Sokoine University of Agriculture
Sokoine University of Agriculture Institutional RepositoryNot a member yet
3509 research outputs found
Sort by
Perceived existence of farmer - pastoralist conflicts in relation to climate Change in Kilosa District, Tanzania
No full textBook chapter 7, pp. 125-148Farmer-pastoralist conflicts have been reported in many parts of Africa,
often presented as being driven by resource scarcity. In Tanzania, the two
groups of resource users have for a long time found themselves in deadly
clashes, most of which resulted into loss of lives and destruction of properties.
The main resources causing the conflicts are water, land and pasture. This study
is therefore presenting an assessment of how the extent of climate change has
induced farmer-pastoralist conflicts in Kilosa District, Tanzania. A cross-
sectional research design was adopted for this study. A simple random
sampling technique was used to select wards and villages which are home to
farmers and pastoralists. A sample size of 120 respondents was drawn. Data
were mainly collected using a household survey, focus group discussion (FGD)
and interviews with key informants. The Statistical Package for Social Science
(SPSS) and excel program were used in analysing the data. The findings show
that climate change, land and water resources were the major sources of
conflicts between farmers and pastoralist’s conflict in Kilosa District. The
study concludes that there is conflict between farmers and pastoralists due to
scarce resources, particularly water, land and pasture, induced by climate
change and variability. Based on the findings, various stakeholders including
the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and communities
should identify new, and improve existing strategies for the wise use of the
natural resources among the two groups
Techno-economic and environmental analysis for off-grid mobile base stations electrification with hybrid power system in Tanzania
No full textJournal articleBase stations (BSs) are essential in cellular networks. Lack of access to reliable electricity in mobile
communication systems is a major economic and environmental concern for service delivery in Tanzania. Mobile
network operators (MNOs) use diesel generators (DG) to power their BSs which are costly and high greenhouse gases
(GHG) emissions. In this paper, we investigate challenges hindering the use of renewable energy (RE) by MNOs. We
provide a techno-economic analysis for using a hybrid power system (HPS) comprising of DG and RE. In technoeconomic
analysis, we considered solar, wind, battery, and DG in different configurations. The systems were simulated
in HOMER to get the optimized model suitable for the BS sites. Results show that the solar/DG/Battery and the
solar/wind/DG/Battery provide optimal solution susceptible to satisfy the needs. Although HPS suffers from the high
initial cost, the results are satisfactory. The analysis indicates a reduction of net present cost (NPC) by 54%, cost of
energy (COE) by more than 50%, and the GHG emissions for about 88%
Institutions, governance, and upgrading in non-industrial private forestry value chain in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania
No full textDissertationAmong the factors for the rise of Non-industrial private forestry (NIPF) include, the
demand for timber and limited capacity of governments and corporations to supply to
cover for the deficit. In developing countries, NIPF is dominated by smallholder farmers
and presents a huge potential for alleviating poverty in rural areas where the majority of
farmers live. Nevertheless, institutional framework and governance of the NIPF value
chain have a huge influence on the benefits accrued from NIF and their distribution.
However, in Tanzania, most studies on the role of institutional framework and
governance have been on natural forests and industrial plantations, which for a long time
have been the main source of timber in the country. Using the theory of access and the
global value chain, particularly the institutional framework and governance structure
dimensions, the study analyzed the role of institutions and governance in non-industrial
private forestry value chain in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Specifically, the study
intended to 1) analyze the role of state regulations in governing timber value chain 2)
examine the role of informal institutions in timber value chain and 3) analyze the types of
upgrading in the NIPF value chain and the institutions driving them.
In large measure, the study adopted an exploratory cross-sectional study design whereby
qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions,
observations and document reviews. In addition, quantitative data were collected for the
study from six district councils in Njombe and Iringa regions. Qualitative data were
analyzed following six steps of thematic analysis including transcribing interviews into
text, going through the text, coding the text, grouping the codes to form themes,
reviewing the themes, describing the themes and assessing their relationships. SPSS
software was used for analyzing quantitative data.
The study findings show that the government is the sole regulator of the NIPF value
chain, and all actors in the chain operate under the same regulatory framework. This was
not unique as similar cases are found in many developing countries. However, in
Tanzania, regulations are implemented differently at the district council level whereby
some district councils, unlike others, charge higher the cess per a piece of timber. Lack of
distinction between industrial and non-industrial private forestry has resulted in placing
industrial and non-industrial forestry under the same regulatory framework despite their
many differences including economic status of the owners, the size of plantations, and
management plans. Lack of distinction has also partly resulted in high transaction costs,
which are unaffordable to the majority of actors in the NIPF value chain. Although the
regulations affect incomes of all actors, tree growers are the most-affected category.
Besides, the study found that trust between value chain actors played a role of integrating
actors in the value chain. However, in some instances, it also excluded some actors from
accessing timber market under the guise of lacking or having low level of trust.
Furthermore, the study found that institutional framework comprising the government,
development partners through donor-funded programmes, and grower organizations are
behind attempts to upgrade the NIPF. Although four types of upgrading are promoted,
only functional upgrading was found to have resulted into higher income among tree
growers.
In view of the study findings, it is concluded that although forest regulations were set to
facilitate the operations of NIPF and to improve its contribution to rural livelihoods.
Some of the regulations have resulted into unintended negative effects by limiting the
actors of the value chain from gaining more income. Similarly, informal institutions,
particularly trust, play an important role of integrating actors in the value chain by
enabling them access regional market. Besides, the study concludes that in the absence of
a lead firm, upgrading driven by institutions comprising the government, development
partners through donor funded programmes, and grower organization is still occurring.
The study recommends that in order for NIPFs to contribute significantly to the income of
actors, the government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT),
should review the regulations governing the timber value chain. Specifically, barriers that
limit tree growers and other actors from gaining access to the markets should be
minimized or completely removed. In addition, in order for upgrading strategies to
contribute to the improvement of rural livelihoods in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania,
institutions promoting upgrading in NIPF value chain should pay attention to the needs of
the tree growers.Timber Rus
An exploration of the factors that determine the gendered adaptation to climate variability in Kilosa District, Tanzania
No full textJournal ArticleAdaptation is reflected as a suitable response to climate variability, particularly for
smallholder farmers. Yet, adaptation by women and men farmers may be influenced by
different factors that are not well understood. That is, there is a gender dimension to the
choice of an adaptation strategy to climate variability. The study employed a qualitative
research design to explore the factors that determine the adaptation to climate variability by
women and men. The study findings indicate that climate variability adaptation of men and
women depends on farm size, access to credit, financial resources, access to information,
and access to extension services and training. However, the factors vary significantly
between women and women. Although women predominate in the provision of agriculture
labour force, men dominate the decision making in allocating labour as well choosing what
crop to grow and sell
Consumers’ preferences and purchase motivation for processed dairy products in Dar es salaam city, Tanzania
No full textConsumers 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. This study examined
consumers‘ preferences and choice for processed milk product attributes in Dar es Salaam
using choice experiment data. 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 mixed research 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. Means
end chain and laddering methods were used to establish consumers personal end values
from milk attributes. Findings indicate that pasteurized and UHT milk, yoghurt, industrial
mtindi, ice cream and powder milk were most consumed milk products. Both intrinsic and
extrinsic cues are considered by consumers when making decisions for or against purchase
of milk products. LCM results indicated preference heterogeneity and delineated three
consumers segments: processed milk product skeptics, milk neutrals, and processed milk
advocates. Heterogeneity in preferences was driven by socioeconomic characteristics and
consumer‘s attitude towards processed foods. Factor analysis findings indicated 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.iii
Several attributes, consequences and values were established as cognitive drivers for milk
and milk product consumers. Study recommend; marketers to pay closer attention to
product attributes and sensory attributes when seeking to meet consumers‘ desired cues;
milk distributors for processed milk increase promotion campaigns; and local processors
need to adopt features that give imported milk market advantages
Community based development and the igbo olodumare tourist centre, Okeigbo, ondo state, Nigeria
No full textJournal ArticleThe beauty of every tourist centre lies in its embedded facilities that will make the visitors or
tourists feel satisfied and comfortable and which may make them in return term such tourist
centre “a home away from home”. The study utilized both primary and secondary data.
Primary data was sourced using personal observation, oral interview which was directed at
the curator of Igbo Olodumare and structured questionnaires which were administered to
tourists using purposive sampling. A total number of 85 questionnaires were administered to
the tourists and all were retrieved. Majority (57.7%) of the respondents was students, 28.2%
of the tourists are civil servants, 9.4% are researchers while the remaining 4.7% are self-
employed. Findings suggest that investment in Igbo Olodumare will not only develop Igbo
Olodumare village or Okeigbo town but Ondo State at large thereby boosting the economy
and providing job opportunities for the unemployed. The main argument of the paper is that if
the tourist centre is well developed and properly managed, it will attract tourists and investors
from all over the world
Health information and communication needs Under one health approach in tanzania: do health Professionals influence health literacy?
No full textEast African Journal of Social and Applied Sciences (EAJ-SAS)
Vol.3, No.1Health professionals (HPs) have always been considered as a source of health
information (HI). Nonetheless, potentiality of this source relies on HPs’ recognition and
response to the community’s information and communication needs hence
contributing significantly to diseases prevention, health care and promotion.
Definitely, attaining optimal health calls for collaboration among animals, humans,
and environmental HPs plus understanding the consequences of the interactions of
animals, humans, and environment on health. This article discusses the influence of
HPs on health literacy (HL) in the context of One Health Approach (OHA) in Morogoro,
Tanzania. Through the use of questionnaire, data were captured from a 1440 sample
which was obtained by the use of multistage sampling. The study also involved 16 and
80 individuals as a key informant interviews and focus group discussions respectively.
Score Indexes measured the interaction of HPs with community members (CMs) and
HL. A chi-squared test assessed the influence of HPs on HL. IBM-SPSS v.20 was
employed in analysing quantitative data; whereas qualitative data were thematically
analysed. Findings show that (32.9%) of the respondents had adequate HL, while
(30.8%) and (36.3%) had moderate and inadequate HL. Findings further show a
significant association between the level of HPs’ interactions with CMs and HL, (χ 2 =
168.593, p= 0.000, phi =0.342). This concludes that HPs influence HL. Effective
interventions should be formulated to enable HPs attend to CMs’ information and
communication needs for further influence of HL under OHA
Coppicing and productivity of two indigenous tree species under different forest management regimes in Tanzania
No full textJournal of Trees, Forests and PeopleThere is a renewed interest to improve sustainable wood production from African savanna but our knowledge on
management of individual tree species to optimize harvesting return times is limited. A factorial experiment was
therefore established to assess the effects of stump diameter and height, and coppice thinning on growth and yield
of Albizia harveyi Fourn (Ah) and Albizia versicolor Welw ex. Oliver. (Av) in Forest Reserve (FR) and the General
Land (GL) at area in Morogoro region, Tanzania. Coppice diameter and height growth was significantly high in
Av than Ah; and was highest in stumps cut at 30 cm or 90 cm regardless of tree species. Ah had significantly
high average coppicing effectiveness (11.74 coppices per stump) than Av (4.18 coppices per stump) in the FR;
but the variation was not significant in the GL. Coppice wood basic density was significantly high in Ah (446.04
± 0.72 kg m − 3 ) than Av (400.52 ± 0.97 kg m − 3 ). Coppice wood biomass ranged from 3.08 ± 0.02 kg stool − 1 in
Ah to 3.45 ± 0.03 kg stool − 1 in Av. Ah produced highest coppice wood biomass in medium diameter stumps cut
at 30 cm (3.57 kg stool − 1 ) or 90 cm (3.76 kg stool − 1 ) and large stumps cut at 5 cm (4.55 kg stool − 1 ); and the
least biomass in small stumps cut at 5 cm (1.26 kg stool − 1 ). For Av, highest coppice wood biomass values were
6.41 kg stool − 1 for medium diameter stumps cut at 90 cm and 6.20 kg stool − 1 for large stumps cut at 30 cm; and
the least was 1.87 kg stool − 1 for small stumps cut at 5 cm. This paper concludes with discussion on the need for
further studies on optimal canopy cover and wild fire control strategies under short-rotation coppice silvicultural
system; and suitability of multipurpose indigenous trees for simultaneous on-farm production
Effects of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Activities on Algivorous Cichlid Fish in Lake Tanganyika
No full textBook ChapterOver the last century, water temperatures in Lake Tanganyika have risen due to
climate change, which increased thermal stratification and reduced the magnitude of
nutrient availability. A rise in temperature increases the C:N:P ratio resulting in a
poor algal diet. In addition, lake littoral habitat is experiencing increased sediment
load due to deforestation of the watershed caused by anthropogenic activities.
Sediments cover benthic algae and reduce its nutritional value, consequently affecting
the foraging behavior, distribution, and growth performance of algivorous fish.
Algae and algivorous fish are an important link in the lake food chain; therefore, if
the rise in temperature will continue as predicted, then this may have a cascading
effect for the rest of the community in the food chain including human being. This,
in turn, may contribute to food insecurity at local and regional levels. To counteract
this adaptation and mitigation measures such as environmental monitoring systems
and creating new opportunities should be considered
Potentials of Spices Diet-Derived Polyphenols in Modulating the Self-Renewal of Stem Cells
No full textOver many centuries, spices have been and are globally utilized in foods and drinks, as well as in pharmaceuticals industries. Spices are rich in health-beneficial chemical constituents that include diet- derived polyphenols, terpenes, polysaccharides, lipids, organic acids, and raw fibres. Stem cells can self- renew and differentiate into major cell types. However, malignant stem cells can invade and kill nearby tissue as well as spread to other body parts through the blood and lymph systems leading to several diseases including cancers affecting the lungs, liver, breasts, pancreas, stomach, colorectum, and cervix. The purpose of this mini-review is to highlight the contributions of recent research on the role of different diet-derived polyphenols from spices mainly cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum); cinnamon (Cinnamomumzeylanicum); clove (Syzygiumaromaticum); ginger (Zingiberofficinale); nutmeg (Myristicafragrans); pepper (Pipernigrum); saffron (Crocussativus); turmeric (Curcumalonga) and vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) in the modulation of the self-renewal of normal and malignant stem cells. Recent researches have demonstrated that predominant compounds; curcumin, crocetin, crocin, gingerols, shogaols, myristicin, piperine, and vanillin possess immunomodulatory effects that specifically inhibit or suppress the proliferation of cancer cells by stimulating the development of normal stem cells, encouraging apoptosis, and activating the expression of protective genes that prevent the formation of malignant cells. More attention should focus on spices and their advanced applications into nutraceuticals for the prevention and management of chronic illnesses. Further work using a combination of in vitro and in vivo methods is needed to fully understand the synergistic impacts of combining more of these compounds to express their modulation effect on the self-renewal of stem cells