SUAIRE (Sokoine Univ. of Agriculture)
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Infestation density and habitat suitability of tree girdling beetle, paranaleptes reticulata Thoms. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Eastern Tanzania
No full textMSc DissertationDespite the increased rate of spread and infestation of the insect
pest, Paranaleptes Reticulata Thoms among government plantations
and other tree growers in Eastern Tanzania, there is limited
information on the infestation patterns and suitable habitat distribution
for P. reticulata. To provide this piece of information this study aimed
at assessing first, infestation density and severity of P. reticulata
across government plantation forests and community woodlots.
Modelling the current and potential future habitat distributions of the
P. reticulata in Eastern Tanzania. Data on presence of P. reticulata
and number of trees infested by P. reticulata were collected from 158
plots to count and measure trees infested by P. reticulata. Also, age,
diameter of infested trees and the occurrence coordinates were
recorded.
Non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyse if infestation
density and severity differed between agroecological zones and
species. Dunn's post hoc test was used to assess which sites and
species differed from each other in terms of infestation densities and
severity. Generalised linear mixed models (GLMMs) with a negative
binomial error distribution and plots as a random factor was used to to
assess the direction of associations between environmental variables
and the infestation density and severity of species. Ensemble species
distribution models combining presence records for P. reticulata and
potential environmental variables was used estimated habitat
suitability.
Results on infestation patterns revealed that infestation density (H =
83.95, df = 3, p < 0.001) and severity (H = 50.62, df = 3, p < 0.001)
differed between sites. Similarly, infestation density (H = 29.63, df =
2, p < 0.001) and severity (H = 29.63, df = 2, p < 0.001) differed
between species. GLMMs indicated that tree diameter, tree age, and
solar radiation were negatively associated with both infestation
density and severity, while wind was positively associated with both
infestation density and severity. Infestation density and extent of
severity were significantly higher for Corymbia citriodora and Eucalyptus tereticornis compared to the reference species
Commiphora Africana. Results on habitat suitability indicated that the
highly suitable habitat for P. reticulata would decrease significantly in
the year 2050 and 2090 under SSP126 and SSP585 scenarios.
The study concludes that exotic species are more prone to P.
reticulata infestations across sites compared to native species and
climatic variables play crucial in determining current and future habitat
suitability for P. reticulata. The study recommends age-, size-, and
species-specific preventive measures to reduce P. reticulata
infestation density and severity in Tanzania. Predictive maps could
also be used by managers, planners, and tree growers to strategize,
plan and making informed decision about the current and future
infestations status
Econometric analysis of consumers’ preference heterogeneity for yoghurt and ice cream products in Tanzania: A latent class model and mixed logit mode
No full textJournal articleIn Tanzania, a growing upper and middle classes, particularly among urbanites, exhibit distinct
preferences for higher-quality processed foods, including dairy products. This study examines
variations in consumer preferences and their willingness to pay for yogurt and ice cream, which
serve as stand-ins for processed milk products. The analysis is based on a discrete choice
experiment involving 400 participants in Dar es Salaam. A random parameter logit model was
utilized to account for preference heterogeneity, while latent class models (LCMs) were applied to
uncover the underlying factors driving these differences in preferences. Our findings reveal three
distinct consumer classes: processed milk sceptics (who prefer unprocessed dairy products),
processed milk advocates (who prefer processed products), and neutral consumers (indifferent
between processed and unprocessed milk). Preferences are influenced by product attributes, so
cioeconomic characteristics, and attitudes towards processed foods. The results indicate that
Tanzanian consumers place the greatest value on sensory attributes, packaging, and the product’s
origin (local versus imported). This research offers fresh perspectives on the intricate preferences
of dairy consumers in Tanzania, a topic that has been relatively underexplored. The findings
suggest that producers and marketers must adapt to the dynamic market by balancing intrinsic
and extrinsic factors against price. Understanding consumers’ socioeconomic and product attri
butes is essential for increasing market share and effectively segmenting markets. These findings
would be useful incorporated into strategic planning to enhance the competitiveness and sus
tainability of Tanzania’s dairy industry
Compliance to recommended prevention and management practices among type 2 diabetes patients in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania
No full textIntroduction: Diabetes-related complications are the significant causes of morbidity and mortality among type 2 diabetes patients. The complications can be reduced by practising and maintaining several preventive measures. The present study aimed to assess compliance and factors associated with recommended management practices and prevention of complications among type 2 diabetes patients in selected health facilities in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2023 among 140 patients diagnosed with diabetes for at least three months before the study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, which included patients’ characteristics and a previously validated Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities questionnaire to assess patients' compliance with recommended practices. A multi variable regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with compliance with recommended practices.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was59 ±12.08 years and 65% were females. Among 140 patients, 91.4% (n=128) had poor or unsatisfactory self-care practices with an overall mean of 3.81± 2.08 days per week for diabetes management. The recommended practices with good or satisfactory performance were non-smoking, non-alcohol drinking and prescribed medication. In contrast,unsatisfactory performance was observed for self-monitoring blood glucose and physical activities. Multiple regression analysis showed that co-morbidity (AOR 4.5; 95% CI: 1.14-18.02) and being employed (AOR 4.4; 95% CI:1.25-15.44) independently predict self-care practices.
Conclusion and recommendation: Compliance with self-monitoring of blood glucose, physical exercise and dietary practices were found to be low among type 2 diabetes patients, which could increase the risk of complications. Nutritional and lifestyle counselling and the use of peer groups should be emphasized to improve compliance with recommended practices
Investigating the implementation process of open and distance learning for teachers'professional development at the learning centres
No full textGlobal Journal of Advanced Research Vol-11, Issue-3 PP. 28-41The effective implementation of open and distance learning (ODL) at the learning centres is vital for helping distance learners to
achieve their educational goals. This study examines the implementation process by focusing on the availability and distribution of
teaching and learning materials, the provision of face-to-face sessions, the effectiveness of learner support services, the relevance of
the ODL program, and the challenges faced by both learners and facilitators during the program's implementation. The research is
conducted across ten ODL centres under the Institute of Adult Education in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, and Ruvuma. A mixed-methods
research design was used to provide a comprehensive understanding of the implementation processes of the ODL and its effectiveness
in enhancing educational experiences. The study included a total of 608 participants. Data collection methods included closed-ended
questionnaires, interviews, and observations. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data were analysed
thematically. The findings reveal statistically significant differences across the regions in the implementation process of the ODL at
the learning centres, particularly regarding support services and the infrastructure. The study highlights the critical role of resource
availability in creating a conducive learning environment and its impact on learners' academic performance and satisfaction
Challenges and opportunities of coffee cooperatives in enhancing member incomes: a case study of Missenyi district, Kagera region, Tanzania
No full textJournal articleAgricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) are critical in supporting farmers through resource
pooling, crop marketing, and access to services like training and credit. However, their effectiveness is undermined by
structural and systemic challenges that hinder their ability to meet members' needs. This study investigates the role of
AMCOS in service provision, focusing on coffee cooperatives in Missenyi District, Tanzania. Data were collected from 128
participants using surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions, and analyzed quantitatively with IBM-SPSS (Version 20)
and thematically for qualitative insights. The findings highlight significant challenges. Demographic imbalances reveal that
72.5% of respondents were aged over 50, with only 6.9% under 40, pointing to a declining youth engagement in farming.
Gender disparities persist, with men comprising 82.4% of cooperative members despite women providing 70% of labor.
Limited educational attainment (60.8% with only primary education) constrains members’ capacity for innovation. While
land ownership was high (90%), small plot sizes (1–3 hectares for 64.7% of respondents) restrict production scalability.
Access to improved coffee seedlings (35%) and training services (36.3%) was inadequate, while 96% of members lacked
access to credit, limiting financial flexibility. Although government initiatives, such as tax reductions and digital payment
systems, improved coffee prices, financial constraints, mismanagement, and competition continued to impede service delivery.
Addressing these issues requires targeted interventions, including public-private partnerships, improved resource
management, regulatory enforcement, and capacity building to ensure AMCOS can meet members’ expectations and promote
sustainable coffee farming in Missenyi District
A paradox of the ovulatory patterns in the living laboratory, African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus) from Tanzania
No full textJournal ArticleThe African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus) has emerged as a valuable model animal deployed in
biomedical and other researches with humanitarian application due to its intelligence, socio-behavior, and adaptability
to captivity. This rodent lives in solitary and belongs to the family Cricetidae that synchronises sexual behavioral onset
with subsequent maturation of their gonads and gametes just prior to the beginning of the short rains of Tanzania. The
current study set out to investigate whether ovulation in this species is induced or spontaneous. The study involved
five sexually mature intact tame females and five sexually matured vasectomized wild males. Females were monitored
non-invasively for ovarian cyclicity by measuring urinary progesterone every 2 days over 84days. Females were
subjected to three separate step-wise experiments with different treatments as follows: step one was singly housed,
which served as the control (C), followed by Non-Physical Contact with a vasectomized male (NPC) and Physical
Contact with the same vasectomized male (PC), respectively. The average urinary progesterone concentration was
similar in all three treatments, with a urinary progesterone spike indicating ovulation occurring in all treatments,
suggesting a spontaneous ovulating strategy. However, upon assessment of the male penis, it was revealed that part
of the glans penis had small epidermal spines which somehow resembles to those reported in induced ovulators. The
findings from this study on the African giant pouched rat leaves a paradox as profiles of progesterone from females
strongly suggest a spontaneous pattern of ovulation although the penile morphology of males have features
suggesting induced pattern of ovulation
Prevalence of leptospirosis in livestock, rodents, and shrews in Kilwa district of Southern Tanzania
No full textMSc. DissertationLeptospirosis is a globally resurgent zoonotic disease that affects
both humans and animals, with occurrences widespread in tropical
and sub-tropical regions. Tanzania, located in Sub-Saharan Africa,
is among the tropical countries grappling with the burden of
leptospirosis in both human and animal populations. Following the
reporting of 20 confirmed symptomatic cases and 3 deaths, the
Tanzanian Ministry of Health (MoH) declared the outbreak of
leptospirosis on July 5, 2022. The main objective of this cross-
section study was to determine the prevalence of leptospirosis by
using the Microscopic Agglutination Test in Rodents, shrews and
livestock (Cattle, Goats, and Sheep) in Kilwa district of southern
Tanzania. Blood samples were collected from 100cattle, 120goats,
20 sheep and 202 small mammals (Rodents and shrews) in Kilwa
district in selected villages for decanting sera. The serum samples
harvested were tested against five Leptospira live antigens to detect
Leptospira antibodies through Microscopic Agglutination Tests. In
this study, five leptospiral antigens that were reported in Tanzania
were employed such as Sokoine, Pomona, Hebdomadis, Lora, and
Grippotyphosa. The overall prevalence of leptospirosis in cattle was
26%=95%CI=0.1774-0.3573, in goats was 27.5%=95%CI=0.1975-
0.3640, in sheep was 30%=95%CI=0.1189-0.5428 .and prevalence
of small mammals was 14.36%=95%CI=0.0983-0. 1996. Among the
small mammals, 61.2% of the sample tested positive for leptospiral
serovars and were from Mastomys natalensis, making it a more
prevalent species. Serovars Sokoine was more prevalent than all
tested serovars. Most of the antibody titers obtained ranged from
1:20 to 1:80, suggesting prolonged infection. Livestock
demonstrated also a high prevalence of leptospirosis with serovar
Sokoine being the most prevalent serovar.
Some of the
leptospirosis antibodies were low, suggesting chronic infection, but
others tested with high titers, which suggested new infection of
leptospirosis, especially in goats. Logistic regression was also
performed to determine the association between Leptospiral antibody infection and different characteristics such as sex, location,
host, and serovars with P= 0.0086. There was a significant
association between the leptospiral infection and serovars Sokoine
and Grippotyphosa with P=0.0073, nevertheless, there was no
significant between the disease with other characteristics such as
sex, host, location and serovars This present study suggests that
leptospira infection is a matter of public health concern as it is
associated with different burdens from animals and humans,
decreased livestock economy to livestock keepers due to the death
of livestock animals, and decline in milk production, death of people
following outbreak as it reported in Tanzania. Increased contact
between human and their animals suggests possible transmission of
leptospirosis in Kilwa district the southern, Tanzania. Therefore,
control of the disease is inevitable to reduce the burden of the
disease.The African Centre of Excellence II Rodents Biosensor Technolog
Wood volume and profitability analysis of small-scale tree growers’ woodlots with a gender perspective in Mufindi District, Iringa Region, Tanzania
No full textMSc DissertationThe majority of tree plantations in Tanzania consist of softwood
species, primarily pines, and cypress, along with preferred hardwood
species such as teak and eucalyptus. Small-scale forestry has
emerged as a significant and potentially productive segment.
Empirical evidence suggests that small-scale forestry constitutes the
majority of the total plantation area in the country. While government
forests employ a standard practice of selling trees by volume, small-
scale growers often opt to sell standing trees without prior
measurement. Therefore, it is important to assess this selling
practices in order to determine if investments made by small-scale
tree growers are profitable. The study aimed to assess the
profitability of small-scale tree growers' woodlots, considering
gender disparities in the sector, and exploring the economic
implications of different selling methods and challenges facing small-
scale tree growers. Cross-sectional data were collected through
semi-structured interviews. Random sampling was used to select
small-scale tree growers’ households for data collection. Data
analysis involved descriptive statistics and cost-benefit analysis by
using Stata software. The woodlot assessment included inventory
work of measuring tree parameters of diameters (Dbh) and heights.
Forest inventory data was analyzed by using yield table models in
Microsoft Excel. The results of the household survey revealed that
investments by small-scale tree growers are profitable. Profitability
indicators for those selling standing trees and processing trees for
lumber are presented, showing higher values for the later. Gender
differences in revenue and profitability indices are observed, with
males earning more than females. Moreover, results indicated that
small-scale tree growers are potentially experiencing a substantial
loss in revenue, profit, and gross profit margin due to the selling
method used. When small-scale tree growers sell by observational
estimation, they can generate TZS 1.9 million per acre at the age of
11 years. In contrast, selling by volume yields an average of TZS
2.7 million per acre at the age of 11 years. Likewise on the Profit, through selling by volume there is a mean increase in profit of TZS
61155 per acre, and by observational estimation, there is a mean
decrease of TZS 42063 per acre. Results also revealed that the key
challenges facing small-scale tree growers include fire occurrences
and low market prices of trees. About 73% of the respondents
reported that fire occurrence is the main challenge in the
management of woodlots while 34% reported low prices as a main
challenge, followed by 26.30% on marketing. Therefore, processing
and adding value to the produced woods tend to significantly
increase revenue and profitability. This implies that, small-scale tree
growers should prioritize in value addition through processing for
increased profitability. In addition, mechanisms for a market shift
towards valuing good quality products and promoting sales at longer
rotation age should be developed. Small-scale tree growers, with the
assistance of the government, should be advised to adopt a
standardized method of selling trees based on volume which will
allow them to maximize their profit. Further, waiting for the
recommended rotation age will ensure a good price and
diversification of income sources for small-scale tree growers in
Mufindi District. This is crucial because it will reduce the pressure of
selling immature stands and accepting low prices. Furthermore,
providing continuous education on best management practices,
particularly regarding fire safety, is essential
Farmers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of climate information services in predicting hazard occurrences in Kondoa and Kiteto districts, Tanzania
No full textJournal ArticleThe heightened occurrence of climate-related disasters such as droughts, floods, and storms has amplified agricultural vulnerability in developing countries, particularly affecting farmers’ decision-making processes. Despite the availability of Climate Information Services (CIS), their perceived effectiveness in accurately predicting climate hazards remains underexplored. This study examines farmers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of CIS in predicting climate-related hazards in Kondoa and Kiteto districts, Tanzania, where 360 farmers who have access to the Global Framework for Climate Service Adoption in Africa (GFCS-APA) program were surveyed. Using a 5-point Likert scale, Kendall’s W-test, and Chi-squared tests, the study revealed significant variation in the perceived relevance and utility of different CIS. The findings highlight that droughts and erratic rainfall are the most prevalent hazards, affecting 88.91% and 75.21% of farmers, respectively. Meanwhile, flooding impacts 86.35% of farmers in Bukulu and 56.03% in Emarty, with pest and disease outbreaks affecting approximately 41-43% of households. Farmers ranked drought as the most critical hazard (mean rank 2.61), followed by erratic rainfall (2.82) and pest outbreaks (3.09). The Kendall's W-test (W = 0.185, p < 0.001) confirmed moderate agreement on these rankings, with considerable heterogeneity in perceptions. Regarding CIS effectiveness, farmers ranked agrometeorological advisory services highest (mean score 4.72), followed by seasonal weather forecasts (4.36). However, extreme weather predictions were perceived as less useful (mean score 3.53). The Kendall’s W coefficient for CIS rankings was 0.411 (p < 0.001), indicating strong consensus among farmers. Despite these services’ availability, qualitative data suggested that their technical language and lack of location-specific details limited practical application. The study recommends enhancing CIS through participatory approaches and improved dissemination strategies to better tailor services to farmers’ needs, ultimately fostering more resilient agricultural practices in the face of climate variability
Molecular characterization and antigenic prediction of foot-and- mouth disease virus in relation to vaccine improvement in endemic settings in Africa
No full textPhD ThesisFoot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affects all cloven-hoofed livestock
and wildlife, and it is caused by FMD virus (FMDV) that belongs to the
genus Aphthorvirus and family Picornaviridae. The disease threatens
food security and livelihoods across different parts of the world. There
are seven FMDV serotypes (O, A, C, Asia1, SAT1-3), and studies in
southern Africa describe buffalos to be persistently infected reservoirs
of SATs and transmit the viruses to cattle. The FMD control is
challenging and antigenic heterogeneity among field-circulating
strains represents the most significant factor. The field's infinite
variants pose a challenge to the effectiveness of vaccines and
suggests for quick, reliable, and cost-effective methods for obtaining
vaccine improvements relevant information timely. FMD is endemic in
Africa; impacting the livelihoods of pastoral communities, and hinders
the livestock sector by denying access of regional and global lucrative
markets. Currently, the strategies deployed to control FMD in Africa,
especially tropical Africa, are typically fragmented national-level
focused activities with relatively poor outcomes, rather than regionally
coordinated initiatives that have been used on other continents
(South America, Europe) to reduce and even eliminate virus
circulation. Studies have not demonstrated whether the buffalo can
also act as carrier of the EurAsian serotypes O and A occurring in
parts of East Africa. Also the current epidemiological status of the
field circulating strains and their genetic-antigenic characteristics
need to be understood. Also, it was unclear on the main challenges to
FMD control under pastoral dominated and endemic settings in Africa
that has hindered FMD control for decades.
This study investigated field reported outbreaks and clinically health
buffalo of Tanzania to determine the molecular epidemiology of the
circulating field strains between 2018 and 2021, their genetic-
antigenic characteristics, and their evolutionary relationships using
molecular techniques for
FMDV detection, typing,
and
characterization. The seroprevalence of FMDV serotypes O and A in
Tanzania were studied using NSP ELISA for natural infection
screening and typed by Solid phase competitive ELISA (SPCE) assay. Additionally; the B-cell antigenic epitopes of SAT1 types were
mapped by combined publicly available immuno-informatics
tools ranging from those employing propensity scales to the most
recent machine learning and artificial intelligence models, to
maximize the prediction authenticity, on the FMDV type SAT1 VP1
polypeptides from this study and those sourced from global rich
databases.
The study identified three FMDV serotypes (A, O and, SAT1)
circulating in the field as Africa Topotype G-I lineage, EA-2 Topotype,
and Topotype I (NWZ) respectively. This study nucleotide sequences
for serotypes O and SAT1 field strains were analysed categorically,
and the shared percent identities of 92.0-100.0% and 96.9-98.8%
were revealed respectively. The analysed 247 buffalo (37.6%, n =93)
and cattle (58.3%, n =154) NSP ELISA positive serum samples from
livestock-wildlife interface areas of Katavi, Mikumi, Mkomazi, and
Ruaha ecosystems in Tanzania were further analyzed for FMDV
serotype O and A by SPCE. A highest percentage seropositivity (PS)
was revealed (67%, n= 103) and (55%, n= 51) in cattle and buffalo,
whereas FMDV serotype A tested highest (54%, n= 83) and O (25%,
n= 23) for cattle and buffalo sera, respectively. Also, some of the
cattle (36%, n= 56) and buffalo (25%, n= 23) sera tested, showed
evidence of multiple infection with FMDV serotypes O and A. Results
showed that out of the 93 analyzed NSPE positive buffalo samples,
30.1% (28) of CI (19 – 39) had antibodies specific to FMDV Type A.
Also 54.8% (51) of CI (39 – 64) and 24.7% (23) of CI (15 – 33) had
antibodies specific to FMDV type O and those of mixed sero reaction
respectively. Similarly, out of 154 NSPE positive cattle samples
analyzed 53.9% (83) of CI (69 – 98), 66.9% (103) of CI (88 – 118)
and 36.4% (56) of CI (44 – 70) had FMDV antibodies specific to type
A, O, and mixed (O&A) seroreactions respectively. The results of
compared serotype-specific seroreactions statuses revealed higher
percentage for type O across all species, next type A, and the lowest
score for mixed seroreactions. Similarly; at 95% CI, the analyzed
cattle and buffalo NSPE positives expressed higher scores of (41.7%;
20.65%) by (33.6%; 11.34%) and (22.67%; 9.31%) on type O, type A
and mixed seroreactions respectively. Results on Chi-square test of
independence were significant, X2 (df = 4, N = 330) = 31.0876, p =.00001 at p<.05 criteria, indicating a relation between spp difference
and variation in state of FMDV infection rates. The analyzed probang
buffalo samples (n=89) from Serengeti national park using FMDV
serotype O and A specific primers (one-step RT-PCR), 1.2% was
revealed to be FMDV type O. Also, five consensus linear epitopes
(PLE I – V) at positions 3-30, 44-59, 95-112, 134-149, 199-219 with
75%, 88%, 94%, 44 % and 24% of their aa reads conserved were
observed respectively. Additionally; conformational epitopes (PCE I –
VI) at positions 1-26, 82-87, 93-114, 131-149, 175-179, and 201-221
with 53 – 100% conserved were also identified. As the vaccines are
challenged by the rapidly evolving FMDV in the field, the unveiling of
conserved epitope domains is vital for enhancing future FMDV
vaccines long-term effectiveness in the field.
This study has demonstrated FMDV type O infections in buffalo being
the first molecular and serosurvey combined study to be undertaken
on Eurasian FMDV types O and A in cattle and buffalos in Tanzania.
The information generated from this study strengthens knowledge on
FMDV epidemiology in Tanzania and Africa, and thereby contributing
to the progressive control pathway-FMD program through tailored
control initiatives. The unveiled challenges of FMD control amongst
Africa’s diverse pastoral communities’ landscape for triggering
strategical discussions on national and transboundary regional-based
FMD control approaches in Africa.Prof. Mark Rweyemamu the SACID-Director and Prof. Gerald Misinzo the SACIDS-ACE II Project Coordinato