Browsing by Author "Kabote, S.J"

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Agricultural transformation and development in sub-saharan Africa: experiences and policy implications from the Asian green revolution
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2024) Kabote, S.J
This review paper employs population and structuralism theories to analyse agricultural transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa, taking a broader continental approach. It also draws lessons from the Asian green revolution of the 1960s. The review finds that the population in Sub-Saharan Africa is increasing, leading to a corresponding rise in food demand. However, agricultural transformation has been limited due to several challenges including low government spending on agricultural interventions and research; inadequate extension service delivery; poor land use governance; insufficient agro-processing and value addition; limited investment; and climate change. Moreover, the Asian Green Revolution demonstrates that even densely populated regions can achieve agricultural transformation through increased productivity. The review concludes that agricultural transformation cannot occur without increased agricultural productivity accompanying structural economic changes. It emphasizes that agricultural transformation and structural economic transformation must progress concurrently. The review offers policy recommendations, stressing the need for strong political will and governments’ commitment to drive agricultural transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa..
Efectiveness of participatory monitoring and evaluation on achievement of community‑based water projects in Tanzania
(Applied Water Science, 2020-08-03) Kabote, S.J; Mgoba, S.A
The Government of Tanzania is struggling to implement water projects throughout the country to ensure that 90% of the population has access to clean and safe drinking water by 2025. While most of the community-based water projects fail to deliver as expected, participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E), critical for projects’ achievement, is at an infancy stage. This article determines effectiveness of PM&E on achievement of community-based water projects’ objectives. The article adopted sequential exploratory research design to collect quantitative and qualitative data. A random sample of 120 water users in the government and NGOs funded projects was involved whereby 53.3% were women. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews were used to collect qualitative data. SPSS was used to summarize descriptive statistics. Kruskal–Wallis H test was used to compare median differences between the projects, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. Overall, 51.7% of the respondents reported that community-based water projects’ objectives were achieved except capacity building. The projects funded by NGOs recorded high achievement relative to the government funded projects. In addition, PM&E was effective in achieving water projects’ objectives. There was a statistically significant difference in responses between low, medium and high effectiveness of PM&E (P ≤ 0.05). Majority reported high effectiveness, more so for NGOs-funded water projects. The article concludes that PM&E was effective in achieving projects’ objectives except capacity building. Therefore, it recommends strengthening of capacity building for the local communities to manage community-based water projects effectively. This is a policy issue that needs serious efforts at all levels of the government.
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.
Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation of Community-Based Water Projects in Tanzania: An experience from Chamwino District in Dodoma Region
(The East African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020-05-05) Mgoba, S.A; Kabote, S.J
This article examines Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) in community-based water projects implemented by the government and non-governmental organisations in Chamwino District. A sequential exploratory research design was adopted to collect quantitative and qualitative data employing a checklist of items, and a structured questionnaire. A random sample size of 120, water users was involved. The Mann Whitney U Test was used to analyse quantitative data while qualitative data were subjected to the content analysis. The results show that beneficiaries were involved in PM&E through ‘representation’ in governance structures including Village Water Committees, and Community Water Supply Organisations (COWSOs), and also through use of water agents, and direct involvement of individuals in different activities. Some activities like paying water charges and meeting maintenance cost, field visits and supervising project revenues were common for government and non-governmental projects while others like electing water committee members, labour and preparation of progress reports were specific for non-governmental projects. The extent of beneficiaries’ involvement in PM&E was 53.3%, with non-governmental projects showing higher beneficiaries’ involvement relative to governmental projects. The Mann Whitney U Test showed higher involvement of male relative to female respondents, and the difference was significant at 5% level of significance. The article concludes that PM&E was adopted in community-based water projects, more so in non-governmental relative to government water projects. There was an institutional arrangement of governance structures to enable PM&E by ‘representation’. Individual beneficiaries were also involved directly. The extent of involvement of beneficiaries was high among non-governmental projects relative to government ones. The article recommends the enhancement of PM&E in government projects to ensure realisation of project objectives.