EANSO East African Nature and Science Organization Journals
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Re-contextualising Education for Self-Reliance: Historical Foundations and Contemporary Entrepreneurship Education in Northern Tanzania
Get PDFThis study explores the historical evolution and contemporary relevance of Tanzania’s Education for Self-Reliance (ESR) in shaping entrepreneurship education among universities in Northern Tanzania. Using a historical-analytical approach supported by documentary review and empirical data, the findings reveal that current entrepreneurship programs are heavily influenced by Western business models, often emphasising individualism and market competitiveness while neglecting ESR’s core values of community service, ethical labour, and context-based learning. The study shows that this disjuncture has contributed to a persistent mismatch between higher education and employability, limiting the transformative potential of entrepreneurship training. Nevertheless, ESR’s principles of practical education, collective responsibility, and cultural relevance remain critical for reorienting curricula towards inclusive and sustainable development. The research contributes to the study by demonstrating how re-contextualising ESR can guide universities in designing value-driven, socially responsive entrepreneurship programs. Practically, it recommends integrating experiential learning, cooperative enterprise models, and locally relevant innovation to prepare graduates for both self-employment and national development. Overall, the study bridges historical ideology with contemporary educational practice, offering a framework for revitalising higher education in Tanzania
Assessment of Employability Skills Acquired by Livestock Technicians Trained Under Competence-Based Education and Training in Tanzania
Get PDFThe livestock sector in Tanzania plays a crucial role in boosting economic growth and providing employment; however, a significant skills gap remains between graduates of Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) and industry expectations. This study assesses how well CBET curricula align with employer needs by comparing employer perceptions of essential competencies with graduates' self-assessed skills in the livestock sector. Using an explanatory research design, data were collected from 23 employers and 136 CBET graduates through structured surveys and analysed with descriptive statistics, t-tests, and thematic analysis. Results show that while graduates rate themselves highly in communication, technical skills, and workplace readiness, employers see deficiencies in professional knowledge, leadership, and practical expertise. Employers identified communication, teamwork, and problem-solving as the most important generic skills in the labour market, yet these skills were lacking among livestock technician graduates. To close the gap between graduate competencies and employer expectations, it is recommended that the Livestock CBET curriculum and content be reviewed to better reflect labour market demands. This review should include the systematic integration of generic employability skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving throughout all curriculum components, alongside technical training. It should also incorporate workplace-related learning experiences
The Role of Forest Certification in Enhancing Livelihoods of Local Communities: Evidence from Certified Village Land Forest Reserves at Nanjirinji and Likawage Villages, Southern Part of Tanzania
Get PDFCommunity-based Forest Management (CBFM) has emerged as a vital tool for promoting sustainable forest management and improving the livelihoods of local communities dependent on forest resources. This paper examines the role of forest certification within CBFM, mainly Village Land Forest Reserves (VLFR), in enhancing the livelihoods of communities and forest governance in the southern part of Tanzania. The villages were selected purposively using five criteria, such as the existence of an up-to-date management plan, good record keeping, an active and functional forest committee, good experience in implementing Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) group certification and forest size. Mixed-methods approach, including household surveys, key informant interviews and field observations, were used to collect information. During the household surveys, random sampling was used to select households. The sample size of 85 households were surveyed, where 39 were from Likawage and 46 from Nanjirinji village. Content analysis was used for qualitative data, where the data were compiled and responses coded, identifying the range of responses to each question, creating matrices in SPSS that cross-listed each response variable by village. These were done through descriptive statistics, where measures of central tendency, such as means, median, percentage and counts, were computed. The results indicate that certified forests improve communities’ livelihood through increased employment opportunities, access to markets for forest products and better forest governance. Additionally, certification has contributed to capacity-building and the empowerment of local communities in forest management. Challenges such as limited financial resources, inadequate knowledge, and logistical constraints hindered the full realisation of certification benefits. The study concludes that forest certification offers significant potential for improving livelihoods. It reveals significant social, environmental and economic benefits, where 92 and 98 percent of Likawage and Nanjirinji A households, respectively, responded that there are some improvements in education, healthcare and food security. To maximise the benefits of forest certification, efforts should focus on strengthening market access, capacity building, and policy support. Improving trade linkages, infrastructure, and value-added processing can enhance economic returns for certified communities. Expanding training programs on sustainable forestry, business skills, and cooperative management will empower locals to better utilise certification benefits
Determinants of Tree Growers' Preferences for Forest Insurance in Mufindi District, Tanzania
Get PDFPrivate tree growers play a key role in sustainable wood supply and rural livelihoods, but face high vulnerability to natural disasters, fire, pests, and diseases. These hazards threaten incomes, market access, and forest productivity, yet research and policies addressing their specific risk management needs remain little known, creating a critical gap in enhancing their resilience and sustainability. This study analyses the factors influencing the decision of the tree growers to purchase forest insurance. One hundred twenty tree growers were sampled in four villages using a multistage sampling technique. Results show that 76.7% of the respondents were willing to pay for forest insurance on an annual premium payment basis. A binary logistic regression was used to analyse factors influencing willingness to pay for forest insurance. Results showed the extent of exposure to modern education, experience in tree planting, total income, and size of the forest significantly (Omnibus test value for model fitness 45.7659, p-value=0.000). Also, the multinomial logit model was used to analyse factors influencing the choice of insurance type, and results show that sex, income, experience in tree growing, previous occurrence of fire, tree species planted, and location of the farm have statistical significance. These insights also inform extension service agents and other forest stakeholders on how to tailor sensitisation and training programs. By focusing on the factors that most influence adoption, extension efforts can better address knowledge gaps, highlight the economic value of insurance, and build trust in the policy, ultimately increasing uptake among tree grower
Thirty Years of Wetland Transformation: Socio-Ecological Drivers of Degradation in Kiborgoch, Kenya
Get PDFWetlands in arid and semi-arid regions are increasingly threatened by human activities, leading to the disruption of their ecological functions. This study investigates the socio-ecological dynamics of Kiborgoch Wetland, Kenya, over a 30-year period (1994–2024), focusing on institutional factors, land tenure, livelihood practices, and community perceptions of degradation. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining structured household surveys (n=132) with qualitative data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The findings reveal that overgrazing (17.9%) is the most significant driver of degradation, alongside agricultural expansion, water overextraction, population growth, and overharvesting of wetland vegetation. While Prosopis juliflora, an invasive species, was noted as a concern by community members, it was a relatively less emphasised factor compared to direct land use pressures. Inheritance-based tenure dominates land access in the region, shaping how resources are used and managed. The wetland historically provided vital ecosystem services, including water, pasture, materials for basketry, and cultural space, but has suffered biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and soil degradation. Community narratives indicate a decline in traditional governance and ecological knowledge-sharing, weakening local conservation capacity. The study recommends integrated, community-led management strategies that merge traditional ecological knowledge with scientific practices to ensure the wetland’s long-term sustainability and the protection of dependent livelihood
Assessing Knowledge of Climate Change Management Among Smallholder Crop Farmers in a Refugee Context: Lessons from Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda
Get PDFClimate change poses significant challenges to agricultural productivity, particularly for vulnerable populations such as smallholder farmers in refugee settlements. However, this study assessed the level of knowledge regarding climate change management among smallholder crop farmers in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, with a sample of 384 farmers selected through multistage and stratified sampling techniques. Data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and field observations and were analysed using R software to produce descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage and inferential statistics such as chi-square tests, and logistic regression, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results revealed high levels of climate change awareness and training exposure, with radio/TV being the most common source of information. However, critical knowledge gaps persist, particularly regarding key scientific causes such as fossil fuel emissions and industrial activities. While deforestation was identified as a major driver, none cited fossil fuels. Most respondents demonstrated only moderate knowledge. Significant predictors of higher knowledge included tertiary education, larger farm size, and household size, while construction-based occupations were negatively associated. The findings highlight the need for tailored educational interventions and strengthened institutional support to bridge scientific knowledge gaps and foster informed adaptation strategies in refugee-hosting communitie
Water Quality, Phytoplankton Composition, and Microcystins Concentrations in Water Pans in Narok Semi-Arid Landscape, Kenya
Get PDFWater pans in the semi-arid Narok socio-ecological landscape provide essential ecosystem services to local communities, livestock, and wildlife, but are increasingly threatened by land use changes, demographic expansion, and climate variability. There is thus an urgent need to safeguard the ecological integrity of these water bodies. This study was conducted to establish factors that determine phytoplankton and algal structure in relation to their toxins, impact on water quality, and ecosystem health from January to July 2023. Triplicate samples for phytoplankton enumeration and algal toxins were collected from twenty purposively selected water pans identified in Google Earth. Dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, and pH were measured in-situ using hand-held meters while chemical concentrations were analyzed using standard procedures as guided by APHA, (2017). Enumeration and identification of phytoplankton were done at 400x magnification. Chlorophyll a concentration was determined by filtration followed by cold extraction in ethanol. Microcystin algal toxins were analyzed using the Elisa Kit Model No. 357 C. The main algal taxa identified were: Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Zygnematophyceae and Dinophyceae. The most dominant algal species were Microcystis aeruginosa (25.44 %), Merismopedia spp (23.49 %), and Anabaena flos-aquae (16.06 %). Five Microcystin toxins were identified namely MC-LR, MC-YR, MC-LA, MC-RR, and MC-dmLR. Concentrations of MC-LR and MC-YR exceeded WHO acceptable standards and were significantly correlated. There was a significant difference in chlorophyll a, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH among different water pans (ANOVA; p<0.05). The total phosphate concentration to total nitrogen concentration ratios (TP:TN) for all the water pans differed from the expected TP:TN ratio of 1:16. The presence of micro toxins in the water pans presents a concern over the suitability of the water for domestic, livestock, and wildlife use. This situation is likely to worsen with increasing episodes of drought, resulting in the concentration of the toxins in wate
A Phenomenological Study of Corporate Environmental Sustainability of Large Manufacturing Firms: A Developing Economy Perspective
Get PDFExisting environmental sustainability frameworks and standards take precedent in addressing environmental challenges. These have predominantly focused on firms in developed economies with a specific turnover, overlooking firms in developing economies with a very low turnover. In that case, Sustainable Development Goal 13 is hard to achieve in developing economies. This study uses inductive and qualitative approaches grounded in phenomenology. Semi-structured interviews with environmental managers yielded contextual insights that were analysed thematically to uncover emerging themes and patterns. Six major themes explaining corporate environmental sustainability in developing economies were identified: (1) Environmental Awareness; (2) Environmental Responsibility, (3) Environmental Ideation, (4) Environmental Initiatives, (5) Environmental Management Systems, and (6) Environmental Performance. Results build upon stakeholder theory and stewardship theory by introducing new perspectives on stakeholder awareness, idea seeking, environmental reporting, collaboration, and collective environmental responsibility. A comprehensive context-specific application reinforces environmental awareness, responsibility, ideation, initiatives like tree planting, waste segregation, water conservation, management systems, and performance can contribute to sustainability in manufacturing in a developing economy. The insights of this study not only enrich theory but also provide actionable guidance for policymakers and manufacturing leaders in developing economies seeking to balance environmental sustainability with limited resource
The Illusion of Rationality: How Behavioural Biases Affect Economic Decisions and Market Equilibrium
Get PDFThe assumption of rational market participants lies at the core of many economic models. However, real-world observations often reveal systematic deviations from this ideal. Economic decisions are frequently shaped by psychological patterns such as loss aversion, anchoring effects, and herd behaviour. These cognitive distortions do not occur randomly, nor do they neutralise each other in the aggregate. Instead, they tend to reinforce one another, leading to structural shifts that question the classical notion of stable market equilibrium. This paper examines how behavioural biases alter the dynamics of market processes and how their cumulative effects influence pricing, coordination, and systemic stability. Drawing on insights from behavioural economics and the epistemological critique of the Austrian School, the study challenges the assumption that markets function as efficient arenas of rational exchange. The research follows a qualitative methodology, combining a conceptual literature analysis with case-based insights from financial markets, particularly during episodes of volatility and crisis. Rather than proposing a new predictive model, the paper suggests a different lens through which to view market phenomena: one that acknowledges perception, expectation, and error as constitutive elements of economic activity. Market behaviour is presented not as the outcome of logical optimisation, but as a reflection of human subjectivity under uncertainty. The study further discusses the implications for economic policy, highlighting the limitations of both laissez-faire ideologies and technocratic intervention. It concludes that robust institutional frameworks are needed to mediate between psychological vulnerability and systemic resilience. The paper calls for a pragmatic approach to market regulation, grounded in a realistic understanding of decision-making processes. In doing so, it reframes the idea of equilibrium from a normative anchor to a contingent outcome shaped by human behaviour, cultural context, and epistemic constraints
Preparedness and Nurse-Associated Factors of Forensic Nursing Care among Nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department
Get PDFThe approach to the fight against violence, a global menace with both health and legal consequences, is multipronged. The discipline of nursing can effectively contribute through forensic nursing. This sub-speciality focuses on bridging the gap between legal and health systems for potential forensic patients. Establishing the level of preparedness of nurses to provide forensic nursing care and identifying nurse-related factors, particularly in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments, in the face of high incidences of violence in our neighbourhoods should be prioritised. The A&E department, as the port of entry for victims/survivors of violence at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), was purposely selected for the study. A convergent mixed-method research design was employed for the study, whereby a sample of (n=81) respondents selected by a consecutive sampling technique completed filling a modified Knowledge Questionnaire over Forensic Nursing Practice (KQFNP), over eight weeks for quantitative data. Key informant interviews were conducted and data were captured manually among seven (n=7) purposely selected sections in charge of collecting complementary qualitative data. The Chi-square test of significance p<.05 was used in hypothesis testing, while logistic regression analysis was used to predict determinants of preparedness, with findings presented using tables and figures. Qualitative data were transcribed, thematically analysed, and presented in verbatim and narrations. A majority (81.5%, n=66) of study respondents had a low level of preparedness to provide forensic nursing care, a finding reinforced by key informants (KI-1)… “Assessment and identification of forensic patients are limited to sexual assault clients. Our focus is basically on clinical care.” The years of experience post-licensure (Fisher exact value= 9.838; p value= 0.006), training in forensic evidence collection and preservation (Fisher exact value= 9.933; p value= 0.002), and training in expert witnessing in the courts of law (Fisher exact value= 6.488; p value= 0.019) were statistically significantly associated with preparedness. Those trained in evidence collection and preservation, and expert witnessing were 6.8 times and 16.3 times more likely to be prepared compared to untrained (COR= 6.750; 95% CI =2.018-22.582; P=0.002) and (COR= 16.250; 95% CI =1.557-169.618; P=0.020) respectively. The majority of nurses in the A&E department at KNH have low levels of preparedness to provide forensic nursing care. The years of experience post licensure, training in forensic evidence collection, and expert witnessing were statistically significantly associated with preparedness. Develop and implement targeted in-service educational initiatives to address gaps in formal training in forensic nursing. Tailor training interventions leveraging on identified demographic factors