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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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- The Agroforesty Community is a collaborative network dedicated to advancing sustainable land-use practices that integrate trees, crops, and livestock. It serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, research dissemination, and practical innovations in Agroforestry. By fostering connections among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and local communities, the Agroforestry Community promotes environmental conservation, enhanced agricultural productivity, and resilient livelihoods.
Recent Submissions
Rapid chromosomal evolution in the mesic four-striped grass rat rhabdomys dilectus (rodentia, muridae) revealed by mtDNA phylogeographic analysis
(Blackwell Verlag GmbH, 2011-04-27) Castiglia, Riccardo; Solano, Emanuela; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Hulselmans, Jan; Verheyen, Erik; Colangelo, Paolo
The mesic four-striped grass rat Rhabdomys dilectus De Winton, 1897 is distributed in mesic regions of southern and eastern Africa. We carried
out a molecular and chromosomal study of the northernmost populations of the species to provide insight into the subspecific boundaries
identified within the species and to describe its genetic structure in Eastern Africa. Maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and neighbour-
joining methods were used to construct phylogenetic relationships among all the haplotypes belonging to the large part of the species range. Times
of divergences were estimated assuming a relaxed molecular clock with two calibration points. We identified three well-supported clades within
R. dilectus. One basal clade corresponding to Rhabdomys d. chakae (2n = 48) is found in South Africa. Two additional sister clades
corresponding to R. d. dilectus (2n = 48 and 2n = 46) are allopatrically distributed in southern and northern parts of the species range. Genetic
divergence among the three clades is relatively high (ranges 4.2–5.7%). A very divergent new karyotype 2n = 38, FNa = 60 was found in two
high-altitude populations on Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro. The karyotype differences consist in three Robertsonian fusions and one whole-arm
reciprocal translocation. Interestingly, the mtDNA phylogeny does not match with the diploid numbers. In fact, the 2n = 38 specimens form a
monophyletic group within a clade that includes specimens with the 2n = 46 karyotype that appears as paraphyletic. We estimated the new
karyotype originated in peripatric condition during the last phases of the Pleistocene. This study confirms the importance of chromosomal
analysis in detecting taxonomic units and cryptic diversity in rodents.
Assessment of factors contributing to the rejection of cotton as a substitute cash crop for cashew nut in Kisarawe District.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2013) Msosa, Evance Gabriel
The living standard of the majority of people in Kisarawe District is relatively low.
In respect of this situation, the District authority in Kisarawe decided to introduce the
cotton fanning intervention programme in order to substitute the dwindling cashew nut.
However the attempt failed. The objective of the study was therefore to examine the
reasons of failure brought about by the intervention programme in the area. Data were
collected using interview schedule assisted by the focus group discussion. The cross
section survey design was used in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse
data by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer programme.
The major findings of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents were not
aware of the cotton farming programme, though they were ambitious to know more about
the programme. Furthermore, the study revealed that the big problem was inappropriate
approach employed by the authority to win the interests of smallholders that resulted into
failing to conduct some extension and adoption procedures including the needs
assessment. Also the entire theme was poorly addressed to the society.
The study
recommends that the Kisarawe District Council should critically review the entire cotton
farming programme and re-introduce the programme by following all the necessary
extension and adoption procedures. Also where possible the District Council should
establish contract with the fanners to assure output sustainability to buyers and steady
cash flow to the farmers.
The entrepreneurship potential of rural areas: soap production as a side business for Tanzanian rice farmers
(Arca Academic Publisher, 2022) Tsuchiya, Y.; Swai, T.A.; Takahashi, K.; Wakamatsu, T.; Watari, R.; Nsenga, J.V.
Purpose: This study examines soap production’s entrepreneurship potential and profitability
as a supplementary business for rural rice farmers in Tanzania to promote their economic
independence.
Design/ Methodology/ Approach: We randomly sampled and interviewed about ten small-
scale soap manufacturers in urban Tanzania gathered from 2019-2021 to develop a soap
production business strategy for rural farmers at a similar scale. Considering the Voronoi theory,
we calculated the distance from the rural areas to urban centres to determine the transportation
costs, which particularly burden rural farmers. Soap production costs and profitability were
determined based on transportation costs and raw material prices.
Findings: Rural farmers would incur high transportation costs, given the high average distance
to the nearest urban centre (sometimes > 100 km). Nevertheless, producing their rice bran oil,
valuable raw material for soap production, would give them a competitive advantage over
urban producers.
Research Limitation: The study’s proposed strategy can be applied to similar contexts to
reduce the urban-rural entrepreneurship divide.
Practical Implication: Soaps made using rice bran oil help farmers reuse agricultural waste.
Their active ingredients also increase their marketability as high-end cosmetic products,
providing farmers with additional income.
Social Implication: Commercializing agricultural residues such as rice bran increases farmers’
revenues and reduces CO2 emissions by preventing the residues’ incineration; this creates a
virtuous cycle in society.
Originality/ Value: This study presents a more realistic business strategy for rural Tanzanian
farmers, as, unlike previous studies, it considers not only direct costs but also transportation
costs.
Studies on functional properties and X- ray crystallographic analysis of soybean proglycinins modified by protein engineering
(Sookoine University of Agracuture, 1994) Amis, Andrew Barde Gid
The
present
world
situation
food
imbalance between food
proportion of population
the
and
shortage
characterized
is
surplus.
develop
health
the developing countries are
in
eat excessively
related
problems
large
While
in the
than not
either starving or are suffering from malnutrition, many
developed countries
by an
and
often
more
over-eating (1, 2).
to
This
situation demands adequate and stable food production as well
balance distribution
as
world population for the maintenance
among
and promotion of human health.
While the importance of adequate supply
foods
main
food
be over emphasised, protein shortage has been
cannot
malnutrition
cause of
apart
proteins,
affordable and
from
sensory qualities as well as
based foods are generally
expensive
religious and cultural reasons. Moreover,
or are not consumed for
excessive
of animal based foods has been related to some
On
the
contrary,
and cheap, although
should be safe,
being nutritional,
Animal protein
delicious, but are scarce and
abudant
the
world wide. The proteins we consume
acceptable
possess
functional properties.
(2, 3).
in
derived from both animal and plant sources. Ideally,
mainly
are
nutrients
of all
plant
protein
consumption
dietary disorders
based
are usually inferior
foods
are
to those from
animal sources in terms of nutritional value (4) and organoleptic
However, consumption
qualities.
proteins
may
of adequate and balance
plant
help alleviate most of the health problems related
to dietary intake.
Of
the
plant protein
sources, soybeans are perhaps the most
12widely
70%
in
used
the
of
human foods.
Investigation of irrigation system design and operational related factors contributing to low sugarcane production at Kilombero Sugar Estates
(Sokoine Uninversity of Agriculture, 1997) Rajabu, Kossa Ruzebelle Mnyimvua
A study was
investigate
conducted
irrigation
at
Kilombero
Sugar
design
system
and
Company
to
operational
related factors contributing to low sugarcane production
at Msolwa estate.
Climatic,
plant
calculation
and
soil
seasonal
of
factors
and
were
monthly
for the
water and
used
crop
irrigation requirements for different categories of cane
planted in different dates and months and results compared
the
with the actual performance of
irrigation
system.
Further evaluations of system performance were carried out
using
catch-can
test
data;
number
irrigation and drainage structures
of
operational
and equipments;
and
drainage activities.
Sugarcane yield/water use relationship was investigated by
comparison of climatic potential yields calculated using
Thompson's
obtained
(1976)
from
production function and actual yields
different
fields.
Irrigation
Scheduling
Information System (IRSIS) computer program was then used
to evaluate irrigation actions of the past period using
daily rainfall and decade ETo data. The results showed that the average seasonal irrigation
requirement is 28% of the crop water requirement. However
the irrigation system is only capable of supplying 27% of
the irrigation requirement due to poor maintenance of the
non-replacement of worn out parts,
system,
old age of
irrigation equipments and irrigating during day time only.
System performance
evaluation
results
showed
that
the
sprinkler nozzle operating pressure was very low ranging
from
1.8
compared
bar to
the
to
3.2
bar with a mean of
designed
pressure
of
2.57
3.5
bar
as
This
bar.
resulted into low values of CU, DU, and PELQ of 72, 59.7
and
55.5%
significantly from
significance . Water
season are
These
respectively.
designed
figures
values
logging problems
indicative of
at
1%
during
differed
level
the
of
rainy
a high degree of neglect
of
drainage activities over a large area of the estate.
The actual average seasonal sugarcane yield of 82 tonnes
cane
per
hectare
differed
significantly
from
the
calculated average climatic potential yield of the area of
116.1 tonnes cane per hectare. Regression analysis of the
actual
yield
data
with
ETcrop
gave
a
correlation
coefficient of 0.4 showing that there is almost no linear correlation between
the
actual
Msolwa
yields
the
and
amount of water transpired. The reason for this could be
the
failure
of
the
irrigation
system
to
fully
meet
moisture requirements of sugarcane.
Evaluation of 1993/94 irrigation schedules showed that the
average
depths
irrigation
were
less
than
the
average
irrigation requirements resulting in low ETa values which,
at 5% level of significance differed significantly from
ETcrop. This was due to under-irrigation of the evaluated
fields.
From the study it can be concluded that the current level
of sugarcane production at Msolwa estate is very low and
does not match with the climatic potential of the area.
This could have been caused by,
among other factors,
an
ineffective irrigation system which failed to supply the
required
amount
maintenance
and
recommendations.
water due
failure to
of
to
poor
follow
operation
system
and
desig,