SUAIRE (Sokoine Univ. of Agriculture)
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Effect of solvent extraction on phytochemical profile and quantification of bioactive compounds in Ocimum suave (wild)
No full textJ. Current Opinion Crop Sci. PP: 27-41Seasonal aromatic Lamiaceae shrub Ocimum suave has
insecticidal and therapeutic bioactive compounds. The plant's
phytochemical profile and effective solvents for extraction have
limited information, despite its potential as a sustainable pest
management alternative. The phytochemical composition and
quantification of solvent-extracted Ocimum suave leaves, stems,
roots, and combined samples were examined. The plant samples
were obtained at Dakawa-Mvomero. A laboratory-based
experimental design was employed to assess the effect of
different extraction solvents on the phytochemical profile and
quantification of bioactive compounds in Ocimum suave. A
completely randomized design (CRD) was used with three
replications to minimize experimental error and increase the
reliability of the results. Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins,
terpenoids, and essential oils were detected in plant samples
using methanol, dichloromethane (DCM), n-hexane, and
distilled water-extraction solvents. Samples underwent
standard quantification chemical tests. Saponins (p=0.027),
essential oils (p=0.018), and alkaloids (0.018) showed
significant differences. These findings demonstrate that solvent
type significantly impacts compound extraction efficiency. Root
tannins were concentrated at 3.51mg/l and stem at 3.36mg/l
with methanol. Leaf, stem, and root terpenoids were highly
concentrated in dichloromethane 7.20% and n-hexane 5.80%
extracts. Dichloromethane 6.50%, methanol 6.20%, and nhexane 6.10% concentrated essential oils from all plant parts.
Saponins in roots, stems, and leaves were 5.60% concentrated
with distilled water. N-hexane solvent concentrated leaf
flavonoids (4.55%) and stem alkaloids (3.25%). The findings
emphasise solvent choice in phytochemical yields and suggest Ocimum suave may be an eco-friendly pesticid
Studies on the Influence of altitude on abundance of fall armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda (Je Smith)) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Tanzania
No full textResearch articleFall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) is one of the most devastating
polyphagous field crop pests in many parts of the world, including Tanzania.
Influence of altitude on the abundance of S. frugiperda was studies by using
Pheromone (Frugilure S. frugiperda, Chemtica international, S.A) embedded cup
traps. The study was conducted along sites of Mt. Uluguru slopes including; SUA
(525 masl), Mlali (579 masl), Mgeta (1050 masl) and Nyandira (1691 masl) located
in Morogoro Region, Tanzania. A total of 16 cup traps (four at each site equidistantly
arranged at 100 m apart) were used. Weather data were recorded using Hygrocron
i-button hung on a tree at equidistant from the four traps. Data on S. frugiperda
counts and weather variables were recorded weekly for duration of six months
from January to June 2020. Results showed that S. frugiperda was abundantly
recorded across he tested altitude albeit at varied abundance. There was significant
difference (p < 0.001) among altitude on S. frugiperda abundance, whereby at low
altitude, S. frugiperda abundance was high compared to medium and high altitude.
Rainfall had positive correlation on S. frugiperda abundance (r = 0.16, r = 0.04) for
SUA and Mlali and negative correlation (r = -0.44) and (r = -0.03) for Mgeta and
Nyandira. Temperature had positive correlation (r = 0.21) on S. frugiperda
abundance at Nyandira while SUA (r = -0.03), Mlali (r = -0.35) and Mgeta (r = -0.28)
had negative correlation. Relative humidity for all four locations showed negative
correlation with S. frugiperda abundance. Thus, appropriate and effective
management practices of S. frugiperda should be considered throughout maize
production areas and across crop production seasons regardless of the altitude
Farmers’ attitudes and challenges in organic spice farming: a case study of the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania
No full textThe sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH), pp. 41-50Despite Tanzania's economic reforms and rising global demand for organic spices, smallholder farmers in the
Uluguru Mountains face significant barriers to sustainable organic spice production, including fungal diseases, market
exploitation, and post-harvest losses. This cross-sectional mixed-methods study (n=120 farmers, 11 key informants) in
Morogoro District employed descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression to examine farmers’ attitudes and
challenges. Results revealed that 47.5% of farmers held favourable attitudes toward organic farming (95% citing
environmental benefits, 84.2% premium prices), while 45% expressed unfavourable views due to economic constraints.
Logistic regression showed that male farmers (OR=6.63, 95% CI: 2.43–18.09, p<0.001) and those with secondary education
(OR=19.85, 95% CI: 2.20–179.23, p=0.008) were significantly more likely to have favourable attitudes, while market
inefficiencies (OR=0.29, 95% CI: 0.12–0.73, p=0.008) and inadequate storage (OR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.11–0.99, p=0.047)
reduced this likelihood. Key challenges included fungal diseases (84.5% prevalence; χ²=25.909, p<0.001), middlemen-driven
market inefficiencies (64.9%), and poor storage facilities (24.1%). Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior, these
findings highlight how socio-demographic disparities and structural barriers shape farmers’ engagement with organic
practices. The study recommends disease-resistant crop varieties, improved storage infrastructure, farmer cooperatives, and
gender-inclusive training to enhance the viability and equity of organic spice farming, aligning with Tanzania’s sustainable
development goals
The role of farmer field and business school (FFBS) in improving access to agricultural extension services to smallholder farmers in iringa rural district, Tanzania
No full textJournal articleInnovative and holistic approaches, such as the Farmers Field and Business School (FFBS), are
essential for advancing agricultural practices and improving smallholder farmer livelihoods. In
Tanzania, while evidence suggests that FFBS enhances access to extension services, its specific
role remains undocumented. This study used an exploratory sequential mixed method to explore
FFBS's role in improving smallholder farmers' access to extension services. The study involved 43 FFBS beneficiaries from CARE International’s FFBS scale-up project, selected through snowball
sampling until data were saturated. This approach was chosen due to the challenges of accessing a
comprehensive list of active participants and of ensuring that diverse perspectives are included.
Data were collected using in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions
(FGD), document review, and observation. Findings suggest that FFBS significantly enhances
access to extension services through capacity-building in agronomy, climate resilience through
sustainable agricultural practices, market linkages, gender empowerment, and information
dissemination. The FFBS programme utilizes innovative experiential learning techniques, including
hands-on training in sustainable agricultural practices, to equip farmers with practical knowledge
and skills. Despite the positive outcomes, FFBS has not fully facilitated the transition of smallholder
farming into large-scale commercial agriculture, highlighting challenges in scaling up production.
The study suggests that all FFBS elements need to be fully applied to realize their innovative
benefits. Policy implications include the need to improve resource access, particularly capital,
technology, and markets for smallholder farmers, integrate FFBS into national extension programs,
and promote gender-inclusive capacity-building to scale up agricultural productivity and
sustainability
Reintegrating adolescent mothers into secondary education: investigating the availability and effectiveness of support systems in Mbeya region, Tanzania
No full textJournal articleDespite recent policy reforms, such as Education Circular No. 2 of
2021 and the Secondary Education Quality Improvement Programme
(SEQUIP) initiative, aimed at facilitating school re-entry, adolescent
mothers continue to face considerable emotional, financial, and
institutional challenges. This study examines availability and per
ceived effectiveness of support systems for adolescent mothers re-
admitted to secondary schools in the Mbeya region of Tanzania.
Guided by Lazarus’s Cognitive-Motivational-Relational Theory
(CMRT), this paper employed embedded single case study design
involving 20 purposively selected student mothers across five sec
ondary schools, through focus group discussions and open-ended
questionnaires. Findings revealed that while informal support exists,
formal and coordinated systems remain fragmented and insuffi
ciently responsive to student mothers’ lived realities. The paper
emphasizes the need for integrated psychosocial, financial, and insti
tutional interventions that are contextually grounded and emotion
ally supportive. These findings contribute new insights into how
adolescent student mothers perceive and interpret support, offering
understanding of re-entry contexts
Influence of relative user satisfaction on sustainability of climate change adaptation practices: insights from Chamwino and Igunga agro-ecological zones, Tanzania
No full textJournal ArticleThe aim of this study was to examine the influence of Relative User Satisfaction (RUS) on the sustainability of Climate Change
Adaptation (CCA) practices in egro-ecological zones of Tanzania. Supported by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this
study focus on determining the influence of self-efficacy, subjective norms, usage experience, perceived risks, output quality, results
demonstrability, perceived image, compatibility, usability and relevance, on sustainability of CCA practices. The study employed a
cross sectional research design , involving 295 respondents who are households heads adopted CCA practices in Chamwino and
Igunga districts, with data collected through household questionnaires, Focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant
interviews (KIIs). Statistical analyses, including Descriptive statistics, Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) and Multivariate
Ordered Probit model (MOVP) were performed. Results from the descriptive analysis indicated high preference of practices
including Trees Planting and use of Farmyard manure after funding, reasons being their simplicity, immediate benefits and
alignment with local knowledge. The findings from inferential analysis revealed that self-efficacy, perceived image, subjective
norms, usability and usage experience were positively and statistically influencing the sustainability of CCA practices after funding
period. Results from Multivariate Ordered Probit revealed Self-efficacy to have significant influence on soil water conservation
practices (β = 1.07, p < 0.001), Trees planting (β = 1.02, p < 0.001) and the use of farmyard manure (β = 0.99, p < 0.001). Perceived
image was also found statistical significant in influencing practices, with statistical significance p-value of 0.001. Subjective norms
was found crucial in influencing Ox-drain tillage practices (β = 0.99, p < 0.001), while usage experience and usability showed
moderate effects with statistical significance p-value of 0.01 and 0.05 respectively. The study finds that Self-efficacy, Perceived
image, Subjective norms and Usage experience serves as essential RUS factors in influencing the sustainability of CCA practices
after funding period. The study concludes that, ensuring sustainability of the practices require enhancing community participation,
simplicity of the practices and consideration of socio-economic factors. The study proposes establishment of targeted training, role
models system, incentive systems, monitoring frameworks and user-friendly guidelines to enhance self-efficacy, social influence,
and Usability for long-term implementatio
Prevalence of organophosphate pesticide residues and the associated risks of dietary exposure through selected vegetables from Ilala district, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
No full textJournal articleThe increasing reliance on pesticide use in agricultural practices, particularly in developing regions such as Tanzania, poses significant risks to food safety and public health. This study investigated the prevalence and concentration of organophosphate-based pesticide residues in commonly consumed vegetables, specifically Amaranth (Amaranthus), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa Pekinensis) and Sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea Batatas) cultivated in Ilala district of Dar Es Salaam City. Data on vegetable consumption were collected from 138 vegetable farmers using the 24-hour dietary recall method. The analytical methodology employed gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Vegetable samples were prepared through a series of extraction and purification steps. The results revealed significant variation (P 1, indicating a significant risk of adverse health effects from chronic exposure. The findings underscore a critical public health concern as consumption of these vegetables may expose consumers to harmful pesticide levels, particularly vulnerable populations such as children and agricultural workers
Stakeholders’ perceptions about the competences of open and Distance Learning Graduates
No full textINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE Page 4643-4653Education plays a vital role in individual and national development. Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is an
educational approach that enables learners to study independently within their own environments without
attending conventional classes. In ODL, the learning is facilitated through provided course outlines or modules.
This quantitative study investigates the perceptions of key stakeholders, including ODL learners, employers, and
the head of a nearby school, regarding the skills, values, and competencies of ODL graduates, as well as their
ability to perform assigned tasks. The study was conducted at the Institute of Adult Education learning centres
found in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, and Ruvuma, with a total of 622 respondents. The data was collected through
closed-ended questionnaires and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version
23. Descriptive statistics, including tables, frequencies, and percentages, were used to present the data, while
inferential analysis employed the Pearson Chi-square test to determine relationships between variables. The
results indicate that stakeholders, including employers and ODL learners, expressed confidence in the innovative
skills developed by ODL graduates. The heads of the nearby schools were particularly confident with graduates'
communication skills. Employers showed the highest confidence in the graduates’ ability to effectively manage
assigned tasks. Similarly, the heads of the nearby schools were confident in the ODL program for equipping
graduates with quality and sustainable skills to serve their communities. They also recognized the graduates'
ability to demonstrate a high level of competence when taking on responsibilities. ODL learners consistently
expressed confidence in nearly all aspects of the program’s outcomes. The study recommends that ODL
institutions partner with employers to understand the skills ODL graduates should possess to succeed in the
workplace. Additionally, ODL institutions should ensure that their programs are of high quality so that all
graduates meet consistent standards of professional readiness in the labour market
Impacts of climate-smart agroforestry practices on income and food security in two Rwandan agroecosystems
No full textJournal ArticleClimate-smart agroforestry (CSAF) practices offer a sustainable way to improve soil health, increase
farm productivity, enhance biodiversity, and boost farmers’ well-being in low-income
countries. This study assessed the effects of CSAF on income and food security among 381
farmer households in two contrasting Rwandan agroecosystems. Data were collected through
farm-level interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multivariate
latent variable regression. Results revealed that CSAF practices increased crop yield,
improved food security, and diversified income sources. Livestock contributed the highest income,
while tree products contributed the least. Smallholder farms (<1 ha) reported the highest
profits, averaging Rwf 68,975,000 (US$ 52,175.46). Food security was higher in Bugesera (46.7
%) than in Rulindo (42.5 %). Among CSAF practices, shelterbelts and multipurpose trees
significantly influenced income and profit, while silvopasture enhanced food security. Despite
these findings, latent variables – factors related to farmers’ attitudes towards adopting CSAF
practices – have a small impact (if any) on well-being outcomes. This is important information for
policymakers, as it signals the extension education needed for the farmers’ understanding of the
influence of CSAF adoption on improved household wellbeing. Moreover, these results suggest
that CSAF practices can lead to increased income, enhanced food security, and greater resilience
to climate change. This information can inform policies and guide agricultural researchers in
developing and promoting more effective interventions, ultimately leading to wider adoption of
CSAF
Impact of bushmeat consumption on health risk management in Southern Benin
No full textJournal ArticleThe consumption of bushmeat has been linked to several socioeconomic factors. This study examines
bushmeat consumers in southern Benin, including their motivations, health risks, and groups. In the
Littoral, Atlantique, and Zou districts, 373 people were surveyed. The data were analyzed with R 4.0.2
and SAS 2013 software, and as a result, 74.3% reported consuming bushmeat. Few hunters and
transformers were in Group 1, but many were in Group 2. Group 1 consisted of hunters, processors,
and restaurant owners, whereas Group 2 was mostly illiterate. Bushmeat is eaten for its taste,
nutritional value, and economic and cultural reasons, with many believing it is healthier than domestic
meat. Group 1 and Group 2 consume bushmeat frequently and live in peri-urban and rural locations
near woods for easy access to bush animals. Group 3, which eats bushmeat rarely, is less involved in
the supply chain of bushmeat. Due to poor transit and processing conditions, bushmeat hunting,
processing, and consumption in these places expose people to pathogens and increase the risk of food
poisoning and zoonotic diseases. Education of local residents is necessary to improve food safety and
reduce health concerns. Diversifying income, promoting safer, more sustainable practices, and
encouraging rural youth education require supportive policies. To improve Benin's food security and
public health, this study stresses bushmeat consumers' motivation