SUAIRE (Sokoine Univ. of Agriculture)
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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
Assessing ecological literacy among secondary school students in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania
No full textJournal articleThis study assessed the ecological literacy among secondary school students in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania.
The study was conducted with a sample size of 396 secondary school students, consisting of both male and female
participants from different grade levels (form one to form four). Multiple data collection tools were utilized,
including an ecological literacy test, an environmental perception survey, and practical ecological exercises. The
findings indicated a relatively high overall ecological literacy level among the students, with an average score of
75% on the ecological literacy test. The scores ranged from 58% to 88%, demonstrating variability in students’
ecological knowledge, but the majority of students scored above the midpoint, showcasing a solid understanding
of ecological concepts. Additionally, the study revealed significant grade-level differences, with form four
students achieving the highest average score (80%), followed by form three (78%), form two (73%), and form one
(68%) students. Moreover, the study identified minimal gender differences, with both male and female students
exhibiting similar average scores on the ecological literacy test. The study’s findings underscore the effectiveness
of the current environmental education curriculum in Morogoro Municipality in promoting ecological knowledge
and fostering positive environmental attitudes among secondary school students
Implications of climate-smart aquaculture practices on households’ income and food security in Mwanza and Mara, Tanzania’s Lake Zone
No full textJournal ArticleBackground: Climate-Smart Aquaculture (CSAq) practices present significant opportunity for the mitigation of climate-related challenges within the aquaculture sub-sector, particularly in the Lake Zone of Tanzania, where aquaculture and fisheries are central to household well-being.
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of three CSAq practices—integrated farming, polyculture, and monoculture—on household income and food security.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2023 and February 2024, involving 384 aquaculture households across the Mara and Mwanza regions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including chi-square and t-tests, to determine the influence of CSAq practices on economic and food security outcomes.
Results: The findings revealed that integrated farming significantly enhanced both household income and food security, with participating households achieving a "Very Satisfactory" Household Food Security Index (HFSI) score. In Mara, where integrated farming was more prevalent, households reported significantly higher yields (3303 ± 155 kg) compared to those in Mwanza (2454 ± 146 kg; t = 4.96, p < 0.001). However, Mwanza exhibited significantly higher prices per kilogram (6719 ± 103 TSH) than Mara (5799 ± 122 TSH; t = -5.29, p < 0.001) attributed to superior market access and infrastructure. Polyculture practices, more frequently adopted in Mwanza (35.7%) than in Mara (21.8%), yielded variable impacts on income and food security. Chi-square analysis (χ² = 9.269, p = 0.010) indicated significant regional disparities in CSAq adoption, with Mara exhibiting higher adoption rates of integrated farming (69.3%) compared to Mwanza (56.0%).
Conclusions: This study confirmed that integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems significantly improve household income and food security, while monoculture increases vulnerability. Regional variations indicate higher yields in Mara, associated with the widespread adoption of integrated farming, whereas Mwanza benefited from enhanced market access and elevated fish prices. Strengthening financial access, training programs, and institutional support is crucial for enhancing CSAq adoption. Key recommendations include the expansion of extension services, the improvement of market infrastructure, and the fortification of cooperative support systems to ensure sustainable aquaculture
Navigating grassroots innovation journey in Tanzania: factors shaping innovation
No full textJournal articleGrassroots innovation is increasingly recognized for its potential to address localized challenges
and promote sustainable development. This study addressed the factors influencing grassroots
innovation journeys in Tanzania, utilizing PESTLE and SWOT analysis frameworks. A cross-
sectional design was used to collect qualitative data guided by a semi-structured questionnaire from
35 grassroots innovators. 16 innovators were purposively selected from the Tanzania Commission
for Science and Technology (COSTECH) innovators database, 11 were purposively selected from Mashindano ya Kitaifa ya Sayansi, Teknolojia na Ubunifu (MAKISATU) databases and 8 innovators
were purposively selected from 2020, 2021 and 2022 and participants in the 45 th and 46th Dar es
Salaam International Trade Fair Exhibition (SABASABA) in 2021 and 2022. Key informant
interviews and observations supplemented the collected data, identifying different prototypes
according to the stages of innovation. Innovators were selected from 11 sectors: Agriculture,
Information and Communication Technology, Environment, Energy, Engineering, Education, Health,
Security, Transport, Industrial and Water. The findings highlight the critical role of political support,
economic stability, technological access and community engagement in fostering successful
grassroots innovation journeys. The study offers policy recommendations to enhance the
effectiveness and sustainability of grassroots innovation initiatives in Tanzania. Emphasizing the
need for stable funding, robust legal frameworks and holistic approach to address multifaceted
challenges. This includes policy reforms, economic incentives, societal attitude shifts, technological
support, legal clarity and infrastructural improvements. By tackling these issues comprehensively,
Tanzania can create a more vibrant and inclusive innovation ecosystem, unlocking the potential of
its innovators to drive sustainable development and economic growth
Extension advisory services on farmer’s climate change mitigation strategies in Misungwi district, Tanzania: issues and options
No full textJournal articleThis study evaluates the impact of extension advisory services on farmers’ climate change
mitigation strategies. Questionnaires were completed by 64 extension agents and data were
analysed using descriptive statistics. The study found that the most common method used for
identifying farmers’ climate change adaptation needs is extension agents visiting farmers (84.6%),
followed by training sessions are less frequently used (26.2%), and other methods are rarely
employed (1.5%). Insufficient training on climate change, with a frequency of 55, resource constraints, reported by around 49 respondents and limited access to climate information also stand
out as a significant issue, with a frequency of about 41, and lastly knowledge barriers with 39
respondents were shown as the challenges encountered during dissemination of advisory services
to farmers. This study revealed that majority (56.9%) of extension agents reported receiving
transport facilities, while 41.5% had access to timely updated information. Though, only 18.5% of
respondents indicated receiving regular training. This study concludes that the majority of extension
agents have reported that they do not receive sufficient support in their efforts to educate farmers
on how to adapt to climate change. The extension agents are not prepared to deal with the
complexities of climate change, despite the fact that they rely on personal visits to capture the
needs of the farmers. The low level of diversity engagement approaches, the low rates of hands-on
training, and the moderate perceptions of comfort in communicating climate information are all
indicators that this is the case. In addition, many extension agents believe that the increase of these
concerns is caused by resource problems, which include inadequate access to timely information,
inadequate training, and inadequate financial resources. This study recommends that the
government should allocate enough resources aimed at supporting the extension agents in fulfilling
their operations
Organic spices farming in west districts, Zanzibar: it’s contribution to income of smallholder farmers.
No full textAsian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research Volume 25, Issue 7, Page 95-107Aims: In recent years, organic agriculture has been gaining considerable importance. Many
farmers today show interest all over the world in organic farming. The concept of organic farming is
not new, but it has been scantly studied. Organic spice farming is therefore, requires to be studied
widely. Spice production is a popular economic activity in Zanzibar. The purpose of this study was
to assess the contribution of organic spice farming to income of the smallholder farmers.
Study Design: The study adopted a cross-sectional research design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in two districts of Zanzibar, the West and
Central districts between August 2018 and September 2018.
Methodology: A random sampling procedure was used to obtain 120 households. The households
were categorized from three clusters namely: merely organic, certified organic and inorganic spice
farming farmers. Data were collected using a household questionnaire survey.
Results: Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Among the three types of spice
farming, inorganic spice farming averagely produced 174.3 kg/household, followed by merely
organic (86.3 kg/household) and certified organic (70.2 kg/household). However, certified spice
farming households earned in average 565 900 TAS higher than others (merely organic (361 170
TAS) and inorganic (350 500 TAS)). Further, certified spices contributed to 26.2% of the total
household’s income, followed by merely organic (23.1%) and inorganic (19.0%) spices.
Conclusion: The study concludes that spice farming increased income among households.
Therefore, there is a need of putting more effort in spice farming improvement, particularly certified
organic spice farming as it gives high earnings to the households
Assessment of food hygiene knowledge, attitude and practices of night street food vendors in Morogoro, Tanzania
No full textJournal ArticleThe consumption of street food is associated with the provision of unhealthy, unsafe, and
nutritionally unbalanced meals, presenting a public health concern. This study was designed to
assess food safety knowledge, attitude and practices of night street food vendors in Morogoro
Municipality. A cross-sectional study involved 256-night street food vendors was performed, using
a structured questionnaire. The results reported that most of the vendors were females (77%) and
half of the vendors were aged between 20 to 30 years. Majority of vendors ,62.9% had been
vending food for 4-5 years. Generally, the study revealed medium attitudes (95.3%) and moderat
Contextual drivers of climate-smart agroforestry adoption in Bugesera and Rulindo agroecosystems of Rwanda
No full textJournal ArticleThis study examined 381 farmers from two regions in Rwanda to investigate how contextual factors at the field
level interact with climate-smart agroforestry (CSAF) practices. Farmers were categorized as low (LAD), medium
(MAD), and high (HAD) adopters based on tree counts. Various contextual factors — notably location, demographics,
assets, farm characteristics, and institutional variables — were analyzed using descriptive statistics,
Pearson correlation, logit regression, and propensity score matching. Farmers in Bugesera had larger farms and
higher tree counts than those in Rulindo, resulting in greater farm income in Bugesera. Positive correlations were
found among altitude, slope, erosion class, gender, household size, poverty level, income source, marital status,
education, farm area, cropping practices, farm-river distance, changes in CSAF cover, population dynamics, and
LAD. CSAF farms outperformed monoculture farms regarding cassava, maize, and bean yields, particularly in
Bugesera and Rulindo among larger landholdings. Logit regression analysis showed that combinations of
multipurpose trees and crop planting significantly improved farm yields, with household size and farm size being
critical factors for CSAF adoption. Propensity score matching confirmed the positive effects of CSAF practices on
farm yield and income, contributing to enhanced rural well-being. These findings underscore the crucial role of
CSAF in promoting well-being. The results encourage stakeholders to develop strategies for CSAF. While these
findings are specific to local contexts, they may hold potential relevance at regional and global levels. This of charcoal to the City of Kigali, rendering it treeless and semi- arid. Concerted efforts are needed to develop irrigation schemes and subsidize tree seedlings for farmers to contend with drought and increase and sustain production in this region, known as food insecure
Comparing ARFIMA and ARIMA models in forecasting under five mortality rate in Tanzania
No full textJournal articleTanzania has been taking various measures to drop the Under-Five Mortality Rate (UFMR), but the pace to
meet national and global UFMR targets has been slow. Nevertheless, the decline for the past years has
continued to be low as compared to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target which is set at 25 deaths/1000 live births by 2030. The lack of statistical modeling-based forecast values of UFMR results into
setting targets that are not SMART towards the realization of national and international goals of the health
sector. Thus, the current study uses both ARFIMA and ARIMA to make forecasts of UFMR in Tanzania
from 2021 to 2030 by using data extracted from the World Databank - World Development Indicators (WDI).
Also, an accuracy comparison between the ARFIMA and ARIMA best-fit models in forecasting UFMR was
conducted. The forecasts from the best ARFIMA (1, 0.284243, 2) model indicate that by June 2026 the rate
will on average be 41 deaths/1,000 live births as compared to the Tanzanian Five Year Development Plan
Phase III (TFYDP-III) target of 40 deaths/1,000 live births; whereas the best fit ARIMA (1, 2, 0) model
forecasts depict that the rate will be 40.1 deaths/1,000 live births as compared to the TFYDP-III target. In
relation to the UN SDGs target of 25 deaths/1,000 live births by 2030, the ARFIMA (1, 0.284243, 2) model
forecast values indicate that by 2030, Tanzania will experience a decrease in UFMR to 35.2 deaths/1,000 live
births. The ARIMA (1, 2, 0) forecast values indicate that by 2030, Tanzania will experience a decrease in
UFMR to 32.9 deaths/1,000 live births. The results of using RMSE and MAPE forecasting model accuracy
measures reveal that the ARFIMA (1, 0.284243, 2) model performs better than ARIMA (1, 2, 0) in
forecasting UFMR
Farmers’ willingness to pay for hermetic storage bags: The effects of training and free trial
No full textJournal articleMaize is a staple food for smallholder farmers in Africa, but poor postharvest management leads to high grain
losses, contributing to food insecurity. Improved on-farm storage such as hermetic storage bags can reduce these
losses, yet their adoption remains low. Full one-off subsidies can be an effective development policy to enhance
technology adoption. However, policymakers are often opposed to such subsidies, arguing that it lowers will
ingness to pay (WTP) once the subsidy ends and thereby constrains the future market. Using the Becker-DeGroot-
Marschak (BDM) mechanism to investigate WTP and building on a prior randomized control trial among
smallholders in Tanzania, this study analyzes how prior free distribution influences long-term WTP for hermetic
storage bags (six years later). Additionally, we analyze how offering a deferred payment option influences
farmers’ WTP for hermetic storage bags. We find that the prior provision of free hermetic storage bags had
decreased WTP. As an alternative intervention, we show that providing the opportunity to pay later increases
WTP as compared to immediate payment. The study highlights that free technology provision may reduce future
market engagement but a pay later option can be considered as a valuable policy tool for quick technology
dissemination