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Using information and communication technologies to enhance information sharing for improved fish farming productivity in Tanzania
No full textThe Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2019The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in sharing information
is very important in enhancing fish farming productivity among fish farmers. However,
little is known on the linkage that exists between the use of ICTs and fish farming
productivity in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The main objective of this study
was to assess the use of ICTs to enhance information sharing for improved fish farming
productivity in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Specifically, the study focused on
establishment of the information needs of fish farmers in the study area; analyzing the
influence of ICTs use in sharing agricultural information on fish farming productivity in
the Southern Highlands of Tanzania; examining the determinants of the ICTs usage in
sharing agricultural information among fish farmers in Tanzania, and determining the
challenges facing fish farmers on the use of ICTs in sharing agricultural information.
This cross sectional study was conducted in three regions, namely, Ruvuma, Mbeya and
Iringa and involved twelve divisions purposively selected from six districts. The study
used both quantitative and qualitative approaches in collecting data. Questionnaires,
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), observation and key informants interview were used
as a data collection methods. The study involved 240 fish farmers who were randomly
selected. Moreover, six key informants (one fisheries extension officer in each of the six
districts) and six Focus Group Discussions (eight participants in each of the districts)
were conducted in each district. Quantitative data were analysed with the aid of the
Statistical Product Service SolutionP (SPSS) Version 20 while content analysis was
used to analyse qualitative data. Descriptive statistics were computed to establish the
profile of research participants: information needs, information accessibility, challenges
of ICTs use in information sharing, and fish farming productivity level. The multiple
linear regression was used to establish the influence of ICTs use and fish farming
productivity. Additionally, the ordinal logistic regression model was used to examine the
determinants of ICTs usage by fish farmers. The fish farmers highly needed information
related to water treatment (management), spawning operations and fish preservation and
processing. However, it was found that access to these categories of information was
very low. Mulitple linear regression analysis revealed that the use of ICTs (mobile
phones, radio, and television) for sharing agricultural information was found to influence
fish productivity level (p<0.05). Moreover, it was found through ordinal logistic
regression analysis that the predictors of ICTs use in information sharing were income,
perceived ease of use, quantity of fish produced, attitude, household size, radio
ownership and perceived usefulness. Likewise, the study findings revealed that major
challenges facing fish farmers in sharing information included unfavorable radio or
televisions broadcasting time, high cost of acquiring and maintenance of ICT facilities,
lack of training on ICTs, and poor network connectivity. The study concluded that the
more the frequency the farmers use the ICTs in sharing agricultural information on fish
farming technologies, the more they could be informed about fish farming, and thus the
more they could increase their fish farming productivity. It is recommended to the
Government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), researchers and policy makers
to consider establishing community FM radio stations in the Southern Highland regions
to encourage sharing of agricultural information on fish production and knowledge to the
farmers. It was also recommended that responsible organs like research institutions,
policy makers and information providers should make sure that behavioural factors
(perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and attitude) that motivate individual
farmers in different communities to accept the use of any ICTs are considered prior to
the introduction of the respective technologies. This could assist responsible organs to
design the ICT models that are relevant to fish farmers’ needs
A PESTLE analysis of international retailing in the East African Community
No full textAlthough many retail firms from around the world have established a presence in
the East African Community (EAC), not all internalization attempts have been successful.
Application of the PESTLE model—which examines various political, economic,
social, technological, legal, and environmental issues—to investigate the
barriers and opportunities in the sector highlights several obstacles to effective and
efficient commerce. These include poor infrastructure, inadequate skills and training,
and lack of legitimacy. In some cases, these deficiencies also hamper the
efforts of locally based retailers to expand in the region. Ultimately, business success
may depend on the ability of local governments to design policies and practices
that enhance rather than hinder trade and development
Assessing knowledge levels of selected integrated science process skills of Morogoro biology secondary students - Tanzania
No full textThis study was partly conducted in order to establish a base level of information on the knowledge levels of Tanzania
students in the area ofintegrated science process skills. Specifically the study assessed students’ competence in formulating and
identifying testable hypotheses, in controlling variables, in designing experiments, in analyzing data and in defining operationally.
Integrated science process skills, as in the Tanzania´s Competence Based Curriculum of 2005, have been identified in the science
education literature as an effective inquiry method of teaching science. Advanced level biology students in Morogoro municipality
schools were taken as a case study. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge level of advanced level Biology students in the
Municipality of Morogoro of science process skills. Based on the Biology process skills test (BPST) scores, it was found that Biology
students in Morogoro Municipality had barely average knowledge level of integrated science process skills. The mean of test scores was
17.2 items out of 35 items in the test corresponding to 49.1%. However, Morogoro students performed relative better on items measuring
their ability in identifying and controlling variables with score mean of 4.05 out of 07 items and they performed extremely poor on items
which measured their skills in analyzing and interpreting data with the mean of 2.34 out of 07 items
High resolution mapping of agricultural water productivity using SEBAL in a cultivated African catchment, Tanzania
No full textPhysics and Chemistry of the Earth 112 (2019) 36–49The application of remote sensing techniques for WPET mapping in data scarce regions is gaining more recognition since it can cover large areas with minimal field observations. Important concerns are the generation of high-resolution WPET maps and addressing the question on how accurate the results are. This study aims at high resolution (10 m) mapping and evaluation of the spatial variability of biomass, yield, ET and WPET in the Makanya river catchment using the automated Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (pySEBAL) with SENTINEL-2 and LANDSAT-8 images, local land use map and locally calibrated leaf area index (LAI) inputs. A coupled phenological variability and supervised classification approach on high resolution images generated a high accuracy LULC layer which was used to map the WPET in the agricultural lands. The pySEBAL results were evaluated in view of local information on crop yields, water allocation and agricultural management practices in the different agro-ecological zones within the catchment. Calibration of high-resolution satellite LAI generated products with error estimates within acceptable levels of uncertainty. The simulated crop yields were in agreement with reported crop yields. The results showed relatively high WPET in the highlands and low WPET in the midland and lowland areas of the catchment. The latter was attributed to high transmission losses, low irrigation efficiencies, poor agricultural practices and pest/disease attack. When applying SEBAL in African cultivated catchments, it is highly recommended to use SENTINEL-2 data in addition to LANDSAT-8, and to use local information, especially for the ground truthing of land use maps, phenology, crop practices and crop yields
Successes and challenges of improved biomass cooking stoves adoption along the product value chain in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
No full textJournal of Energy Research and Reviews 3(4): 1-12, 2019;The aim of this study was to assess the adoption of ICS along the value chain. The existing studies
have focused much on measuring adoption based on the user’s installation or purchase of the ICS
and few have gone to the level of assessing other aspects along the ICS value chain. The argument
of this paper is that adoption is a multidimensional concept that goes beyond the initial acquisition of
the stove to the sustained use of the same. Using a cross-sectional study design data were
collected from 294 households in two Districts of Kilimanjaro regions and were analyzed using both
quantitative and qualitative approaches. The findings show that at the lower levels of value chain i.e.
promotion and distributions the efforts have been somehow successful since people are aware of
ICS benefits and negative effects of using traditional fuels and stoves. In addition, various stove
distributors and technicians are in place. On the other hand, the uptake is limited since only 26% of
all households had ICS in place of which only 22.1% had functional stoves. The intensity of ICS use
is very limited and households have not integrated the stove into household cooking behavior. The
study concludes that the stoves program implementers have adopted a disintegrated approach that
disconnects various levels of the value chain. The efforts are much concentrated at lowers levels
with limited interventions to address challenges limiting uptake, the intensity of use and sustained adoption. The study recommends that a holistic and integrated approach that will facilitate ICS
adoption along the value chain should be adopted. This approach will facilitate forward and backward communications on challenges facing each level of the value chain
Social networks, governance and transaction costs effects on organic tomato and sweet pepper tourist hotels market in Arusha and Unguja
No full textPhD ThesisThe objectives of this study were to (i) determine the social networks of the main actors in
the organic food value chain in the tourism sector (ii) determine governance in the value
chain of organic tomatoes and sweet peppers for the tourism sector in Arusha and Unguja
and (iii) to evaluate production and transaction costs of actors in the organic tomatoes and
sweet peppers value chain in Arusha and Unguja. The study was conducted in Arusha and
Unguja. A preliminary survey was conducted in 2014. Then a stratified sampling
procedure was used to select a sample of producers, tourist hoteliers and traders/suppliers.
Key informants interviews and snowballing sampling procedures were also used. The
results indicated that producers were close to other actors by closeness centrality of 2.12
in Arusha and 3.12 in Unguja. Suppliers/traders were central in the marketing of tomatoes
and sweet peppers by betweenness centrality of 91 in Arusha while in Unguja producers‟
organization was central by betweenness of 533. Producers‟ organizations had many
actors connected to them by a degree of 17 in Arusha and 28 in Unguja. The density of
networks was low 0.01 due to fewer supporting institutions and lack of organic input
suppliers. About four forms of governance structures were prominent in organic tomato
and pepper value chain: market, modular, rational and captive. The probit results from the
Heckman‟s two-stage process show that ownership of assets such as storage facilities,
transportation assets and being under contract farming increased the probability of market
participation, while experience in marketing increased the quantities of tomatoes and
sweet peppers marketed. High marketing costs such as market levy, brokers and mobile
phones costs decreased the quantities of tomatoes and sweet peppers marketed.
Institutional arrangements (contract farming) were the possible solutions to reduce
transaction costs effect, improve access to the tourist hotels market, increasing shelf life
by having collective storage facilities and transport. Producers‟ cooperatives andcompanies enabled the promotion and production of organic tomatoes and peppers. The
choice of captive and modular governance structure by lead actors ensured access to
organic input and market
Evaluation of maize and rice response to application of urban green biowaste compost at Dakawa in Morogoro region
No full textThis is a Dissertation for MastersMaize and rice are the primary staple cereal food crops in Tanzania, ranking first and
second, respectively. The two crops are also used as cash crops in some parts of the
country. Despite their importance as food and cash crops, their yields per unit area are
generally very low. Recently yield of maize has been noted to be 1.4 t ha-1 while the
potential yield is 5 t ha-1 and rice yield averages between 0.5-2 t ha-1 for upland ecologies
and 4.5-6.0 t ha-1 for irrigated ecologies compared to the potential yield of 5 t ha-1 and 10
11 t ha-1 respectively. There are many factors causing such low yields, but soil nutrient
depletion ranks high. A study was carried out from August 2018 to June 2019 to assess
the response of maize and rice to applied urban green biowaste compost (UGBC). The
study included laboratory soil and biowaste compost analysis, pot experiment and field
trial.
Results for soil analysis indicated that Dakawa soil is sandy clay loam with a near neutral
pH of 7.27, low organic carbon (0.63 %) and very low total N (0.01%). The soil had high
levels of extractable phosphorus and sulphur which were 27.81 and 27.93 mg kg-1,
respectively. The CEC of the soil was very low with a value of 4.2 Cmolc kg-1. The levels
of Fe, Cu and Mn were 62.7, 1.59, and 30.98 mg kg-1, respectively. These values were
above the established critical ranges; this means that the soil had sufficient Fe, Cu and
Mn. The level of Zn was 0.9 mg kg-1. This level of Zn was lower than the critical range
indicating possible Zn deficiency of the soil. On the other hand, results urban green
biowastes compost (UGBC) revealed that UGBC had a high pH of 9.52, very high organic
carbon with 17.37 % value. Total N was 1.0 % which was below the established typical
composition of N in urban compost. The C:N ratio was 17.37 implying that UGBC was
suitable for soil application. The level of P and K in UGBC were 0.43 and 2.15 %,
considered sufficient. The concentrations of micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu) were 139, 4956, 387, 8 mg kg-1, respectively which were all below the established critical
concentrations in urban biowaste compost. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, As
and Pb) in UGBC were 126, 11, 9 and 9 mg kg-1, respectively. These levels of Cr, Ni, As
and Pb were below the maximum acceptable limit of these elements in compost set by
Japan, Australia and United states. This implies that, these materials qualify for soil
application. Based on these findings, the present study concluded that Dakawa soils have
pH which is suitable for maize and rice production. The UGBC materials can be used as
organic fertilizer subject to fortification with N, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn nutrients.
Results from pot experiment indicated that use of pelletized urban green biowaste
compost (PUGBC) from 0 to 600 mg N kg-1 soil increased plant heights from 59.19 to
82.52 cm for maize and from 80.43 to 84.87 cm for rice. Maize dry matter yield increased
from 3.8 to 8.77 g pot-1 and rice grain weight increased from 14.84 to 26.19 g pot-1. The
increase in all cases was statistically significant (P=0.05). However, the highest maize and
rice plant heights of 92.61cm and 100.43 cm, respectively and maize dry matter yield of
14.46 g pot-1 were recorded in combined fertilization of 300 mg N (PUGBC) kg-1 soil +
300 mg N (UREA) kg-1 soil. Maximum number of effective tillers (9.62), number of
panicles per plant (9.62), panicle length (21.8 cm), panicle weight (2.982 g) and grains
weight per pot (85.17 g) for rice crop were registered in sole application of inorganic
fertilizer (600 mg N (UREA) kg-1 soil). Results of non-pelletized urban green biowaste
compost (NPUGBC) followed the same trend as those of PUGBC for both maize and rice
crops. The overall results indicated that use of combined fertilization of 300 mg N
(PUGBC) kg-1 soil + 300 mg N (UREA) kg-1 soil) or 300 mg N (NPUGBC) kg-1 soil +
300 mg N (UREA) kg-1 soil) improved maize growth and yield parameters. The use of
inorganic fertilizer alone (600 mg N (UREA) kg-1 soil) improved rice growth parameters
and yield. Based on these findings it was recommended that the use of combined
fertilization of 300 mg N (PUGBC) kg-1 soil + 300 mg N (UREA) kg-1 soil) or 300 mg N (NPUGBC) kg-1 soil + 300 mg N (UREA) kg-1 soil) is the best option for better maize
yield and use of inorganic fertilizer alone (600 mg N (UREA) kg-1 soil) is the best option
for rice production. However, these results required verification in the field.
Results from field trial indicated that rice crop had a maximum plant height (99.23 cm),
number of effective tillers per hill (17.07) and chlorophyll content (51.72) were obtained
in a combined fertilization of 75 kg N (UGBC) ha-1 + 75 kg N (UREA) ha-1 treatment. It
was followed by sole application of 150 kg N (UREA) ha-1 with values of 96.57 cm, 16.57
and 49.17 for plant height, effective tillers per hill and chlorophyll content, respectively.
The significant (P=0.05) lowest values for plant height (88.89 cm), effective tillers per hill
(11.67) and chlorophyll content (46.95) were observed in the control (0 kg N ha-1). The
significant highest grain yield of 8127 kg ha-1 equivalent to 8.13 t ha-1 was produced in the
treatment combination (75 kg N (UGBC) ha-1 + 75 kg N (UREA) ha-1). This yield was
approaching the potential yield of rice (10 to 11 t ha-1) under irrigation ecology in
Tanzania. It was followed by 150 kg N (UREA) ha-1 treatment (7751 kg) and the third
treatment was 150 kg N (UGBC) ha-1 (6867 kg). The minimum yield was recorded in the
control treatment (5594 kg). The four treatments exhibited significant difference (P=0.05)
from each other for grain yield. The same trend of results was observed for maize crop
whereby the use of integrated fertilization of 150 kg N (UGBC) ha-1 + 150 kg N (UREA)
ha-1 produced the highest maize grain yield of 8691 kg ha-1 equivalent to 8.69 t ha-1. This
yield was far above the potential yield of maize (5 t ha-1) in Tanzania. The present study
therefore concluded that the integrated use of 75 kg N (UGBC) ha-1 + 75 kg N (UREA)
ha-1 is the best treatment for rice production while the integrated use of 150 kg N (UGBC)
ha-1 + 150 kg N (UREA) ha-1 is the best treatment for maize production. Thus, farmers are
recommended to use 75 kg N (UGBC) ha-1 + 75 kg N (UREA) ha-1 for best growth
performance and high yield of rice and use of 150 kg N (UGBC) ha-1 + 150 kg N (UREA)
ha-1 for best growth performance and high yield of maize.Alliance for Green Revolution in Afric
Determinants and effectiveness of collective action in Cocoa marketing among small scale producers in Kyela District, Tanzania
No full textDissertation: The Degree of Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied EconomicsFarmer’ organisations are seen as key vehicles to achieve intensification and increased market orientation of the smallholder farm sector; however there are contradicting reports regarding the effectiveness of these farmer organisations to achieve these goals. In the study, the role of collective action on cocoa marketing among rural smallholder farmers in Kyela District was analyzed. Cross-sectional household data were used to analyze the effect of farmer group membership on income performance indicator, the socio-economic factors influencing smallholder cocoa farmer’s decision to participate in cocoa producer organizations and the challenges facing cocoa farmers’ groups in Kyela district. Propensity Score Matching was used to estimate the Average Treatment Effect where as Probit model was used to determine factors influencing farmers to join farmers’ organisations. Several econometric techniques such as robustness check, propensity score overlap and balancing properties were used to deal with potential selection bias in estimating the ATE of farmer group membership. The findings indicate that farmer groups have positive impact on income among the group members. Sex, age, formal education, land size owned and distance to the market significantly influenced smallholder cocoa farmer’s decision to participate in cocoa producer organizations. Pests and diseases, price instability and poor market are among the challenges facing cocoa farmers in the study area. Establishing a cocoa marketing board, more farmer organisations and investment in rural education and transport infrastructure can help farmers to increase cocoa income in Kyela District
Women participation in decision making on food consumption and financial expenditure among farming households: central, eastern and southern-highlands zones, Tanzania
No full textMasters DissertationThe burden of malnutrition among children and pregnant women in Tanzania may partly be contributed by inadequate and inequitable participation of women and men in resources utilization. Despite efforts to empower women to enable them to participate in resource utilization, little has been achieved so far especially on aspects related to household decisions on resource utilization. This study aimed at assessing women participation in household decision making on income expenditure and food consumption pattern among smallholder farmers. A cross-sectional study involved 340 females and 247 males from 587 households enrolled in ATONU project from ten districts and 20 villages in Eastern, Central and Southern highlands zones were interviewed through a structured questionnaire. Twenty focus group discussions were held to complement the quantitative information. Descriptive analysis was done for quantitative data. Voice records were transcribed and translated to English then summarized and analysed using content analysis. The mean age of all respondents was 40 years; females (38 years) and males (42 years), 80% had attained primary school education. Agriculture was the primary livelihood activity. There was a seasonal variation of activities on dry and wet season. Women spent more time per day (about 8 hours) in farming than men who spent about 7 hours. Decision on the household income expenditure was jointly done (49.1%) as well as in food expenditure (50.3%). Women participated many times on household decisions regards food purchase (73%) and income expenditure (60.8%), but had low decision power on food (29.9%) and income expenditure (18.8%). Although results showed joint spending in most of households, but men had much influence on it due to cultural practices and their high income earned. Therefore, women economic empowerment should be strengthened through ownership and control of household resources to rise up their decision power.International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI
Gender dynamics of small and medium family business in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania
No full textA dissertation Arts in Project Management and EvaluationSuccess of family business and economic development may be impacted by gender dynamics. The overall objective of this study was to assess the impact of gender dynamics of family business in Morogoro Municipality. Specifically the study sought to identify gender roles in family businesses, determine gender related factors influencing success of family businesses and analyze the attitudes of men and women in managing the family businesses. A cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the wards and respondents involved in the study. Four wards from Morogoro municipality were selected and a total number of 138 respondents were chosen. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to compute the respondent’s characteristics and gender roles. Ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate the gender related factors influencing success of family business. Likert scale analysis was used to measure the attitudes of men and women towards managing the family business. The study found that gender roles like ownership, decision making and control of business were identified and mostly dominated by men. Women were found to dominate in the selling and record keeping. Findings from ordinal logistic regression revealed that age of the owner, traditionally women supporting role, difference of experience and traditionally undervaluing of women were statistically significant on influencing changes in success of family business (p < 0.05). Findings from the likert scale showed that most of respondents had positive attitudes towards gender differences in managing the family business. The study concludes that gender inequality exist in family businesses and affects the success of family business by creating inadequate cooperation of the family members to the business which leads to inappropriate decisions and practices toward the business. The study recommends that the Local Government Authorities, Non-Governmental Organizations, gender activist and traditional leaders iii should promote more education to the community, individual businessmen and women through workshops and trainings to promote more knowledge on gender equity and equality in family businesses and to insist equal opportunities for both men and women to participate in businesses and contribute to its success as family businesses are vital for development