Sokoine University of Agriculture
Sokoine University of Agriculture Institutional RepositoryNot a member yet
3509 research outputs found
Sort by
Aggregate cocoa supply response to government expenditure in Ghana
No full textA Dissertation 2019The cocoa sub-sector of Ghana is a major employer and source of income for most
smallholder farmers as well as a major export earner for the government. The importance
of the cocoa sub-sector has resulted in government committing over 50% of agricultural
expenditure to the sub-sector in an attempt to increase annual output. Despite the large
share of government agricultural expenditure on the sub-sector, studies have found the
productivity level in the cocoa sub-sector to be amongst the lowest in the world.
This study was conducted to find out how responsive cocoa supply was to government
expenditure on the sub-sector. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to explore the
composition of expenditure on non-research activities and then to determine the
responsiveness of cocoa supply to research and non-research expenditures. The study
employed the vector error correction model, using time series data from 1996 to 2016 to
estimate both the short- and long-run elasticities. Results show that in terms of
composition and pattern of non-research expenditure, larger share was dedicated to
administrative work while training of field and technical staff received the least
expenditure over the study period. Further, the findings show that expenditure on research
positively impacted the level of cocoa supply in both the short- and long-run. Non-
research expenditure on the contrary had a negative effect on cocoa supply in the short-
run but showed a positive effect in the long-run. The empirical results showed that cocoa
supply was more responsive to research expenditure than to non-research expenditure.
The study recommends the need for increased research expenditure and the need for right
targeting of non-research expenditure to ensure the best possible aggregate cocoa supply
response
Agricultural extension approaches in Tanzania
No full textBook Chapter 12, pp. 229-248This chapter analyzes agricultural extension approaches used in Tanzania with a
view to improving them for effective extension service delivery in the country. Linear
extension approaches, which were used in the past, were skewed more towards research
interests than towards the farmers’ perceived problems. Other participatory approaches,
which were used, include Farmer Field School and Farmer-to-farmer approach. Farmer
field school is the main participatory extension approach is commonly used in Tanzania
as opposed to farmer-to-farmer extension approach. The approach seems to be more
effective based on its features, principles, and the benefits explained in this paper.
However, FFS focuses on agricultural production ignoring other aspects and actors in the
agricultural innovation system (AIS). In addition, FFS does not adequately consider
current changes in the agricultural sector such as climate change and value chain aspects.
In addition, the concept of FFS is not well conceived by the implementers. Therefore,
there is a need of improving and or developing new extension approaches that will
accommodate current changes and consider all actors in the AIS. In addition, all actors
need thorough training on the extension approaches available in the country including
FFS for their successful implementation. Furthermore, monitoring and evaluation of the
introduced approaches is crucial in order to determine their effectiveness, efficiency, and
relevance that will form the basis for their improvement
The role of multi-stakeholder platforms in the promotion of agricultural innovations in Tanzania
No full textA DissertationMulti-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) are an increasingly popular approach used in the
agricultural research and development to stimulate stakeholders’ interaction, collaboration
and engagement in the innovation process. However, the empirical evidence on the role
played by MSPs to achieve the desired outcomes of specific food value chains is limited.
The experience shows that the outcomes of food value chains are often less than expected.
This study was designed to assess the contribution of MSPs used for sunflower value
chain upgrading in improving food security and livelihood of farmers in Dodoma Region
of Tanzania. The study was conducted in Chamwino, Kongwa and Dodoma district
councils and adopted a cross-sectional research design. Qualitative and quantitative data
were collected using household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group
discussions whereby 397 respondents were interviewed. Descriptive and inferential
statistics were computed to generate variables such as frequencies, means and
percentages. A paired samples t-test statistical analysis was performed to assess the
impact of stakeholders’ engagement processes on the performance of MSPs to achieve
desired sunflower value chain outcomes. It was found that the process of setting up
sunflower value chain MSPs capitalised on the experience of value chain support
institutions in working with multidisciplinary actors in development fields. Capacity
building interventions have improved competences and capacities of stakeholders to
deliver quality services. Furthermore, the use of MSP approach has improved social
capital, networking and trust among farmers, access to financial services, and policy
environment for sunflower business.
From 2012 to 2014, changes in sunflower
production, sunflower sales, market price and household income were statistically
significant. Various factors ranging from the structure and membership composition of
MSPs, policies and frameworks, capacities of MSPs’ members, and benefits accrued by platforms’ members also affected the performance and functioning of MSPs. In order to
improve performance of MSPs for food value chains, it is imperative to design specific
interventions aimed to strengthen the capacities of platforms’ members to improve service
delivery. To achieve a broader impact and sustainability of food value chain outcomes,
MSPs processes facilitators should always promote integrated approaches that go beyond
the specificity of specific value chains
Irrigation management transfer: farmers’ willingness to pay for operation and maintenance of selected improved smallholder irrigation schemes in Mbeya, Tanzania
No full textPhD Thesis 2019The Irrigation Management Transfer reforms across the world have been focusing on
gradual shift from government toward farmers. The motive behind these reforms is to
increase efficiency, financial sustainability, and reduce public financial burden while
making farmers responsible for financing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) costs.
The Willingness to Pay (WTP) for O&M costs is important for sustainability of
improved smallholder irrigation schemes. Unfortunately, since the beginning of the
implementation of IMT reforms in Tanzania, none has conducted a study to assess
farmers‘ WTP for O&M costs. This study was therefore conducted in Mbeya urban
and Mbarali districts to assess farmers‘ WTP for O&M costs and to assess
profitability and challenges facing farmers in improved smallholder irrigation
schemes. Primary data were collected from 301 randomly selected farmers from four
improved irrigation schemes. Results show that farmers were willing to pay on
average 45 000 TAS per acre per year. Further, the logistic regression results show
that, the determinants of WTP were education level, sex of household head,
awareness and perception on IMT reforms. In addition, access to credit, extension
services and crop income influenced WTP positively and significantly. Thus,
intervention made with a focus on the determinants of WTP will enhance the
sustainability of irrigation schemes through farmers‘ payments. Moreover, gross
margin results indicated that farmers were practicing profitable farming with a gross
margin averaged at 812 126 TAS per acre while the highest and the lowest margin
was 1 827 095 TAS and 273 143 TAS for onions and maize respectively.
Accessibility of agricultural extension services, marketing, post-harvest handling and
management of the schemes were challenges facing farmers. The study recommended that, continued sensitization on the rationale of IMT reforms,
encouraging farmers to produce ―more profitable crops‖ such as onions and
tomatoes, provision of agricultural extension and credit services, and enforcement of
a by-law mandating farmers to become members of irrigator associations are
important matters to be addressed. Lastly, marketing related challenges, including
poorly organized agricultural marketing, use of unstandardized weighing scales, poor
post-harvest handling especially for onions, need to be addressed through
collaborative efforts of both government and farmers
Patterns and variations in morphology of glenoid cavity in mammals:Implications for locomotion efficiency
No full textThe aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the morphology and dimensions of
glenoid cavity and examine their relationship with body size and locomotion efficiency. The
study was performed on 356 glenoid cavities from 178 mammals, representatives of all major
taxa from rodents, sirenians, marsupials, pilosa, cetaceans, carnivores, ungulates, primates
and apes. Parameters measured included cranio-caudal and lateral-medial diameters and their
ratios; areas of articular surfaces; glenoid cavity index; angles-alpha, -beta and -gamma and
length of supraglenoid tubercle and coracoid process. Images were taken using computed
tomographic (CT) scanning technology (CT-Aquarium, Toshiba and micro CT- LaTheta,
Hotachi, Japan) and measurement values were acquired and processed using Avizo computer
software and CanvasTM 11 ACD systems. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft
Excel 2013. Results obtained showed that mammals exhibit various patterns in the
morphology of glenoid cavities that may be associated with adaptation of the glenohumeral
joint to robust mobility for locomotion. When the diameters of glenoid cavities were
compared between groups of mammals, significant difference was observed in diameters of
articular surfaces between rodents and ungulates (1.34±0.32); carnivores and primates
(1.39±0.16); primates and rodents and carnivores (1.3±0.12) and between ungulate and
carnivores, rodents and primates (1.19±0.18). The mean values of glenoid cavity index in
ungulates were found to be lower (0.15±0.13) than those of carnivores (0.22±0.71) and apes
(0.26±0.16), indicating that the depth of glenoid cavities of ungulates is shallow compared to
those of carnivores and apes. The inclination of the scapula relative to the trunk was found to
be tilted lateromedially in apes; mediolaterally in primates (monkeys); craniocaudally in
carnivores; vertically in ungulates and cranially in diggers. Significantly, the angles were
wider in apes but narrower in ungulates. The length of supraglenoid tubercle was long in
ungulates but short in carnivores while the coracoids process was short in ungulates but long
in primates and moderately in carnivores and other mammals. The morphological
characteristics of the glenoid cavities and the functional interpretation of the parameters in
mammals are discussed in detail
Contamination Health Risks of Parasitic Helminths with Reused Wastewater for Vegetable Irrigation in Mbeya, Tanzania
No full textThis is a Master DissertationReuse of wastewater for vegetable irrigation is common in developing countries due to its accessibility and being rich in fertilizing elements thus improving crops yield. Regardless of these advantages, the practice plays an important role in transmission of intestinal parasitic helminths to vegetable consumers. This study was conducted to assess farmers’ awareness, perceptions, managerial and consumption practices regarding vegetables irrigated with reused wastewater on health risks of consumers. In addition, this study assessed intestinal parasitic helminths eggs concentration and profile from samples of wastewater and vegetables irrigated with wastewater. Sociological survey data were collected from 61 purposively selected smallholder vegetable farmers using semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 56 samples of effluent water from wastewater treatment ponds (WWTP), polluted stream water (PSW) and reused wastewater irrigated vegetables were collected for parasitological examination. Parasitological examination was conducted using the floatation method adopting a modified Bailenger protocol with zinc sulphate (1.3 specific gravity). Then all Taeniid eggs positive isolates were subjected to PCR for Taenia solium detection. Differences in farmers’ awareness and perception levels were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The association between demographic factors and vegetable consumption practices were analyzed using multivariate linear regression analysis model. The results indicated presence of risky practices for transmission of intestinal helminths in the study area such as consumption of raw vegetables. Education levels of the respondents found to influence consumption practices of vegetables irrigated with wastewater (P<0.05) whereby more educated individuals were not certain on safety of the water. Besides, the analysis of parasitic helminths data showed that, 88% of WWTP, 78.6% of PSW and 75% of the vegetables were contaminated with intestinal parasitic helminths eggs with mean concentration of 1.14 eggs/L, 0.667 eggs/L and 3.3 eggs/100g, respectively. Intestinal parasitic helminths found were: Ascaris sp., hookworms, Taenia sp., Trichuris sp., Strongyloides sp. and Enterobius sp., and Hymenolepsis sp. Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that 26.7% of samples were contaminated with T. solium eggs. It is concluded that polluted streams channeled with effluent water from Kalobe (WWTPs) is contaminated with high levels of intestinal parasitic helminths eggs than what recommended by World Health Organization for unrestricted agriculture irrigation. Furthermore, molecular analysis confirmed involvement of T. solium in some isolates of Taeniid eggs. Thus, it is recommended that, community training particularly in health risks associated with contamination of crop irrigated using recovered wastewater should be considered. More studies should be conducted on reused wastewater chemical contaminations and other microbial pathogens profiles using modern techniques such as molecular methods.Mkwawa University College of Education and Prof. Maria Vang Johansen (from University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Epidemiology of bovine mastitis in smallholder dairy farms in Unguja Island of Zanzibar, Tanzania
No full textPhD ThesisBovine mastitis remains to be the most important disease facing smallholder dairy industry
in Zanzibar. Direct and indirect cost incurred during the control of clinical cases of
mastitis together with prolonged subclinical mastitis reduces quantity and quality of milk
produced, and hence, decrease smallholder dairy farmers’ income. This study was
conducted to assess the characteristics and farm management practices of smallholder
dairy cattle farming system and their relation with milk production, to quantify the
occurrence of subclinical and clinical bovine mastitis and to identify their potential risk
factors associated with both forms of the disease. In addition, pathogens causing clinical
and subclinical bovine mastitis were isolated and tested for antimicrobial resistance. The
study was carried out in three districts of Unguja island of Zanzibar in the United Republic
of Tanzania. The selected districts were North B, Central and West districts. Two hundred
and three farmers with 425 lactating dairy cows were included in a cross-sectional study
that used questionnaire interviews and direct observation to assess characteristics of dairy
farming. To quantify the prevalence of subclinical mastitis, questionnaire interviews,
direct observations, California mastitis test and laboratory analysis were used.
Longitudinal study was used to quantify the occurrence of clinical mastitis. It was found
that a dairy farmer possesses an average of seven dairy cattle including two lactating cows.
Farmers in West district had bigger average number of lactating cows (3) compared to
Central (2) and North B (2), the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). More
than two thirds (72%) of the farmers interviewed kept crossbreed dairy cattle that were
managed mostly by zero grazing system (65%). About 61% of the respondents had
constructed shed for their dairy animals. About 86% of the farmers provided maize bran,
pollard or a mixture of the two as supplement feeds for their lactating cows (p<0.05).
Average daily milk production was 7.6 ± 3.6 litres per cow per day. It was found that, average milk production in West district (8.0 litres/day) was higher than average
production in Central (7.2 litres/day) and North B (6.9 litres/day), the difference between
districts was statistically significant (p<0.05). Two hundred and one farms, 416 dairy cows
and 1,648 lactating quarters were tested for the prevalence of bacterial and mycotic
subclinical mastitis (SCM). Based on California Mastitis Test (CMT) results, the overall
prevalence of SCM was 28.6, 48.8 and 64.7% at quarter, cow and farm level,
respectively. Based on bacterial isolation the prevalence was recorded at 42.9, 70.9
and 78.6% at quarter, cow and farm level, respectively. Out of 831 isolates from
subclinical cases of bovine mastitis, Staphylococcus aureus composed of 36.8%,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa formed 17.8%, Staph epidermidis formed 16.1%, Klebsiella
spp. formed 9.5%, Micrococcus spp. formed 6.3% and Escherichia coli formed 4.9%.
In addition, it was found that some drugs such as penicillin was no longer appropriate
for the treatment of mastitis since 87.6% of isolates were resistant to this drug. The
overall prevalence of mycotic subclinical mastitis as defined by mycotic pathogens
isolation were 19%, 33.9% and 49.3% at quarter, cow and farm level, respectively. The
quarter level prevalence was significantly higher in Central district (26.1%) compared to
North B (20.1%) and West (14.4%). The majority of isolated mycotic pathogens were
Aspergillus spp (48.2% of isolates), Candida spp (41.1%), and Saccharomyces spp (7.4%).
Other minor mycotic pathogens comprised of mucor spp (1.2%), Microsporum spp
(0.6%), Prototheca spp (0.6%), Sporobolomyces spp (0.6%) and Trichophyton spp (0.3%).
Cow level incidence rate per 100 cow-year at risk, cumulative incidence and cumulative
hazard function as reported by farmers were 34.0, 18.3 and 0.27 respectively while those
defined by pathogen isolation were 31.8, 17.1 and 0.25, respectively. Quarter level
incidence rate per 100 quarters-year at risk, cumulative incidence and cumulative hazard
function at quarter level as reported by farmers were 14.5, 7.8 and 0.11 respectively, and
those defined by pathogen isolation were 12.9, 7.0 and 0.10, respectively. Out of 212 pathogens isolated from clinical cases of mastitis, major isolates were Staphylococcus
aureus (35.4%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (13.7%), Candida spp (8.5%), Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (6.6%), Klebsiella spp (6.1%) and Aspergillus spp (4.7%). Risk factors
associated with the increased occurrence of subclinical mastitis as defined by CMT
screening included herd size and lactation stage. Risk factors for subclinical mastitis
as defined by bacteria isolation were dirty drainage, uses of towel to dry udder and
number of parity while as defined by mycotic isolation were type of housing and
milking technique. The protective factors associated with decreased occurrence of
subclinical mastitis as defined by CMT screening included availability of water and
uses of calf sucking before milking. The risk factors associated with bacteria
isolations were number of milking per day, milking technique, hand wash before
milking and amount of milk produced. Risk factors associated with mycotic isolation
included number of milking per day and hand wash before milking. Risk factors
associated with increased incidence of clinical mastitis as reported by farmers and
pathogens isolation included cows’ age and breed, number of parity, lactation stage, milk
production, cow hygiene, floor hygiene, study district and calf suckling before milking.
Washing hands before milking decreased the occurrence of clinical mastitis. Findings of
this study have shown that dairy farming in Unguja Island operates under poor farm
management, poor hygiene and improper milking techniques leading to low milk
production and increased likelihood of lactating cows being infected with mastitis.
Furthermore, the findings revealed high prevalence of subclinical and incidence of
clinical mastitis at farms, cows and quarters levels with both contagious and
environmental bacterial as well as mycotic pathogens being involved. Findings of this
study provide information required to set up strategies to control mastitis in Zanzibar
The regeneration dynamics of Miombo tree species in Sub-Saharan Africa
No full textAfrican Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems, 2019; 6 (5): 001-016Miombo woodlands support livelihoods of more than 100 million rural and urban dwellers by providing them with a wide range of products and services. Concurrently, Miombo shelters more than 10000 plants and animal species majority of which are endemic. However, overexploitation of Miombo through trees cutting for charcoal, firewood, tobacco curing, farmlands expansion, and wildfires have led to deforestation and forest degradation accompanied by multiple negative effects on human livelihoods. Regeneration as a survival strategy after disturbance is an important plant functional trait for its sustainability. This paper reviewed the regeneration dynamics of Miombo tree species. The aim was to explore regeneration methods, factors affecting regeneration
in Miombo ecosystem and proposes the most promising disturbance-dependent regeneration method. Information for this study was obtained by the synthesis of academic articles obtained through standard literature search performed using multiple electronic databases. Studies in Sub-Saharan Africa have demonstrated the vital role of natural regeneration in the sustainable and post-disturbance management of Miombo woodlands. Conclusively, Miombo regenerates sexually through seedlings and vegetatively propagated through root suckers and coppicing. However, vegetative propagation is highly recommended as it offers maximum regeneration with fast growth rate contributing to the rapid recovery of disturbed Miombo woodland ecosystem.Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG) and MJUMIT
Prediction of soil salinity spatial distribution and its management implications for rice production in Magozi Irrigation Scheme, Iringa, Tanzania
No full textM. Sc. DissertationRice (Oryza sativa L.) plays an important role in improving household food security and
national economies in Sub-Saharan Africa including Tanzania. There is an increase in
annual per capita consumption of rice in Tanzania from 20.5 in 2001 to about 25 - 30 kg
year -1 in 2011 coupled with an increase in population. Despite the increase in rice
consumption, the current rice production in Tanzania is still as low as 2.3 t ha -1 while the
potential rice yields are 4 to 10 t ha -1 in the country. Reasons for low rice production
include poor agronomic practices and land degradation. Soil salinity which refers to the
content of soluble salts in the soil is one of the main land degradation problems in many
rice growing irrigation schemes in Tanzania.
Managing soil salinity in irrigated agriculture is crucial for minimizing its negative effects
and for ensuring the long-term sustainability of irrigated agriculture. To achieve this,
adequate and accurate information on the magnitude and spatial distribution of soil salinity
is required. The knowledge on the nature and properties of soils from pedological
characterization studies is also vital in planning the best use and management of soils in
crop production. Magozi Irrigation Scheme is one of the rice producing irrigation schemes
with an area of 1300 ha in Iringa, Tanzania. The farmers of Magozi depend on rice
production from this scheme as their main economic activity. Despite the importance of
rice production in this irrigation scheme, the production yields are generally low where the
average rice yields have been reported to be 3.05 t ha -1 while the potential yield in the area
is 4.06 t ha -1 . There is no detailed study that has focused on addressing soil salinity
problem in this irrigation scheme to understand the magnitude and its spatial distribution.
This research assessed soil salinity and used GIS-based approach to predict spatial
distribution of soil salinity. The study further recommends the soil, crop and irrigation management options that will contribute enhancement of sustainable rice production at
Magozi Irrigation Scheme.
In order to understand the nature and properties of soils in this irrigation scheme, the first
specific objective was a study on pedological characterization whereby three (3)
representative soil profiles namely MAG-P1, MAG-P2 and MAG-P3 were opened and
characterized for their soil morphological, physical and chemical properties. The soils
were then classified to the family level using USDA Soil Taxonomy and to the Tier 2 in
the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). The second specific objective
focused on a study to develop a linear regression model that can be used to predict
electrical conductivity of the saturated paste extract (EC e ) from values of electrical
conductivity measured in soil to water suspension (EC 1:2.5 ). The EC e is a globally used soil
salinity index for assessing plant response to salinity. A total of 60 soil samples (45
samples for model training and 15 samples for model validation) were collected and
analyzed for soil EC 1:2.5 , EC e and soil texture. A linear regression model relating EC e and
EC 1:2.5 was developed and validated for use in the next study. Lastly, the study assessed
soil salinity and used GIS-based approach to predict spatial distribution of soil salinity in
Magozi Irrigation Scheme. A total of 81 geo-referenced soil samples at a depth of 0 - 30
cm collected from the scheme were analyzed for soil physical and chemical properties
where EC e was used as the main soil salinity index. The soil salinity spatial distribution
map of the scheme based on EC e was generated using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW)
interpolation method in Geographic Information System (GIS).
The results on pedological characterization showed that the soils were moderately deep to
very deep with vertic characteristics varying in degree of expression. Based on silt/clay
ratios, the soils of Magozi Irrigation Scheme are relatively young with high degree of weathering potential. According to the USDA Soil Taxonomy, the soils were classified as
Typic Haplusterts (MAG-P1), Vertic Endoaquepts (MAG-P3) and Vertic Epiaquepts
(MAG-P3) while in WRB for Soil Resources they were classified as Haplic Vertisols,
Eutric Vertic Cambisols and Eutric Vertic Stagnic Cambisols for MAG-P1, MAG-P2 and
MAG-P3 respectively. The information from this study is crucial in planning the best use
and management options of the soils of Magozi Irrigation Scheme.
The linear regression model EC e = 3.4954*EC 1:2.5 (R 2 = 0.956) was developed from the
study which focused on relating EC e with EC 1:2.5 to facilitate accurate soil salinity
assessment in this area through predicting EC e from EC 1:2.5 values. The results on soil
salinity assessment study indicated that soil salinity in terms of EC e ranged from non-
saline (0.24 dS m -1 ) to extremely saline (33.3 dS m -1 ) with an EC e mean of 2.5 dS m -1
being slightly saline. The mean EC e value of 2.5 dS m -1 recorded in this area is high
enough to cause 10 to 25 % crop yield reduction from the total yield. In terms of rice
response to salinity and effects in its production, the mean EC e value of 2.5 dS m -1 is very
close to 3 dS m -1 which is the EC e threshold for rice crop. The EC e showed positive
significant correlation at p≤0.05 significance level with soil Cl - (r = 0.459), exchangeable
Na (r = 0.341), ESP (r = 0.302) and SAR (r = 0.320).
The soil salinity spatial distribution map indicated that out of 1300 ha of the cultivated
land, about 622.21 ha (47.86%) were slightly saline to extremely saline soils. This
research work found that soil salinity is a growing land degradation problem in Magozi
Irrigation Scheme. This may be due to poor soil and irrigation management practices as
well as poor drainage structures leading to waterlogging problems which promote salt
accumulation in the soil. Therefore, suitable irrigation, crop and soil management
practices must be adopted by the farmers to reduce soil salinity development for sustainable rice production in the scheme. It is recommended that the farmers should be
encouraged to adopt efficient rice farming technologies such as the system of rice
intensification (SRI), improve irrigation drainage channels and adopt growing of salt
tolerant rice varieties such as SATO 1 as well as use of inorganic and organic fertilizers
Does student Empowerment improve their Academic Performance? Evidence from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro
No full textThere is a growing interest in understanding the relationship between student empowerment and their academic performance. This paper examined this relationship in the context of university students learning environments. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using a combination of simple random and systematic sampling techniques involving 200 undergraduate students. The constructs of Psychological Empowerment Instrument (PEI) and the Learner Empowerment Scale (LES) were used to construct Likert scale questions in estimating the students’ empowerment. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed, and a summated scale approach was used to analyse Likert scale questions in estimating the level of empowerment. Correlation analysis was employed to gauge the relationship of the construct of empowerment and academic performance. The results show that the majority of students (82%) had moderate academic performance (GPA 3.0-3.9) out of a maximum of 5.0; the rest 9 and 9 percent had GPAs of below3.0 and above 3.9, respectively. The majority of the respondents (62%) were categorized into low levels of empowerment. Female respondents were more likely to be categorized into higher levels of empowerment than were their male counterparts at 40.7 and 35.8 percent respectively. All paired linear relationships between the constructs of student empowerment were positive. The strength of the linear relationship different construct of empowerment varied from moderate to strong but all had a significant relationship (p <0.05). The linear relationship between the constructs of empowerment and academic performance (GPA) was weak and none of them had any significant relationship. Therefore, overall, there was no linear relationship and association between the level of academic performance and the construct of empowerment. It is recommended to the Ministry of Education and university management to focus on the strategies that would improve student empowerment and academic performance such as student cantered and participatory approaches