Browsing by Author "Jeckoniah, John"

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Adaptation and Coping Strategies to Climate Change Among Agro-Pastoralists Community in Mvomero District, Tanzania
(2015-06-30) Jeckoniah, John
The climate is perceived to be changing, thus calling for understanding of livelihoods strategies to guide in developing climate-resilient livelihoods. This paper investigated adaptation strategies undertaken by agro-pastoralists to cope with climate change impact in Mvomero district. A cross sectional research design was adopted where data were collected only once and 135 sampled households were involved in the study. Household questionnaires, key-informants interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were the main methods for data collection. Descriptive statistical analysis and content analysis were the main methods used in data analysis. The study revealed various adaptation strategies used by agro-pastoralists in the study area including, timing and the use of improved crop varieties. The coping strategies for livestock keepers were to reduce the number of livestocks, moving the animals to other places temporarily and some of them permanently. However, such coping strategies were not sustainable and some household became more vulnerable to climate change due to their ineffective coping strategies. Therefore, the study recommends to government and non governmental organizations to improve agro-pastoralists access to extension services for the access of reliable information and knowledge on predicting weather forecast using both local/indigenous and improved means. Institutions dealing with climate related issues including the meteorology agency should be strengthened to improve the packaging and the dissemination of weather forecast and information related to climate change
Adaptation and Coping Strategies to Climate Change Among Agro-Pastoralists Community in Mvomero District, Tanzania
(2015-12-30) Jeckoniah, John
The climate is perceived to be changing, thus calling for understanding of livelihoods strategies to guide in developing climate-resilient livelihoods. This paper investigated adaptation strategies undertaken by agro-pastoralists to cope with climate change impact in Mvomero district. A cross sectional research design was adopted where data were collected only once and 135 sampled households were involved in the study. Household questionnaires, key-informants interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were the main methods for data collection. Descriptive statistical analysis and content analysis were the main methods used in data analysis. The study revealed various adaptation strategies used by agro-pastoralists in the study area including, timing and the use of improved crop varieties. The coping strategies for livestock keepers were to reduce the number of livestocks, moving the animals to other places temporarily and some of them permanently. However, such coping strategies were not sustainable and some household became more vulnerable to climate change due to their ineffective coping strategies. Therefore, the study recommends to government and non governmental organizations to improve agro-pastoralists access to extension services for the access of reliable information and knowledge on predicting weather forecast using both local/indigenous and improved means. Institutions dealing with climate related issues including the meteorology agency should be strengthened to improve the packaging and the dissemination of weather forecast and information related to climate change
COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICE TOWARDS THE USE OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES IN MAFIA DISTRICT, TANZANIA
(2015-12-01) Jeckoniah, John
Use of family planning services has potential to contribute into improving the health of millions of women and children. This paper explored the community knowledge attitude and practice about family planning services in Mafia District. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and questionnaire was the main method for data collection. Descriptive statistical analysis and summated likert scale was computed to find the distribution of responses and relationship of key study variables. The study found that the level of knowledge about family planning services was high and majority of respondents had positive attitude about family planning services. However, use of family planning services was very low. Misconceptions about family planning services were also found. The paper recommends for the organizations involved in promoting use of family planning services to device interventions to improve utilization of the family planning services by addressing barriers to low usage of the services. The government and non governmental organizations should also continue provide more education and awareness in order to correct the misconceptions to ensure more people use the services.
Determinants of the Elderly’s Social Protection Services Access in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
(TANZANIA INSTITUTE OF ACCOUNTANCY (TIA), 2019-06-01) Jeckoniah, John
Inaccessibility to Social Protection Services (SPSs) is a major concern for the majority of the elderly on the globe and developing countries, including Tanzania. This paper establishes the extent to which the elderly have access to SPSs and determines the factors that influence SPSs access to the elderly. A cross-sectional research design was used whereby 202 respondents aged 60 years and above were involved. Data were analysed using Ordinal Logistic Regression and content analysis for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The indicators based on protective, preventive, promotive, and transformative dimensions were established to measure SPSs access levels among the elderly. The elderly in the study area were categorized at medium level of SPSs accessibility (87.1%). Ordinal logistic regression analysis results showed that SPSs access to the elderly’s and their awareness on policy and rights, health insurance, and financial assistance were the important determinant factors that influence SPSs access to the elderly in the study area. The study recommends to the Government and Civil Society Organizations to devise intervention mechanisms for the elderly including the provision of health insurance services, cash transfers (universal pension), and enactment of law(s) that promote the elderly’s welfare and eventually improve the delivery of SPSs in Tanzania.
Does student Empowerment improve their Academic Performance? Evidence from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro
(TANZANIA INSTITUTE OF ACCOUNTANCY (TIA), 2019-06-01) Jeckoniah, John
There is a growing interest in understanding the relationship between student empowerment and their academic performance. This paper examined this relationship in the context of university students learning environments. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using a combination of simple random and systematic sampling techniques involving 200 undergraduate students. The constructs of Psychological Empowerment Instrument (PEI) and the Learner Empowerment Scale (LES) were used to construct Likert scale questions in estimating the students’ empowerment. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed, and a summated scale approach was used to analyse Likert scale questions in estimating the level of empowerment. Correlation analysis was employed to gauge the relationship of the construct of empowerment and academic performance. The results show that the majority of students (82%) had moderate academic performance (GPA 3.0-3.9) out of a maximum of 5.0; the rest 9 and 9 percent had GPAs of below3.0 and above 3.9, respectively. The majority of the respondents (62%) were categorized into low levels of empowerment. Female respondents were more likely to be categorized into higher levels of empowerment than were their male counterparts at 40.7 and 35.8 percent respectively. All paired linear relationships between the constructs of student empowerment were positive. The strength of the linear relationship different construct of empowerment varied from moderate to strong but all had a significant relationship (p <0.05). The linear relationship between the constructs of empowerment and academic performance (GPA) was weak and none of them had any significant relationship. Therefore, overall, there was no linear relationship and association between the level of academic performance and the construct of empowerment. It is recommended to the Ministry of Education and university management to focus on the strategies that would improve student empowerment and academic performance such as student cantered and participatory approaches.
Gendered Analysis of the Governance in the Rice and Sisal Value Chains in the Lake Zone, Tanzania
(Tengeru Institute od community Development, 2018-12-30) Jeckoniah, John
Integrating gender issues and concerns in the development projects has potential impact on project success. This paper analyzes the gendered differentials and impacts on smallholder farmers engaged in rice and sisal value chains in the lake zone, Tanzania. The study adopted a qualitative approach whereby documentary review, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were the main methods for data collection. Data were analyzed using ethnographic content analysis with constant comparisons techniques. It was found that the patriarchal system has strong impact and influence on the livelihood choices, ownership and use of household and community resource’s including land, and assets for production and processing of crops is skewed towards men. Men’s attitudes towards women participation in benefit sharing of the livelihood outcomes hamper women empowerment efforts. It is concluded that women get less benefits in the value chains engagements due to poor access to and control of productive resources and benefits, women economic empowerment has increased with increased workloads, the transformation of the empowerment outcome obtained in group levels is compromised by the rigid structure of the household institutions, changes in power relations at household levels have potential to improve household wellbeing but may also increases intra - household conflicts. It is recommended to the local government authorities and development practitioners and NGOs to: device gender sensitive strategic efforts to transform gender relations at household and community levels and support women with more entrepreneurship education.
Impact of Sunflower Production on Livelihood Outcomes among Smallholder Farmers Households in Iramba District
(2018-10-25) Jeckoniah, John
Sunflower is among the cash crops with potentials for improving smallholder farmers’ livelihood. However, its impact on livelihood outcomes among smallholder farmers is hardly ascertained. The study specifically aimed to examine the contribution of sunflower cultivation on livelihood outcomes of smallholder farmers’ households basing on propensity scores matching. Cross-sectional research design was adopted whereby household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interviews were used to collect data. The study had a sample size of 368 respondents including sunflower and non-sunflower smallholder farmers. Qualitative data were transcribed, categorised, coded, thereafter grouped into themes and analysed using constant comparison technique. Quantitative data were analysed by using propensity score matching. Through propensity score matching, average treatment of the treated, difference in difference analysis, nearest neighbour matching and radius calliper matching techniques were used to establish the contribution. Findings indicate that participation into sunflower cultivation had an impact on livelihood outcomes as observed by the significant differences in livelihood outcomes (MD = 2.31; t = 5.94 from nearest neighbour matching and MD = 2.52; t = 9.69 from radius calliper matching). Therefore, the study concluded that sunflower cultivation had a significant impact on the livelihood outcomes among households of sunflower smallholder farmers. Thus, the null hypothesis was subsequently rejected. The study recommends to smallholder farmers that they should up-scale their production systems and techniques. This can be done through creating awareness and sensitisation on improved cultivation techniques that would guarantee more yields and household incomes for sustenance of the achieved livelihood outcomes.
Is rice and sunflower commercialisation in Tanzania inclusive for women and youth?
(Agricultural Policy Research in Africa, 2022-04) Mdoe, Ntengua; Isinika, Aida; Mlay, Gilead; Boniface, Gideon; Magomba, Christopher; Jeckoniah, John; Mosha, Devotha
Rice is Tanzania’s third most important staple crop after maize and cassava, and produced by more than 1 million households who are mostly small- scale farmers. Meanwhile sunflower is the most important edible oil crop in Tanzania, also grown mostly by small-scale farmers. Over the last two decades, rice and sunflower have increasingly become important sources of income. This can be attributed to efforts by the government, in collaboration with development agencies, to commercialise rice and sunflower production to improve livelihoods and reduce poverty among actors in both value chains. There have also been efforts aimed at ensuring sustainable commercialisation and involvement of women and youth in the commercialisation process (URT, 2016; URT, 2019). Despite these initiatives, women and youth involvement in the rice and sunflower commercialisation process is likely to be constrained by their limited access to land and financial capital. Land access problems among women and youth in Tanzania are largely the result of cultural restrictions on the ownership of ancestral land by women and youth (USAID, 2019). Although the Village Land Act of 1999 recognises the right of every woman to acquire, control, and use land to the same extent as any man, it does not have provisions on the rights of women and youth to inherit ancestral land (URT, 1999). Women and young people also often face limited access to financial capital. Collateral requirements of commercial banks are a significant stumbling block as asset ownership is often low for women and youth (Mbuga, 2019). To overcome these constraints, the government has established the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) to provide a guarantee to small-scale farmers who lack collateral but are trying to access credit from commercial banks. The guarantee scheme is reported to be successful. Apart from TADB, which has been reported to be successful (The Citizen, 2021), there are other guarantee schemes involving commercial banks, millers (guarantors) and members of famers’ groups. A notable example is the tripartite agreement involving the National Microfinance Bank (NMB), a rice processor (guarantor), and members of Minepa Farmers Association in Malinyi District, Morogoro, Tanzania (Aga Khan Foundation, 2020). The agreement requires farmers to sell rice to the processor, which then repays the loan to the bank on behalf of the farmer.
Livelihood Outcomes Among Households Participating in Large-Scale Agricultural Investments in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania
(IRDP, 2018-06-25) Jeckoniah, John
Large-scale agricultural investment is an important economic activity which has potential to improve the livelihoods of Male-Headed Households (MHHs) and Female-Headed Households (FHHs). (However, the benefit derived from large-scale agricultural investments has a household headship and agricultural investments models differential. The study was conducted in Kilombero Valley in Tanzania to assess livelihood outcomes among households engaged in large-scale agricultural investments through outgrowers scheme and investor farm employment. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using exploratory sequential data collection and analysis approach and involved 376 respondents. Income and asset monetary value were used as proxy indicator of wealth status. Qualitative data were analysed by using content analysis while a multiple responses analysis, Chi-square test, T-test, and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were employed for quantitative data analysis. It was found that MHHs participating in outgrower scheme had more opportunities than FHHs The livelihood outcomes between MHHs and FHHs were statistically significant The livelihood outcomes among outgrowers, investor farm workers and non-participants was statistically significant. The differences in livelihood outcomes are attributed to one’s engagement in large-scale agricultural investments through out-grower scheme. However, MHHs derived more benefits in large-scale agricultural investments due to dominance in out-grower associations. The study recommends the local government authority and non-governmental organizations involved in promoting livelihood improvement through large-scale agricultural investments to promote FHHs ownership of resources by allowing more FHHs to access and control over productive resources This can be done by strengthening out-growers association through training out-growers on their roles in contract with investors and by ensuring that out-growers are represented in every decision that affects their payments from sugarcane sales, especially in measuring sugarcane sucrose level.
Microfinance Services and Women Economic Empowerment in Arusha District Council
(Tengeru Institute od community Development, 2015-06-01) Jeckoniah, John
Women’s economic empowerment is one of the highly debated development concern in Tanzania. Women’s access to microfinance services is considered as a doorway for empowering women. Conversely, it is also argued that Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) are extracting money from poor women through high interest rates, causing higher social pressure and in some cases leading to domestic violence. The objective of this paper was to examine whether and to what extent women’s access to microfinance services has facilitated this course. The study also sought factors affecting women’s access to MFIs’ services. A cross-sectional research design was adopted, and 120 women were involved in the study whereby 60 were beneficiary of MFIs services and the rest were non beneficiaries. The study found that onethird of respondents was categorized into higher level of empowerment whereas 41.5% were in the low empowerment category. The study also found that there was an association between women access to MFIs and their empowerment (P<0.001), respondents marital was also associated with their economic empowerment (P<0.001). The paper concludes that women access to MFIs has potential to contribute to women economic empowerment although it is faced with many challenges including high interest rates. It is recommended that government and non-governmental agencies and organisations involved in MFIs services should scale up their activities to reach more women while looking on better ways to manage challenges encountered by rural women including the higher interest rates.
Smallholder rice farmers’ access to information in Tanzania: can agricultural marketing co-operative societies provide quality information?
(Journal of Co-operative and Business Studies, 2023) Mauki, Consesa; Jeckoniah, John; Massawe, Goodluck
Access to quality information plays a crucial role in enhancing the competitiveness of smallholder rice farmers in Tanzania. Agricultural co-operatives have the potential to overcome smallholder farmers’ information asymmetry. Yet, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the extent to which Agricultural Marketing Co-operative Societies (AMCOS) can effectively provide quality information to smallholder farmers as required by Co-operative Principle number five (Education, Training, and Information). This paper analyses the current level of access to information among smallholder rice farmers in AMCOS, evaluating the relevance, adequacy and reliability of information provided by AMCOS to its members and identifying the factors influencing the adequacy of the information provided by AMCOS. The study was conducted in Mvomero and Mbarali Districts. A cross- sectional research design was used and data were collected using a questionnaire that was administered to 382 randomly selected farmers based on registers availed by co-operative managers in three co-operatives. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) whereby ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate the influence of various factors on the adequacy of information obtained from AMCOS. The study found that 77.2% of farmers accessed information on rice agronomy. Smallholder rice farmers obtained adequate (52.6%), relevant (35.6%) and reliable (37.7%) information from their respective AMCOS. The adequacy of information was influenced by membership in social groups, access to rice agronomy information and financial information at p<0.05. It is concluded that agricultural co-operatives are potential platforms for providing quality information in enhancing smallholder rice farmers’ informed decision-making. The study recommends that efforts should be made to strengthen AMCOS by providing them with resources, training, and support to enhance their capacity to deliver accurate and timely information to farmers. This include collaboration with agricultural extension service providers and leveraging their networks to access up-to-date information on agronomic practices, weather forecasts, and market trends to enhance farmers’ competitiveness in rice farming.
Social and cultural determinants of the spread of HIV/AIDS, STIs and gender based violence in high risk areas: A case of road construction sites in Tanzani
(www.isdsnet.com/ijds, 2018-07-30) Jeckoniah, John
High mobility of sexually active population continues to be a risky factor for the spread of STIs and HIV, both in the source and destination sites. This paper analyses the social and cultural determinants for the spread of STIs and HIV along road construction sites which harbour a number of migrant workers from rural and urban areas. The study adopted a cross-sectional study design, using a structured questionnaire for respondents, a checklist for key informants and a guide for focus group discussants. A total of 308 respondents, including eighteen key informants and 20 focus group discussions were involved. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed for quantitative data whereas ethnographic content analysis was used for qualitative data. It was found that the level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, how the disease spreads and the prevention methods was generally high. However, a corresponding change in sexual behavioural response was low. Many respondents still practise risky sexual behaviour, have many sexual partners and are inconsistent in using condoms. Some misconception about HIV/AIDS spread were also found. Also, there are many incidences of gender based violence which are under reported. Social and cultural factors responsible for the spread of HIV/AIDS include low risk perception and marital instability. It is recommended to the government and NGOs to involve and support local organizations for capacity building against HIV.
Social and cultural determinants of the spread of HIV/AIDS, STIs and gender based violence in high risk areas:a case of road construction sites in Tanzania
(International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 2018-07-01) Jeckoniah, John
High mobility of sexually active population continues to be a risky factor for the spread of STIs and HIV, both in the source and destination sites. This paper analyses the social and cultural determinants for the spread of STIs and HIV along road construction sites which harbour a number of migrant workers from rural and urban areas. The study adopted a cross-sectional study design, using a structured questionnaire for respondents, a checklist for key informants and a guide for focus group discussants. A total of 308 respondents, including eighteen key informants and 20 focus group discussions were involved. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed for quantitative data whereas ethnographic content analysis was used for qualitative data. It was found that the level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, how the disease spreads and the prevention methods was generally high. However, a corresponding change in sexual behavioural response was low. Many respondents still practise risky sexual behaviour, have many sexual partners and are inconsistent in using condoms. Some misconception about HIV/AIDS spread were also found. Also, there are many incidences of gender based violence which are under reported. Social and cultural factors responsible for the spread of HIV/AIDS include low risk perception and marital instability. It is recommended to the government and NGOs to involve and support local organizations for capacity building against HIV.
Socio-cultural determinants of family planning practice in mafia district, Tanzania.
(Tengeru Institute od community Development, 2015-06-01) Jeckoniah, John
There has been significant progress in expanding the use of contraceptives by women all over the world. However, despite considerable investment in family planning (FP) programs, the pace of improvement has been slow and regional disparities have been growing. The results of low use of family planning services led to high birth rates, bringing large families and economic overload. The study was conducted in Mafia District in Tanzania in order to examine the socio-cultural determinants of family planning practices among the people of reproductive age (15-45yrs). Specific objectives were to determine the knowledge level of respondents on family planning and to analyze socio-cultural factors affecting family planning practices. A cross-sectional research design was used. A total of 120 respondents including men and women were randomly selected from five villages. The respondents were selected based on propositional size to each village. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey. Statistical Package for Social science (SPSS) program was used to analyze the data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Knowledge index score was used to compute respondent’s knowledge on family planning and binary logistic regression was used to identify factors affecting family planning practice. The study found that majority (95%) of the respondents had heard of FP but only (27.5%) used family planning services. The most common FP methods used were condom (86.7%) and injection (71.7%) the results based on multiple response. Majority (74.2%) accessed the FP services from MCH clinics. Socio-cultural factors mentioned were lack of knowledge, religious influence, local beliefs, and lack of information and partner’s opposition. However only religious and belief had significantly showed to be greatly (p<0.05) influencing the use of FP and local belief (p=0.037). Despite FP seemed to be well known, respondents knowledge was very low which most likely limited the contraceptive use. The study recommends that more education on the FP should be given to the community to increase more knowledge on the importance of the FP.
Socio-Economic Determinants of Household Participation in Out-growers Scheme and Investor Farm- Employment in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania
(TANZANIA INSTITUTE OF ACCOUNTANCY (TIA), 2019-06-01) Jeckoniah, John
Household participation in the out-grower scheme and investor farm employment has the potential of improving livelihoods of participating households. However, scientific debates on the socio-economic determinants of households’ participation in the out-growers scheme and investor farm employment have not been conclusive and the number of out-growers dropping out of out-grower scheme remains significant. This paper aims at examining the socio-economic determinants of household participation in the out-growers and investor farm employment. The paper adopted a cross-sectional research design whereby exploratory sequential research strategy was adopted. About 376 respondents were involved in the survey. Qualitative data were collected through checklist of questions were analysed using content analysis while quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The results indicate that demographic variables (older age and household headship), group membership, access to credit, distance from household premises to investor and asset ownership were important predictors of household participation in the out-grower scheme (P < 0.05). The Results indicate further that demographic variables (younger age, household headship and household head marital status), household asset, household income and land size significantly influenced household participation in the investor farm employment (P<0.05). Therefore, household participation in the out-grower scheme favour youth household head, Male-Headed Household (MHHs), household in groups, household with higher land size, HHs with less access to credit and household with fewer assets. Participation in investor farm employment favours those households with older age, FHHs, low income, few assets, married, and households with large land size. It is recommended that there is a need for providing sugarcane technical training to out-growers. Also understanding of the factors that affect household to participate in the out-grower scheme and investor farm employment and how they relate to participation decision should be an important part in designing interventions aimed at improving production uptake
Socio-economic factors influencing livelihood outcomes sustainability among households of sunflower smallholder farmers in Iramba district, Tanzania
(Moshi Co-operative University (MoCU), 2018-06-01) Jeckoniah, John
Sunflower is one among the major cash crops that is important in smallholder farmers’ household livelihoods. Despite its potential to smallholder farmers’ livelihoods there are imperfections along the production chain which lower its anticipated impact and leave smallholder farmers exposed to livelihood vulnerability, stresses and shocks. This study determined the levels of livelihood outcome sustainability among smallholder farmers’ households and examined the influence of socio-economic factors on livelihood outcomes sustainability among households of smallholder farmers. The study adopted a crosssectional research design and the sample size was 213 respondents. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics which were useful in the calculation and interpretation of livelihood outcomes sustainability index. Principal component analysis was used in order to scale out the socio-economic factors while multiple regressions were used to determine the influence of socio-economic factors on livelihood outcomes sustainability. Qualitative data were transcribed, categorised, coded, thereafter grouped into themes and analysed using constant comparison technique. Findings show that the majority of the smallholder farmers’ households were categorised into lower levels of livelihood outcomes sustainability with a few households on higher levels of livelihood sustainability. Among the socio-economic factors influencing livelihood sustainability, household size, household head education, household asset index and total household savings were significant (p < 0.05). Provided that there are many households with lower levels of livelihood sustainability, it suggests that these households were not able to withstand livelihood shocks and stresses due to limited capabilities. Thus, it is recommended that members of households should consider diversifying their livelihood activities. This can be done through collective efforts by the smallholder to access micro credits from microfinance institutions and share investments into micro businesses such as retailing of sunflower by-products (seed cakes and cooking oil) in order to increase household incomes and hedge their chances of livelihood sustainability.
Sunflower and Livelihood Outcomes among Households of Smallholder Farmers in Iramba District, Tanzania
(IRDP, 2018-06-25) Jeckoniah, John
Sunflower production is an important economic activity which is potential for improving livelihood outcomes among smallholder farmers’ households. However, despite such potentials, studies still debate on whether livelihoodoutcomesamongsmallholderfarmers can beattainedthroughsunflowercultivationorotherwise.Thispaperpresentsanalysisof the livelihood outcome levels among smallholder farmers before and after engaging in sunflower cultivation. Also, it compared the livelihood outcome levels between sunflower and non-sunflower smallholder farmers. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design whereby household survey, focus group discussion and key informants interviews were used to collect data from 368 respondents. Qualitative data were transcribed, categorised, coded, and grouped into themes and analysed using constant comparison technique. Quantitative data wereanalysedbyusingdescriptivestatisticswhiledifference in difference estimation was run to compare livelihood outcomes. Findings show that households of sunflower smallholder farmers’ had higher levels of livelihood outcomes and they were significantly different unlike before sunflower cultivation. The livelihood outcomes between sunflower and non-sunflower smallholder farmers’ households were significantly different (t = 12.51; p =0.000).Thesignificantdifferenceswereevidencedby the number of household assets and access to financial services. Thus, sunflower cultivation stands a better chance for improving livelihood outcomes among smallholder farmers unlike other economic activities in the study area. Since findings show that some of the households had low level of livelihood outcomes it is recommended to smallholder farmers that they should consider building their livelihood capabilities through collective efforts as they are constrained by land size for cultivation. This can be done through forming farmers groups whereby they can join efforts to access microfinance loans and acquire small scale processing machines. This would enable them to increase household incomes by selling sunflower oil as well as seed cakes compared to selling few quantities of raw sunflower seeds individually.
Sunflower value chain in Mvomero District : Engendered perspective
(Tengeru Institute od community Development, 2017-06-01) Jeckoniah, John
Gender inequality exists in many agricultural value chains. This study analyzed gender participation along the Sunflower Value Chain (SVC). A crosssectional research design was adopted and the combination of systematic and random sampling techniques was used to select 132 respondents. The questionnaire and checklist for key informants were the main methods for data collection. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to compute the characteristics and distribution of respondents, gendered participation, processing and marketing of the sunflower products, and decisions making on income use. Conventional mapping was used to map SVC based on flow of products along the chain, and content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data collected from key informant’s interviews. The study found that gender inequalities exist in the SVC in Mvomero District. The differences are attributable to differences in power relation with regard to access to and control of resources particularly those related to finances, decision making on income use and processing. The most lucrative nodes such as processing and marketing are dominated by men while women dominate less paying activities such as bird scaring, winnowing, grading and drying seeds. Thus, the study recommends to the government, non -governmental organizations and gender activists to continue advocate for the mainstreaming of gender issues along the SVC to ensure more women participation and beneft. The intervention should also ensure gender equity and equality among the actors in the chain so that women and men benefit equally or equitably due to their engagement in the SVC.
Women’s Access to Microfinance Services in Arusha District Council: Implication for Livelihood Improvement
(Tengeru Institute od community Development, 2015-12-30) Jeckoniah, John
This paper aimed at examining women’s access to Microfinance services and its association with their livelihood improvement in Arusha District Council, and the attitude that women have towards microfinance services for livelihood improvement. A cross sectional research design was adopted and data were collected using a questionnaire, a total of 120 women who were engaged in different income generating activities were involved. Descriptive statistical analysis and summated scale technique was applied to likert scale to gauge women’s attitude towards MFIs. T-test was used to compare the economic contribution MFIs into women livelihood between those participating in the MFIs activities and non beneficiaries. The study results revealed that women’s access to microfinance services has a positive impact on their livelihoods. It was also found that majority of women involved in the study had positive attitude towards MFI services as compared to their nonparticipant counterpart. Men were also reported to be obstacle to women’s access to MFI services. It is recommended to government and non governmental organisations to introduce and expand functional financial literacy to improve women knowledge on MFIs services and increase the efficiency in managing their IGAs as well as efforts to increase more women participation in microfinance credits scheme for their improved well being