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Process and outcome evaluation for conditional cash transfers on food security in Kilosa District, Tanzania
No full textDissertation, Project Management and EvaluationBased on the findings of the pilot areas, in 2015 the Government of Tanzania decided to
scale up the Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) programme for the entire country.
The programme aims to reduce consumption poverty among the poor. To date no
evaluation has been carried on the programme; therefore, this study aimed at evaluating
the effectiveness of CCTs programme in attaining food security to the poor in Kilosa
District. The study aimed at examining whether the programme has been implemented as
planned; examining whether the programme changes food security and food insecurity
coping strategies. The survey was conducted in November and December, 2018 involving
120 households from five villages. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant
Interviews (KIIs) were also conducted. The descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data and qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. Food security was measured by Food Consumption Score (FCS) and inferential analysis was done through ordered probit regression model. Results show that the programme was largely implemented as planned. Basic transfer and CCT were statistically significant at P ≤ 0.05 in influencing food security at borderline and at acceptable FCS. Likewise, CCTs received by child headed households was statistically significant at P ≤ 0.10 in influencing food security at poor FCS, statistically significant at P ≤ 0.01 at borderline and at acceptable FCSs. The present study found a significant decrease of 50% of the household that used negative coping strategies at the baseline. In conclusion the programme was largely being implemented as planned and food security has improved. The study recommends the programme to create more awareness on co-responsibilities, strengthening monitoring at village level, review the communication of programme grievances and allowances to CMC members. Lastly, the amount of transfers to the programme beneficiaries should be reviewed
Livelihood strategies and household food security of vegetable street vendors in Morogoro town, Tanzania: an empirical analysis
No full textM.Sc. DissertationThe study attempts to examine the livelihood strategies and household food security of
vegetable street vendors in Morogoro town, Tanzania. Specifically, the study sought to:
(1) To document the nature of the institutional environment in which vegetable street
vending business is taking place, (2) To identify the type and extent of livelihood assets
owned by individuals working as vegetable street vendors, (3) To measure household food
security and dietary diversity of vegetable street vendors and (4) To identify strategies
employed by vegetable street vendors to cope with food shortage. A cross sectional study
design with mixed methods of sampling was employed whereby data were collected from
a total of 234 respondents between February and May, 2018. The study used both
quantitative and qualitative data. Semi structured questionnaire, in-depth interviews and
focus group discussions were used to obtain the data. Descriptive, inferential, and content
analysis methods were used for data analysis. The results showed that respondents own
various livelihood assets categorized as human, natural, physical, social and financial
capitals. On the other hand, the prevalence of household food insecurity was high (55.5%)
among respondents and most of them consumed between 5-9 different food groups
(moderate 50.5%) diverse diet. Several factors were identified to influence household food
security. These include land size (p<0.000), type of ownership of land (p<0.005), house
ownership (p<0.019), motorcycles ownership (p<0.005), bicycles ownership (p<0.005),
relative distance to selling point (p<0.011), membership in community Organisation
(p<0.000) and type of social Organisation (p<0.035). Others were access to credit
(p<0.003), receiving remittances (p<0.000) and training received (p<0.014). Using binary
regression model it was found that ownership of the house (p<0.038), membership of
community Organisation (p<0.032), and type of transport used (p<0.000) were
determinant of food security. It was noted that respondents employ a number of coping
strategies during food shortages, which include selling labour, borrowing from relatives, diet change and getting support from relatives were common in the study area. The study
concludes that food insecurity is still a problem in the study respondents. It is
recommended that LGAs and NGOs support the sector through provision of training on
business skills or entrepreneur, low interest credits, formulation of favourable policies to
support vegetable vendors and empowering them by forming an association
Safety of selected Vegetables grown in urban areas; case of heavy metals in Dar Es Salaam City
No full textM.Sc. DissertationA study was carried out to assess the safety of selected vegetables grown in urban areas,
focusing on a case of heavy metals in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. The study investigated the
concentration of three heavy metals, namely Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Copper (Cu)
in the edible portions of selected leafy vegetables, and the effect of blanching on the
possible reduction of heavy metals concentration. The study also compared the levels of
metal in selected matured leafy vegetables across their sampling sites and their associated
uptake rates of the metals from soil. The selected leafy vegetables were Chinese cabbage
(Brassica rapa), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea), Amaranthus (Amaranthus spp), and
Pumpkin leaves (Curcubita moschata). The heavy metals concentration was measured
using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results showed that, Pb and Cd in
dry weight (mg/kg) ranged from 4.46 to 10.09 and 0.49 to 0.79 respectively.
The concentrations were higher than the permissible levels as per WHO, FAO and TBS
for green leafy vegetables. Except for Pb, blanching had no significant reduction effect
(p>0.05) in the heavy metals concentration in the vegetables. The mean concentration of
Pb varied across sites and vegetables (p< 0.05), the mean concentration of Cd did not vary
across sites but varied across vegetables (p>0.05), where the difference was observed
between Chinese cabbage and Spinach. The mean concentration of Cu varied across sites and vegetables (p0.05). This showed that all selected vegetable varieties up took the metals at a similar rate
Socio-Economic Determinants of Household Participation in Out-growers Scheme and Investor Farm- Employment in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania
No full textHousehold participation in the out-grower scheme and investor farm employment has the potential of improving livelihoods of participating households. However, scientific debates on the socio-economic determinants of households’ participation in the out-growers scheme and investor farm employment have not been conclusive and the number of out-growers dropping out of out-grower scheme remains significant. This paper aims at examining the socio-economic determinants of household participation in the out-growers and investor farm employment. The paper adopted a cross-sectional research design whereby exploratory sequential research strategy was adopted. About 376 respondents were involved in the survey. Qualitative data were collected through checklist of questions were analysed using content analysis while quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The results indicate that demographic variables (older age and household headship), group membership, access to credit, distance from household premises to investor and asset ownership were important predictors of household participation in the out-grower scheme (P < 0.05). The Results indicate further that demographic variables (younger age, household headship and household head marital status), household asset, household income and land size significantly influenced household participation in the investor farm employment (P<0.05). Therefore, household participation in the out-grower scheme favour youth household head, Male-Headed Household (MHHs), household in groups, household with higher land size, HHs with less access to credit and household with fewer assets. Participation in investor farm employment favours those households with older age, FHHs, low income, few assets, married, and households with large land size. It is recommended that there is a need for providing sugarcane technical training to out-growers. Also understanding of the factors that affect household to participate in the out-grower scheme and investor farm employment and how they relate to participation decision should be an important part in designing interventions aimed at improving production uptak
Improvement of pearl millet and groundnut productivity under micro-dose fertilizer application and water management technologies in Dodoma, Tanzania
No full textPhDThesisCrop production in semi-arid areas is faced with different challenges that resulted
into low crop productivity, low household income and food insecurity. The main
production challenges in these areas are declining soil fertility and moisture stresses.
The integration of different techniques, which restore soil nutrients at low costs and
improve soil moisture can be used as a strategy to cope with these constraints and
ensuring sustainable crop production. The purpose of this work was to investigate the
effects of applying inorganic fertilizer at reduced amounts (micro-dose rates) under
different in-situ rainwater harvesting and soil moisture management technologies by
using tied ridges and infiltration pits in pearl millet and groundnut growth and grain
yields. It also, focused on assessing profitability of integration of fertilizer rates with
tied ridges and infiltration pits in smallholder farming communities. Field
experiments were conducted in a semi-arid central part of Tanzania from 2015 to
2017 covering Ilolo and Idifu villages located in Chamwino district, Dodoma region.
It was observed that, using tied ridges and infiltration pits increased pearl millet and
groundnut yield significantly compared with flat cultivation. Application of fertilizer
micro-doses from 25% to 75% of the recommended rate for pearl millet and from
50% to 75% of recommended rate for groundnut increased grain and kernel yields
significantly compared with zero application. Integration of flat cultivation and tied
ridges with micro-dose at 25% of recommended rate in pearl millet gave yield
advantage ranging from 295 to 455 kg/ha and 537 to 959 kg/ha, respectively,
compared to farmer practices. It also resulted into positive net profit. Flat cultivation
with zero fertilizer application resulted in lowest groundnut yield and had a negativeii
net profit. The integrations of tied ridges and fertilizer micro-dose at 50% of net profit. The integrations of tied ridges and fertilizer micro-dose at 50% of
recommended rate gave significantly higher kernel yield, ranging from 906 to 1,197
kg/ha and higher net profit ranging from 424 to 558 USD/ha compared to farmer
practice. Tied ridges and infiltration pits conserved soil moisture by 38% and 45%,
respectively, more than flat cultivation at 30 cm depth after ten days of rainfall.
Land use efficiency was 93% - 157% higher in intercropping system than in sole
cropping. Intercropping of pearl millet and groundnut along with tied ridges and
infiltration pits with micro-dose rates from 25% to 75% of recommended rate had
financial returns of 648- 998 USD/ha higher than sole pearl millet in flat cultivation
without fertilizer application. Therefore, the use of micro-dose at 25% of the
recommended rate (i.e 15 kgN/ha and 10 kg P 2 O 5 /ha) for pearl millet, and 50% of
recommended rate (22.5 kg P 2 O 5 /ha) for groundnuts along with tied ridges and flat
cultivation is recommended to resource poor farmers of central Tanzania. The study
also recommends intercropping of pearl millet and groundnut along with tied ridges
and infiltration pits with micro-dose rates at 25% and advanced to higher rates up to
recommended rate as their resources increases. This study is further recommending a
review of fertilizer package to include lower amount such as 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg or 25
kg bags. This will enable smallholder farmers to purchase small amount of fertilizer
as per their requirement. The study is further recommending the establishment of
government agricultural center in each village to serve famers on all agricultural
issues such as purchasing of improved inputs on time
Effects of non-farm activities on household income in selected rapidly urbanizing villages in Mufindi District in Iringa Region, Tanzania
No full textM.Sc. DissertationAlthough, agriculture remains the main source of income and employment in developing
countries, it is a universally accepted fact that agricultural sector is incapable of creating
sufficient income in the middle of increasing population. Thus, the non-farm sector is
increasingly becoming important. Generally, the study assessed the effects of non-farm
activities to household income in purposefully selected rapidly urbanizing villages in
Mufindi District, namely; Nyololo Shuleni, Lugema, Igowole and Kiyowela, whereby,
the sample of 223 farmers was involved. The study specifically identified the non-farm
activities in the study area; determined the factors that influence farmers to participate in
non-farm activities in the rapidly urbanizing villages, and examined the effects of non-
farm activities on income of the farmers in those villages. Descriptive statistics were
used to identify non-farm activities in the study area and obtain general characteristics of
the study population. Probit model was used to capture the influence of determinants of
non-farm activities participation by farmers and results indicated that sex, age, and
education level of farmers were statistically significant while farm size owned and farm
size cultivated were not. Propensity Score Matching was used to determine the effect of
non-farm activities on the income of farmers in urbanizing villages and the findings
show that the difference in incomes between farmers with non-farm activities and those
without was statistically significant. It can be concluded that, non-farm activities served
as the potential alternative source of income to farmers which will enable them to secure
more necessities for their better living. Therefore, it is recommended that, to improve
household income, the government should improve the quality of education offered by
introducing agricultural and entrepreneurial courses in elementary schools and make
them core courses to increase awareness of importance of various activities. In addition,
subsidizing agricultural inputs, but also improving infrastructure facilities such roads,
will be a good move to non-farm activities in improving people‟s income
Filter paper is a simple and cost-effective transport medium for serological diagnosis of Peste des petits ruminants
No full textPeste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious disease caused by peste-des-petits-ruminants virus. Following the successful eradication of the related rinderpest virus, a program to control and eradicate PPR was launched by the FAO and OIE. PPR is today present in many tropical countries where maintaining the cold chain for sample transportation is one of the major barriers for timely processing. Transport of samples on filter paper is a simple and cost-effective method, however validation and optimization is required to fully adapt this approach. The objective of this study was to evaluate and validate the use of filter paper in serological diagnosis of PPR. Blood samples (serum and filter paper) were collected from sheep and goats in both Tanzania and Pakistan and analysed using a PPRV-specific cELISA. The positive proportion was 10.7% in Tanzania and 80% in Pakistan when performing the analysis on serum. These results were then considered as reference and compared to the results from the filter papers analysed by the same cELISA. According to the statistical analysis the cut-off for a positive results for samples stored on filter paper was adjusted from <50 % competition percentage to <84% in Tanzania and to <69% in Pakistan.
These results demonstrate that filter papers are an acceptable and cost-effective transport method of whole blood samples for later use in serological analysis
Effect of maize and common bean intercropping patterns on soil fertility, crop growth and yield
No full textA Dissertation 2019A study was conducted to establish the effect of intercropping patterns using improved
maize and common bean varieties recommended for low attitude areas (Morogoro) on soil
fertility, growth and yield. The experiment was conducted in the Crop Museum at the
main campus of Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro, Tanzania. The site is
located between latitude 06 o 50‟S and longitude 37 o 39‟E at 526 meter above sea level. The
experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications.
The treatments included; Sole maize, sole common bean, conventional 1maize-1common
bean, improved 1maize-2common bean and 2maize-2common bean intercropping
patterns. Improved maize variety, Meru HB 513 and common bean variety, Pesa were
used. Fertilizers TSP and MOP at 27kg P/ha and 20kg K/ha, respectively, were used at
planting. Growth parameters, nodulation and N 2 -fixation of common bean, nutrients
uptake, yield and yield components were recorded. The results showed that common bean
in the improved (1:2) intercrop pattern recorded significantly (p<0.008) the highest value
(11.67 kg/ha) of N 2 -fixed than other treatments. Maize crop growth, leaf area index and
total dry matter were significantly (p<0.001, p<0.015 and p<0.001, respectively) reduced
by intercropping patterns. Similarly, common bean crop growth, leaf area index and total
dry matter were highly significantly (p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively)
reduced. Intercropping patterns had no significant effect on maize yield and yield
components. However, pod number and yield of common bean were significantly
(p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively) reduced. The improved 1:2 intercrop pattern is the most
beneficial in terms of the amount of N-fixed, land equivalent ratio (LER) and land saved as it produced highest fixed N (11.67 kg/ha), LER (1.59) and land saved (37.1%). On the bases of these results, farmers are advised to apply the improved (1:2) intercrop pattern. However, validation of these findings is recommended for two to three seasons to come up with appropriate deduction
Optimal farm enterprise mix and threshold dietary requierements for smallholder farmers in semi-arid Chamwino district, Dodoma-Tanzania
No full textA Dissertation 2019Malnutrition is among the serious health problems affecting infants, children and women
of reproductive age in Tanzania. Various approaches have been adopted to address this
problem. Such approaches include; importation of food, food aid and medical treatment.
Despite these efforts, however, millions of Tanzanians particularly women and children
continue to suffer from one or more forms of malnutrition. Agriculture has been currently
taken as great measure to harness malnutrition among developing countries including
Tanzania, whereas recently new attention has been given to the role of agriculture in
nutrition and malnutrition. The study was conducted to determine an optimal farm
enterprise mix that uses available resources to maximize profit while ensuring adequate
supply of food to meet household’s macro-nutrient requirements. The study used cross
sectional data from 300 farming households from two villages of Chinoje and Mzula in
Chamwino District in Dodoma region of central Tanzania. A static linear programming
(LP) model was used to determine optimal farm enterprise mix and threshold dietary
requirements for smallholder farming households. The findings indicate that the optimal
enterprise mix that maximizes profit while meeting adequate macro-nutrient food needs
of the households entails a combination of 2.40 acres of millet, 0.75 acres of sunflower,
3.65 acres of groundnuts and at least 16 chickens. This nutrition sensitive optimal
resource combination enables the farming household to attain global optimal solution of
TZS 1 383 878. It could be concluded that with the current average farm production, most
of the farming households were unable to satisfy their household food needs from farm
production. In this regard, the study recommends for optimal combination of available
resources to meet minimal macro-nutrient requirements while generating an optimal level
of farm income
Household socioeconomic determinants of nutritional status of children under-five years in fishing communities in Pangani district, Tanzania
No full textA Thesis 2019Undernutrition among children under-five years old is still a public health problem in
Tanzania despite the global and national efforts in combating it. The Ministry of Health,
Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC) has initiated a
number of projects and programmes in order to curb the problem of undernutrition in
Tanzania. Despite the efforts, Tanzania has the highest rate of prevalence of
undernutrition in East and Southern Africa. This study was conducted in Pangani District
in Tanzania to examine the influence of household socioeconomic determinants of
undernutrition among children under-five years old in fishing communities. Data were
collected through a household survey of a sample of 340 mothers/care takers child-pairs in
which 355 children under-five were involved in anthropometric data collection. Key
Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were also conducted.
Content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Quantitative data were analysed
using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The analysis employed Emergency
Nutrition Assessment (ENA) for SMART to generate indices for weight-for-height,
height-for-age and weight-for-age. A Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF)
was established to measure the rate of undernutrition. Principal Component Analysis was
used to compute a wealth index based on household assets as the main indicators of
household socioeconomic status (SES). Descriptive statistics and binary logistic
regression were performed to estimate the influence of independent variables on the
dependent variable. The findings confirm that undernutrition is still a public health
problem in Pangani as indicated by higher level of stunting (27.9%) and wasting (5.1%).
When CIAF was performed, undernutrition rate was higher 36.7% compared to the rate
obtained in the anthropometric analysis. Further analysis based on area of residence
indicated that undernutrition was higher in households on the ocean side (20.6%) compared to those on the river side (16.1%). The difference in the level of undernutrition
between the river side and the ocean side was also portrayed in the concentration curve
which was then confirmed in the concentration value. Essential antenatal visits of the
mother during pregnancy and child immunization status were found to be the most
important predictors (p < 0.05) of a child wasting and underweight. Even when analysis
was performed based on CIAF, immunization status was among the strongest predictors
of undernutrition in Pangani. Similarly, education of the mother/child care-taker was one
of the most important maternal variables that significantly (β = 2.333, Wald = 30.356, OR
= 10.309, p = 0.000) influenced undernutrition as measured by CIAF. The availability of
health services near to the communities was linked to undernutrition. The study also
found more inclusiveness of undernourished children when CIAF is used in the place of
traditional anthropometric analysis. It is concluded that contradictions on the influence of
sex of the child on undernutrition still exist. The use of CIAF is more appropriate because
it provides a comprehensive analysis of the problem of undernutrition. Despite the
sensitivity of PCA in analyzing SES index, it is sufficient enough to differentiate SES
quintiles and health inequalities even when the communities are very homogeneous or
heterogeneous. Education of the mother is one among the important predictors of
nutritional status. Therefore, it is recommended to health and education providers to focus
on quality education geared at empowering mothers/caretakers. It is further recommended
to use CIAF because it provides the actual nutritional status of children under-five years.
Furthermore, it is recommended that the Government through the Ministry of Health,
Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children; should work closely with the
service providers at district levels to ensure health services are available close to the
communities. Regular follow up visits by Local Government Authorities should be done
to the communities