Browsing by Author "Kadigi, Reuben M. J."

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Determinants for adoption of nature-based income generating activities in Uluguru mountains, Tanzania
(ScienceDirect, 2021) Kadigi, Willickister R.; Ngaga, Yonika M.; Kadigi, Reuben M. J.
Despite the wide recognition of the potential for Nature-based Income Generating Activities (NIGAs) to enhance livelihoods and nature conservation in fragile agro-ecologies of mountain areas, certain aspects that discourage or inspire their adoption remain poorly understood. We investigated the determinants for adoption of NIGAs in Uluguru Mountains using the Generalized Linear Binary Probit model. We also used the Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) to find out whether our pre-selected indepen- dent variables significantly influenced the adoption of NIGAs. We underscore the need to address gender-based disparities in access to land and financial resources through the establishment of tailor-made financing schemes to promote the adoption of NIGAs.
Diagnostic study on performance of participatory farmer groups (PFGS) model for banana – coffee cropping system in the DASIP supported areas
(District Agricultural Sector Investment Project (DASIP), 2013) Kadigi, Reuben M. J.
Agriculture occupies a very important role in the lives of Tanzanians as well the national economy. It employs about 75 percent of the population and it accounts for 95 percent of the food consumed in the country (Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives - MAFS, 2012). In spite of the fact that agriculture is an important sector and the backbone of the national economy in Tanzania, it has failed to improve the livelihood of the rural people whose major occupation is agriculture. 1 Low productivity; under-utilization of the available land, water and human resources as well as low incomes and profitability due to poor agricultural practices, have remained the key features of agriculture in the country. Some of the key challenges include the lack of access to support services, continued dependence on rain fed agriculture, poor rural infrastructure, limited capital and access to financial services, lack of investment incentives in agriculture, weak producer organizations and institutional constraints (ibid). In an attempt to address these challenges, the Government of Tanzania (GoT), through a loan and grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) is implementing a six year project namely: the District Agricultural Sector Investment Project (DASIP) starting from January, 2006. The overall aim of this project is to increase productivity and incomes of rural households in the project area within the overall framework of the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (ASDP). DASIP is implemented in 28 rural districts in Kagera, Kigoma, Mara, Mwanza and Shinyanga regions. The Project has three field components and one project management component namely project coordination. The first field component deals with building the capacity of the project districts to train Participatory Farmer Groups (PFGs) through participatory adult education methods. The PFG members are trained in technical, organizational and management of their enterprises. The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the consultancy indicate that, about 11,000 PFGs will be formed by the end of the project life with each group constituting 25 members on average. The second field component deals with issues related to community planning and investment in agriculture. It aims at building capacity of project districts to plan, manage and monitor village and district agricultural development plans. In 28 project districts and 780 villages the projects supports the preparation and implementation of the District Agricultural Development Plans (DADPs) and Village Agricultural Development Plans (VADPs) respectively. The project supports 1,951 agriculture-related investments such as; constructions of cattle dip tanks, agricultural technologies; storage facilities, market places, market access infrastructure and water harvesting structures for livestock and irrigation of crops. The third field component deals with supports related to rural micro-finance and marketing. Specifically, the component aims at strengthening about 84 Savings and Credit Co-operatives Societies (SACCOS) in all the project districts. It is anticipated that, by the end of the project, 90 percent of target SACCOS will be able to maintain a repayment rate of 95 percent and more than 60 percent of SACCOS will be linked with agro processing facilities and marketing associations. Under this component, the project is also expected to establish a well functioning marketing system that will serve farmers in all the project districts. The project coordination component deals with the day-to-day co-ordination and management of project activities. The Project Coordination Unit (PCU) which is based in Mwanza is responsible for coordinating Project activities and ensuring all project resources are managed prudently. Few issues need to be underlined concerning the overall performance of the project. Firstly, the project has trained a total of 11,150 PFGs on improved agronomy practices, business plans, mini projects and later supported them with mini-grants however; the performance of PFGs obtaining training and mini-grants varies among PFGs. It is important that a comprehensive assessment of reasons behind variations be done in order to inform the process of successful attainment of the project objectives and sustainability. Secondly, the project through its Community Planning and Investment in Agriculture component, has to date funded a total of 1,951 micro-projects and agricultural technologies with 1,229 being infrastructure projects and 722 agricultural technology projects. While it was anticipated that all the completed projects or infrastructures would be utilized by the communities; only sixty percent are utilized. There are various factors that may have influenced or hindered the utilization of these infrastructures by communities and it is also important that these factors are studied. Variations were also observed among PFGs and target communities at large in terms of crop yield and livestock productivity, incomes, access to extension services, training, adoption of improved farming practices, use of farm implements, PFG membership and management of PFGs and community projects. Yet, the reasons behind these variations are not known with certainty.
Drawing on collective arrangements and social networks: a coping strategy for the poor households in the great Ruaha catchment, Tanzania
(SUA, 2007) Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Mdoe, N.S.Y.; Mahoo, H.F.; Ashimogo, G.C.; Tumbo, S.
Access to water and land resources underpins the socio-economic fabric of many societies in the Southern Africa region, which is characterized broadly as underdeveloped with widespread food insecurity, exacerbated by persistent droughts, erratic rainfalls and increasing human populations. The availability of land and water resources is increasingly diminishing and becoming a stumbling block to the development of the agrarian societies in the region. The poor households have in turn adopted new livelihood coping mechanisms but little research has been done to assess the effectiveness of these ‘instruments’. Consequently, the concepts of sustainable water resources management and agricultural development have remained elusive and poorly understood by policy makers as well as by water resources planners and managers. Recognizing this, a study was conducted between 2002 and 2005 under the RIPARWIN (Raising Irrigation Productivity and Releasing Water for Intersectoral Needs) project to assess the spatial dynamics of livelihood capital, vulnerability and coping strategies for the poor agrarian households in the Upper Great Ruaha River Catchment (GRRC) in Tanzania. The results of analysis showed an array of livelihood platforms and institutional contexts that act to shape the existing livelihood typologies in the GRRC. In addition, the results showed a gradual increase in household vulnerability from upstream to downstream, particularly in terms of access to physical and natural assets. Vulnerability was found to be directly associated with the number of dependants. The female–headed households were relatively more likely to be vulnerable than the male-headed households (c.f. probabilities of 27% and 21% respectively). The value of collective arrangements and drawing on social networks crosscut all social strata and ranked as the most common livelihood strategy. This suggests that the scope for reducing vulnerability among the poor households in the GRRC critically depends on the existing institutional arrangements and mechanisms. Of paramount importance is perhaps the need to facilitate the establishment and empowerment of Water Use Associations and Apex bodies. This appears to be promising enough to build ‘strong’ institutional platforms through which water and land resources would be managed sustainably.
Dynamics of coffee certifications in producer countries: re-examining the Tanzanian status, challenges and impacts on livelihoods and environmental conservation
(MDPI, 2021-09) Kangile, Joseph, Rajabu; Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Mgeni, Charles Peter; Munishi, Bernadetha Pantaleo; Kashaigili, Japhet; Munishi, Pantaleo K. T.
Certification is increasingly becoming necessary for accessing coffee export markets and practicing environmental conservation, especially at this time when many of the farmers in develop- ing countries strive to achieve agricultural transformation. Using data from 400 randomly selected coffee farmers in Tanzania, the study determined the status, constraints, key drivers, and impact of coffee certifications. Descriptive statistics and the endogenous switching regression (ESR) model were used for data analysis. Results indicated that the level of coffee certification is low, being constrained by unawareness and inaccessibility, the prevalence of coffee diseases, failure in realizing price advan- tages, and certification not being cost effective. Economies of scale, experience, and participation in collective actions are significant factors affecting coffee farmers’ decision to join certification schemes. Additionally, the study rejects the hypothesis of certification to improve household income. However, certification improved awareness and practices of environmental conservation among coffee farmers. It is thus important to embark on awareness creation and make certification services accessible and cost effective to coffee farmers for increased access to niche export markets. Easing transmission of price premiums to coffee farmers will also increase the supply of sustainably grown coffee, improve coffee farmers’ livelihood, and help in the attainment of environmental sustainability goals within the coffee supply chain.
Dynamics of coffee certifications in producer countries: re-examining the Tanzanian status, challenges and impacts on livelihoods and environmental conservation
(MDPI, 2021-09-20) Kangile, Joseph Rajabu; Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Mgeni, Charles Peter; Munishi, Bernadetha Pantaleo; Kashaigili, Japhet; Munishi, Pantaleo K. T.
Certification is increasingly becoming necessary for accessing coffee export markets and practicing environmental conservation, especially at this time when many of the farmers in develop- ing countries strive to achieve agricultural transformation. Using data from 400 randomly selected coffee farmers in Tanzania, the study determined the status, constraints, key drivers, and impact of coffee certifications. Descriptive statistics and the endogenous switching regression (ESR) model were used for data analysis. Results indicated that the level of coffee certification is low, being constrained by unawareness and inaccessibility, the prevalence of coffee diseases, failure in realizing price advan- tages, and certification not being cost effective. Economies of scale, experience, and participation in collective actions are significant factors affecting coffee farmers’ decision to join certification schemes. Additionally, the study rejects the hypothesis of certification to improve household income. However, certification improved awareness and practices of environmental conservation among coffee farmers. It is thus important to embark on awareness creation and make certification services accessible and cost effective to coffee farmers for increased access to niche export markets. Easing transmission of price premiums to coffee farmers will also increase the supply of sustainably grown coffee, improve coffee farmers’ livelihood, and help in the attainment of environmental sustainability goals within the coffee supply chain.
Economic valuation of auctioned tourist hunting blocks in Tanzania
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2023) Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Nkuwi, Imani R.; Ligate, Fredrick A.; Kija, Hamza; Musamba, Emmanuel B.
Economic valuation of ecosystems is increasingly being recognized as an important exercise to inform sustainable utilization and conservation of natural assets. It helps in planning and establishing fair profit margins that accrue either directly or indirectly from the consumptive and non-consumptive uses of ecosystem goods and services. This paper is based on a study which estimated the economic values of tourist hunting blocks (HBs) in Tanzania using the Analytic Multicriteria Valuation Method (AMUVAM). The study used a sample size of 12 out of 24 vacant hunting blocks which were to be auctioned to potential hunting companies in December 2022. The economic values of HBs were estimated using the time horizon of 10 years (the mean tenure for winning company). The results show that the economic values ranged from USD 6,215,588 to USD 653,470,695 per hunting block and the Existence Value (EV) constituted about 19% of the Total Economic Value (TEV). EV ranged from USD 632,210 to USD 125,147,285. The study underscores the need for decisions to allocate ecosystems, such as HBs, to both direct and indirect uses, to be guided by a though understanding of their values. We further recommend building the capacity of staff charged with the role of managing and allocating uses of these ecosystems to enable them undertake economic valuation of ecosystems using both simple and more robust analytical tools, such as the GIS, relational databases, and worldwide websites based tools, like InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Tradeoffs), ARIES (Artificial Intelligence for Ecosystem Services), and Co$ting Nature.
Economic viability of smallholder agroforestry and beekeeping projects in Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania: A cost benefit analysis
(Scientific Research Publishing Inc., 2021-04-02) Kadigi, Willickister R.; Ngaga, Yonika M.; Kadigi, Reuben M. J.
Agroforestry and beekeeping are widely promoted as prospective Nature- Based Income Generating Activities (NIGAs) to improve livelihoods while at the same time enhancing biodiversity conservation in degrading agro-ecologies. These activities can diversify and increase famers’ incomes and support in- stinctive biota and fauna resilience. However, evidence to showcase and com- pare their long-term benefits is scant. We use the case of Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania to evaluate and compare viability of agroforestry and beekeeping projects using the Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) approach. The results of anal- ysis yielded positive NPVs for both agroforestry and beekeeping projects at discount rates not higher than 8.2% and 8.5% respectively. Overall, the com- parison of economic viability between agroforestry and beekeeping projects revealed that the former was relatively more profitable than the later in terms of both the NPV and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) criteria. However, the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for beekeeping was slightly higher than that of agrofore- stry. Yet, we underscore the fact that these two projects can jointly be imple- mented to enhance livelihoods of farmers and support biodiversity conserva- tion in the study area and other parts with similar agro-ecologies in develop- ing countries. However, farmers in these agro-ecologies need to be supported by governments and non-government development partners in terms of training and inspiration to shift from orthodox farming to sustainable NI- GAs.
Effects of food safety standards on the livelihoods of actors in the nile perch value chain in Tanzania
(Copenhagen, 2007) Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Mdoe, Ntengua S.Y.; Senkondo, Ephraim; Mpenda, Zena
Exports of non-traditional products from developing to developed countries have increased rapidly over the past two decades. However, one of the major challenges facing developing countries in seeking to maintain and expand their share of global markets is stringent food-safety requirements in industrialized countries. The effects of compliance with these requirements and their distributional impacts among actors in developing countries are generally not well known. Based on this understanding, a study was conducted on the Tanzanian side of Lake Victoria (in Mwanza and Mara regions) to evaluate the effects of food-safety standards on the livelihoods of actors in the Nile perch value chain using the Livelihoods Analysis and Change in Net Income (CNI) approach. The effects of food-safety standards were imputed as the residual values be- tween the “with” and “without” compliance scenarios for a specified actor category. The results of the analysis showed that the livelihood platform and income portfolios for the “with”-compliance scenario was relatively more favourable than that in the alternative, “without”- compliance scenario. The difference in human capital and livestock holdings between fishers / crews in the two scenarios was however non-significant (P<0.05). The results of the analysis also showed that both the costs and benefits of compliance with food-safety standards were consider- able. Actors in the Nile perch export supply chain (the “with”-compliance scenario) obtained the highest gross revenues and net returns, as well as incurring the highest operating costs. However, the profit margins, assets and income portfolios for most actors upstream of the fishery value chains were generally lower in both the “with” and “without” compliance scenarios than those of the actors in the subsequent stages. The overall analysis of issues in this paper suggests the need to ensure more effective and coherent planning in order to safeguard the future of the fishery sector, ensure an appropriate regulatory framework, strengthen the capacity of the stakeholders to manage the resource sustainably, develop safeguards for ensuring an equitable distribution of fishery benefits, and increase collaboration among the riparian states of Lake Victoria between them and development partners.
The effects of trade governance on sugar trade and its landscape of policy practices in Tanzania
(SAGE, 2022) Kangile, Joseph Rajabu; Mpenda, Zena Theopist; Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Mgeni, Charles Peter
Trade governance is important for the efficient implementation of trade policies that support and controls most of the global value chains (GVCs) trade in African countries. Poor trade governance leads to misalignment of trade policies and affects the sustainability of the agricultural commodities supply chains. This study used cross-sectional survey data of 375 randomly selected sugar supply chain actors in Tanzania to evaluate the level of trade governance in Tanzania and ascertain its effects on the sugar trade. Exploratory (factor analysis) and confirmatory (weighted least square regression) models were used for data analysis. The major findings are that governance affects the sugar trade with the magnitude of its effects being felt differently between farmers and traders. It shows further that abrupt trade policy change significantly (p < .05) reduces sugar trade by almost half (47.7%) and lowers the overall level of efforts to invest within the sugar supply chain. Ensuring trade policies are stable and predictable will increase trade by allowing forward contracting and investments. It is also important to create awareness of institutions and organizations managing the sugar supply chain by encouraging transparency in trade policy administration and practices for improving trade governance.
The effects of trade governance on sugar trade and its landscape of policy practices in Tanzania
(SAGE, 2022) Kangile, Joseph Rajabu; Mpenda, Zena Theopist; Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Mgeni, Charles Peter
Trade governance is important for the efficient implementation of trade policies that support and controls most of the global value chains (GVCs) trade in African countries. Poor trade governance leads to misalignment of trade policies and affects the sustainability of the agricultural commodities supply chains. This study used cross-sectional survey data of 375 randomly selected sugar supply chain actors in Tanzania to evaluate the level of trade governance in Tanzania and ascertain its effects on the sugar trade. Exploratory (factor analysis) and confirmatory (weighted least square regression) models were used for data analysis. The major findings are that governance affects the sugar trade with the magnitude of its effects being felt differently between farmers and traders. It shows further that abrupt trade policy change significantly (p < .05) reduces sugar trade by almost half (47.7%) and lowers the overall level of efforts to invest within the sugar supply chain. Ensuring trade policies are stable and predictable will increase trade by allowing forward contracting and investments. It is also important to create awareness of institutions and organizations managing the sugar supply chain by encouraging transparency in trade policy administration and practices for improving trade governance.
Evaluating the contribution of complex international research‑for‑development programmes to the sustainable development goals
(Springer, 2023) Lu‑Gonzales, Arlene; Tsusaka, Takuji W.; Szabo, Sylvia; Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Foglietti, Camilla Blasi; Park, Seree; Matthews, Zoe
While evaluation of research-to-policy projects is a fundamental aspect of measur- ing the impact of new knowledge, limited studies have examined evaluation methods in such projects, as well as how the evaluation can generate learning to facilitate the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study conducted a systematic literature review and found that the most commonly used methods for SDG contribution evaluation were Analytical Hierarchy Process (40.4%), Fuzzy TOPSIS (13.2%) and ELECTRE and SPADE Methodology (3.5% each). Rank- ing analysis was undertaken to determine priorities among the six “Big Wins” as defined for the UKRI-GCRF Trade Hub Project, as a case, where the ranking was exercised by the project partners across the globe. Results revealed that “nature and social factors” was better considered in international trade agreements as the prior- ity (36.4%) among others. Moreover, among the four “mechanisms” of the project, “knowledge, networks, and connectivity” was ranked as the top priority (56.9%), followed by “capacity building” (28.5%), “metrics, tools and models” (7.2%), and “improving the knowledge base” (4.6%). Mapping and evaluation revealed that the Big Wins of the Trade Hub contributed to ten out of the 17 SDGs. The most ful- filled goals were SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) in descending order. Furthermore, interaction analysis of the core SDGs revealed both synergy and tradeoff between different out- puts. The research articles reviewed for this paper showed no gold standard frame- work for assessing international development projects against the SDGs. Further research should develop a tool to capture holistic and synergistic contributions of the target outcomes of projects to sustainable development.
Income inequality in mountain areas: the case of Agroforestry farming systems in Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2021) Kadigi, Reuben M. J.
Land degradation due to use of unsustainable agricultural practices has af- fected many communities in rural mountain areas rendering them to be more vulnerable to income poverty and inequality. In this case, agroforestry sys- tems promise to offer great solutions as they can be developed in unfavour- able conditions where other production systems would either rapidly degrade the land or otherwise would not be possible. However, little is known whether agroforestry can address issues of income inequality in mountain areas. Hence, we conducted a study to investigate the nature and determinants of income inequality in Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania. Specifically, we used the cross-sectional research design and we calculated the income percentile shares, Gini coefficients and the coefficient of variation (CV), to pinpoint the nature of income inequality in the study area. The determinants of income inequality were analysed using the step by step multiple linear model. The results of analysis suggested prevalence of income inequality. Crop produc- tion was the main source of income in the agroforestry systems of the study area. Earnings from crops and timber were decreasing income-inequality amongst smallholder farmers. Our disaggregated analysis showed that off- farm income was also decreasing income-inequality for farmers with farm- lands located close to homestead, for female-headed households, for farmers who did not access extension services, and those who were members of com- munity-based financial institutions. Estimated incomes increased with house- hold assets, size of farmland, and age of household head. However, the same decreased with household size. We found gender disparity to be one of the key issues that need attention in formulating future policies to reduce ine- quality. We recommend promotion of livelihood diversification as well as the designing and implementation of tailor-made training and farm financing mechanism to help the less resource-endowed farmers in mountain areas to raise their economic portfolios and social status and combat income poverty and inequality.
The Knowledge about the Potential Health Risks of Illegal Bushmeat Activities among Local Communities Adjacent to Western Nyerere National Park, Tanzania
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2023-01-19) Foya, Yohani R.; Mgeni, Charles P.; Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Kimaro, Michael H.; Hassan, Shombe N.
Establishing knowledge of local communities regarding the potential health risks of illegal bushmeat hunting and its related practices is among the essen- tial means to developing effective conservation and public health programs. To reveal the understanding of the local people regarding the potential health risks of bushmeat consumption and handling of wildlife products, we used a semi-structured questionnaire to survey 261 households in eight villages lo- cated adjacent to the western part of Nyerere National Park. Also, we inter- viewed eight key informants, including conservation personnel and veteri- nary officers, in the study area. The proportion of local people who were un- aware that handling of wildlife products and bushmeat consumption were risky behaviours towards acquiring zoonotic diseases was slightly higher (57%) than the proportion of respondents who were aware of the likely risks of zoonotic diseases from the practices. After all, the majority (83%) of local people admitted having come into contact with wildlife products, while over 70% reported having consumed bushmeat. We found that local communities living closer to the park boundaries (<15 km) have a higher likelihood of contacting wildlife products, and that community members who have lived in the area for more than ten years have experienced more contact with wildlife products than immigrants. Moreover, the age of inhabitants and length of stay were found to be the most significant factors in determining the likelih- ood of bushmeat consumption. Most people seemed to prefer bushmeat to domestic meat, arguing that bushmeat is far more flavorful, tender, not tainted with chemicals, and has less fat, making it safer. Our study demon- strated that local communities participate in risky practices without contem- plating the health consequences that could emerge should a zoonotic disease outbreak occur. Among other strategies, we recommended conservation and public health institutions to increase awareness campaigns on the possible health risks of zoonotic diseases associated with wildlife.
Mapping uses and competition for shared water resources: conflicts and values in Mkoji sub-catchment, Tanzania
(Loskopdam, South Africa, 2004) Hermans, Leon M.; Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Mahoo, Henry F.; Halsema, Gerardo E. van
Conflicts over water are a common feature in closing basins and the difficulties in resolving them provide a serious barrier for the formulation of an effective IWRM strategy. Understanding the specifics of a conflict, including its dynamics and its evolution, provides an essential basis for subsequent efforts towards conflict resolution. Since conflicts are driven by interests and values of stakeholders, insight into the values underlying conflicts may further help the identification of promising ways to resolve them. Especially the latter is of crucial importance, as the identification of effective solutions to conflicts still remains more of an art than a craft. This paper discusses the use of two analytic frameworks that support a better understanding of local conflicts over water: conflict analysis and value- focused thinking. It illustrates the use of these frameworks to analyse local water conflicts in a closed sub-catchment in Tanzania. It shows how these frameworks support the identification of solutions that can help local stakeholders to “create value” in closing basins. On the basis of this illustrative analysis, the paper argues that these two frameworks deserve a wider use in the field of local water management.
Modus operandi for cluster development
(WWF-Tanzania Country Office, 2021-06) Kadigi, Reuben M. J.
CDF is envisioned to address the challenges of ness, ecological sustainability and improved income and livelihoods. SAGCOT aims to mobilize the agricultural potential of southern Tanzania for investment in agriculture and supporting infrastructure. It also encourages an enabling policy environment and supports improved natural resource management and green growth. Working as an informal advisory body, the SAGCOT Green Reference Group (GRG) was established to assist the SAGCOT Centre Limited (SCL) coordinate and monitor the environmental aspects in all programmes in the SAGCOT region. Where applicable, the GRG also advises the SAGCOT Catalytic Fund. The GRG brings together a representative group of stakeholders from government, the private sector (including farmers), the donor community and civil society, together with independent scientific advisors. Every public and private investor is legitimately required to work within the existing regulatory framework and professionally encourage environmentally-friendly and socially sustainable agricultural growth. The primary objective of GRG is to provide the SCL and its partners with guidance, advice and recommendations on environmental and social issues in the SAGCOT region. This guidance includes development of opportunities for inclusive green growth and climate-smart agriculture, as well as the identification and mitigation of environmental risks and damage. The GRG assists the SCL in identifying key gaps in inclusive green growth efforts, aligning activities of partners and other stakeholders and prioritizing programmes and institutions to partner with, as well as, in promoting and raising awareness on inclusive green growth opportunities.
Optimising behaviour of round potato farmers in southern highlands of Tanzania
(REPOA, 2011) Mpogole, Hosea; Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Mlambiti, Melchior E.
Production and consumption of round potatoes have been increasing in Tanzania. This is evidenced by the increase of the urban street chips vendors; local smallholder crisps processors; and large scale processors such as CRISPO Company at Iringa. The increase in consumption of round potato is due mainly to increased economic activities, population increase, urbanisation, increase in number of fast food restaurants, and tourism which change eating habits and consumer preferences towards easy to cook, pre-prepared and processed foods such as potato chips and crisps. It is also known that there are various round potato varieties with different characteristics such as size, shape, taste, yield, and processing qualities. Thus, different varieties may have different markets and hence profitability. According to economic theory, a farmer is expected to grow varieties that promise to yield the maximum profit. However, studies done in other countries indicate that smallholder farmers were guided by factors other than profit maximisation. Therefore, this study analysed the optimisation behaviour of smallholder round potato farmers in Southern Highlands of Tanzania basing on four questions. How do farmers allot land to various crops? What guides farmers’ selection for the round potato varieties they grow? Are there variations in profitability among round potato varieties? And are round potato farmers maximisers of profit? Results show that there were variations in profitability among varieties. Also, farmers’ decisions regarding variety selections, time of sale and acreage decisions were not guided by profit maximisation. Selling price of the previous season and profitability did have any effect on variety selections. The study concludes that smallholder round potato farmers were not optimisers of profit. Understanding farmers’ optimisation behaviour and variety preferences is important in informing relevant policies as input to the current government effort of commercialising smallholder production, poverty reduction, and future variety development and diffusion.
Perceptions of smallholder farmers on nature-based income generating activities as potential livelihood and biodiversity conservation strategies in Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania
(Academic Journals, 2021) Kadigi, Willickister R.; Ngaga, Yonika M.; Kadigi, Reuben M. J.
Nature-based Income Generating Activities (NIGAs) can enhance livelihoods of smallholder farmers and biodiversity conservation in highly degrading ecosystems. These practices are promoted by various development and conservation partners worldwide to combat land degradation and biodiversity loss. However, their adoption remains low for reasons not well understood by their promoters. This can largely be attributed to the failure of the promoters to recognise and acknowledge the perceptions and priorities of target communities. We use the case of Uluguru Mountains to investigate the perceptions of farmers regarding the NIGAs that have potential to enhance both livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. Specifically, we use the Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance (W)/Kendall’s tau, the Spearman correlation/Spearman’s (rho), and the Likert scale methods to identify the highly ranked NIGAs and test the hypotheses that: (a) the smallholder farmers in the study area did not agree among themselves about the ranking of potential livelihood and biodiversity-enhancing NIGAs, (b) the promotion of agroforestry has reduced the communities’ reliance on firewood, building poles and wood from the Uluguru Forest Reserve (UFR). We used the latter as an indicator of improved biodiversity conservation. We found that agroforestry and beekeeping were the highly ranked NIGAs and the communities in the study area had moderately reduced their reliance on timber products from UFR. We conclude that NIGAs can significantly enhance livelihoods and conserve biodiversity in mountain areas. However, future efforts to promote them should be guided by a thorough understanding and recognition of the real needs and priorities of target beneficiaries. This is imperative for winning their support and for designing the right outreach package.
Potential of rainfall indexed micro-insurance programs as tools to mitigate agricultural production risks in Tanzania
(Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA), 2011) Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Kingu, Peter M.; Kaliba, Aloyce R.
This paper discusses the theoretical and practical approach of developing and pricing rainfall indices, the potential and challenges of using rainfall indexed microinsurance programs as tools to mitigate agricultural production risks in Tanzania. The paper draws on the conceptual and methodological approaches of an on‐going research project which is funded by the Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA). The overall aim of the project is to estimate rainfall indexed put options and provide quantitative evidence that put options can be effectively employed as a viable agricultural risk management strategy by small scale farmers in Tanzania. The project is intended to provide the real world contexts within which pricing rainfall indexed put options methodology and tools can be assessed. Specifically, the project reviews the existing policies that affect availability and access to microfinance by small‐scale farmers in Tanzania. It intends to develop and price rainfall‐indexed put options at the ward level; estimate the willingness to pay for rainfall‐indexed put options; identify factors influencing willingness to pay for these options; build capacity to develop and price rainfall‐indexed put options and estimate willingness to pay for rainfall‐indexed put options.
Revisiting the Solow-Swan model of income convergence in the context of coffee producing and re-exporting countries in the world
(Elsevier Ltd, 2022) Kadigi, Reuben M. J.; Robinson, Elizabeth; Szabo, Sylvia; Kangile, Joseph; Mgeni, Charles Peter; Marcello, De Maria; Tsusaka, Takuji; Nhau, Brighton
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Solow-Swan’s proposition that poorer countries grow faster than richer countries causing declining income disparities across countries. The role of coffee trade in income convergence is also analyzed to enrich our understanding of whether traditional cash export crops, like coffee, contribute significantly to income convergence. We found that, GDP per capita was growing faster among coffee producers than coffee re-exporters, supporting the Solow-Swan’s model. However, coffee export values and shares decreased with convergence for green coffee producers while increasing among re-exporters, implying unequal distribution of benefits along the global coffee value chain.
Rice production economics at the local and national levels: the case of Usangu plains in Tanzania
(International Water Management Institute (IWMI), 2003) Kadigi, Reuben M. J.
This report explores the production economics of paddy at the basin (Usangu), district (Mbarali), regional (Mbeya) and national (Tanzania) levels. The important features of the report are summarized in the document.