Browsing by Author "Martin, Respikius"

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Acquisition of land in rural areas of Morogoro district of Tanzania: policy and practice
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2013) Martin, Respikius
This study aimed at assessing the implementation of land policy al the village level with specific attention to the process of land acquisition through the village government. The study had three specific objectives which are: (1) to assess the rural communities' awareness of the national land policy and the village land Act No. 5 of 1999: (2) to examine the actual processes of acquiring land through the village government in rural areas and (3) to analyze constraints facing rural people to acquire land through the village government. A cross- section survey method was employed whereby two wards were selected purposively and from each ward, two villages were selected randomly. A total of 86 respondents were interviewed while other data was solicited through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. SPSS computer program version 12 was used to analyze quantitative information while qualitative information was analyzed using the content analysis technique. The findings revealed that, the awareness of land policy is low among respondents. Majority of the respondents reported about having heard about the policy but were not familiar with key aspects of the policy. It was also revealed by the study that the process involved in acquiring village land is not as per land policy guidelines. Furthermore, lack of transparency and bureaucracy in land allocation process are the major limitations for rural people to acquire land through the village government. From the findings it is concluded that, at the village level, implementation of land policy is not effective. For the implementation to be effective the study recommends empowering rural people through access to information and capacity building for local institutions which oversee implementation process of land policy.
Exploring electronic waste situation in Africa: a review
(J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage., 2023-12-30) Martin, Respikius; Madaha, Rasel Mpuya; Mwakatoga, Joyce; Babili, Innocent; Kinonde, Suma; Sanga, Camilius
In recent years African countries are grappling with the increase of electronic waste (e-waste) which poses challenge to environment and human health. However, factors influencing electronic waste situation in Africa have not been explored and thus not well understood. To fill the gap, this paper aims at exploring e-waste situation in Africa and analysing factors influencing the situation. To address the objective, a systematic literature review was adopted. Findings show that the amount of e-waste has been increasing in both developed and developing countries over time. Although there are common factors associated with the increase of e-waste, some factors are unique to Africa. These are: reduced cost of used items, taxi incentives for importation of electronic devices and increased use of ICT devices in various sectors. Furthermore, findings show that developed and developing countries differ in terms of the risks posed by the e-waste and this difference is dependent on how e-waste is managed. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the situation of e-waste in Africa is somehow different from developed world both in terms of the factors influencing the situation and ways of managing e-waste. In order to deal with e-waste situation, African countries need to improve awareness of their people, establish and capacitate institutions for dealing with e-waste and invest in technologies for managing e-waste.
Institutions, governance, and upgrading in non-industrial private forestry value chain in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2021) Martin, Respikius
Among the factors for the rise of Non-industrial private forestry (NIPF) include, the demand for timber and limited capacity of governments and corporations to supply to cover for the deficit. In developing countries, NIPF is dominated by smallholder farmers and presents a huge potential for alleviating poverty in rural areas where the majority of farmers live. Nevertheless, institutional framework and governance of the NIPF value chain have a huge influence on the benefits accrued from NIF and their distribution. However, in Tanzania, most studies on the role of institutional framework and governance have been on natural forests and industrial plantations, which for a long time have been the main source of timber in the country. Using the theory of access and the global value chain, particularly the institutional framework and governance structure dimensions, the study analyzed the role of institutions and governance in non-industrial private forestry value chain in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Specifically, the study intended to 1) analyze the role of state regulations in governing timber value chain 2) examine the role of informal institutions in timber value chain and 3) analyze the types of upgrading in the NIPF value chain and the institutions driving them. In large measure, the study adopted an exploratory cross-sectional study design whereby qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observations and document reviews. In addition, quantitative data were collected for the study from six district councils in Njombe and Iringa regions. Qualitative data were analyzed following six steps of thematic analysis including transcribing interviews into text, going through the text, coding the text, grouping the codes to form themes, reviewing the themes, describing the themes and assessing their relationships. SPSS software was used for analyzing quantitative data. The study findings show that the government is the sole regulator of the NIPF value chain, and all actors in the chain operate under the same regulatory framework. This was not unique as similar cases are found in many developing countries. However, in Tanzania, regulations are implemented differently at the district council level whereby some district councils, unlike others, charge higher the cess per a piece of timber. Lack of distinction between industrial and non-industrial private forestry has resulted in placing industrial and non-industrial forestry under the same regulatory framework despite their many differences including economic status of the owners, the size of plantations, and management plans. Lack of distinction has also partly resulted in high transaction costs, which are unaffordable to the majority of actors in the NIPF value chain. Although the regulations affect incomes of all actors, tree growers are the most-affected category. Besides, the study found that trust between value chain actors played a role of integrating actors in the value chain. However, in some instances, it also excluded some actors from accessing timber market under the guise of lacking or having low level of trust. Furthermore, the study found that institutional framework comprising the government, development partners through donor-funded programmes, and grower organizations are behind attempts to upgrade the NIPF. Although four types of upgrading are promoted, only functional upgrading was found to have resulted into higher income among tree growers. In view of the study findings, it is concluded that although forest regulations were set to facilitate the operations of NIPF and to improve its contribution to rural livelihoods. Some of the regulations have resulted into unintended negative effects by limiting the actors of the value chain from gaining more income. Similarly, informal institutions, particularly trust, play an important role of integrating actors in the value chain by enabling them access regional market. Besides, the study concludes that in the absence of a lead firm, upgrading driven by institutions comprising the government, development partners through donor funded programmes, and grower organization is still occurring. The study recommends that in order for NIPFs to contribute significantly to the income of actors, the government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT), should review the regulations governing the timber value chain. Specifically, barriers that limit tree growers and other actors from gaining access to the markets should be minimized or completely removed. In addition, in order for upgrading strategies to contribute to the improvement of rural livelihoods in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, institutions promoting upgrading in NIPF value chain should pay attention to the needs of the tree growers.
The role of farmer research networks’ (frn) principles in influencing farmers’ adoption of improved groundnut cultivars in Singida rural district of semi-Arid central Tanzania
(Academic Journals, 2023) Chilewa, Humphrey Shadrack; Martin, Respikius; Ntumva, Mabebe
Farmer Research Networks (FRN) is a participatory approach aimed at supporting the agroecological intensification of smallholder farming. FRN was envisaged in Latin America and Africa, however, little has been documented on how the application of FRN principles influences adoption of agricultural technologies. Guided by networking, innovation systems and Roger’s theories of diffusion of innovations, this research assessed how the application of three principles, that is, 1) farmer participation, 2) usefulness of on-farm research, and 3) collaboration amongst players in networks influenced the adoption of improved groundnuts. Cross sectional mixed research methods were used. Findings show that farmers participated in forming FRN groups, the production of Quality Declared Seeds and the provision of farmer-to-farmer extension services. On-farm research was instrumental for observational and experimental research whereby farmers were able to see, learn, and adopt the innovation. Players collaborate through joint research, learning, and sharing of knowledge and resources; farmers’ field days; and project meetings. It is concluded that farmers participated in conducting on-farm research and collaborated with different players in the network, indicating that FRN principles were applied to influence the adoption of improved groundnuts. The study recommends farmer participation in preliminary meetings and strengthening the linkage between farmers and more actors.