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Improving the training of frontline extension workers in tanzania: a pilot curriculum reform initiative with the Ministry of Agriculture Training Institute at Ilonga
No full textJournal of International Agricultural and Extension Education Vol. 26 is.3, pp.105-120Promoting the transition of smallholder farmers from subsistence to more commercial and
market-oriented production is an important goal of the Tanzanian extension system. The
Ministry of Agriculture Training Institutes (MATIs) contribute to this goal by providing training
to frontline extension workers (FEWs). However, the capacity of the MATI system to produce
agricultural extension practitioners with job-ready competencies has declined, leading
stakeholders and employers to raise concerns about the quality and training of FEWs. The main
purpose of this study was to develop recommendations for curriculum revisions at MATI Ilonga
to improve its program of study. This was done using a competency-based approach that
incorporated inputs from stakeholders into the curriculum assessment and revision process. A
panel of eight local and external experts derived 23 competencies from a review of the MATI
curriculum and extension literature. A survey instrument to assess competencies based on
perceptions of importance and graduates’ ability was designed and administered to 189
stakeholders from four stakeholder groups. Stakeholder-respondents considered all but two of
the 23 competencies to be very high importance. Weighted discrepancy scores indicated that the
highest rated areas for curriculum revision were Value Chains, Business skills, Climate Change,
Fisheries, and Land Resource Management. All stakeholder groups except graduates, indicated
Value Chains and Business Skills as high priorities requiring enhanced training to improve the
ability of FEWs. Follow-up stakeholder consultations indicated support for using the
competency-based approach, engaging stakeholders in the curriculum review process, and
interest in applying the approach with other MATIs in Tanzania
The role of institutions in mitigating natural resource- based conflicts between farmers and pastoralists in Kilosa and Mvomero districts, Tanzania
No full textA DissertationRecurrent conflicts between farmers and pastoralists have brought significant impact
on both groups and the society at large in Kilosa and Mvomero districts. Mitigation
of conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, with the intention of bringing up peace
and tranquility in the community is important for empowering farmers and
pastoralists in terms of skills in modern farming without encroaching other land,
keeping livestock without disturbing others and arbitration mechanisms applied to
mitigate conflicts with little success. This study (i) examined drivers and
consequences of recurrent conflicts, (ii) determined mitigation strategies that would
ameliorate recurrent conflicts arising between farmers and pastoralists in Kilosa and
Mvomero districts and (iii) assessed the role of formal and informal institutions in
mitigating conflict. A sample size of 203 farmers and pastoralists was chosen using a
simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using interview, a
questionnaire survey, documentary review and focus group discussions (FGDs)
methods. Collected data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively using
content analytical and binary logistic regression approaches respectively. The
findings show that it would be effective to use a conflict resolution model which is
solely based on social order in four main stages: developing expectations for win-win
solutions, defining each party's interests, brainstorming creative options, and
combining options into win-win solutions. Importantly, the findings revealed that
weak governance structures associated with unethical behaviour, regulatory
deficiencies, socio-economic and environmental factors are responsible for the
recurrence of conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. Consequently, the recurrent conflicts have resulted into major socio-economic impacts that include loss of lives
and property to both farmers and pastoralists. Drawing from conflict and conflict
resolution theories, which advocate use of coercive power and participatory
approaches to restore peace, respectively; this thesis concludes that no single strategy
fits all conflicts given the complexity in which such conflicts occur. In the light of
the results, this thesis recommends that the effective way to address farmers-
pastoralists conflicts: should twofold i.e. use both coercive and participatory
approaches. Therefore, the choice of the appropriate strategy will depend on the
context since no single approach fits all types of conflicts. Also the study
recommends that various stakeholders such as the local government and civil
societies should encourage pastoralists to establishing pasture land. In addition, the
LGA should regulate the number of animals per area by formulating bylaws for
controlling livestock populations in areas with limited land in order to match its
carrying capacity, controlling migration of other ethnic groups and guaranteed water
right for farmers and pastoralists for the sake of bringing peace and harmony
between farmers and pastoralists. More importantly, the land policy has some
deficiencies and contradictions because it does not guarantee security of tenure to
some users, especially smallholder groups. Unsecured land tenure system in Tanzania
has accounted to the underdevelopment of the land resource in the country.
Therefore, the situation has resulted into unethical practices such as corruption. For
instance, some village leaders have been receiving bribes from pastoralists thus
allowing them to enter in the villages which ... loads to conflicts with crop producer
This also creates enmity between farmers and pastoralists. The study recommends
that there is a need for the government to effectively establish a transparent and accountability committee whose obligation will be to critically observ rules,
regulations as far as land tenure is concerned. Additionally, the study recommends
that there should be investigation conducted by relevant authorities such as the
Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in order to identify the
sources of these vices and institute legal procedures/actions against the offenders
Nutrition status and feeding practices of children below two years in pastoralist and crop farming communities in Mvomero district, Tanzania
No full textA Dissertation 2019This study aimed to determine nutrition status, nutrient adequacy and feeding practices of
infants and young children among pastoralist and crop farming communities. A cross-
sectional study design was adopted. A total of 348 caregivers of children between 0 to 23
months old were randomly sampled from Dakawa and Lubungo in Mvomero district,
Morogoro region. Among these, 206 caregivers were from crop farming and 142 were
from pastoralist communities. ProPAN standardized research tools and procedures were
adopted for data collection. Socio-demographic and feeding practices information were
collected using caregiver survey. Semi-structured interview and opportunistic observation
were conducted to collect qualitative data. Quantitative data from caregiver survey and
24- hour dietary recall were processed using ProPAN software in which descriptive
statistics, t-test and Chi-square test were done by SPSS version 21 software. Qualitative
data from semi structured interview and opportunistic observation were manually
analysed using the ProPAN matrices. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data were
integrated qualitatively to identify facilitators and barriers to ideal feeding practices.
Relatively high proportion of crop farmers (66.5%) initiated breastfeeding within one hour
after delivery compared to about 35% in pastoralists. Pre-lacteal feeding was more
common among pastoralists (37%) compared to crop farmers (22%). Plant-based foods
were the most common complementary foods reported. There was inadequate intake of
calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin A from complementary foods in both populations. Limited
knowledge on infant and young children‟s nutrition needs and cultural restrictions which
forbid consumption of some nutritionally dense foods were among the barriers to optimal
infant and young child feeding practices. High proportions of children in pastoralist than
in crop farming community were underweight and wasted. Stunting was 34% in crop
farming community and 32.7% in pastoralist community. To promote optimum feeding
practices in both communities, stakeholders should consider planning programs on
educating community while addressing cultural specific barrier
Chemical hazards and health risks of consuming rice grown around mining areas in Tanzania: a case of Geita district
No full textA Dissertation 2019The main objective of this study was to assess health risks that may be associated with
consumption of rice grown in three selected Wards of Rwamgasa, Magenge and Kaseme
in Geita District.The agricultural soils ofthese wards are thought to have been
contaminated with Mercury (Hg) used in amalgamation of Gold, and Arsenic (As)from
anthropogenic sources (Arsenopyrates). Rice samples were collected from 15 villages of
the selected Wards after which the concentrations of Hg and As were determined. The
Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC 2015.01) was used for
quantification of heavy metals.Macro Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES 4210)
equipped ith Auto sampler SPS4 was used in this case to quantify Hg and As.
Concentrations (ppm) for each metal was significantly different (p<0.05) among sampling
locations. The concentration of Hg and As per kg of rice in the sampled villages ranged
from 0.78 mg/kg to 3.58 mg/kg at Rwamgasa and Mnekezi villages and 0.64 mg/kg to
1.01 mg/kg at Nyamalulu and Bingwa villages, respectively. Exposure analysis was
established in line with health risks characterization for adults of 65 kg and children with
30 kg average body weight in which the calculated exposure dietary intake (EDI) was
calculated. These results revealed that, concentration of Mercury exceeded the Maximum
Allowable Concentration (MAC) of 0.02 mg/kgbw/day as per Ministry of Healthy of
Health of the Republic of People of China (MHRPC). Further more, the health risk index
(HRI) was computed as per USEPA/IRIS (2013) in which, for Mercury the Health Risk
Index (HRI) exceeded 1 for children in villages of Rwamgasa, Iseni, Nyakayenze,
Magenge, Nyamtondo, Nyamalimbe and Msasa implying health risks to children but there
was no risks for adults. In the case of Arsenic it was observed that it did not pose health
risks in both age groupssince the concentration did not exceed the MAC of 0.35
mg/kgbw/day approved by FAO/WHO (2016)
Development and validation of indices of quality of Lake Victoria Nile perch (lates niloticus) marketed in Tanzania
No full textA Dissertation 2019This study was conducted to validate the Quality Index Method (QIM) scheme and
determine storage days on ice for domestically processed Nile perch (Lates niloticus).
Samples collected from the fishermen at landing site were used to develop the QIM and
for shelf life study at 0oC to -1oC for 33 days. Those collected from fish factories and cold
stores were used for validation. The study assessed the sensory, microbiological and
chemical quality changes of Nile perch on ice. The QIM scheme had the maximum total
demerit points score 23 and 24 for gutted and ungutted fish, respectively. The Total Viable
Count (TVC) and Specific Spoilage Bacteria (SSB) at the end of storage time (33 days)
were 7.64 and 7.36 log 10 cfu/g for ungutted and 6.93 and 6.83 log 10 cfu/g for the gutted
fish, respectively. The TVC and SSB exceeded the limit of acceptability set by Tanzania
standards, beyond 14 storage days. Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVBN) value increased
slowly with storage time, reaching 11.48 and 12.18 mgN/100g in day 33 of storage for
gutted and ungutted fish, respectively. Peroxide values (PV) increased gradually for
ungutted Nile perch up to 21 days whereas, rapid increase was observed in gutted Nile
perch up to14 days. The Quality Index (QI) scores had a positive correlation (0.91 for
TVC, 0.97 for SSB, 0.79 for TVBN) and negative correlation (- 0.40 for FFAs and - 0.33
for PV). There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in quality of cooked Nile perch from
day 14 onwards. The storage time for good freshness quality is 14 days on ice. For good
sensory and microbiological quality, Nile perch should not be stored on ice for more than
two weeks. Adoption of QIM to determine the freshness level and storage time of Nile
perch is necessary
Factors affecting pine resin productivity and its potential as source of revenue in the forest sector of Tanzania: a case study of Sao Hill Forest Plantation
No full textA Dissertation 2019Tanzania is rich in pine forests which have the potential to produce valuable resin.
In recent years Tanzania has embarked on commercial resin tapping at Sao Hill Forest
Plantation. However, current information on resin tapping in the country is scanty and
unreliable. Knowledge of factors that affect resin productivity is important for it is those
factors that can be manipulated to enhance resin yield. The focus of this study was to fill
this knowledge gap by exploring some pine tree stands in terms of capacity to produce
resin, factors that influence productivity, optimum age of commencing resin tapping and
finally the potential revenue gain from tapped trees. Two-stage sampling was used to
obtain estimates of tree characteristics and resin yield by first selecting seven
representative compartments. In the second stage, 21 sample plots of dimensions 12 x 12
m were systematically established, 3 in each compartment. All trees in each plot were
measured for diameter at breast height (dbh). In addition, total height, stem height and
crown size of the smallest, medium and largest trees were measured. All trees in a plot
were tapped for resin. Dilute sulphuric acid (40%) was sprayed to the wounded part of
stem to stimulate and maintain resin flow. Recording of resin weight and re wounding of
trees were done after a minimum period of every ten days in ten sessions from October
2018 to January 2019. Annual resin yield ranged from 0.56 kg/tree to 1.32 kg/tree for
P. elliottii and from 0.47 kg/ tree to 1.98 kg/ tree for P. patula. Dbh and crown diameter
were found to be important predictors of resin at tree level while yield per ha could well
be predicted using stand variables in particular age, volume and basal area per ha.
The recommended minimum dbh for resin tapping is 20 cm while 15 years could be used
as minimum age to commence tapping. TZS 4 589 884 350 can be raised annually
through resin tapping from 2 618 568 mature trees in state owned plantations. Results of
this study will be useful to pine tree stakeholders in realizing income while waiting for the conventional rotation age for timber harvesting. Further research on effect of resin
tapping on tree growth and wood quality can be very useful to tree growers
Consumers’ preference attributes for tropically adapted improved chicken in Njombe and Morogoro regions, Tanzania
No full textA Dissertation 2019Generally in Tanzania consumers prefer local chickens and pay premium prices compared
to other chickens due to the perception that local chicken tastes better, nutritious and
organically raised. However, productivity levels of local chicken are low resulting to low
outputs hence limiting their potential for commercialization. For that reason, the African
Chicken Genetic Gain program has recently introduced tropically adapted improved
chicken including Sasso, Kuroiler and Black austrolop strains which have higher
productivity levels in terms of growth rate and eggs production than local chicken to
enhance income generation to rural farmers. The introduction or development of any new
product in the market needs to take into account consumer‟s preference analysis because
in determining the demand for a product it is useful to think of consumers not as
purchasing the product, but its attributes that provide utility. Therefore, this study sought
to analyze consumer preference attributes for tropically adapted improved chicken in
Morogoro and Njombe regions. Multistage sampling technique was employed to select
120 respondents in Morogoro and Njombe regions. Results of Kendall coefficient
indicated that consumers were in agreement by 67% on attributes of tropically adapted
improved chickens which influence purchasing and consumption decision. The attributes
were, weight of chicken, price of chicken, sex of chicken, fat content, tenderness,
plumage colour and taste of chickens in that order. Results of hedonic price model
indicated that large sized chicken, male chicken, tender, low fat chicken and mixed colour
chicken significantly received premium prices. Monthly income, household size and
marital status significantly influenced the willingness to pay for the chicken. Farmers in
the study regions and beyond should strategize their production practices by adopting
keeping of the improved strains by enhancing preferred attributes so as to benefit from
high revenue realized from premium prices for these attributes
Spatio-temporal diversity and abundance of fish and its contribution to household income in the little Ruaha river catchments Iringa Tanzania
No full textA DissertationFish is an important component of aquatic biodiversity in Tanzania and plays an
important role in the national economy. However, the spatial-temporal distribution of fish
in the Little Ruaha River Catchments and its contribution to household income have not
been given sufficient evaluation. This study determined the spatiotemporal diversity and
abundance of fish, generated the information spatial distribution of fish across the
catchments and determine the contribution of fish to household income. Fish samples
were collected during dry and rain season using gillnets of 76.2 mm mesh size in three
sampling sites (in the upper reach, middle reach, and lower reach). Structured household
questionnaire and field observation were used to collect information on the contribution
of fisheries to household income. The Shannon diversity index was used to compute the
diversity of fish in the different habitats and seasons. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney
tests were used to determine the difference in fish diversity and abundance between
habitats and seasons. The contribution of fisheries to household income was assessed as
the mean proportion of household income obtained from fishing activities. A total of 250
fish individuals belonging to five species were captured. The fish species diversity and
relative abundance was higher in the lower reach compared to the upper reach.
The relative abundance of fish was statistically different (p<0.05) between habitat and
seasons. However, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in fish diversity between
habitats and seasons. Oreochromis and Clarias were the common species across all
habitats. Fisheries contributes to an individual monthly income of up to 500 000 TSA
(US$ 220) and supplies about 51% of protein to community households. Sustainable
fisheries management in river basins contributes significantly to community livelihoods.
Management of river basins should integrate fisheries activities as among the options for
integrated river basin management
Natural antioxidants from clove for protecting omega-3 fatty acids in sardines (Rastrineobola argentea) during deep frying process.
No full textProceedings of the Sokoine University of Agriculture, 10th to 11th April 2019,Sardines (Rastrineobola argentea), popularly known as “dagaa” is one of the leading
commercial fish species of Lake Victoria. The fatty fish species are attracting great attention
because they are good source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids which are vital for a wide
range of biological functions and are implicated in the prevention of numerous diseases. While
nutritionally valued omega-3 fatty acids are highly susceptible to oxidation during fish
processing due to their unsaturated nature. Oxidation reactions result in loss of omega-3 fatty
acids and production of undesired off-flavours which discourage consumption and limit
diversification of sardine products.Synthetic antioxidants may be used to prevent lipid oxidation
but have been claimed to be carcinogenic at higher levels. The replacement of synthetic
antioxidants with ones of natural origin is now in demand.
In this study, natural antioxidants rich extracts from clove buds were applied on sardines in a bid
to impede lipid oxidation during deep frying process. Lipid oxidation was assessed by peroxide
value (PV), volatile compounds and fatty acid profiles using Gas chromatograph (GC-MS and
GC-FID).The results showed that natural antioxidants from clove buds reduced peroxidation and
protected highly unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids from oxidation during deep frying process.
Total polyunsaturated fatty acids amounted 7.30 % in pre-treated deep fried sardines.Retention
of omega-3 fatty acids was 0.70 % more in pre-treated than untreated fish. Significantly lower
amounts of representative volatile compounds were produced in sardines pre-treated with clove
extracts. The study demonstrated feasibility to pre-treat sardines with natural antioxidants for
protecting omega-3 fatty acids against oxidation during deep frying
Determinants of zonal competitiveness and comparative economic advantage of rice production in Unguja and Pemba
No full textPhD ThesisRice is the main food staple in Zanzibar, accounting for about 54 percent of the total
caloric intake. Zanzibar imports about 80 percent of its rice requirements. Based on the
potential of 3 tons per hector in rain fed and 6 tons per hector in irrigated rice.
The government of Zanzibar intends to reduce external dependency from current 80 to 40
percent as part of country’s food self-sufficiency goal. This study intends to inform policy
by providing quantitative evidence about farming system zones where the potential can be
exploited to increase production profitably and by using domestic factors efficiently. The
specific objectives of the study were: - (i) To determine technical and socio-economic
characteristics that differentiate rice farmers in terms of yield in central north, central
south and zone 3 Pemba farming system zones; (ii) To analyse the competitiveness of rice
production under different technological packages in central north, central south and zone
3 Pemba; (iii) To analyse the comparative economic advantage of rice production under
different technological packages in central north, central south and zone 3 Pemba; and
(iv) To examine the level of protection of the rice sub-sector in central north, central south
and zone 3 Pemba. The study used 3-stage sampling with stratification to draw 464 rice
farmers. The analytical tools used to address the study objectives were: Descriptive
analysis and Policy Analysis Matrix. The result shows that 90 percent of rice farmers
using irrigation, improved seeds and fertilizer fall in the high yield category in all three
zones, while rice farmers using rain fed and local seeds only are higher in low yield
category in all farming system zones (P<0.00). Policy Analysis Matrix indicators show a
positive financial profitability for rice farmers using irrigation improved seeds and
fertilizer in all three zones. The Domestic Resource Cost value was less than 1 for rice
farmers using irrigation, improved seeds and fertilizers in central north and central south
zone only. The Domestic Resource Cost values for rice farmers in zone-3 Pemba are greater than one, implying that rice farming in zone 3 Pemba farming system zone has no
comparative economic advantage in rice production under the prevailing technological
packages, since the opportunity cost of using domestic factors in rice production is higher
than value added generated at social prices. In general, the current government efforts are
the better-off options to complement and support rice production in all ten farming system
zones of Unguja and Pemba. But in the long-run, without putting much effort on central
north and central south farming system zones, rice production might be unsustainable