Browsing by Author "Kabote, S. J."

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Climate change and its variability on crop production in semiarid areas of Iramba and Meatu Districts, Tanzania
(African Developmen, 2016) Urassa, J. K.; Nombo, C. I.; Kabote, S. J.; Mamiro, D. P.; Mbwambo, J. S.; Mattee, A. Z.; Matata, L. M.; Synneåg, G.
Climate change and its variability are increasingly threatening livelihoods of Tanzania’s predominantly rural population and in particular those households with low incomes. Based on the above reality, a study was conducted in two semi-arid areas of central Tanzania. The overall objective was to determine how climate change and its variability have affected rural households’ crop production over time. Specifically, the paper aims at; assessing farmers’ preferred food and cash crops, determining the impact of rainfall variability on crop production in the semi-arid areas of central Tanzania and determining communities’ perception of climate change. The study on which the paper is based used a mixed method approach whereby both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to complement each other thus improving quality of the results regarding the impact of climate change and its variability on rural households’ crop production. Primary data was collected using a pre-structured questionnaire and focus group discussions’ checklist. Whereas quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Software for Social Scientists, qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Findings generally show that climate change and climate variability have occurred in the study area and consequently crop production has adversely been affected leading to households’ vulnerability to food insecurity. In addition, food shortages have become frequent threatening households livelihood security. Based on the findings, rural households’ capacity to respond to the challenges of climate change and climate variability is a matter of urgency. Therefore, the government, in addition to the efforts already undertaken, should put in place institutional and policy framework to support rural households’ efforts to minimize the impacts of the phenomena.
The effect of climate variability and change to the farming systems in Iramba and Meatu Districts, Tanzania
(2014-06) Mamiro, D. P.; Kabote, S. J.; Crassa, J. K.; Masolwa, L. W.; Nombo, C. I.; Matte, A. Z.; Synnevag, G.; Mbwambo, J. S.
This study examined changes in farming systems in response to climate variability and change. Specifically, the study aimed to;(i) assess /armors' perceptions of climate variability and change and (ii) examine changes in the Jai-ming systems in response to climate variability and change. The study adopted qualitative (fOcus group discussions) and quantitative (household survey) techniques using a sample sire of 150 respondents for the survey. The results demonstrated that smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists perceived the occurrence of climate variability and change manifested through drought, rainfall variability and increased day time surface temperature. Awareness regarding climate variability and change were associated with the middle age group (18-45 years old), which perceived increased drought since the 2000s relative to other age groups. Frequent JOod shortage and increasing .shortage of pasture were on the increase. Contract. to their expectations, smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists were unable to adjust fully their .J arming systems to minimize the negative effects 01 climate variability and change. This means, they had little capacity to change their Jarming systems or simply, they -were vulnerable to the effects of climate variability and change. It is therefore recommended that, through integrated effort by the government and Nongovernmental Organi=ations (Ar(;0s) should support smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists to adjust their farming systems in response to climate variability and change so as to 1111171.111ire the negative effects.
Effectiveness of groundwater governance structures and institutions in Tanzania
(Applied Water Science, 2018-05-08) Gudaga, J. L.; Kabote, S. J.; Tarimo, A. K. P. R.; Mosha, D. B.; Kashaigili, J. J.
This paper examines effectiveness of groundwater governance structures and institutions in Mbarali District, Mbeya Region. The paper adopts exploratory sequential research design to collect quantitative and qualitative data. A random sample of 90 groundwater users with 50% women was involved in the survey. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis H test and Mann– Whitney U test were used to compare the differences in responses between groups, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The results show that the Village Councils and Community Water Supply Organizations (COWSOs) were effective in governing groundwater. The results also show statistical significant difference on the overall extent of effectiveness of the Village Councils in governing groundwater between villages ( P = 0.0001), yet there was no significant difference ( P > 0.05) between male and female responses on the effectiveness of Village Councils, village water committees and COWSOs. The Mann–Whitney U test showed statistical significant difference between male and female responses on effectiveness of formal and informal institutions ( P = 0.0001), such that informal institutions were effective relative to formal institutions. The Kruskal–Wallis H test also showed statistical significant difference ( P ≤ 0.05) on the extent of effectiveness of formal institutions, norms and values between low, medium and high categories. The paper concludes that COWSOs were more effective in governing groundwater than other groundwater governance structures. Similarly, norms and values were more effective than formal institutions. The paper recommends sensitization and awareness creation on formal institutions so that they can influence water users’ behaviour to govern groundwater.
Farmers’ Vulnerability to Climate Change Impacts in Semi-arid Environments in Tanzania: A Gender Perspective
(IntechOpen, 2018-05-23) Kabote, S. J.
This chapter reports on the study conducted in semi-arid environment in Iramba and Meatu districts to examine gender vulnerability and adaptations to climate change impacts. The study adopted qualitative approach that brought together smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists to discuss issues, in nine focus group discussions, in three villages. A total of 99 participants were involved. The results showed that the major climatic hazards since 1985 were, among others, drought, floods, strong wind accompanied with “ice falling,” and crop and livestock diseases including malaria and cholera that affected humans. Their frequencies were reported to be on the increase, especially since the 2000s. Such hazards negatively affected livelihoods resources like land, livestock, human and water resource that in turn affected communities’ livelihoods. Men and women had developed different coping and adaptation strategies, which had not changed much in the past 30 years. Men’s strategies were related to mobility contrary to women counterparts. The chapter concludes that women and children were more vulnerable due to factors like limited control over livelihoods resources, limited mobility, domestic chores and the general subordinate position in the communities. Concerted integrated programmes from various stakeholders are required to rectify an existing situation.
Governance principles for local level groundwater management in Njombe district, Tanzania
(Journal of African Studies and Development, 2022) Gudaga, J. L; Kabote, S. J.; Malisa, E. T
Groundwater governance is a necessary condition for groundwater management that in turn improves access to clean and safe drinking water. However, it is one of the developmental issues, which has not been addressed squarely in Tanzania. Using governance principles, we explored groundwater governance in Njombe district where water for domestic use depends on groundwater source. The study used cross-sectional research design by adopting a mixed method approach with a random sample of 250 respondents. It also involved 32 Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) participants and 9 governance actors at a district and community levels. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to summarize descriptive statistics while qualitative data were subjected to the content analysis. The results show that five out of eight governance principles namely: accountability, transparency, collaboration, rule of law and responsiveness were not practised effectively because of poor knowledge among the governance actors. To that effect, the practice of governance principles was poor translating into poor groundwater management. Therefore, district authorities should build capacity on good governance to all groundwater governance actors recognized by the law. This helps practise governance principles effectively for groundwater management.
Groundwater conflicts or disputes? Experience from Mbarali District in Tanzania
(Journal of African Studies and Development, 2018-07-31) Kabote, S. J.; Gudaga, J. L.
This article examines conflicts and or disputes attributed to ineffectiveness of groundwater governance. The study adopted sequential exploratory research design. A random sample of 90 water users was involved in the survey. The key informants and focus group discussions were used to collect qualitative data. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Frequency and percentage distribution of the responses were computed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results show that 43 (47.7%) of the sample experienced groundwater disputes, between and or among water users themselves, or between groundwater governance structures, at least in the previous five years since 2013. This is attributed to poor governance and failure of the actors in abiding to the guidelines of the Water Resource Management Acts of 2009 (WRMA), particularly lack of transparency, destruction of water pumps and unequal distribution of water among groundwater users. Some disputes were resolved successfully at water users’ level, while those occurred between governance structures were difficult to resolve. The article concludes that there was poor groundwater governance and therefore disputes occurred. The disputes could develop into conflicts if continue unabated. Therefore, the article recommends strengthening of groundwater governance in abiding to the Acts. It also recommends a comprehensive governance structural arrangement, formal and informal institutions to enhance groundwater governance, specifically resolving groundwater disputes to avoid conflicts in future.
Groundwater situation in Tanzania: Experiences from Mbarali district in Mbeya region
(Mkwawa University College of Education, 2018-06) Kabote, S. J.; Gudaga, J. L.; Tarimo, A. K. P. R.; Mosha, D. B.
This chapter examines groundwater situation in selected villages in rural areas of Mbarali District where drinking water infrastructures for domestic use are poor and or lacking. The study adopted sequential exploratory research design to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The sample size, randomly selected, was 90 groundwater users and 50% were women. Descriptive statistics, one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis and independent T-test were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The results show that 66.7% of the respondents depend on the groundwater (deep wells) for domestic use. This was influenced by the perception that groundwater was clean or was the only source available. The mean distance from a household to a groundwater source was 249.50 metres. The variation, in terms of distance from households to the groundwater source between the villages, was significant at 5%. In addition, the relationship between socio-economic characteristics of the household heads and the amount of groundwater used was generally weak. The socio-economic characteristics involved were household heads' education level, household size, household annual income and distance from home to the groundwater source. The study concludes that groundwater was critical and dependable in supporting households' livelihoods. It is therefore pertinent, at a policy level, to enhance groundwater infrastructure development at the local level so long as surface water is dwindling. In addition, the question of groundwater governance in terms of groundwater quality, institutional structures and legal and policy issues worth an investigation to ensure sustainability of the groundwater resources.
Groundwater users’ awareness of water institutions in Tanzania: A case study of Mbarali District, Mbeya Region
(Journal of African Studies and Development, 2018-03-30) Gudaga, J. L; Kabote, S. J.; Tarimo, A. K. P. R.; Mosha, D. B.; Kashaigili, J. J.
This paper examines awareness of groundwater formal and informal institutions among water users. The paper adopted sequential exploratory research design to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The sample size was 90 groundwater users, and 50% were women. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal Wallis H Test and Mann Whitney U Test were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The results show that 50% of the respondents showed average awareness of formal institutions whereas 70 and 57.7% showed high awareness of norms and values respectively. In addition, the results showed statistically significant difference on the extent of respondents’ awareness of water institutions (P=0.001) among low, medium and high categories. Furthermore, there was no significant difference on awareness of formal institutions between male and female respondents (P=0.403). The paper concludes high groundwater users’ awareness of informal institutions including norms and values than formal institutions mainly rules and regulations particularly Water Resource Management Acts. Therefore, the paper recommends endeavours to raise awareness of formal institutions at a local level because awareness of formal and informal institutions is equally important for groundwater governance.
Impact of climate variability and change adaptation strategies on technical efficiency of sorghum production in Manyoni District, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2023) Mbwambo, E. P.; Kabote, S. J.; Kazuzuru, B.
Climate variability and change adaptation strategies are increasingly becoming fundamental for improving efficiency in agricultural production in Tanzania and elsewhere in developing countries. However, empirical evidence on how adaptation strategies improve agricultural technical efficiency on drought resistant varieties like sorghum is inadequate in Tanzania. This study was conducted to address this knowledge lacuna in the literature. With cross-sectional research design, we used a household survey to collect data from 330 randomly selected household heads. A Cobb- Douglas stochastic frontier model was used to determine the impact of adaptation strategies on technical efficiency of sorghum production. Farmers adapted a number of strategies including drought tolerant crops, conservation agriculture, drainage system, early maturing crops, use of hired labour, resistant livestock breeds, membership in farmer organizations, access to extension services, and access to credit to cushion climate variability and change impact. Six strategies including use of drought tolerant crops, drainage systems, conservation agriculture, membership in farmer organizations, access to extension services and access to credit showed significant impact on technical efficiency of sorghum production at 5% level of significance. Such strategies were effective in improving technical efficiency of sorghum production. However, about half of the respondents were less efficient. Therefore, farmers’ adaptation strategies were indisputably essential in semi-arid environments like Manyoni district. Nevertheless, a policy to heighten use of the effective farmers’ adaptation strategies to cushion climate variability and change impact should be devised and effectively executed to strengthen farmers’ efficiency.
Influence of women entrepreneurs’ characteristics on personal well-being in Arumeru District in Tanzania
(African Journal of Business Management, 2018-06-14) Kabote, S. J.
This article tests the hypothesis that women entrepreneurs’ socio-economic and demographic characteristics have no significant influence on women’s personal well-being, using quantitative approach with a random sample of 180 women. The article adopts the cross-sectional research design using a structured questionnaire administered to women entrepreneurs. Non-entrepreneurs were also involved for comparison purposes of personal well-being. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A multiple linear regression was used to determine the influence of women entrepreneurs’ characteristics on personal well-being. The results show positive relationship between personal well-being and years of schooling, age, and wealth status. Household size and employment status showed negative influence and did not show significance at 5%. Being a women entrepreneur and age showed positive significant influence (P = 0.000), while marital status showed negative significant influence (P = 0.000). The article concludes that some women entrepreneurs’ characteristics influenced personal well-being. Due to the fact that women are not homogeneous, the efforts done by development actors including the government should focus on promoting women entrepreneurship with particular emphasis on socio-economic and demographic characteristics to improve women’s personal well-being.
International Land deals and rural poverty reduction in Kisarawe District, Coast Region, Tanzania
(Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), 2014, 2014) Kabote, S. J.; Niboye, E. P.; Ringo, J. J.
Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques, this chapter examines processes and impacts of International Land Deals in Kisarawe District. Three focus group discussions encompassing 30 participants and 17 key informants were involved. A survey of 180 small-scale farmers who were heads of households or spouses also participated in the study. Qualitative data were analyzed used content analysis techniques whereby quantitative data were summarized using Statistical Package for Social Science. Results showed that the process of land leasing to the British Sun-Biofuel Tanzania Limited were top down. Secondly, the employment opportunity created by the investor though improved household income was not sustainable and so smallscale farmers bounced back into poverty. Thirdly, despite a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the investor and Kisarawe District, there were no mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of the deal as a result the win-win situation was not attained and that the deal exacerbated rural poverty among small-scale famers.
Knowledge of vegetable insect pests, diseases and control measures in Morogoro and Iringa regions in Tanzania: a call for integrated pest management
(Academic Journals, 2021) Kabote, S. J.; Mamiro, D. P.; Maerere, A. P.; Sibuga, K. P.; Mtui, H. D.; Mgembe, E. R.; Erbaugh, M.; Cardina J.
This study investigates vegetable growers’ knowledge about insect pests, diseases and control methods. The study adopted cross-sectional research design, employing survey method and involving 400 randomly selected vegetable growers. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to summarize raw data. Colored cards of important pests coupled with field visits were used for pest identification. The results show that 87.1% of the tomato growers reported tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) as one of the important insect pests. Cucurbit growers reported mainly cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) and cucumber moth (Diaphania indica). Cabbage and onion growers reported cabbage aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae) and onion thrips (Thrips tabaci), respectively. Diseases reported were mainly early (Alternaria solani) and late (Phytophthora infestans) blights in tomato and onion respectively, purple blotch in onion, cucumber blight in cucurbits and cabbage blight in cabbages. Insect pest and diseases control was mainly through synthetic pesticides. Frequency of spray was highest in tomato and cucurbits followed by onion. However, the knowledge on tank mixing, record keeping and Integrated Pest Management was limited. It is critical to have a common understanding about insect pests, diseases and control methods that are environmental friendly. Therefore, farmers should be trained on different issues regarding vegetable production and safe use of pesticides. The key training areas should include tank mixing, pest identification and thresholds, and record keeping.
Land governance and conflict management in Tanzania: institutional capacity and policy-legal framework challenges
(Science and Education Publishing (SciEP), 2017) John, P.; Kabote, S. J.
This paper examines land governance in the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor in Rukwa and Katavi regions in Tanzania. The four districts involved include Sumbawanga, Kalambo, Nkasi and Mpanda. Land governance and the management of related conflicts were assessed in views of the roles of local government and the challenges posed by policy and legal frameworks. Using a sample size of 270 smallholder farmers, a household survey was used to collect quantitative data, while qualitative data were collected from 74 Focus Group Discussions’ participants. The results confirmed the ‘legal dualism’ that embraces colonial policy and laws on land issues at local level despite the land reforms that have had taken place in Tanzania. In addition, land conflict was a common phenomenon. The results also show that the efforts of local governments, and other stakeholders, to manage land conflicts were hampered by serious challenges. The challenges include incapacitation of the local government with regard to legal issues, lack of education and unawareness of the policies and legal framework on the part of the citizenry. These resulted into ineffective implementation of informal and formal arrangements governing land issues. Ineffective land governance, in turn, stem from inadequate capacity to resolve land conflicts. This justifies poor land governance. To that effect, concerted efforts are needed to correct the situation.
Need for Sustainable Development: Theoretical and Practical Concerns for Sub-Saharan Africa
(IGI Global, 2018-01-01) Kabote, S. J.; Mangi, H. O.
Since 2015, the efforts to promote sustainable development turned into a new face after the 17 Sustainable Development Goals were embraced by the 193 nation states, in the world, to be implemented up to 2030. Despite this impressing milestone, the concept of SD is not explored sufficiently. This chapter reviews and discusses need for SD in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where poverty is rampant and livelihood security is deprived. The chapter argues that SSA needs SD. This can be achieved through a balance between the environment, society, economy and institutions, concurrently with interventions to eliminate abject poverty and improve livelihood security. Additionally, SSA should address the challenges that impede the efforts to promote SD seriously with considerations that the communities are heterogeneous and inequalities in different forms are lingering. The future research should investigate, among others, appropriate strategies and interventions to balance the environment, society and the economy for SD.
Perceived and measured climate variability and change in semi-arid environments in Tanzania: experiences from Iramba and Meatu Districts
(Inderscience Enterprises Ltd., 2017) Kabote, S. J.; Mamiro, D. P.; Synnevåg, G.; Urassa, J. K.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mbwambo, J. S.; Nombo, C. I.; Chingonikaya, E. E.; Masolwa, L.
This paper combines farmers’ perceptions of climate variability and change and meteorological data trends to generate empirical evidence to broaden an understanding of the phenomena. The results show an agreement on changing rainfall patterns. Bad years described by drought frequencies, temperature, and dry spell have increased since the 1970s. Crop growing period has decreased by one month in Meatu and by more than a month in Iramba. As hypothesised, the Mann-Whitney U test shows similar men and women’s perceptions at 5% level of significance (P value = 0.701). Similarly, the Kruskal-Wallis H test indicates that the poor, not so poor and the rich have the same perceptions (P value = 0.281). These results have implications on crop and livestock production systems and on livelihoods more generally. We conclude that climate variability and change manifestations overlap, making it a complex phenomena perceived equally by men, women, the poor and non-poor. This is understood holistically by combining farmers’ perceptions and meteorological data trends to inform adaptation strategies related decision making
Perceived corruption and quality of health services in Mbeya Urban District, Mbeya Region Tanzania
(Macrothink Institute, 2017-03-31) Kabote, S. J.
This paper examines the effect of corruption on quality of public health services. Corruption, in Tanzania, is a national concern that upsets public health services. There is a public outcry that corruption is increasing in the public health sector while the government’s effort to combat the phenomenon is unimpressive. This poses worries on the quality of public health services. The current study adopted cross-sectional research design, and a total of 180 respondents were involved in the survey. The Mann Whitney U Test was used to compare differences between perceived quality of health services and respondents’ characteristics. Overall, 87.2% of the respondents perceived low quality of health services, and corruption affected quality of health services to a greater extent. Based on age, employment and wealth status, there was significant difference on reporting perceived quality of health services at 5% and 1% level of significance. In addition, respondents’ sex and employment status showed significant difference in reporting the extent to which corruption affected quality of health services at 5% level of significance. The paper draws out two conclusions: first, the quality of health services was low. Second, corruption exacerbated poor quality of health services. To that effect, interventions to combat corruption in the public health sector are needed so as to improve quality of health services.
Revisiting subjective wellbeing to stimulate empirical research in Sub-Saharan Africa
(SciencePC - Science Publishing Group, 2017-03-07) Kabote, S. J.
This review article focuses on conceptualization, measurement and determinants of Subjective Wellbeing to shade light among researchers in the field of development studies, psychology, sociology, philosophy and economics in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), herein also referred to as a sub-continent. The aim is to revitalize empirical research on Subjective Wellbeing in the sub-continent where there is dearth information about this concept. Such scanty information is attributed to, among others, low interest among researchers to conduct researches on Subjective Wellbeing. The article argues that, although Subjective Wellbeing is difficult to define, researchers in SSA should strive to come up with a common definition that enables cross-country as well as cultural context analysis. In addition, the concept is determined by many variables, such that researches should be conducted in the sub-continent, between and within countries, to find out which ones are the most explanatory variables of Subjective Wellbeing. This is important as it can inform development policy to improve Subjective Wellbeing and development more generally in SSA.
Water governance in Tanzania: Performance of governance structures and institutions
(Science and Education Publishing (SciEP), 2017) Kabote, S. J.; John, P.
Water governance is becoming imperative because of increasing water shortage for different uses in the world. However, the concept is not explored sufficiently in developing countries like Tanzania. This paper examines water governance in the lines of governance structures and institutions in the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania. The paper adopted descriptive cross-sectional research design to make sense of the existing situation. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative methods. A sample size of 270 water users was involved in the survey. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to collect qualitative data. Quantitative data were summarized using SPSS while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The results showed presence of weak water governance structures and institutions that cannot influence water users’ behaviour. The basin level was unable to control and monitor water quality because of lacking human resource and adequate funding. The formal and informal institutions were interlinked in their operations. However, village governments and village water committees were unable to resolve water conflicts because of being colluded by those who breached the rules. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to build capacity of the governance structures to enforce institutions in governing water resource.