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Sokoine University of Agriculture  Institutional Repository (SUA IR). This repository was built and is maintained by the university library  (Sokoine National Agricultural Library-SNAL) , in order to collect, preserve and disseminate scholarly output generated by University research community (staff and students) members.

This repository hosts a variety of openly accessible materials including: scholarly articles and books, theses and dissertations, conference proceedings and technical reports. For assistance about depositing your research output in the repository click here. SUA IR Policy  click here or any queries contact us at snal@sua.ac.tz.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 14

Recent Submissions

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Effect of refugees on plant diversity, forest stocks and forest cover in north-east Mpanda forest reserve, Mpanda district, Tanzania.
(Sokone University of Agriculture, 2013) Sotery N.L
This study on the effect of refugees on plant diversity, forest stock and forest covers was conducted in North-East Mpanda Forest Reserve (NEMFR), Mpanda District. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing refugees' forest-based activities, quantifying effect of refugees' disturbances on forest slocks, assessing the effect of refugees on plant diversity and quantifying the forest cover changes between 1972/73-1994 and 1994- 2009. Structured interview and checklist were used to collect socio-economic data from Katumba refugee camp villages and one village from native community. Biophysical data was collected through forest inventory procedures and remote sensing and GIS techniques. The forest was stratified into disturbed and undisturbed strata of 33 and 135 sample plots respectively. Descriptive statistics were established through SPSS software whereas, content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Inventory data was analysed by Microsoft excel. Satellite imageries covering a period from 1972/73 to 2009 were analysed by GIS techniques using Arc View GIS and ERDAS. Results revealed that refugees illegally accessed NEMFR mainly for agriculture, residences, fuelwood and poaching. Stand density was 595±26.01 (SE), 663±25.07 (SE) and 254±58.5 (SE) stems/ha for the whole NEMFR, undisturbed and disturbed strata respectively. Basal area was 15.68±0.76 (SE), 18.62±0.71 (SE) and 2.12±0.59 (SE) m2/ha for NEMFR, undisturbed and disturbed strata respectively. Volume was 151.60±8.22 (SE), 182.10±8.17 (SE) and 17.45±5.76 (SE) m3/ha for NEMFR, undisturbed and disturbed strata respectively. Statistically, the above three parameters with reference to undisturbed and disturbed strata were significantly different (pO.OOOl) implying disturbed strata was less stocked attributable to anthropogenic activities. Shannon-Wiener indices were 3.26±0.007 (SE), 3.24±0.007 (SE) and 2.73±0.05 (SE) for NEMFR, undisturbed and disturbed strata respectively. Cover change analysis deduced a widespread forest cover changes attributable to refugees disturbances. The study concluded that legal residence of refugees in NEMFR has significantly resulted into reduced wood stocks, plant diversity and forest cover.
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Evaluation of farmers participation in oilseeds value addition and implication on their income: a case of sunflower in Kilosa
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2011) Abdallah, G. F
This study aimed at evaluating farmers participation in the value addition to oilseeds and its implication on their income with special emphasis on sunflower. The general objective was to increase production and income generation through value addition in the rural sunflower potential areas of Tanzania. Specifically the study aimed to: assess processing capacity and utilization, identify factors influencing farmer participation in value addition, describe marketing channels of fanner value added sunflower, describe oil millers’ constraints and assess the change in value of sunflower produce due to processing. Structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data from purposefully selected 205 respondents: 100 participating, 100 non participating farmers and five oil millers from eight villages. Discussions and participatory observations methods were also used. The logit model was estimated using data from 200 farmers to test the hypothesis that socio-economic and institutional factors influence fanner participation in value addition. The results indicate that milling capacity is about 11 280 kg per day of which only about 32.3% is utilized at peak period and about 14.3% when sunflower is scarce. Processed sunflower increased in value by about 62.7% and most of the products were sold in the village. Education and price had significant positive influences while inadequate knowledge, low household income and poor market information had significant negative influence. In order to improve value addition there should be effective fanners involvement in the process of imparting knowledge to them. Reliable market information system countrywide which can effectively connects producers and buyers, electricity and rural road network need as well to be in place.
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Economic assessment of niche market arrangements in the fruit and vegetable value Chain in Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2013) Goodluck,Annette
The main objective of this study is to create an understanding of the existing niche market arrangements for high value products and to determine how small scale fanners can tap into and sustain the niche markets channels. The study specifically assessed niche market requirements for fruits and vegetables and the institutional arrangements that develop and sustain trade relations between buyers and sellers. The study also analysed the effects of transaction costs on market arrangements, linkages and relationship among traders, the benefits of complying with the standards and factors affecting such benefits. Both primaiy and secondary data were collected. Primary data was collected through questionnaires which were administered to the niche markets, niche market suppliers (NMS) and the open market sellers (OMS) through stratified simple random sampling technique with proportionate allocation. Secondary data was collected from niche markets. By using SPSS descriptive statistics analysed the data. Qualitative method using structural theoretical analysis and quantitative methods using t-test and OLS regression were used as tools for analysing the objectives. The study found out that niche markets demanded high quality, mature, colourful and big but uniform size products. To ensure they obtain such quality products niche markets were found working on contractual basis with NMS and pay visits to where NMS source the vegetables. Most niche markets paid the NMS on credit basis. The study found out that selling vegetables to the niche markets generates more profit than selling in the open markets while NMS performing other businesses than fruits and vegetables earn lower profit margins. To earn higher profit margins the study recommended that farmers and NMS should trade directly with niche markets and specialise in the fruit and vegetable business respectively. The government, financial institutions and SACCOS should finance these farmers especially those working on credit basis with niche markets.
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Productivity and physical workload of cutting crews in sao hill softwood plantations
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1996) Malisa,Emilson Jeremiah
Physical workload and cutting of productivity two-man raker and peg toothed saws were compared when clearfelling a Pinus elliottii compartment in Sao Hill forest plantation. Three logging crews working with the two types of saw were studied between July and October 1990. Heart rate data was collected after every 30 seconds using a SPORT TESTER while maximum aerobic power was estimated using sub-maximal tests on a cycle ergometer respectively. A total of 1271 trees with an average Dbh of 25 cm were felled and bucked into logs. Analysis of the data revealed that: (a) Effective cutting time when using raker and peg toothed saws were 8.8 and 9.6 min/tree respectively. For a 7 hour workday only about 4.7 hours were spent for productive work. (b) Raker-toothed saws had higher rates than peg-toothed saws. cutting production Production rates raker and peg- toothed saws ranged from 3.25 for 3.6 and 2.98 - 3.16 m3/crew - h respectively. (c) The heart rates of the workers during effective cutting time were 112 - 117 and 115 - 118 beats/minIll when using raker and peg-toothed saws respectively. Maximum aerobic power of the workers averaged 2.54 1/min ranging from 2.37 to 2.74 1/min. (d) Oxygen consumption rate was on the average 1.23 1/min ranging from 1.11 1.30 1/min when using raker- toothed saws. The demand averaged 1.28 1/min with peg-toothed saws ranging from 1.14 - 1.38 1/min. Thus energy demand when using peg-toothed saws was about 28% higher than for raker-toothed saw cutting. This indicated that raker- toothed saws could be a better choice for cutting operation. (e) Physical workload on the workers when cutting using the two types differences. of saws showed no significant The workload indices during effective cutting time using raker and peg-toothed saws were 43.7 52.6 % and 44.8 53.6% respectively. This showed that the cutting operation was a moderate energy demanding job.
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The contribution of warehouse receipt system to creditaccessibility in Babati district, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2020) Marco,Paul
This study examined how Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) has assisted Small Scale Farmers (SSFs) to access credit from financial institutions in Babati district, Manyara region. Experiences from 100 farmers who have used WRS in Qash and Magugu villages were gathered using a structured questionnaire to specifically find: SSF understanding on credit accessibility through WRS, effectiveness of WRS to credit accessibility. Furthermore, checklist was employed to find the number of SSF credited and benefits obtained. Finally, to recommend what should be done to make the system beneficial to a large number of farmers. Purposive technique was used to select two villages and simple random sampling was employed to obtain 100 respondents. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that WRS is effective in linking SSF to financial institutions. Three hundred eighty four SSFs in villages of Magugu and Qash were aware of the system and had access to WRS. Ninety nine percent of the respondents had accessed credit from commercial banks. Ninety nine out of 100 respondents reported that credit has a significant role to play in improving livelihood of rural people. Credit accrued enabled 28 respondents in house construction and 24 afforded health and education services. Moreover, 18 respondents had access to agricultural inputs while 12 respondents initiated small business enterprises. These justify encouragement of credit to rural people. The following recommendations were put forward: first, the Government of Tanzania should take a deliberate effort to promote and replicate WRS in other regions by involving a wide range of crop varieties. Second, the government is advised to improve infrastructure (roads) that connect villages, district headquarters to main roads in order to speed up crop production and productivity. Third, to stabilize prices of farm produce to safeguard the SSFs. Credit providers to SSFs are urged to reduce interest rate to encourage SSFs to borrow from them. Adding value to farm produce is of crucial importance to assist farmers to fetch good prices for their produce.