Sokoine University of Agriculture
Sokoine University of Agriculture Institutional RepositoryNot a member yet
3509 research outputs found
Sort by
Carbon stocks potential in regenerating trees of the tropical coastal forest ecosystems
No full textEstimation of carbon in the regenerating tropical coastal forest is needed to support conservation and
forest monitoring strategies. This chapter presents the determined carbon stocks in regenerating
species across forest sites subjected to deforestation because of crop-farming and livestock grazing.
The study used thirty-three independent measurements of tree carbon stocks from thirty-three tree
families found in the coastal zone of Tanzania. The vegetation was inventoried using a floristic survey
of the woody component across intact, crop agriculture and livestock disturbed land-use sites. The
biomass was then estimated by employing the existing allometric equations for tropical forests.
Thereafter, the above-ground stored carbon was quantified on the sampled tree species found in each
land uses. The tree varied (p ≤ .05) in carbon stock across species and land uses. The average
carbon (Kg/ha) stored in the regenerated adult trees was 1200 in IFS, 600 in ADS, 400 in LDS.
Saplings had 0.43 in LDS, 0.07 in ADS and 0.01 in IFS. Also, seedlings showed an average of 0.41 in
IFS, 0.22 in ADS and 0.05 in LDS. It shows that crop-agriculture highly affects the regeneration
potential of trees, biomass accumulation and carbon stock than livestock grazing. To restore the
carbon storage potential of coastal tropical forests, crop-agriculture must be discouraged, while
livestock grazing can be integrated into forest management. Indeed, further studies are required to
gauge the integration levels of any anthropogenic activities, so that the natural capacity of coastal
tropical forests to regenerate and stock carbon is not comprised further
Agriculture is the main driver of deforestation in Tanzania
No full textEnviron. Res. Lett. 15 (2020) 034028Reducing deforestation can generate multiple economic, social and ecological benefits by safeguarding the climate and other ecosystem services provided by forests. Understanding the relative contribution of different drivers of deforestation is needed to guide policies seeking to maintain natural forest cover. We assessed 119 randomly selected plots from areas deforested between 2010 and 2017, in Tanzania. Through ground surveys and stakeholder interviews we assessed the proximate deforestation drivers at each point. Crop cultivation was the most commonly observed driver occurring in 89% of plots, compared to livestock grazing (69%) and charcoal (35%). There was evidence of fire in 77% of plots. Most deforestation events involved multiple drivers, with 83% of plots showing signs of two or more drivers. Stakeholder interviews identified agriculture as the primary deforestation driver in 81% of plots, substantially more than charcoal production (12%), timber harvesting (1%) and livestock (1%). Policy-makers in Tanzania have sought to reduce deforestation by reducing demand for charcoal. However, our work demonstrates that agriculture, not charcoal, is the main driver of deforestation in Tanzania. Beyond protected areas, there is no clear policy limiting the conversion of forests to agricultural land. Reducing deforestation in Tanzania requires greater inter-sectoral coordination between the agriculture, livestock, land, energy and forest sectors
Validation of the cognitive flexibility scale (cfs) and its application in adoption of improved cassava technologies among cassava growers in Tanzania
No full textArticle of Ife PsychologIA, 28 (1), 2020, 142 - 158This research paper discusses the validation process of the cognitive flexibility scale (CFS) as a
measurement instrument for farmers’ cognitive flexibility (CF). The role of CF in influencing
behaviour has been established for centuries among psychologists. Thus, individual differences
might be among the correlates of adoption of cassava processing technology among farmers.
However, lack of an effective instrument to measure farmers’ CF has been limiting the predictive
and descriptive potential of farmers’ CF. The instrument was validated in a two stages study with
some specific objectives guiding the study namely; assess the instrument’s component structure
validity and reliability of CFS, examine whether CFS could categorise farmers’ performance in
cognitive flexibility by farmers’ demographics; and whether or not could cognitive flexibility
have an influence on farmers’ adoption of cassava farming technologies. In the first stage the
instrument was pilot tested in a survey conducted in Serengeti district in Mara region of
Tanzania among 200 participants. Principle component Analysis (CPA) indicated that CFS was a
three factor scale with good internal consistency (α = 0.85). The three factors found were
technology acceptance (α = 0.92), open mindedness (α = 0.86), and adapting to new situations (α
= 0.37). In the second stage, a total of 360 participants, of whom 181 were males and 178 were
females responded to the CFS. It was found that the improved CFS was a three factor scale
reaching an internal consistency of α = 0.85. The three subscales in the CFS were adapting to
new farming technologies (α = 0.88), acceptance of new farming technologies (α = 0.86), and
open mindedness to other people’s ideas (α = 0.80). The findings further indicate low
correlations among the subscales, implying discriminant validity of the scale. In addition to
theoretical implications, the paper discusses the measure’s effectiveness and its potential
applicability in the field of rural development and with specific focus to adoption of farming
technologies. The findings provide support for validity and reliability of the CFS and its
multidimensional nature. It is recommended that one needs to consider contextual factors such as
the level of cassava processing technology before generalizing the validity and reliability of CFS,
and thus, a need for further validation studies of the instrument
Silent adoption of bring-your-own-device in Tanzania higher learning institutions - adoption policies
No full textIST-Africa Institute and IIMC, 2020 Conference ProceedingsTanzania Higher Learning institutions (HLIs) have not fully deployed the
ICT infrastructure to facilitate smooth performance of their business functions. They
have inadequate computers, insufficient network infrastructure, low bandwidth; their
computers are ageing and have limited ICT investment. The research examined
usage of employees’ personal ICT devices for performing office work and the
policies, guidelines and practices that can be implemented by HLIs while adopting
usage of employees’ personal devices in the work environment. As an interpretive
research, data were collected through interviews and observations during the survey
at HLI, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). Results confirmed inadequate
computers, low bandwidth at HLIs and revealed usage of employees’ personal ICT
devices for office work and for communicating issues related to employers’ work.
Further, HLIs are not concerned if employees use their ICT devices for office work.
It is like HLIs have silently adopted the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) concept
and thus allowed employees to use personal devices to perform office work. The
BYOD phenomenon helps to improve the availability of ICT devices at the
institution while improving communications and work efficiency and productivity.
The research has explored the BYOD concept in Tanzania HLIs and contributed by
proposing policies and procedures that can guide in its adoption. Due to its potential
benefits, the study recommends HLIs explore how best they can adopt and practise
the concept. Further research can explore on the organizational and user
characteristics that can facilitate adoption of BYOD
Malaria vectors composition, abundance and prevalence of malaria in potentially high endemic area of Morogoro rural District, Eastern Tanzania
No full textThis dissertation was prepared based on “publishable manuscripts” format of the Sokoine
University of Agriculture. The dissertation discusses the composition and seasonal
abundance of malaria vector species and disease prevalence in potentially high endemic
foci in Morogoro region. Well targeted efforts that embrace area-specific situations, at
least in high malaria endemic foci, are needed to preserve realized health gains and
achieve elimination. This is because malaria is increasingly characterized by temporal
variability that bestows evolving and new challenges for malaria control programs.
Morogoro region, eastern Tanzania is a typical reflection of such phenomenon because of
its appreciable fine-scale variability in ecology and topography. Therefore, it is likely that
we are missing certain salient foci with unprecedented malaria transmission intensity. It
was therefore critical to have up-to-date information on the species composition and
abundance of malaria vectors; and disease prevalence in order to design and/or implement
appropriate surveillance and control strategies. Mkuyuni and Kiroka, adjacent wards
within Rural Morogoro District, are purported to form such foci and were therefore the
focus of this study. The determination of malaria vector species composition and seasonal
abundance was achieved through a repeated cross-sectional survey conducted during the
wet and dry season. It involved collection of adult mosquitoes inside 10 randomly
selected households and adjacent outdoor points using CDC light traps. This was
accompanied by the assessment of environmental risk factors which could be potentiating
malaria transmission risk. The prevalence of malaria in the study area was determined
through a retrospective analysis of six-year (2014 - 2019) data on malaria cases. This
study indicated that malaria vector population in study areas is largely composed of An.
gambiae s.l followed by An. funestus s.l.; and their abundance is equally concerning
across seasons. The study also revealed high malaria intensity in the study areas, with
prevalence rate as high as ~61%. The mosquito species composition and equally
concerning seasonal abundance all year round along with risk factors like open eaves,
proximity to rice fields and low usage of bed nets could be among the factors that
underline high malaria transmission in the study areas. These preliminary findings
warrant more comprehensive longitudinal study in these and other high endemic foci in
Tanzania in order to inform future course of action in terms of disease surveillance and
control
Cassava production improvement through staggered planting for industrial processing and utilization in Eastern and Southern zone of Tanzania
No full textMasters ThesisCassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is mainly cultivated because of its starchy storage
roots and it is considered one of the most important staple foods in the tropical countries.
High dry matter contents and starch yields are the most important traits for
commercialized cassava starch production. The experiment aimed at identifying suitable
cassava scheduled planting, harvesting and varietal performance to maximize starch
production across the three locations in Eastern and Southern zones of Tanzania during the
2017/18 - 2018/19 cropping seasons. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot under
randomized complete block design with variety being main factor, planting schedules as
sub plot and scheduled harvesting as sub-sub plot. The total root yield increased
significantly from first to third planting and harvesting times respectively. Kiroba variety
planted in November/December and then harvested at twelve months after planting (MAP)
gave higher total root yield of 27 tones per hactre (t/ha) at Southern zone and also at the
Eastern zone Kiroba variety planted in November/December and March/April yielded
higher total root (22t/ha) when harvested at 12MAP. Based on cassava dry matter content;
the study concluded that: higher dry matter content was obtained when Mkuranga 1
variety planted on November/December and harvested at 12MAP gave 40% followed by
Kiroba variety planted in November/December and harvested after 12MAP had 39% at
Southern zone. Also the study found that; cassava starch content was higher (23%) at
Southern zone when Mkuranga 1 variety planted during November/December and
harvested at 12MAP before the onset of rainfall.African Cassava
Agronomy Initiatives Project scholarship through IITA East African Hub under Bill and
Melinda Gates foundation
Southern Africa Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS)
No full textMasters ThesisThe current study was carried out to determine the occurrence of multiple drug resistant,
resistance profiles and extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Escherichia coli in
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A total of 384 raw chicken meat and cloaca swabs were collected
between January and June 2020, a cross sectional study carried out in five Poultry slabs in
Dar es Salaam. Out of the 384 samples collected 212 (55.2%) revealed E. coli, of which
147(69.3%) were resistant to multiple drugs (MDR). The isolates showed relatively
resistant to tetracycline (91.9%), followed by sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (80.5%),
ampicillin (70.9%), and moderately resistant to ciprofloxacin (40.2%) and 25%
cefotaxime. However, they showed low resistance to gentamycin (10.8%) and 8.6%
imipenem (95% CI, P< 0.01). Ten (10/212) (4.7%) isolates confirmed as ESBL producers
and were all MDR. The MDR E coli strains were highly resistant to cefotaxime (100%),
ampicillin (90%) and moderately resistant to tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
and ciprofloxacin (40%), low resistant to imipenem (10%) and susceptible to gentamycin.
Two isolates detected with cefotaxime munich (CTX-M) and eight isolates revealed qnrS
genes (Plasmid Mediated Quinolone Resistance) from ESBL producing E. coli isolates.
The increased levels of antimicrobial resistance revealed in this study pose a major public
health danger to human, animals and environment. This calls for an immediate intervention
from the public health, veterinary and environmental health authorities to curb the public
health threat of antimicrobial resistance. Improved animal husbandry biosecurity and
vaccinations in poultry production at the farm level should be implemented to reduce
incidence of infections. Equally, urgent action is needed in improving hygiene at poultry
slaughter slabs to minimize contamination rate during slaughter and processing of poultry
carcasses. It is important to increase public awareness advocacy on proper processing and
waste disposal. Veterinary and environmental authorities should continuously monitor
poultry slabs to enforce hygienic standards.Southern Africa Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS
Effects of fertilization and concentrate feeding on water quality and growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) grown in concrete tanks
No full textAn experiment was conducted to compare the effects of fertilizer application alone, concentrate feeding alone and combination of fertilization and feeding on water quality parameters and growth performance of sex-reversed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Three treatments (weekly fertilization with urea and DiAmmonium Phosphate (DAP), concentrate feeding at 5% of fish body weight and weekly fertilization with urea and DAP plus concentrate feeding at 2.5% of fish body weight) were randomly allotted to nine concrete tanks. Three fingerlings per m2 were stocked in the tanks and grown for 166 days. Results indicated that treatment had significant effect (p 0.001) on water Dissolved Oxygen (DO), conductivity, total dissolved solids, nitrate and phosphorus but not on pH, salinity, temperature, ammonia and alkalinity. Fish cultured under the combination of feeding and fertilization had higher (p 0.0001) weight gain (257.37 ± 5.71 g), growth rate (1.50 ± 0.04 g/day), yield (13,128.35 kg/ha/year) and lower Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) (1.89 ± 0.03) than those reared under feeding alone and fertilization alone. It is concluded that the combination of weekly fertilization and concentrate feeding at 2.5% of fish body weight is better than either weekly fertilization alone or feeding alone at 5% of fish body weight
Interactions among actors in improved rice varieties innovation system in the Eastern Zone of Tanzania
No full textJournal ArticleThe concept of IS has gained importance in understanding the interactions among actors as determinants of innovation.
Determinants of innovation are not viewed individually but within the context of a complex IS involving many actors
and interactions. Therefore, this study examined the interactions among actors in the IRVIS in the Eastern Zone of
Tanzania. Structured interviews, focus group discussion and documentary review methods were used in data collection.
Both content and social network analysis were used to depict the different actors’ interactions in the IRVIS. The
findings show that the intensity of actors’ interactions ranged from weak to medium. IRVIS is thus characterized by
asymmetric power relationship among actors causing asymmetric knowledge and information flow. TARI, MATI,
policymakers and DCs were important and influential over other actors; hence they largely control the knowledge flow
of IRVs. The FIs, traders and millers had the least influence with weak interactions, and hence played peripheral roles.
Farmers were the most prominent, but had the least influence on other actors. The study recommends that more effort
be made to strengthen actors’ interactions in the IRVIS for an increase of knowledge and information sharing among
actors, so as to increase the use of IRVs and improve rice productivity
Genetic characterization of treponema pallidum isolates and detection of viruses of human health relevance in Free-ranging non-human primates of Tanzania
No full textPhD ThesisTreponema pallidum is a group of non-cultivable spiral bacteria that cause treponematoses
in humans in Europe and non-human primates (NHPs) since 1490s and 1960s,
respectively. In humans, T. pallidum pallidum causes syphilis, T. pallidum endemicum is
responsible for endemic syphilis and T. pallidum pertenue for yaws. The latter also infects
various NHP species in Africa and elsewhere in the world. Historically, Tanzania is among
84 yaws-endemic countries that currently have little data available due to scanty research
on treponematoses, both in humans and wild NHPs. In Tanzania, TPE infection has not
been studied in NHPs other than olive baboons of Lake Manyara and Serengeti National
Parks (Knauf, 2011; Harper et al., 2012). Therefore, the current study was conducted from
2015 to 2017 across different ecosystems of Tanzania to investigate TPE infection in 289
free-ranging NHPs (eight species) and genetically characterize the TPE isolates. Using
serologic treponemal test (Espline TP), this study detected anti- T. pallidum antibodies and
showed that Treponema pallidum (TP) infection is geographically widespread in
Tanzanian NHPs. The overall mean seropositivity was 53.3% (154/289) of which 60.7%
(82/135) were females and males 46.8% (72/154) males. The NHPs tested included: vervet
monkeys (77.8%, 35/45), olive baboons (85/137, 62.0%), yellow baboons (33/75, 44.0%)
and blue monkeys (1/15, 6.7%). Three independent PCRs (polA, tp47, and TP_0619)
confirmed these results but picked up 2 more positive cases missed by serology boosting
the positivity to about 54% of NHPs (156/289) with four out of eight species testing
positive at 11 of 14 locations. Majority of infected NHPs (59.8% ± 23.9% yellow baboons
at 6 sites; 45.6% ± 16.2% olive baboons and 31.6% ± 9.4% vervet monkeys at 9 sites) had
significantly more (p<0.001) anogenital ulcerations than orofacial lesions (3.5% olive
baboons at Lake Manyara). Presence of antibodies against T. pallidum significantly
associated with skin ulcerations in olive baboons (p<0.0001) and yellow baboons
(p=0.0185). Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) analysis of three genes (Tp0488,
Tp0548 and Tp0619) revealed genetically diverse simian TPE strains in Tanzania and all
the strains were closely related to TPE responsible for human yaws. Phylogenetic analysis
showed geographical clustering of TPE strains, suggesting rare interspecies transmission.
The strains had relative temporal stability and infection by multi-strain was evident.
Antibiotic resistance was not found in Tanzanian NHPs. Serological analysis of randomly
selected 74 NHPs using indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT)-Chip technology
(Euroimmun), detected antibodies reactive or cross reactive with 13 full viral antigens out
of 20 that represent twelve virus families. These were: measles virus (89.2%, n=66),
mouse hepatitis virus (78.4%, n= 58), mouse rotavirus (73.0%, n= 54), H1N1 Singapore
(48.6%, n=36), yellow fever virus (37.8%, n=28), dengue virus (23.0%, n=17), adenovirus
type 3 (21.6%, n= 16) and parainfluenza 2 virus (10.8%, n=8). None of the Tanzanian
NHPs reacted with antigens from the rest seven viruses, including Ebola virus.
Seropositivity of the NHPs to T. pallidum could was not linked to reaction or crossreaction
with any of the investigated viruses. More studies to further characterize simian
and human pathogenic TPEs across Tanzania and Africa are highly recommended so as in
the use of more specific tests in studies detecting and identifying simian viruses of human
health significance.German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forshungsgemeinschaft, DFG