Browsing by Author "Bengesi, K. M. K."

Now showing 1 - 20 of 24

Access and challenges of health facilities amongst agro-pastoralist communities in Handeni district, Tanzania
(Journal of Population and Social Studies, 2018-01) Ringo, J. J.; Bengesi, K. M. K.; Mbago, M. C. Y.
This study examines high incidence of under-five mortality among agro-pastoralists resulting from lack of access to healthcare facilities. A proportional sampling method was adopted, and descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used in data analysis. The results revealed low dependence of agro-pastoralists on formal healthcare facilities, which could be explained by prevalence of informal healthcare facilities in villages where they reside. Education, income, accessibility, and duration of stay in a particular area accounted for the choice of healthcare facilities. Level of education and income determined preference for formal health facilities, possibly due to influence of education on understanding benefits of treatment in formal health facilities and income to meet associated costs. Accessibility of health facility influenced the decision to patronize formal health facilities. This was evident in villages which were connected to reliable road networks. Additionally, the length of time one resides in a particular area played a role in adhering to traditional values influencing the choice of informal healthcare facilities. The government and private sector should invest in rural road networks and promote education among agro-pastoralists on importance of using formal healthcare facilities and rational use of household income to improve accessibility to formal health facilities.
Awareness of Peri-urban Farmers on the Concept of Climate Change: A Case of Temeke District, Dar es Salaam Region
(International Knowledge Sharing Platform, 2016) Lunyelele, S. P.; Bengesi, K. M. K.; Katani, J. Z.
This study assessed peri-urban farmers’ awareness on the concept of climate change in Temeke District, Dar es Salaam Region. A total of 240 questionnaires were administered to the heads of households in four wards of the study area. Descriptive statistics mainly frequency distribution, percentages and average were used to analyse socio-economic characteristics of the respondents. Perceived indicators and the effects of climate change were measured through a five point Likert Scale. Off the interviewed respondents 97.9% were generally aware of climate change. Farmers’ awareness is manifested through the locally perceived indicators: increase in drought which had a mean score ( ) of 4.4, decline in rainfall ( =3.83), recurrent floods ( =3.83) and rainfall fluctuations ( =3.1). Respondents linked climate change with human activities largely cutting and burning of trees. Farmers’ perceptions are not directly linked with scientific understanding of climate change. The study recommends for the Government intervention based on farmers’ specific needs. In the other vein, more researches on climate change awareness is recommended in order to enhance local community’s adaptive capacity.
Consumers' perception on adoption of improved cookstoves: a case of Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania
(Institute of Continuing Education, Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2014) Massawe, F. A.; Bengesi, K. M. K.; Kweka, A. E.
This study was conducted in Kilimanjaro Region to examine consumers' perceptions on adoption of Improved Cookstove (ICS) involving 294 households. The results recorded low prominence of positive perceptions among respondents on ICS relative to traditional stoves. Despite several positive attributes of ICS, the study observed that the majority of non-adopters considered positive attributes to be less important in making a decision to adopt the technology, while negative attributes were considered important in guiding decisions not to reject adoption of ICS. Consistently, the study recorded high association between high adoption levels and the relative advantages and adoption of ICS while the non-adopters weighed on the negative attributes to make their decision. This suggests that promoters of ICS should focus on end users, launching awareness campaigns to understand and address factors perceived by end users to be disadvantages of using ICS. The ICS designers and promoters should capture values of end users and incorporate them in their designs when developing technologies and innovations to foster higher adoption rates.
Determinants of households’ adoption of improved cook stoves in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2019-10-22) Massawe, F. A.; Bengesi, K. M. K.
Despite being used in inefficient and unsustainable ways, traditional biomass remains the largest source of cooking energy in Tanzania. Improved Cook Stoves (ICS) have been proved to be among the best ways of efficient utilization of biomass, nonetheless, their adoption has been low. Limited empirical evidence exists on the reasons for low ICS adoption in Tanzania. This paper analyses factors which determine household adoption of ICS in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. A total of 294 households from six villages were randomly selected for the household survey, and qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Results from a binary logistic regression revealed that awareness campaigns about ICS, quality of living house and kitchen room, awareness on the village environmental regulations and by-laws, sources of firewood and household Socio-Economic Status (SES) to be among the factors influencing the adoption of ICS. The study concludes that low adoption is attributed to limited awareness on the benefits of the stoves and a negative myth attached to the quality attributes of the household that can adopt ICS. The study recommends the organization dealing with ICS promotion to continue with comprehensive awareness campaigns and targeted intervention to households perceived to have to limit adoption characteristics.
Dimensions of Entrepreneurial Orientation and Small and Medium Enterprise Performance in Emerging Economies
(Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2014) Le Roux, I.; Bengesi, K. M. K.
The removal of trade barriers has encouraged the entry of new competitors into formerly protected markets. This situation creates pressure on many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies such as Tenzania. Using a survey method and cross-sectional research design, the research examines three dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO), namely: pro-activeness, risk-taking and competitive aggressiveness. (Jnderstanding their relationships and variance may help to improve our ability to explain SME performance. The findings contribute to how SME pedormance in emerging economies be enhanced to enable SMEs to face challenges posed by competitor influx in the context of an open market economy. The findings indicate a strong relationship between EO dimensions and performance, with risk- taking and competitive aggressiveness moderating the effect of pro-activeness. The proposed model could predict 72Vo of the variance explained in SME performance.
Drivers and Consequences of Recurrent Conflicts between Farmers and Pastoralists in Kilosa and Mvomero Districts, Tanzania
(Canadian Centre of Science and Education, 2018) Falanta, E. M.; Bengesi, K. M. K.
Recurrent conflicts between farmers and pastoralists have brought significant impacts on both groups. In response to this situation, the government and other actors have taken several measures to mitigate such conflicts with little success. This paper examined drivers and consequences of recurrent conflicts between farmers and pastoralists in Kilosa and Mvomero districts. Covering a sample size of 203 respondents, data was collected using interview, documentary review, and focus group discussions. Collected data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The findings revealed that weak governance structures associated with unethical behavior, regulatory deficiencies, socio-economic and environmental factors are responsible for the recurrence of conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. Consequently, the recurrent conflicts have resulted into major socio-economic impact that includes loss of lives and properties to both farmers and pastoralists. Drawing from conflict and conflict resolution theories, which advocates use of coercive power and participatory approaches to restore peace, respectively; this paper conclude that no single strategy fits all conflicts given the complexity in which such conflicts occurs. In the light of the results this paper recommends that the effective way to address farmers-pastoralists conflicts; actors should use both lenses of coercive and participatory approaches and the choice of appropriate strategy will depends on the context since no single approach fits all types of conflicts.
Effects of business development service providers’ resources endowment on service delivery to performance of small and medium enterprises in Northern Tanzania
(Adonis & Abbey Publishers, 2022-06) Kweka, A. E.; Makindara, J. R.; Bengesi, K. M. K.
The resource endowment of business development service providers (BDSPs) is crucial for the provision of services to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This paper assessed BDS providers’ resource endowment and the extent to which it enhances service delivery to SMEs in Arusha City and Moshi Municipality. A total of 65 BDS providers and 254 SMEs were sampled for the study. A cross-sectional design was used for this study. Respondents were sampled using purposive and simple random sampling. Data were collected through a questionnaire-based survey, focus group discussions, observation and documentary reviews. Content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data, while quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results indicated that BDS providers hardly have sufficient resource endowment to deliver their BDS to SMEs in the form of human capital, physical resources, networking ability and information systems. However, the level of resource endowment differs among BDS providers. Similarly, the surveyed BDS providers were not performing to their full potential in service delivery due to a number of challenges they were encountering. Among the reported challenges facing BDS providers were SMEs’ slow rate of adopting new knowledge and technology and insufficient financial and human resources and geographical location. The study concludes that resources such as human capital, physical capital, networking abilities, and information systems available among BDS providers contribute to building their capabilities to deliver services to SMEs. The study recommends that BDS providers capitalize on their resources to be in a better position to provide competitive services to their clients.
Factors hindering use of standard weights and measures along Irish potato supply chain in Njombe region, Tanzania
(Canadian Centre for Science and Education, 2018) Bengesi, K. M. K.
Non-compliance with standard weights and measures in agricultural marketing in Tanzania compelled this paper to examined factors hindering use of standard weights and measures along Irish potato supply chain. To address this challenge a cross section research design was used to develop data collection plan and probability sampling was used to draw a representative sample from a sampling frame. The findings revealed that weak enforcement of the regulations governing compliance to standard weights and measures, weak extension services that failed to provide reliable market information to farmers, lack of negotiation skills among smallholder farmers against local brokers / traders coupled with inadequate market infrastructure with appropriate weights and measure facilities provide incentives for local brokers and traders to exploit smallholder farmers. For the sake of fair deals in transactions associated with Irish potato along the supply chain this paper recommends the best practices to ensure responsible business practices among actors.
Forces driving purchasing behaviour of tourists hotels along tourist-agricultural supply chain in Zanzibar
(Canadian Centre for Science and Education, 2018) Bengesi, K. M. K.; Abdalla, J. O.
This paper examined forces driving tourists’ hotels purchasing behaviour. The results revealed that the tourist hotels consider several factors before deciding to source vegetables and fruits from smallholder farmers. The most prominent factors for the tourist hotels to source vegetables and fruits were consistent quality, regular supply, compliance to legal practices, and hygiene conditions. Interestingly, proximity to the tourists’ hotels and competitive price of fruits and vegetables were not among important driving forces contributing to the choice of sourcing points. This suggests that the tourist hotels are willing to pay premium prices so long they are assured of quality and regular supply, compliance to legal practices and observe hygiene conditions. With the fact that smallholder farmers lack access to appropriate market information, produce at subsistence level and lack logistic infrastructure this call for a change of mind-set among smallholder farmers and position strategically to take advantage of emerging markets.
Household Awareness and Knowledge on Improved Cookstoves : A Case of Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
(2015) Massawe, F. A.; Bengesi, K. M. K.; Kweka, A. E.
The initiatives to replace inefficient cooking stoves with improved cookstoves (ICS) in developing countries have not been successful. The available studies have given less attention to consumer’s awareness and knowledge on ICS despite the two variables being essential on the adoption decision. This study was conducted in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania covering 294 households to explore household awareness and knowledge on ICS and establish if awareness and knowledge differ between adopters and non adopters. The findings revealed that there were limited awareness and knowledge on the use ICS and negative opinion on efficient cooking behaviour. The Mann Whitney U test showed a significant difference (p ≤ 0.001) between adopters and non adopters on efficient cooking behaviour. On the other hand, there were no significant differences (p ≥ 0.005) between adopters and non adopters on knowledge and skills of ICS use. The study concludes that the low level of awareness and knowledge on efficient cooking behaviour and on skills in respect of application of ICS might slow down the process of making decision to adopt ICS. Additionally, low knowledge may lead to non adherence to the technical use of ICS hence failing to maximize the recommended ICS efficiency which subsequently affects the perception on ICS.
Household social economic status and adoption of improved cook Stoves: the case of Kilimanjaro region Tanzania
(Roskilde University, Denmark, 2017) Massawe, F. A.; Bengesi, K. M. K.
Low adoption rate of improved cooking stove (ICS) has been a challenge in most devel- oping countries where biomass is a major cooking energy. Low adoption rates have been attributed to several factors but little attention has been given to the role of household Social Economic Status (SES) in the adoption of ICS. This study was conducted in Hai and Rombo Districts in Kili- manjaro Region to investigate the role of household Social Economic Status (SES) in the adoption of ICS. The study employed the Asset Index as a proxy indicator for household SES. Descriptive statistics establish the share of ownership of various assets and housing conditions between adopters and non-adopters while binary logistic regression model was employed to test the influence of SES on the adoption of ICS. The descriptive statistical results have shown that some assets and housing conditions were common for both ICS adopters and non-adopters while differences was observed on ownership of assets such as cars, generators, TV and some quality housing conditions. The binary logistic regression results show that households with higher SES were leading in ownership of ICS. The study concludes that although ICS is a fuel saving technology with multiple benefits includ- ing social, environmental, health and economic benefits, such benefits were not sufficient for the poor households to adopt the stoves. There were other needs that households want to meet including the acquisition of several other valuable assets. Therefore, the study recommends continuing with awareness campaigns to emphasise on the economic, social and environmental values of ICS while at the same time designing a strategy to increase the adoption of ICS for the households of low SES.
The influence of networking capability in small and medium enterprise performance
(Center for Promoting Ideas, 2014) Bengesi, K. M. K.; Le Roux, I.
This study examined the influence of four dimensions of networking capability (NWC) namely internal communication, partner knowledge, relational skills, and coordination in SMEs performance. To attain this objective a cross sectional research design was used in which 291 SME owners / managers in three sectors of economy namely manufacturing, service and retail in Tanzania were interviewed. The results confirm positive influence of three dimensions of NWC (i.e. internal communication, partner knowledge and relational skills) in SME performance and negative influence of coordination in SME performance. These findings suggest that firms’ emphasis on relational skills set a context to identify appropriate partner with relevant resources and capabilities to complement resource needs of firms that subsequently build competitive advantage. Following debate on whether networking is beneficial or not this study ascertain that the benefits of networking are inclined on the ability of a firm to acquire and apply dimensions of NWC.
The Influence of Social Competence on the Types of Entrepreneurial Networks Formed by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Empirical Evidence From Tanzania's Manufacturing SMEs
(University of Dodoma, 2019-01) Mwakalobo, A. B. S.; Bengesi, K. M. K.; John, E.
This study examined the influence of five dimensions of social competence namely social perception, social adaptability, social expressiveness, impression management, and persuasiveness on the types of entrepreneurial networks formed by SMEs. Types of entrepreneurial networks are social networks, business networks, and supporting networks. To achieve this objective the study adopted a cross-sectional study design where by data were collected from manufacturing SMEs in Tanzania in four types of sub-sectors viz food processing, woodwork, ironwork, and textile. 250 SMEs were selected through stratified random sampling procedure. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data in a survey from owner- managers of these SMEs. Statistical analysis included factor and Poisson regression model. The study findings identify and indicate that a number of social competence dimensions have a significant influence on networks formation. These findings suggest that social competence is influential in determining the type and size of entrepreneurial networks formed by SMEs.
Mitigation and Adaptation Measures of Peri-Urban Farmers as a Response to Climate Change in Temeke District, Dar es Salaam Region
(American Research Institute for Policy Development, 2018-06) Lunyelele, S. P.; Katani, J. Z.; Bengesi, K. M. K.
This paper assessed mitigation and adaptation measures used by peri-urban farmers of Temeke District against climate change. A cross sectional design was applied of which 240 households were randomly selected for the household surveys and focus group discussions. Qualitative data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics while content analysis was used for qualitative data analysis. The findings revealed a high level of adoption of both mitigation and adaptation measures. Kruskal Wallis Test results suggest statistically significant difference in the level of adoption of mitigation measures across three age groups at p<0.05. Nonetheless, there was no significant difference in the adoption of adaptation measures across three age groups at p>0.05. The implemented mitigation measures include cultivating cover crops, alternative energy sources, mixed farming and agroforestry. Adaptation measures comprised of drought resistant crops, economic diversification, irrigation, mixed farming, cover crops sequential cropping and intercropping. Conclusively, a high level of adoption of mitigation and adaptation measures indicates that they are inevitable. Some of adaptation measures were also used as mitigation measures indicating that they are complementary to each other. The study recommends on enhancement of existing mitigation and adaptation measures. More studies on determinants of mitigation and adaptation measures are also recommended.
Patterns of household cooking energy and associated factors: experience from Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania
(Stanford University, 2015) Massawe, F. A.; Bengesi, K. M. K.; Kweka, A. M.
Traditional biomass is a major source of cooking and heating energy in Tanzania. Although Tanzanian energy policy insists on the need to diversify energy sources, the level of diversification at a household level is not well known. This study identified energy use patterns and their associated factors in Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. Specifically, the study identified the types of cooking fuels and stoves available and used by households, as well as how and why households combined various cooking fuels. The household survey was conducted in 294 randomly selected households in the districts of Rombo and Hai. We found that although biomass is becoming scarce, it is still a major source of cooking energy, combined with the traditional cooking stove. Only 10.2% of the households reported full-time use of improved biomass cookstoves (ICS). The rest combined ICS with the traditional stove, threatening the sustainability of the biomass resource. It was found that 15% of ICS used by households were abandoned due to various technical flaws. Factors like woodlot ownership, kitchen location, electric grid connection, quality of living, and sources of firewood were associated with partial switching of households to either transition fuels or cleaner fuels. We conclude that energy use patterns in this region demonstrate a partial switching of fuel source, because some households use transition fuels or cleaner fuels combined with firewood. Fuel diversification focused more on cooking with biomass than moving to cleaner fuels. This implies that biomass will continue to be a major source of cooking fuels for Tanzanian households and, hence, ICS remains the best solution. For ICS to have a broad impact and achieve more widespread use, it is necessary to address some technical problems associated with ICS. The government of Tanzania should revisit the cost of alternative energy sources like LPG to improve their affordability for the masses.
Patterns of household cooking energy and associated factors: experience from Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
(Researchgate, 2015) Massawe, F. A.; Bengesi, K. M. K.; Kweka, A. E.
Traditional biomass is a major source of cooking and heating energy in Tanzania. Although Tanzanian energy policy insists on the need to diversify energy sources, the level of diversification at a household level is not well known. This study identified energy use patterns and their associated factors in Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. Specifically, the study identified the types of cooking fuels and stoves available and used by households, as well as how and why households combined various cooking fuels. The household survey was conducted in 294 randomly selected households in the districts of Rombo and Hai. We found that although biomass is becoming scarce, it is still a major source of cooking energy, combined with the traditional cooking stove. Only 10.2% of the households reported full-time use of improved biomass cookstoves (ICS). The rest combined ICS with the traditional stove, threatening the sustainability of the biomass resource. It was found that 15% of ICS used by households were abandoned due to various technical flaws. Factors like woodlot ownership, kitchen location, electric grid connection, quality of living, and sources of firewood were associated with partial switching of households to either transition fuels or cleaner fuels. We conclude that energy use patterns in this region demonstrate a partial switching of fuel source, because some households use transition fuels or cleaner fuels combined with firewood. Fuel diversification focused more on cooking with biomass than moving to cleaner fuels. This implies that biomass will continue to be a major source of cooking fuels for Tanzanian households and, hence, ICS remains the best solution. For ICS to have a broad impact and achieve more widespread use, it is necessary to address some technical problems associated with ICS. The government of Tanzania should revisit the cost of alternative energy sources like LPG to improve their affordability for the masses.
Planning Interface for social service delivery between local government authorities and corporates in Morogoro, Tanzania
(Center for Promoting Ideas, USA, 2018) Jesse, A.; Bengesi, K. M. K.
Drawing from Communicative Planning Theory (CPT), this paper examined planning interface for social service delivery between Local Government Authorities (LGA) and Corporates in Morogoro region using a case study design. Results revealed that LGAs planning process was inclusive and transparent enabling corporates to decide on kind of services to provide to communities. Conversely, Mtibwa Sugar Company was not transparent to share their planning decisions with the LGA whereas Kilombero Sugar Company was transparent in sharing their planning decisions to the LGA. Hence, LGAs planning processes are in line with CPT, which considers inclusiveness and transparent as core components for effective planning. The findings further revealed misalignment of planning seasons between the LGAs and corporates leading to double allocation of resources for some social services. The study recommends that there should be budget review by the LGA to relocate resources that corporates use to support community activities.
Planning: concept, theories and models
(African Studies Centre, The Netherlands, 2018) Komba, A.; Bengesi, K. M. K.; Mwageni, T.
This chapter aims at acquainting the planner with the concept of planning, together with the theories and models related to it. The clarification of this concept is important for understanding the state of and for implementing planning in Tanzania. The first section of this chapter is concerired with the meaning of planning, with various definitions and conceptualizations under- scored. The second section traces the evolution of planning starting from around the period before World War II to date. The third section of the chap- ter focuses on planning theories drawn from various contributors. The last section summarizes a number of planning models commonly used in devel- opment planning.
Policy Enabling Environment of Mining Sector in Tanzania: A Review of Opportunities and Challenges
(Canadian Centre of Science and Education, 2018) Maliganya, W.; Bengesi, K. M. K.
Mining has increasingly become an important contributor to the economy of developing countries including Tanzania. Since independence, Tanzania has made several efforts in response to address the challenges in the mining sector to enhance its contribution to the national economy. However, such efforts have not been successful in addressing the persisting challenges, which includes lack of expected benefits, failure to develop policy options for making the investment environment supportive for all actors in the sector; hence failure to use mineral wealth sustainably. The reasons for the persistence of these challenges are not well documented especially in relation to the policy framework. While some scholars attribute these challenges to bad deals with mining companies, others blame the government for its failure to effectively implement, monitor and enforce the existing regulatory framework. This paper reviews the policy enabling environment of the mining sector in Tanzania. The results indicate that Tanzania has taken measures to create some opportunities through policy enabling environment. However, the measures have not been able to achieve the expected results due to the persistence of targeted challenges in the sector. In view of this, improvement of the policy framework is particularly needed where policy gaps have accelerated for poor practices.
Public private partnership in Tanzania’s transportation infrastructure: the way PPP is understood, challenges and the way forward
(Economic and Social Research Foundation, 2016) Bengesi, K. M. K.; Mwesiga, P.; Mrema, T.
Meeting the required budget for robust transportation infrastructure sufficient to trigger an agriculture-led economic growth is a national challenge that calls for Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to complement government funding. The national trans- portation network is inefficient and this hampers agricultural growth, limits employment of about 75% rural citizens, and undermines Tanzania’s geographical potential as a regional trade gateway and logistical hub. Government efforts to create an ena- bling environment - especially the PPP policy, legal framework and associated institutions - have not succeeded to attract full participation of the private sector in the development of transportation infrastructure. A 2014/2015 study by ESRF assessed understanding of the PPP concept between the partners and factors associated with the low participation of the private sector actors. Findings depicted some good practices by the government, such as continued review of the institutional framework to accommo- date stakeholders’ constructive opinions and interests as well as the persistent awareness creation on the PPP concept and framework to stakeholders. The findings also identified areas of improvement for both partners including uncommon under- standing of the PPP concept, unawareness of prospects by private actors, insufficient capital market, lack of sufficient capacity by local private actors, lack of transparency along the PPP procurement chain, lack of negotiations and project monitoring skills among the relevant public officials, and double-dealing among some public officials responsible for PPP processes. The findings call for a concerted amendment of the institutional framework to enhance a common understanding of the PPP concept, create sufficient awareness of PPP prospects among the private actors, raise capital market, capacitate local private actors, and ensure transparent PPP procurement procedures while reinforcing adherence to the public code of conduct among public officials as well as building their negotiation and project management skills.