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Breeding population status and habitat preferences of white- backed vulture in Ikorongo- Grumeti Game Reserves and Ikona Wildlife Management area in Western Serengeti
No full textMSc DissertationWhite -backed vulture (Gyps africanus) is a critically endangered
species since its population has significantly declined across its
geographical ranges. Apparently, vultures provide the ecosystem
with cleaning service hence reduced risk of disease spread through
their feeding behaviour. Studying the breeding population status and
habitat of these species is of paramount importance in maintaining a
healthy population as well as managing and mitigating threats to the
species and their associated habitats.
This study aimed at investigating the breeding population status and
the nesting preferences of the Gyps africanus population in the
Ikorongo-Grumeti Game Reserves and Ikona wildlife management
area (WMA) in the western corridor of the Greater Serengeti
Ecosystem along the primary riparian zones (PRZ). The PRZ
consisted of the Grumeti, Manchira, Nyabeu, Samisami, Rokare,
Romoti, Maruru and Muyambi Rivers and their tributaries. This study
used the project historical aerial surveys data gathered from 2013 to
2021 to produce breeding population trend and conducted ground
nest surveys in 2021 and 2022 to estimate the breeding success
and nesting preferences of the species. Due to the colonial nesting
behaviour of the species, cluster analysis was used to group the
nesting hotspots as well as remote sensing analysis to assess the
tree cover in their breeding habitat.
According to results of the aerial survey data, the breeding
population in the game reserves and their contiguous WMA has
declined by 56%, and based on the active nest survey, breeding
success was 29%, that being lower than the previously documented
information for the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem which was 90%.
Individuals were found nesting along the rivers in the Ficus and
Vachellia and Senegalia woodlands. Majority of the nests (57%)
were found on Ficus sycomoras whereas the least number (1%) was
found on Ficus indica. The tree height was the most significant tree
factor for nesting tree as observed from the generelized linear
model. Nesting hotspots were classified as former or intermittent hotspots, and none were classified as persistent hotspots. Net tree
loss was observed in all hotspot categories, and a 28% reduction in
riparian tree cover was detected.
The study concludes that the Gyps africanus population in the area
is declining, parallel with dropping breeding success and
deteriorating breeding habitats. Seemingly, habitat loss/deterioration
is a driving factor, which together with other potential threats to the
population, need further investigation. Such baseline information is
of critical importance to the management and conservation efforts of
vultures and their overall breeding habitats in the ecosystem.The Grumeti Fund (GF
Implication of institutional frameworks governing land tenure security in social-economic dynamics: experience from Iringa District in Tanzania
No full textResearch articlePurpose: The study aimed to examine the implication of institutional frameworks governing land tenure security in
socioeconomic dynamics in the Iringa district. The study used the case of the Iringa district to investigate the
institutional framework that provides implications for the governance of land tenure security in Tanzania.
Methodology: The study employed phenomenography by collecting primary data from 16 key informants selected
from village and district levels. Data from key informants were complemented by documentary review with
perception considered deductively. Findings: Findings confirmed the existence of two
principal institutional frameworks; the Land Act No. 5 of
1999 and the Village Land Act No. 4 of 1999.
Nonetheless,
bureaucracy,
inadequate
policy
dissemination, and poverty emerged as primary causes of
deviations in land policy implementation in the study area.
This study concludes that the successful implementation
of Tanzania's land policy in the Iringa District Council has
significantly facilitated land tenure security through the
issuance of a Certificate of Customary Right of
Occupancy. Establishing a robust institutional framework
and clear land use rules has been central to this success.
However, challenges such as complex Certificate of
Customary Right of Occupancy acquisition procedures,
bureaucracy, inadequate policy dissemination, and
prevalent poverty in rural areas have been identified as
impediments. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy:
The study was guided by Institutional Theory which
describes the interaction of human beings with existing
natural resources, the institution involves the regulation of
formal rules from constitutions, status laws, and other
legal frameworks controlling the interaction and
relationship of human behavior. The study contributed to
the theory by establishing the relationship between the
organization and enforcement of policy and regulatory
framework that governs land tenure. Also, the study
recommends expanding the Certificate of Customary
Right of Occupancy issuance, strengthening local land
administration, simplifying land use regulations,
facilitating easier access to Certificate of Customary Right
of Occupancy especially for impoverished households,
and implementing strategies to reduce bureaucracy and
enhancing policy understanding at the grassroots level.
These measures aim to enhance land tenure security and
support sustainable development in rural communities
The Link between compliance with project requirements and project success: evaluation from TASAF-III beneficiaries’ perspectives in Tanzania
No full textDoctor of PhilosophyIn fighting against transitional households’ income poverty, many of
the initiated community economic development (CED) projects have
faced a number of unanticipated outcomes. Non-compliance with the
stated project requirements is labelled the cause.
However,
substantial and fully complied projects have too shown the similar
mixed results of success and failure. Therefore, this study aimed to
examine the link between compliance with project requirements and
CED projects’ success: the evaluation of which was done from
TASAF-III beneficiaries’ perspectives in Tanzania. With specific
reference to TASAF-III supported CED projects, the study intended:
to determine the compliance drivers in CED projects in Tanzania; to
analyse the influence of compliance with project requirements on
CED projects’ performance outcomes in Tanzania; to assess the
effects of compliance with project requirements on CED projects’
satisfaction outcomes in Tanzania; and, to evaluate the impact of
compliance with project requirements on CED projects’ value
outcomes in Tanzania. The study was guided by the Theory of
Regulatory Compliance (TRC), with the premise that, being in full
(100%) compliance with all rules/requirements is not necessarily a
good policy for project success, as rules/requirements are not created
equal. The study adopted a cross-sectional design with multiple
cases—undertaken in twelve selected TASAF-III supported CED
projects in six regions of Tanzania, namely Tanga, Morogoro, Tabora,
Mbeya, Mwanza, and Kigoma. The three levels multistage sampling
method, coupled with stratified and simple random sampling, was
used to obtain the appropriate sample as poor households’ population
in Tanzania is widely distributed. Firstly, the six impact wave districts
from six regions in six geographical zones in Tanzania, were
identified using stratified sampling method. Secondly, the twelve most
representative TASAF-III projects were selected using the same
method. Thirdly, 480 households from 17 424 population of needy
households under impact wave districts were chosen at 2:3 ratio for
treatment (192) and control (288) subjects respectively—using simple
random sampling technique. Primary data were collected using the
research schedules. IBM SPSS v.16 and stata software were used for
data analysis. Ordinal regression model was used for testing the predictive validity of project compliance drivers to compliance
requirements. Based on the model results that the defined
compliance drivers in TASAF-III projects are negative significant
predictors of compliance with TASAF-III project requirements, it could
be concluded that, the observed non-compliance of TASAF-III with its
defined requirements is fuelled by increased adherence to non-
predictive compliance drivers. It is therefore recommended that plans
for the desired project ends should not discriminate-out the predictive
assumptions for positive compliance outcomes. Proportional Chi-test
was used to determine whether the defined TASAF-III project
requirements are self-drivers for involuntary compliance with the
same or not. Based on the test results that the defined TASAF-III
supported CED projects requirements are non-self-drivers of
individuals’ voluntary compliance—with McGregor’s theory “X” being
an option, it was concluded that, CED projects in Tanzania record
less of project success for more of resources committed as they
employ poorly defined project requirements that drive away
compliance than enhancing it. Project entities are therefore
recommended to define project requirements enticing stakeholders’
self-compliance. One sample t-test was used to determine whether
institutional ethical culture influence project compliance with
requirements or not. Based on the finding that about 80 percent of
TASAF-III projects compliance with requirements is influenced by 20
percent of its institutional ethical culture, it was concluded that
projects compliance driven failures in TASAF-III projects are mostly
fuelled by their unethical institutional cultures. Strategic audits of self-
imposed institutional ethical cultures are therefore recommended to
overcome the influence of detrimental individuals’ interests. Based on
binomial test results for population proportion that, about 80 percent
of TASAF-III project compliance culture results from 20 percent of its
institutional ethical culture, it was therefore concluded that CED
project’s compliance culture is moulded by its institutional ethical
cultural domains. Project practitioners’ enculturation is recommended
to reduce risks of hidden unethical cultural practices which may be
detrimental to project compliance outcomes. Moreover, the same
ordinal regression model was used to estimate the predictive validity
of project requirements to project outcomes. Based on the finding that
defined project requirements are significant negative predictors ofprojects performance outcomes, it was concluded that the employed
TASAF-III projects requirements are not selected based on projects’
environmental fit. Project entities are therefore recommended to
revamp their feasibility study mechanisms; and hence, design and
plan for environmental friendly project requirements with positive
performance outcomes. Nevertheless, considering the finding that the
defined project requirements are significant negative predictors of
projects satisfaction outcomes, it could be concluded that the
observed institutional failure on income poverty relief is more fuelled
by inapt selections of the right project requirements than on
compliance challenges. Participatory community needs assessment
results use for CED projects designs is highly recommended, as the
continued reliance on negatively perceived project requirements
reduces the success likelihood of projects satisfaction outcomes than
upturning the same. The propensity score matching model was used
to evaluate the impact of compliance with project requirements on
project value outcomes—assessed by project fitness for the purpose
on households’ delivery from transitional income poverty in Tanzania.
Based on the result that there is no significant difference in incomes
and spending between households participated in TASAF-III
supported projects and those who did not, it could be concluded that
compliance with TASAF-III supported projects has no significant
impact on poor households’ relief from transitional income poverty.
This is because TASAF implements projects which are more of
secteral priorities than those which are specific community felt needs.
The study recommends practical decentralized planning for
households’ desired projects as opposed to traditional approach—for
which districts departments’ and sectoral priorities determine the type
of TASAF-III project to be executed. The overall TASAF failure to
deliver households from income poverty, in the facet of negative
predictive project requirements at substantial compliance, warrants
the conclusion that compliance with project requirements does not
necessary result to project success—if requirements are inaptly
selected. Proper choice of projects requirements with positive
predictive outcomes is therefore recommended as the TRC is proven
true.Institute of Accountancy Arush
Evaluation of food safety knowledge, attitude and hygienic practices among food service workers in hotels, restaurants and street food stands in Morogoro, Tanzania
No full textJournal ArticleFoodborne infections are a global problem, especially in developing nations. These infections mostly
spread in homes, restaurants, and other public places. Thus, promoting food safety knowledge,
attitudes, and hygienic behaviors is essential. The aim of this study was to assess the level of food
safety knowledge attitude and hygienic practices among food service workers in hotels, restaurants
and street food stands. A cross-sectional study carried out during February to May 2024 in Morogoro
Municipality examined 75 hotel, restaurant, and street food vendors' food safety knowledge,
attitudes, and hygienic practices using structured questionnaires and an observation checklist. Food
service workers were tested on pathogens, cleanliness, and handling. Correct answers got points;
scores below 50% indicated insufficient knowledge. Food safety attitudes contained 10 questions
with 10% points for accurate answers. Food service workers in hotels had significantly (p<0.05)
superior food safety knowledge (94.65%), attitude (95.60%), and hygienic practices (98.25%)
compared to those in restaurants and street food stands. The food service workers at street food
stands had the lowest ratings in terms of their knowledge (50.65%), attitude (40.40%), and hygienic
practices (45.75%). Restaurant food service workers scored 66.97%, 69.2% and 83.02% for food
safety knowledge, attitude, and hygienic practices, respectively, and these were significantly
(p<0.05) higher than those obtained from street food stand and lower than hotel service workers.
Hotel staff demonstrated superior food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices compared to street
vendors. Food safety in Morogoro Municipality requires intense training, regulatory supervision,
local authority cooperation, and continual study and monitorin
Exploring teaching and learning resources available in open and distance learning for teachers’ professional development at the Learning Centers
No full textInternational
Journal of
Innovative
Research &
DevelopmentThe success of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs hinges on the availability of high-quality and sufficient
teaching and learning resources. The role of ODL institutions is to clear up any confusion among facilitators and
learners regarding the resources available at ODL learning centers. This study aimed to explore the teaching and
learning resources needed for effective instruction in ODL and for teachers' continuing professional development at
these centers. A qualitative approach was employed to collect and analyze the data. The study was conducted in ODL
learning centers located in Dar es Salaam, Ruvuma, and Mbeya, involving 16 participants. These included four officials
from the Institute of Adult Education (IAE), three regional IAE coordinators, and nine center coordinators, all selected
purposefully. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, document reviews, and observational
checklists. The study revealed that regional learning centers faced shortages in financial resources, academic staff,
and equipment. Based on the study's findings, well-defined steps should be taken to solve the issues with teaching and
learning resources that this educational modality faces. The government should keep funding educational institutions,
especially ODL Learning institutions, as many of them failed to fulfill their stated objectives due to financial
limitations
Students' attitudes towards choosing agriculture as a career: A case of Bihawana Agricultural Secondary School in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania.
No full textISRG Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (ISRGJMS), pp. 40-50This study explores the attitudes of students towards agriculture as a career, with a specific focus on Bihawana Agricultural
Secondary School in Dodoma Municipal, Tanzania. Despite agriculture’s crucial role in Tanzania’s economy, there is a noticeable
decline in youth interest in pursuing it as a career. The research seeks to understand the factors influencing students' views on
agriculture, including personal preferences, societal perceptions, and the economic prospects associated with the field.
Understanding their attitudes is crucial for addressing this issue and attracting more individuals to this field. This study employed
a mixed-methods approach, including Questionnaires and interviews, to gather data from 60 students within Bihawana secondary
school. Quantitative data were analysed by using SPSS computer software and “content analysis” technique was used to analyse
qualitative data. The findings shows that, there is low percentage of students selected agriculture as their career path under their
own interest, this gives an alarm on the need to invest more in agricultural schools and knowledge on the importance of agriculture
in the country. Also it was found out that, most students choose agriculture as a career pass from home experience and due to lack
of other employment. Moreover it was revealed that although several students at Bihawana Agricultural Secondary School
acknowledge the significance of agriculture, some of them lack enthusiasm about it as a future career. Factors such as limited
exposure to advanced agricultural practices, societal stigma, and the attraction of higher-paying jobs in urban areas influence
their attitudes. The study suggests several measures to enhance agricultural education and interest to students, including, the
government to offer appropriate and high-quality education by providing positive technical supports for the students who choose
agriculture as their preferred career path by increased practical experiences, and media campaigns to shift perceptions and
encourage students to consider agriculture as a viable career option. Also, parents and the society at large to support and
encourage their children and youths to view agriculture with a positive eye and see it as a way of livelihoo
Morpho-syntactic analysis of sex-related euphemisms and the stretch of dysphemism in Swahili
No full textResearch articleThis paper analysed the morpho-syntax of sex-related euphemisms and their role in
stretching dysphemism in Swahili. Euphemism formation mechanisms are reliant upon
societal cultural values, which are not universal. Data were collected in Morogoro through
observations, interviews, and Informal Focus Group Discussions (IFGDs). Findings indicate
that the morpho-syntax of the noun and verb determines the formation of sex-related
euphemisms and the extent of dysphemism. In terms of noun morphosyntax, sex-related
euphemisms do not belong to the same class as taboos, amounting to 14 for male and 12
for female sexual body parts. Additionally, the class 9 agreement property -i is intentionally
used to form sex-related euphemisms, which can create humour but also stretch
dysphemism when uttered unintentionally. Regarding the morphosyntax of verbs, 40.9% of
those tested signify sex-related euphemisms in Swahili, depending on speakers' morpho-
syntactic manipulations. In conclusion, ignorance of Swahili morpho-syntactic structures may
contribute significantly to sex-related dysphemism. Therefore, this paper recommends
further study into how Swahili learners' morpho-syntactic structures may lead to sex-related
dysphemis
Prediction of soil texture using remote sensing data. a systematic review
No full textdoi: 10.3389/frsen.2024.1;18Soil particle size fractions play a critical role in determining soil health attributes,
including soil aeration, water infiltration and retention capacity, nutrients, and
organic matter dynamics. Traditional soil mapping methods rely predominantly
on ground-based surveys and laboratory analysis which are reported to be time-
consuming and expensive. To address these challenges, there has been a global
shift towards digital soil mapping (DSM) techniques that utilize remote sensing
data. This review, conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guideline, aims to provide
a comprehensive synthesis of the current state of soil texture prediction using
remote sensing data. In particular, the review extract and synthesizes the satellite
images used, identify the derived environmental covariates and their relative
importance, and assesses the prediction models/algorithms used in the
prediction of soil texture. Synthesis and analysis of 70 articles show that clay
content is the most predicted of the three soil particle fractions accounting for
37% of the reviewed studies predominantly from topsoil layer (74.29%). Sentinel
2 and Landsat 8 are reported as the most frequently used satellite images. Among
the covariates derived from these images, NDVI (80.4%) and SAVI (60.8%) are by
far the most derived band ratios (indices). Red (37.3%), NIR (35.3%), Green (33.3%),
Blue (33.3%), and SW2 (29.4%) bands were the five most incorporated as
covariates for soil texture prediction amongst individual satellite bands.
Regarding the DSM algorithms, Random Forest (RF) appeared in most
reviewed articles followed by Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Quantile
Regression Forest (QRF). The comparative model performance analysis
showed that RF and Artificial neural network (ANN) had a good trade-off
across validation metrics indicating their best performance in the prediction of
both clay, sand, and silt. The RF performance showed a decreasing trend with
increasing depth interval for clay and sand prediction and inconsistent for silt
prediction
Use of GIS and remote sensing techniques to evaluate the wetland degradation in the Wami Ruvu River Basin
No full textMSc DissertationWetlands are crucial ecosystems that provide numerous ecological
services, including water purification, flood control, and habitat for
diverse plant and animal species. During the last decade, around
50% of the earth’s wetlands have already been converted to
industrial, agricultural and residential use and these lands continue
to disappear at a shocking rate without their values being
understood. Wami Ruvu river basin in Tanzania is rich in wetlands, a
total of 2482 km2 of the area is covered by wetlands both floods
plain, marsh and swamp. Little information on wetland degradation
on extent, condition, trend and drivers on wetland degradation is
available Wami Ruvu river basin. However, the aim of the study was
to assess Historical wetland degradation and prediction of future
Wami-Ruvu Basin wetland change pattern.
Multi-temporal Landsat satellite data including thematic Mapper
Landsat (TM and ETM+) and Operational Land Imager (OLI) images
were used for land use/cover (LULC) mapping in the assessment of
wetland degradation and their distribution pattern based on the
LULC by the years 2000, 2010 and 2020.
A Random Forest
Classification (RFC) approach was employed to classify the Landsat
images into different land use/cover classes which included
wetlands, water bodies, agriculture, urban areas, bush lands, bare
lands, woodlands, and forest. The future wetland map of the study
area was developed using hybrid CA- Markov in Land Cover
modeler.
The study observed the trend based on the spatial dynamics during
the two decades Which showed a progressive decrease in the
collection of wetlands coverage throughout the region, although the
degradation rate varies in time coverage area as it was found to be
about 1209.0753Km2, 949Km2, 521.33Km2 and 213Km2 of wetland
was lost, for the year 2000, 2010, 2020 and 2050 for the individual
pixel values respectively. On the other hand, the studies revealed
that -34.41Km2/y of wetlands potentially are degraded annually due to human and natural stressors in 20 years of our study. Thus this
gradual decrease in wetland area is contributed mainly by the
increase of human activities within and surrounding the wetland
boundaries which is well observed in classified land use/cover
images with kappa statistics above 75%.
The results of this study will contribute to a better understanding of
wetland degradation in the Wami-Ruvu River Basin and facilitate
informed decision-making for wetland conservation and restoration
efforts. The findings will help identify priority areas for targeted
interventions and provide a baseline for monitoring future changes in
wetland condition and trend to attain the Sustainable Development
Goals
Competence based curriculum in practice: english curriculum implementation prospects and challenges in Mtama district secondary schools in Tanzania
No full textResearch articleThis study, conducted in Mtama District, Tanzania, addresses the challenges and highlights
prospects associated with implementing the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) in English
language education in secondary schools. The research, prompted by the district's observed
poor performance in English subjects and a lack of prior research, used a mixed-methods
approach involving random and purposeful sampling. The study focused on 21 English
teachers and 380 students, employing a complementary research design that integrated
qualitative methods such as interviews with quantitative techniques like Likert scale
questionnaires. The findings highlight the optimistic prospects of CBC implementation, as
perceived by both students and teachers. The curriculum is acknowledged for emphasizing
skill development, critical thinking, and real-world application. However, the study identified
significant challenges English teachers face, with external pressures and a shortage of
teaching resources standing out. External pressures, often driven by political and educational
authorities, hinder effective CBC adoption, leading to rushed syllabus coverage. Additionally,
a scarcity of materials impedes the curriculum’s delivery and effectiveness. In conclusion, the
study underscores the need for comprehensive efforts to address these challenges. It is
recommended to prioritise in-service training for English teachers, providing adequate
teaching materials, reducing class sizes, implementing language support programs, and
fostering a positive learning environment. By addressing these challenges, Mtama District can
enhance the quality of English language education, better prepare students for real-world
challenges, and contribute to the successful implementation of CB