SUAIRE (Sokoine Univ. of Agriculture)
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Effects of social media detox interventions on anxiety and sleep patterns among adolescents in selected secondary schools in Morogoro region
No full textJournal articleThis quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of a two-week social media detox
intervention on anxiety levels and sleep quality among adolescents in selected secondary schools
in Morogoro Region, Tanzania. A total of 95 Form Three students (aged 15–17) were involved,
divided into two intact classes: an experimental group from Tushikamane Secondary School
(n=48) that abstained from social media and a control group (n=47) from Tubuyu secondary
school that continued regular use. Pre- and post-tests utilized the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-
7 (GAD-7) scale and a Sleep Quality Self-Report Index. The intervention included guided
abstinence from platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, complemented
by journaling, mindfulness exercises, and psychoeducation. Independent samples t-tests
revealed that the experimental group had significantly lower post-test anxiety scores (M=5.12,
SD=1.84) compared to the control group (M=8.23, SD=2.01), t(93)=-7.31, p<.001. Similarly,
sleep quality improved significantly in the intervention group (p<.01). These findings align with
international literature on digital wellness and support the feasibility of implementing low-cost,
school-based screen-time interventions. The study concludes that structured social media detox
programs can meaningfully enhance adolescent mental health and sleep patterns and
recommends their integration into school counseling and health education initiatives in
Tanzania
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
Industrialization and economic development in Tanzania from independence to today: a review of historical strategies, challenges and prospects
No full textSouth Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics Volume 22, Issue 7, Page 319-332Tanzania got her independence from the British in 1961, by then, Tanganyika, before joining
Zanzibar in 1964. Tanzania started the move towards industrialization just after the independence
in 1961. The Industrial development in Tanzania is categorized in various phases namely
immediately after independence, during Ujamaa na kujitegemea (Socialism & Self-reliance
ideology) after the Arusha Declaration of 1967, economic and political reforms in mid 1980s,
beyond 1996 - privatization and establishment of private sectors, and free market economy period to date. The Industrial Development in Tanzania was strengthened in 2000s when the Tanzania
Development Vision (TDV) 2025 was formulated with the aim of enabling the country to reach the
semi-industrialized economy by 2025. Various strategies and economic development plans have
been formulated in order to meet the TDV 2025. Many industrial development efforts were
observed such as constructions of infrastructures such as buildings for offices, hotels, roads,
railways, marine facilities, purchasing of airplanes, and establishment of power energy plants and
service delivery facilities. However, the Industrial Development sector faced a number of
challenges. The challenges include lack of capital, Inadequate supply of power, lack of technical
skills, discontinuation of policies between succeeding regimes, price fluctuation, unstable
currencies, corruption and economic crises due to various shocks such as the Tanzania –Uganda
war of 1978/1979. However, the Industrial development in Tanzania keeps on pacing since
independence 1961 to date. Industrialization in Tanzania has a positive, though complex,
relationship with economic growth. In order to improve development of industries and country’s
economic growth towards achieving the TDV 2025, the challenges and constraints which hinders
industrial development should be evaded
Analysing rice (Oryza sativa L.) production trends area harvested, quantity and yield stability in Tanzania
No full textResearch articleThis study examined the trends in rice (Oryza sativa L.) production and yield stability in Tanzania, with a focus on harvested
area, total production, and yield per unit land area. We utilized data from FAOSTAT (https://w
ww.fao.org/faostat/en/#
home), focusing on the "Production Domains (Crop and Livestock Products)" for the "United Republic of Tanzania."
Filters were applied for "Area harvested," "Yield," and "Production Quantity" under "Items (Crops, Primary)" for the period
2000–2022. Other data and information were obtained from literature and government official reports. Mixed statistical
analyses (Univariate and Multivariate) were performed. The univariate was performed to assess harvested area, total
production, and grain yield through descriptive statistics, while multivariate analysis examined relationships among these
variables and yield stability using Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The results
revealed a significant increase in the area harvested, peaking at 481,000 hectares in 2020, compared to 250,000 hectares
in 2000. Yield fluctuations were notable, with a significant decline in 2008 (− 729.29 kg ha−1) followed by a recovery in
2018 (791.28 kg ha−1). A strong positive correlation was confirmed between harvested area and production (0.00035791)
and yield (0.0013233). PCA results demonstrated that the first three principal components accounted for 87% of the total
variance. Statistical tests showed substantial yield differences between 2000 and 2010, reaching 720,690.1 kg ha− 1, with
yield stability between 2021 and 2022 noted, resulting in a minor difference of 18,802.6 kg ha−1. The findings reveal that
harvested area significantly affects rice production, but yield variability remains a challenge. While expanding cultivated
areas has increased output, yield stability is a concern. This emphasizes the need for targeted strategies to optimize
cultivation and enhance food security amid changing agricultural conditions
Effect of processing on nutritional and sensory quality of orange-fleshed sweet potato’s porridge and Ugali (stiff-porridge) consumed in the Lake Zone, Tanzania
No full textJournal ArticleThe orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is a nutrient-rich crop with high β-carotene content, which helps prevent vitamin A
deficiency (VAD). However, its semi-perishability requires proper processing to preserve its nutritional and sensory properties.
This study assessed the effects of sun and solar drying on the proximate composition, β-carotene, vitamin C, mineral content, and
sensory attributes of OFSP porridge and Ugali (stiff porridge) consumed in the Lake zone of Tanzania. Three variety of OFSP;
Ejumla, Jewel, and Carrot Dar, were subjected to solar or sun-drying and subsequently processed into flour. The resulting flours
were used to produce porridge and Ugali (stiff porridge). Conventional techniques were employed to evaluate the proximate
composition, β-carotene, vitamin C, and micronutrient content of porridge and Ugali (stiff porridge). Additionally, sensory
analysis was performed to assess the level of acceptability of the items' sensory qualities. There was a significant difference in
moisture content, crude protein, and crude fat between porridge and Ugali (stiff porridge) for all three varieties of OFSP
(p<0.05). Moreover, solar-dried products had higher retention of β-carotene (28.79 mg/100 g) and vitamin C (3.29-10.45 mg/100
g). Sun-dried products had lower mineral content than solar-dried products. There was also a significant difference (p<0.05)
between solar and sun-dried products in all tested essential minerals. The nutrients analyzed were more concentrated in stiff
porridge than in regular porridge, such as calcium (21.65mg/100g), potassium (90.70mg/100g), Sodium (169.98mg/100g),
magnesium (13.26mg/100g) and zinc (0.51mg/100g). Solar-dried items had the highest acceptability scores (3.0–3.9) compared
to sun-dried products, with Ejumla being the most preferred. The findings depict that solar drying preserves OFSP-based food's
nutritional and sensory quality better. Solar-dried OFSP may reduce vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and improve nutritional
security in Tanzania
Determinants of effective livestock-based drought risk management among pastoral communities: evidence from Handeni District, Tanzania
No full textThe sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH), pp. 11-18Drought poses a persistent threat to pastoral livelihoods globally, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions
where livestock-based systems are dominant. Despite the centrality of livestock to pastoralist livelihoods, empirical
knowledge on the determinants of effective drought risk management remains limited. This study investigated livestock-based
risk management and coping mechanisms among 160 pastoralist households in Handeni District, Tanga Region, Tanzania. A
cross-sectional design was employed, using structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews.
Data were analyzed using SPSS, applying multiple linear regression to identify statistically significant predictors of effective
drought coping mechanisms. The regression model was statistically significant (F = 13.261, df = 9, p < 0.005), explaining
44.3% (R² = 0.443) of the variance in drought risk management effectiveness. Key predictors included herd mobility (β =
91.749, p = 0.001), pastoral systems and early warning information (β = 316.537, p < 0.001), land size (β = 2.854, p =
0.004), and access to timely markets (β = 11.516, p = 0.021). These findings underscore the critical role of mobility and
access to climate and market information in enhancing pastoral resilience to drought. Notably, herd mobility was the most
adopted practice, with 66.9% of respondents indicating migration in search of pasture and water as a key adaptive strategy.
The study concludes that enhancing drought early warning systems, securing grazing lands, and promoting mobility-friendly
policies are vital to effective livestock-based drought risk management. It recommends the integration of local knowledge
systems with formal risk analysis and planning, ensuring participatory decision-making from grassroots to national levels.
Strengthening institutional support, land tenure systems, and timely market access will improve adaptive capacities and
contribute to sustainable pastoral livelihoods under increasing drought conditions
Enhancing the safety of meat products through chemical and microbiological control: a review
No full textJournal ArticleIn today's market, consumers are increasingly demanding meat that is not only safe and of the
highest quality but also minimally processed and free from unnecessary additives. To meet these
evolving expectations, innovative antimicrobial systems and advanced technologies are being
developed, aligning with modern trends and lifestyles. From the moment of slaughter to the point of
sale, meat is vulnerable to contamination from various sources, both internal and external. These
protective approaches help consumer health by lowering the frequency of foodborne pathogens,
which include Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli, among others, that trigger illness.
Implementing rigorous hygienic practices is crucial to minimising microbial risks during processing.
Chemical and microbiological control measures, such as the use of organic acids, nitrates, nitrites,
bacteriocins, and stringent temperature regulation, are employed to safeguard meat quality. The
preservation technology enables microbial deactivation alongside meat quality maintenance an
Industrialization and economic development in Tanzania from independence to today: a review of historical strategies, challenges and prospects
No full textSouth Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics Volume 22, Issue 7, Page 319-332Tanzania got her independence from the British in 1961, by then, Tanganyika, before joining
Zanzibar in 1964. Tanzania started the move towards industrialization just after the independence
in 1961. The Industrial development in Tanzania is categorized in various phases namely
immediately after independence, during Ujamaa na kujitegemea (Socialism & Self-reliance
ideology) after the Arusha Declaration of 1967, economic and political reforms in mid 1980s,
beyond 1996 - privatization and establishment of private sectors, and free market economy period to date. The Industrial Development in Tanzania was strengthened in 2000s when the Tanzania
Development Vision (TDV) 2025 was formulated with the aim of enabling the country to reach the
semi-industrialized economy by 2025. Various strategies and economic development plans have
been formulated in order to meet the TDV 2025. Many industrial development efforts were
observed such as constructions of infrastructures such as buildings for offices, hotels, roads,
railways, marine facilities, purchasing of airplanes, and establishment of power energy plants and
service delivery facilities. However, the Industrial Development sector faced a number of
challenges. The challenges include lack of capital, Inadequate supply of power, lack of technical
skills, discontinuation of policies between succeeding regimes, price fluctuation, unstable
currencies, corruption and economic crises due to various shocks such as the Tanzania –Uganda
war of 1978/1979. However, the Industrial development in Tanzania keeps on pacing since
independence 1961 to date. Industrialization in Tanzania has a positive, though complex,
relationship with economic growth. In order to improve development of industries and country’s
economic growth towards achieving the TDV 2025, the challenges and constraints which hinders
industrial development should be evaded
Impact of northern Tanzania potato system improvement project on income and food security of smallholder farmers in Arusha district, Tanzania
No full textJournal articlePotatoes are a staple crop with substantial potential to enhance the income and food security of smallholder
farmers in Tanzania. This study assesses the impact of the Northern Tanzania Potato System Improvement (NTPSI) project on
smallholder farmers in Arusha District, focusing on both economic and food security outcomes. Using a cross-sectional
survey of 192 farmers, comprising both participants and non-participants of the NTPSI project, the study applied Propensity
Score Matching (PSM) to address selection bias and ensure robust comparison. Key outcome indicators included Gross
Margin (GM) for income, Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), and Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS)
for food security. The results reveal that participation in NTPSI significantly improved economic returns and food security.
Specifically, the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT) showed that participants had a mean gross margin increase
of TZS 512,000 per acre compared to non-participants (p < 0.01). Moreover, the HDDS score increased by an average of 2.4
points (p < 0.01), indicating better household dietary diversity, while the HFIAS score decreased by 3.7 points (p < 0.05),
suggesting reduced food insecurity. These statistically significant findings confirm the effectiveness of the NTPSI project in
enhancing smallholder livelihoods. The study underscores the transformative potential of integrated agricultural
interventions, such as improved seed distribution, farmer training, and access to extension services, on rural incomes and
nutrition. The evidence supports scaling similar programs across potato-producing regions in Tanzania to contribute to
achieving SDGs 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger)
Influences of independent variables on the adoption of recommended coffee production practices in Siha District, Kilimanjaro Region
No full textJournal articleAims: The adoption of recommended coffee agricultural practices is critical for enhancing the
productivity and sustainability of smallholder coffee farmers. This study explores the influences of
independent variables on the adoption of these practices.
Study Design: A quantitative method was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires
administered to the sample size of 198 smallholder farmers.
Methodology: Data were analysed using SPSS version 20 with descriptive statistics (frequencies
and percentages) to assess adoption levels. The Probit regression model was applied to evaluate
the likelihood that a farmer adopts a given practice based on a set of explanatory variables. The
regression examined the association between adoption decision and independent variables, including access to loan, annual income, gender, access to training, number of coffee plants, farm
size and educational level.
Results: The findings revealed that adoption rate varied across different coffee practices, while
some practices like shade adoption and weeding are widely adopted, others like Integrated pest
management (IPM) and pesticides use need more support to be widely implemented. Income, land
size and access to training were found to significantly affect the adoption of many practices. Income
and access to training were associated with the adoption of more advanced practices suggesting
farmers with greater financial resources and knowledge are more likely to implement these
practices. On the other hand, marital status and gender has no significant influence on adoption of
most practices.
Conclusion: The study concludes that addressing access to credits and education challenges
among smallholder farmers can significantly improve the adoption of these practices, thereby
increasing productivity and farmers income. Based on these finding practical training program to
improve farmers knowledge, financial support to farmers and targeted interventions for younger
farmers should be emphasized