochastic nature is essential. In this regard, stochastic risk analysis
models were developed and demonstrated to analyse risk and uncertainty in forecasting
and economic analyses of major cereal crops in Tanzania. Most of the available models in
economic analyses and forecasting yields, prices, and net returns of agricultural systems
are deterministic. These models ignore the inherent risk of random variables and provide
only a point estimate for the key output variables (KOVs) instead of values with
probability distributions. Therefore, this study was conducted to address three specific
objectives. The first objective was to develop and demonstrate a stochastic simulation
model for analysing the future viability of main cereals crops in semi-arid and sub-humid
areas of Tanzania. For this reason, a Maize-Sorghum-Rice Simulation Model
(MASORISIM) was developed to simultaneously forecast yields, prices, and probable net
returns for maize, sorghum, and rice as probability distributions. It utilizes deviations from
historical yields and prices (2008 – 2018) to forecast random variables for seven years
from 2019 – 2025. Since the analysis involved yields and prices of three crops, a
multivariate probability distribution was built in the model to incorporate correlations of
the variables and control their heteroscedasticity. The forecasting results on crop yield
show an increasing trend for maize and rice with a marginal increase for sorghum in the
Dodoma region by 2025. Likewise, the yield for rice is expected to rise in Morogoro with
a slight increase for maize and a decreasing trend for sorghum during the same period.
Meanwhile, the prices for the three crops all are projected to increase in the two regions.
The results on economic feasibility using NPV values revealed a high probability of
success for all crops in both regions except maize in Morogoro. The results for maize in
Morogoro presented a 2.93% probability of negative NPV. Of the three crops, maize
indicated the highest relative risk associated with NPV for both regions and was relatively
higher in Morogoro (55.1%) than in Dodoma (34.2%). Although the results on production
indicate increasing trends for the crops, the increase is relatively small, particularly in
Morogoro, which is one of the food basket regions in the country. The second specific
objective of the study was to develop and illustrate a bio-economic simulation model for
analysing the economic feasibility of improved management practices on maize
production in the Wami Basin of Tanzania. The bio-economic simulation model is an
integrated decision support system (IDSS) developed to link data from two biophysical
models, namely APSIM and DSSAT and econometric model (Simetar) for comprehensive
decision-making. Under this objective, the economic feasibility of two farm management
practices was analysed. These practices included the application of 40 kg N/ha and
adjustment of plant population at a rate of 33 000 plants/ha from the current rate of 18 000
to 20 000 plants/ha. The simulated yield from the two crop models was then entered into
the bio-economic IDSS model along with output prices, and cost for each option to
simulate the probable economic net returns to farmers. The APSIM and DSSAT crop
models were used in this study because the two models are capable of simulating yield as
a function of the soil-plant-atmosphere conditions with and without the proposed farm
management practices. However, crop models normally simulate yields and cannot
simulate other variables like prices and costs of management alternatives to inform
economic decisions. The bio-economic simulation model, therefore, was built to bridge
the gap. The results on the economic viability show that the application of 40 kg N/ha was
more profitable than the plant population of 33 000 plants/ha having a zero probability of
negative returns. Both APSIM and DSSAT models suggest that when plant population is
adjusted from current average of 20,000 plants/ha to 33 000 plants/ha, there is 16% and
27% probability of negative returns in semi-arid part, with a 14% and a 30% probability in
sub-humid area. However, the net return for farms supplemented with the two
management options (40 kg N/ha and the 33 000 plants/ha) has a slight difference from
the farms with additional of 40 kg N/ha alone. However, the results suggest that the
application of either fertilizer alone reduces the risks associated with the annual mean
returns. The increase in plant population at a rate of 33 000 plants/ha without application
of 40 kg N/ha has a high probability of economic failure. The third specific objective was
to demonstrate user-friendly Monte Carlo simulation procedures to simulate the economic
viability of different rice farming system in Tanzania. Production data for three seasons
were used to demonstrate how panel survey data can be made stochastic to include risk
available in the data. In this analysis, the rice farming systems entailing traditional and
improved practices were compared by considering the risk associated with each system,
and the best farming system was identified. The systems were categorized based on the
type of seeds used (local or improved), application of fertilizers, and application of the
systems of rice intensification (SRI) practices (partially or fully). The results of the
economic analysis show a high probability of success for rice farmers using all the
recommended SRI principles. Moreover, rice farms that partially applied the SRI
principles did not realize better returns compared to their counterpart farmers that fully
adopt the SRI package. Rice farms that applied fertilizers plus improved seeds were also
better-off compared to rice farms under traditional practices. The study revealed that
farmers who use SRI partially and fully had 2% and zero probabilities of negative annual
net cash income (NCI), respectively. Meanwhile, farmers using fertilizers and improved
varieties had a 21% probability of negative NCI. The farmers using improved and local
rice varieties had 60% and 66% probabilities of negative returns, respectively. With high
dependence on rain-fed farming, production of main cereal crops is likely to face a high
degree of risk and uncertainty threatening incomes, livelihoods, and food availability to
poor households. However, there is a high chance that such households will be better-off if
improved technologies like the application of recommended fertilizers and SRI are
properly applied. Nonetheless, the adjustment in plant population has demonstrated a
slightly impact on both yield and economic returns, particularly under rain-fed production
system. With evidence from crop models like APSIM and DSSAT, bio-economic
integrated studies are, however, needed to explore the potential of more crop management
practices and technologies for better decision-making. This study forms a basis for more
studies that include risks and uncertainty to improved decision marking for farmers,
government, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector. The methodology used in this
study can be expanded to include more zones and other non-cereals crops and livestock
farming systems
Effect of cooking and concentration of inhibitors on Iron and zinc content of bio-fortified beans
No full textMasters ThesisBio-fortified foods usually have high nutrient contents and have potential to improve
nutritional status of vulnerable groups; however, increased levels of nutrients do not
necessarily translate to enhanced bioavailability due to presence of dietary anti-nutritional
factors. The study aimed to determine the effect of cooking and dietary anti-nutritional
factors on the content of zinc and iron of bio-fortified beans as compared to non-biofortified
varieties. Three bio-fortified bean varieties (Selian 13, 14 and 15) and a non-biofortified
variety (JESCA) which was a benchmark were analyzed by atomic absorption
spectrophotometry for the content of iron, zinc and dietary anti-nutritional factors before
and after cooking. Determination of anti-nutritional factors (phytic acid) was through
phytate precipitation, polyphenols by Follin-Ciocalteu reagent spectrophotometer method
and for tannins by the Follin-Dennis reagent titration and spectrophotometric method.
Results showed that bio-fortified beans contained a higher concentration of both iron and
zinc. Iron and zinc contents are expressed in mg/100g. JESCA contained 6.95 of Fe and
2.37 of Zn; Selian 13 had 15.21 of Fe and 4.07 of Zn; Fe and Zn content of Selian 14 was
10.23 and 5.2, respectively and Selian 15 contained 17.02 of Fe and 4.92 of Zn. There was
a significant increase (p<0.05) in iron concentration in the bio-fortified bean varieties
Selian 13 and 15 and of zinc concentration in the bean variety Selian 14. Cooking of beans
at 100 ºC, in distilled water for 35-50 minutes reduced dietary anti-nutritional factors in
beans by 64.9 – 97.9%. Bio-fortified beans had higher iron and zinc content and exhibited
higher nutrient retention upon cooking. Beans can serve as a vehicle for bio-fortification
of iron and zinc, and thus serve as an intervention for reducing micronutrient deficiencies.
This study which only highlighted processes and findings before intake has shown that
bio-fortification has the potential to enhance bioavailability but this is not guaranteed
without taking into account other factors, therefore recommending further studies in
animals and humans. The use of bio-fortified beans as a source of iron should be
accompanied with information on handling, storage and preparation.Building Nutritious Food Basket (BNFB) projec
Determination of benzo(a)pyrene and heavy metals contamination in smoked lates niloticus and oreochromis niloticus from lake Victoria
No full textMasters ThesisFish remains to be an important source of proteins in developing countries including
Tanzania. Fish processing methods like smoking aim at improving the shelflife of smoked
fish as well as taste and aroma. During smoking, smoke by-products from different
materials used as source of heat are deposited on the fish. The deposited by-products
include the carcinogenic polyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals.
Benzo(a)pyrene has been used as a marker for the occurrence of carcinogenic PAHs. The
purpose of this study was to assess the different materials that are used in fish smoking
practices, determine the levels of benzo(a)pyrene, mercury, cadmium and lead in smoke
Lates niloticus and Oreochromis niloticus from different fish smoking areas in Mara and
Mwanza regions. A total of 32 fish smokers were interviewed to identify the materials
used and how they use them to smoke their fish. This was followed by collection of 32
smoked fish samples from Mara and Mwanza regions for laboratory analysis of heavy
metals (Mercury, Cadmium and Lead) and concentration of benzo(a)pyrene . The findings
of the study indicated that people engaged in smoking fish in the study areas are mostly
using firewood and charcoal as their main source of heat. There were no cases of the use
of plastic materials. The laboratory results indicated that mercury and cadmium were not
detected in all fish species while lead was detected at a mean concentration level of 0.28
μg/kg which is below the recommended level of 0.3 μg/kg as set by the EU. This
indicated that smoked fish from Mara and Mwanza did not contain heavy metals to a
harmful level. The mean benzo(a)pyrene concentration detected was 4.79 μg/kg. This
amount is higher than a level of 2 μg/kg set by the EU in 2014. There is therefore, a need
for people who smoke fish to use other improved methods which will lower the levels of
benzo(a)pyrene. This could be achieved by the government to have a continuous
monitoring plan for these contaminants and train the fish smokers to use improved
smaoking methods
Assessment of body size and catch per unit effort of Nile perch (Lates Niloticus) caught using different fishing gears at Magu district in Lake Victoria, Tanzania
No full textAfrican Journal of Biological Sciences 2(4) (2020) pp.73-83Effort (CPUE) of Nile perch (Lates cf. niloticus) captured using three common
fishing gears at Magu district in Tanzania. Three landing sites along Lake Victoria
were selected for this assessment. Each site was visited twice per week for two
months. At each site 10 boats were identified based on the gear used and randomly
selected for fish count. Ten fish per boat were taken for weight and length
measurements. The results show that the main fishing gears used to catch fish at
all sites were gillnet (GN), long line (LL) and beach seine (BS). Mean length of
captured fish recorded from each gear were 33.7, 41.5 and 43.8 for beach seine,
gillnets and long lines respectively, which was below the minimal required
length of 50 cm. Large proportion of small landed fish were observed in vessels
fishing with beach seine, this was due to illegal nature of the beach seine, where
by fishermen used small mesh sizes of 10 mm to 12 mm. However, beach seine
had higher CPUE (kg/gear/day) (44.9) and gillnet had the lowest (22.6). This
study revealed that the mean length from all sites were below the legal minimum
size required by the Tanzanian government, suggesting that all beaches are
involves in over exploration of fish