Sokoine University of Agriculture
Sokoine University of Agriculture Institutional RepositoryNot a member yet
3509 research outputs found
Sort by
Gendered access and control over Quality Declared Seeds (QDS) resources among rice producers in Kilombero district, Morogoro, Tanzania
No full textQuality Declared Seed for increased agricultural productivity is pertinent to farmers.
This study assessed the gendered access to and control over QDS resources among rice
producers. A cross sectional research design was used, whereby a questionnaire was
administered to 218 rice farmers in Kilombero District. Focus Group Discussions and
Key Informant interviews were conducted to complement and allow triangulation
of data. Descriptive statistics were analysed using SPSS, while content analysis was
used to analyse qualitative data Specifically, SPSS computer software was used to
analyse descriptive statistics such as Tab. The results show that access to credit was
very low among farmers in the area even though women (45%) were found to have
more access to credit than has been the case with men (13%). On the other hand,
men were found to have more access to inputs (22%) and agricultural training (29%)
than was the case with women. Women in the study area had access to land, but
lacked control over it. Cultural barriers strongly affect and influence ownership of
resources including land for rice Quality declared seed production among women
farmers. ,. It is concluded that women get less benefits in rice QDS production due
to poor access to and control of productive resources. There is a need of removing
all cultural barriers by creating awareness on equitable access and proper control of
productive resources among both men and women using gender sensitive programs
in collaboration with relevant government machinery
Using WhatsApp Messenger for improving learners' engagement in teaching and learning: a case of undergraduate students at the Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
No full textJournal ArticleThis study was set to investigate how WhatsApp Messenger supported learner-centred
teaching and learning. Specifically, the study evaluated the level of exchange of scholarly
information resources among students through WhatsApp Messenger, determined how
WhatsApp supports learner-centred learning and assessed challenges influencing students
when using WhatsApp Messenger in teaching and learning. The study involved
undergraduate students and instructors at the Department of Records and Information Studies.
It employed random sampling techniques in selecting students and purposive techniques in
selecting instructors to be included in the study. Major results indicate that WhatsApp
Messenger was highly adopted and used for supporting learning. All respondents were
members of WhatsApp Messenger groups. Results indicate that the usage of WhatsApp
Messenger has improved the accessibility of reading materials and reading culture among
students. Usage of WhatsApp Messenger in learner-centred teaching and learning approaches
is limited by the inadequate mobile phone storage space for downloaded scholarly contents
and interruptions made by non-academic conversations made through the same application. It
is concluded that if used effectively, the application may increase academic performance
among students. It recommends developing WhatsApp Messenger functionalities that may
facilitate the moderation of the teaching and learning process and make mobile internet
services affordable
Pre- and postharvest factors affecting quality and safety of Pepper (Piper nigrum L.)
No full textThe quality and safety of pepper (Piper nigrum L.) are a function of crop management practices,
harvest maturity, harvesting methods and subsequent handling after harvest, including storage
conditions and processing methods. The review shows that volatile oil decreases with shade
intensity (15–30%). Essential oil, oleoresin, piperine and monoterpenes (thujene, α-pinene, sabinene,
limonene, α-phellandrene and linalool) increase with altitude, while β-caryophyllene and total
phenol decrease with increase in altitude. Fermentation of ripe pepper fruits forms odorants
(butanoic acid, 3-methylindole, and 4-methylphenol) attributing intense faecal/shed-like off-flavour
white pepper powder. Low-drying temperature (≤56°C) and duration (≤3 hrs) lead to low bulk
density (0.17 g/ml) and low moisture loss (31%). Excessive soaking of black peppercorns prior to
mechanical decortication reduces volatile oil and increases moisture content and broken berries.
Availability of heavy metals in grinding machines increases the level of heavy metals; Fe (69.8–
1147 mg/kg), Pb (21.3–947 μg/kg) and V (64.1–1072 μg/kg) in pepper powder. Storing peppercorns
along with other materials enhances cross-contamination of heavy metals; Pb, Cd and Cr. High
moisture content (>13%) and farmers’ unawareness resulted in high (2200 to >30000 cfu/g)
mycotoxins contamination. Environmental and industrial pollutants such as plasticizers, bisphenol A,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides are also pepper contaminants of high merit.
Radiofrequency pasteurization, vacuum-assisted steaming, ethylene oxide fumigation, atmospheric
pressure plasma, dry heat sterilization, gamma-irradiation and ultraviolet-C light treatments are
among strategies to enhance the quality and safety of pepper. More precautions also have to be
taken to regulate the shade, drying temperature and duration, soaking duration, hygienic processing
and storage in order to retain quality, minimize the risk of microbial or chemical contaminations
and comply with standards
Diversity in fruit and seed morphology of wooden banana ( Entandrophragma bussei Harms ex Engl.) populations in Tanzania
No full textJournal of Trees, Forests and PeopleEntandrophragma bussei (wooden banana) is a high value indigenous multipurpose tree species prioritized for do-
mestication in Tanzania. However, we lack adequate information on genetic and phenotypic variation to support
domestication processes, while utilization pressure on the remaining stocks and deforestation are intensified.
The study evaluated the diversity in fruit and seed morphology of three wild populations of E. bussei found in
three agroecological zones of Tanzania. Data on fruit (length, width, weight and number of seeds per fruit) and
seed (length, width and weight) traits were evaluated. To detect differences in means among the populations,
one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed. There were variations in fruit and seed morphological
traits among the studied populations. Ruaha population had significantly higher fruit length (19.31 ± 0.1 cm),
width (7.71 ± 0.12 cm) and number of seeds per fruit (22 ± 0.48) than Kigwe (15.65 ± 0.14 cm, 4.85 ± 0.17
cm, 20 ± 0.45), and Tarangire (16.84 ± 0.1 cm, 5.40 ± 0.12 cm, 20 ± 0.37) populations. Ruaha (62.46 ± 1.37 g)
and Tarangire (60.71 ± 1.12 g) had significantly heavier fruits than Kigwe (56.53 ± 1.28 g). Kigwe population
had significantly higher seed width (1.80 ± 0.01 cm) and weight (0.83 ± 0.01 g) than Ruaha (1.75 ± 0.01 cm,
0.75 ± 0.01 g) and Tarangire (1.65 ± 0.01 cm, 0.77 ± 0.01 g) populations. Among the populations Tarangire had
higher seed length (9.60 ± 0.06 cm) than the rest. Overall, there is a considerable fruit and seed morphological
diversity among the E. bussei populations offering opportunities for selection of domestication cultivars and gene
pool conservation
Actors’ roles and functions in the improved rice varieties innovation system in the eastern zone of Tanzania
No full textSouth African Journal of Agricultural Extension, Vol. 49 No. 1, pp. 59-80The objective of the study was to establish the actors’ roles and functions in improved rice
varieties innovation system in the Eastern Zone of Tanzania. The target population samples
for the study comprised of household heads (n = 340) and other key identified actors (n = 99).
The research design was a convergent parallel mixed method. Face-to-face interviews, focus
group discussions and documentary review were used to collect the data. The findings indicate
weak or inability of Agricultural Seed Agency, TANSEED International Ltd, Quality Declared
Seed producers in seed multiplication and distribution and agro-dealers were not selling
quality rice seeds, thereby resulting in low availability and high prices of the same. Also, the
findings show weak participation of farmers, agro- dealers, traders and millers in the functions
of guidance of the search and rice varieties development, and the limited number of market
actors and weak credit mobilization for farmers to invest in IRVs. The study recommends for
the Government of Tanzania to create enabling environment that enhances participation of all
key actors in the processes of guidance of the search and rice varieties development; linking
farmers with external markets; and enhancing the farmers’ access to credit facilities by
working on the obstacles hampering farmers from accessing loans from financial institutions
Effect of Hormonal baits (Levonorgestrel and Quinestrol) on Fertility of Commensal Rat (Rattus rattus linnaeus, 1758)
No full textDissertationThis laboratory-based study examined the effects of quinestrol and levonorgestrel
(singly and in combination) incorporated in bait on body mass and reproduction of the
roof rat (Rattus rattus ). A total of 140 R. rattus, (70 males and 70 females) were provided
with 10 g of bait containing quinestrol (QU) or levonorgestrel (LE) or a combination of
levonorgestrel and quinestrol (EP-1) at concentrations of (10 ppm and 50 ppm) for seven
consecutive days consecutively. After 7 days, animals were dissected and the ovary,
uterus, testis, seminal vesicles, and epididymis were weighed and examined. Bait
consumption and body weight decreased significantly (p = 0.0001) in treated compared to
control animals, with a minor difference between sexes. Quinestrol and EP-1 at 10 ppm
and 50 ppm increased the mass of the uterus and ovary of females (p = 0.0001), which
was associated with edema in the uterus. The mass of epididymis, testis, seminal vesicles,
were reduced and sperm counts and motility were significantly reduced (p = 0.0001)
particularly in the animals with QU and EP-1 at the higher concentrations. To determine
the effects of contraceptive hormones on reproduction, 50 ppm of QU and EP-1 were
used. A total of 160 animals of equal numbers and sexes were paired, keeping the ratio of
one female to one male. Pregnancy and litter production was significantly reduced
(p = 0.0249) in the treated pairs when compared to controls. It is concluded that quinestrol
and EP-1 have a significant impact on both males and females R. rattus reproduction
compared to levonorgestrel alone. These hormones will be very valuable when used as a
fundamental method in controlling R. rattu reproduction
Effects of credit management practices on performance of women owned Smes in Morogoro municipality Tanzania
No full textDissertationThis study investigated the effects of credit management practices on the performance of
women owned SMEs in Morogoro Municipality. Specifically, the study addressed the
following specific objectives (i) to assess credit management practices among women
owned SMEs in Morogoro Municipality. (ii) To assess the performance of women owned
SMEs in the study area; (iii) to determine the effects of credit management practices on
performance of women owned SMEs in Morogoro Municipality; and (iv) to assess factors,
influencing women owned SMEs performance in the study area. Data were collected
randomly from one hundred and twenty women entrepreneurs in three randomly selected
wards in Morogoro Municipality. The information was collected using a questionnaire
with both structured and non-structured questions. Descriptive and inferential analysis
using Statistical Package for Social Sciences were employed in data analysis. The results
indicated that 55 percent of the women respondents are running their business with credit
while 45 percent are non-credit recipients. Among women who received credit, 68.18
percent use the credit to invest within the same business while 21.1 percent use the credits
to invest in other new businesses and while about 50 percent use the credit for other
purposes such as paying school fees, paying house rents, and supporting their spouses.
About 10.61 percent of the credit recipients used their whole loans in other activities such
as organizing parties and paying school fees, it means they divert the loan of the business
to other uses. An Independent t-test was run to assess whether there is a significant
difference between SMEs performance among women with credit and those without
credit. The performance indicators were all significantly different in terms of asset value,
number of employees, monthly sales, and gross margin at p >0.05. Hence, the majority of
women who received credit invests the whole credit within the same business and are
performing well compared to those who are not receiving it. In addition, the findings show
that information network, location, and household size affect negatively the performance
of women who owned SMEs in the study area. Conversely, marital status, education,
purchase plan, market plan, age, and gross margin were important factors in nurturing the
performance of women owning SMEs. The findings also show that credit availability
influenced the performance of women owning SMEs. It is therefore concluded that if
credit is available and women use the whole credit in investing within the business, then
the performance of their SMEs will improve. Therefore, women are encouraged to
establish business, which are less competitive and can lead to high profitability and high
switching cost to curb competition. It is also recommended further that women owning
SME’s should be encouraged to use the credit to the intended purposes rather than
diversify the credit to non-business areas, which affect the growth and performance of
their businesses.Grandmother, Garents, Fiancée, Women in Morogoro Municipalit
Consumers’ preferences and purchase motivation for Processed dairy products in Dar es salaam city, Tanzania
No full textThesisConsumers represent the last component within the food chain supply but they are set as a
major player on the market, thus they deserve special attention. Changing consumer tastes
and preferences have rocked the food and beverage industry in recent years. This study
examined consumers’ preferences and choice for processed milk product attributes in Dar
es Salaam using cross-sectional choice experiment data aiming at drawing practical
implications for the growth of dairy industry in Tanzania. Specifically, the study intended
to (i) identify the preferred processed milk products by most consumers; ii) examine the
attributes and socioeconomic factors influencing consumers’ preferences for processed
milk products; (iii) determine consumers’ attitudes towards processed milk products; and
(iv) analyze the cognitive drivers underlying personal values that underpin milk
consumption behavior. This thesis employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative
methods along with a discrete choice experiment (DCE) using a sample of 400
respondents. Both descriptive statistics and econometric models were employed to analyze
the data. Latent Class Model (LCM) was used to establish preference heterogeneity among
milk and milk consumers. Factor Analysis (FA) was employed to determine consumers’
perceptions and attitudes towards processed milk products. The Means end chain and
laddering methods were used to cognitively establish consumers personal end values
desired from milk product attributes. Findings indicate that pasteurized and UHT milk
(53.9%), yoghurt (44.9%), industrial mtindi (42.5%), ice cream (40.1%) and powder milk
(39.6%) were the most consumed milk products. Both intrinsic and extrinsic cues are
considered by consumers when making their decisions for or against purchase of milk
products. The intrinsic cues included taste and flavour while extrinsic cues were price,
packaging, shelf life/expiry date, and origin of the product (domestic made vs foreign
made). The LCM results indicated preference heterogeneity and delineated consumers into
three segments: processed milk product skeptics, milk neutrals, and processed milk
advocates. These three segments have distinct preferences: Processed milk product
skeptics attached less or no value on processed milk products; milk product neutral
consumers preferred both processed and unprocessed milk products. Processed milk
product advocates placed more value on industrial processed milk products. Heterogeneity
in preferences was mainly driven by socioeconomic characteristics and consumer’s
attitude towards processed foods. Attributes that significantly (p-value = 0.001) dictate
preferences among neutral and processed milk advocates are taste (whole milk versus
skim milk for UHT milk), flavours such as vanilla and strawberries for yoghurt and ice
cream. Additionally, packages such as aseptic box (for UHT milk), plastic bag/cup for
yoghurt and ice cream, price, and country of origin (COO). Factor analysis findings show
that six factors consisting of psychometric statements that load highly onto the factors
seem to relate to the rewarding aspect derived from the consumption of processed milk
products while those loading low indicate that the attribute connected are less rewarding to
consumers. Several attributes, consequences and values were established as cognitive
drivers for milk and milk product consumers. Common personal values sought in
consuming UHT milk were; hedonism/enjoyment (linked with sensory attributes) (80%),
meet expectation (65%), self-direction (budget constraint) (50%). For yoghurt and ice
cream, hedonism (considered in sensory attributes) (70%), ensure safety (35%), live
comfortable and healthy (30%), and live longer (45%) were the main ultimate values
sought. Study recommendations include; (i) Marketers need to pay closer attention to
product attributes and specifically to sensory attributes (taste and flavour), packaging and
size as they seek to meet consumers’ desired cues, (ii) Milk distributors for processed milk
should increase promotion campaigns, and (iii) Local processors should adopt features
that give imported milk market advantages.Tanzania Dairy Board (TDB);
Tanzania Milk Processors Association (TAMPA
Factors affecting interactions between different key actors in improved rice varieties innovation system in the Eastern Zone of Tanzania
No full textAfrican Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and DevelopmentThis study examines factors affecting the interactions between different key actors in the innovation system of improved
rice varieties in the Eastern Zone of Tanzania. A parallel mixed design was used to collect the data from a sample of 340
randomly selected rice farming households and 34 purposively selected key informants from actor groups involved in rice
innovations. Information was collected using structured and semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and
documentary review. Factors affecting interactions between farmers and other key actors were analyzed using a binary
logistic model and chi-square test, meanwhile, content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The findings
show that household income, farming systems, leadership, innovation platforms, coordination bodies, trust, human and
financial resources, ICT facilities, and transportation means were the factors that affected interactions between
different actors in the system. Equally, limited financial resources were reported to have affected every actor group’s
ability to interact in the system, thus significantly constraining the implementation of linkage activities designed to
facilitate actors’ interactions along the improved rice varieties value chain. This study speaks to policymakers on
formulating strategies for financial resource mobilization that will strengthen availability and accessibility of finance
by actors and enable the implementation of linkage activities (e.g., innovation platform establishment, enhancement of
ICT facilities, and improvement of transport means, among others) which, in turn, will strengthen actors’ interactions
in the system and improve rice production
The important determinants of the adoption behavior: a case study of recommended maize production technologies in Tanzania
No full textSouth African Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 42-57Numerous technologies have been developed in the agricultural sector to facilitate its
contribution to the livelihood of the people. However the adoption of these technologies has
been very low or non existence at all. This paper determined the important factors/variables
that determine adoption behaviour. A validated, pre-tested structured questionnaire was used
to collect data from 113 respondents, equivalent to 5 percent of a population selected to
represent maize growers in selected villages of Njombe District. The collected data were
analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and the linear regression
model was used to investigate the influence of the study variables. The study findings show
both independent and intervening factors investigated determined the adoption behaviour.
However in all the technologies investigated the intervening factors influenced highly the
adoption behaviour. The results presented provide sufficient evidence in supporting the
relevance of intervening variables as the most important determinants of the adoption
behaviour. The study suggests that emphasis be put on these variables in agricultural extension
programs in order to enhance adoption of technologies by farmers