Browsing by Author "Massawe, G. D."

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9

A review of post-harvest milk losses in Tanzania’s milk sector: lessons from production to consumption
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2023) Lugamara, C.B.; Urassa, J. K.; Massawe, G. D.
Tanzania has engaged in various policies, strategies and programmes in order to increase production, processing and marketing infrastructure for milk and milk products and minimise animal product losses. However, not much is known in relation to post-harvest milk losses. Therefore, the review paper aims to establish from empirical literature the extent of Tanzania’s post-harvest milk losses and the causes in relation to efforts made by the government to minimise the same. To achieve the above, the authors used various databases to locate documents reporting on Tanzania’s post-harvest milk losses whereby 1605 documents were identified and screened remaining with 82 that were deemed relevant. Thereafter, an assessment of the 82 documents led to only 12 being included in the critical review, with ten being dropped due to either being similar or using the same data. Therefore, in the end, only two documents are captured in this paper. Generally, the review shows that there is insufficient empirical information on Tanzania’s post-harvest milk losses with the most recent study having been conducted almost 19 years ago. In addition, the study’s scope was quite limited, covering a sample of 66 respondents and a narrow geographical coverage of only three regions (i.e. Coast, Dar es Salaam and Morogoro). Furthermore, the study used the rapid appraisal approach. Therefore, there is a need for disaggregated information on Tanzania’s extent of post-harvest milk losses at various nodes of the milk value chain so as to inform policy makers and other stakeholders interested in curbing the same. Keywords: Milk losses, milk supply chain, post-harvest losses.
Causes and management of land conflicts in Tanzania: A Case of farmers versus pastoralists
(2016) Massawe, G. D.; Urassa, J. K.
Land conflicts are on the increase in many parts of Tanzania. Though the same existed even in the planned economy era 1961 to 1985, there has been an escalation of thesame since Tanzania opted for the.free market economy in the mid-1980s. While land corif!.icts are experienced by all walk<; of life and people engaged in different economic activities, those between farmers and pastoralists have been more dread.fit! leading to loss of life and property in many instances. The aim of this paper is twofold: firstly, to examine the factors that have contributed to the causes and persistence of .farmer-pastoralist conflicts in Tanzania; and secondly, to examine the strategies that have been applied in managing .farmer-pastoralist conflicts. The paper contains a review that is organised into three .fundamental sections. After introduction, Section Two discusses the literature that analyses the conflict by drawing on the social, historical and economic causes. In Section Three, the papei· introduces some of the key framework<; used within the peace and conflict literature, particularly in reference to the dffering notions of conflict management, conflict resolution and conflict transformation that could be applied in solving or managing conflicts between .farmers and pastoralists in Tanzania for the good of both groups. The paper makes two conclusions: firstl y, the farmer-pastoralist conflict tends to be best explained through an interpretive lens that sees many processes impacting on the highlighted issue. Whilefarmer-pastoralist corifl.icts have been produced by social, historical, economic and discursive factors; the former three factors have dominated most of the analysis within the literature. Secondly, there is no single solution for managing the conflicts. However, to effectively manage the conflicts communities need to adopt a multidimensional approach that takes into account a range of the contributing factors .
Factors associated with post-harvest milk losses at collection centres and among vendors in Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2023) Lugamara, C. B.; Urassa, J. K.; Massawe, G. D.
Tanzania has engaged in various interventions to improve the countries food and nutritional security among which is the creation of a good environment for increased milk production, collection, storage, marketing and consumption. However, milk losses continue to occur along the country’s milk value chain (4.4% and 7.0% at the collection centres and the milk vendors respectively). The study on which the paper is based assessed factors associated with post-harvest milk losses among milk collectors and vendors in Tanzania. A cross-sectional research design was adopted whereby 35 individuals who were in-charge of milk collection centres (MCCs) and 52 milk vendors were selected for the study covering the period June 2021 to September 2022. Generally, the results show that milk was mostly lost through spoilage (2.7% & 3.5%), spillage (1.9% & 3.3%) and contamination (0.1% & 0.2%) at the MCCs and vendors respectively. In addition, Generalised Linear Mixed Model results show that characteristics of the milk transporter (Adjusted Coefficient (AC) = -3.519; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): -5.752--1.286), market stability (AC = -9.525; CI: -18.092--0.958), season (AC = -0.19; 95% CI: -0.37--0.010) and awareness/knowledge on post-harvest milk losses (AC = -0.274; 95% CI: -0.490--0.058) were negatively and significantly associated with post-harvest milk losses. Therefore, respondents’ characteristics, market stability, season, milk handling facilities and awareness/knowledge of post-harvest milk loss were the main drivers of post-harvest milk losses (PHMLs). Therefore, there is a need for the livestock extension officers in Tanzania to create awareness but, also train milk collectors on how to reduce PHMLs. In addition, there is a need for collective investment in milk infrastructures and other logistics if milk losses by the above-mentioned are to be reduced. Lastly, the Government needs to create a conducive environment that enhances the availability of quality and affordable milk handling equipment to allow the storage and transportation of milk that minimizes its losses.
Farming systems and household food security in Tanzania: the case of Mvomero and Kishapu Districts
(University College Dublin (Ireland), 2016-08) Massawe, G. D.
About three out of every four income-earners in Tanzania are small-scale farmers and food insecurity remains a chronic problem for many of them. Around 48% of households in rural areas were either moderately or severely food energy deficient in 2011 and 39% of rural children under 5 years were stunted in 2013. To improve food security in Tanzania, it is important to understand the existing farming systems and their relationship with household food security. This study was conducted in two distinctly different agro-ecological zones of Tanzania, namely Kishapu and Mvomero Districts, to determine the main factors which influence farm households’ choice of farming systems and how these associate with food security. Data were collected during both pre- and post-harvest seasons in 2014 from 506 farm households, and augmented with market surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Four main farming systems were identified based on: crops cultivated; degree of market orientation for particular crops; and the number of livestock units owned. Household food security status was measured and a combination of Expected Utility Theory and Theory of Planned Behaviour used to analyse the factors associated with household choice of farming system. The study found that households which diversified their income sources through off-farm activities were more likely to have better food access in the lean (pre-harvest) periods. The factors influencing decisions on farming systems were related to the household size, farming context and farm characteristics. In the semi-arid and remote areas of Kishapu, larger households were more likely to choose a Mixed Crop and Livestock farming system, indicating that larger family size ensured the supply of needed labour for both livestock keeping and cropping activities. In the higher rainfall and more accessible district of Mvomero, households were more likely to practice a Single Food Crop farming system and were compelled to seek out off-farm work. The study recommends that strategies to improve food security in rural areas should attempt to: enhance income from farming, promote off-farm income generating activities, and promote behavioural change communication on what is culturally regarded as food in the study area.
Food insecurity among working poor and their coping strategies in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
(Social Work Journal, 2024) Njalambaya, C. A; Kayunze, K. A; Massawe, G. D.
Food insecurity is one of the contemporary global challenges as a large number of people in the world have inadequate access to sufficient and quality food. The objectives of the paper are as follows: to assess the status of food insecurity among working poor class members in Dar es Salaam, examine their coping strategies, and determine the association between the status of food insecurity and coping strategies. The study used a cross-sectional research design. A structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) were used to collect data from 336 respondents. Chi-square was used to determine the association between the status of food insecurity of the working poor and their coping strategies in Dar es Salaam. The findings show that the working poor mainly relied on loans from friends and relatives and participating in Rotating Savings and Credits Associations (ROSCAs) as coping strategies. Furthermore, less than 20% of the working poor households experienced food insecurity. Coping strategies such as changing the place of residence, receiving financial assistance from friends and relatives, and participating in ROSCAs were significantly associated with food insecurity status of the working poor. It is concluded that food insecurity among the working poor is a relatively invisible aspect. Being a worker with a monthly wage does not prevent the working poor from falling into the food-insecure population category. It is recommended that the information on the association between the status of food insecurity and the coping strategies used by the working poor should be considered in the amendments of policies such as the Food Insecurity Policy for them to be efficient.
Influence of livelihood assets on coping strategies against poverty among the working poor in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
(Tanzania Journal of Community Development,, 2024) Njalambaya, C. A.; Kayunze, K. A.; Massawe, G. D.
Studies inadequately addressed the influence of livelihood assets on coping strategies against poverty used by the working poor in Tanzania. This paper examines coping strategies used by the working poor, identifies the ownership of livelihood assets and examines the influence of livelihood assets on the coping strategies used. The study used a cross-sectional research design, whereby quantitative data were collected from 336 respondents using a structured questionnaire. A multivariate regression model was used to determine the influence of livelihood assets on the coping strategies against poverty. The study findings show that the working poor mainly resorted to taking loans from relatives and friends and participating in ROSCAs as coping strategies. Despite having low income, the working poor managed to own various livelihood assets such as human, physical, natural and social capital. Furthermore, the use of coping strategies by the working poor households was generally influenced by livelihood assets. Conclusively, the working poor are more likely to vary their strategies in accordance with the assets at their disposal. It is recommended that the local authorities should adequately address the constraints of using livelihood assets so that the working poor use life-improving coping strategies.
Smallholder rice farmers profitability in Agricultural Marketing Co-operative Societies in Tanzania: A case of Mvomero and Mbarali districts
(Heliyon, 2023) Mauki, C.; Jeckoniah, J.; Massawe, G. D.
mallholder rice farming in Tanzania is an important economic activity that has the potential to livelihood improvement of smallholder farmers, yet their profitability remains low due to several challenges they face. This study analyzed costs and benefits associated with smallholder rice farming, determined profit distribution among farmers and assessed risk bearing ability of smallholder rice farmers under changing circumstances of total variable costs, price and yields. The study was conducted in Mvomero and Mbarali districts and adopted a cross-sectional research design, the sample size was 382 smallholder rice farmers selected from three Agricul tural Marketing Co-operative Societies during 2021 cropping season. Data were collected through a questionnaire-based survey and key informant interviews. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and excel whereby Enterprise Budgetary Technique and Sensitivity Analysis were performed. The study found an average Return on Investment of 0.42, Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.42 and Profit Margin of 24%. The level of profitability differed among co- operatives where ‘Umoja wa Wakulima Dakawa’ (UWAWAKUDA) had the highest return per acre (524 417 TZS) followed by Kapunga (414 111 TZS) and Madibira (316 638 TZS). Furthermore, smallholder rice farmers’ Gross Margins were significantly affected by changes in Total Variable Costs, output price and yield per acre. The study concludes that rice production is a profitable business in the study area. Therefore, the local government, co-operatives and other stakeholders should improve drivers that lead to increased profitability such as the water infrastructures, organize markets and build farmers’ capacities to improve yields and profitability among smallholder rice farmers.
Smallholder rice farmers’ technical efficiency: implication for competitiveness through agricultural marketing co-operative societies in Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2023) Mauki, C.; Jeckoniah, J.; Massawe, G. D.
Agricultural Marketing Co-operative Societies (AMCOS) are increasingly being advocated by the government of Tanzania as a way to enhance smallholder farmers’ competitiveness countrywide. Yet, the smallholder rice farmers’ competitiveness is low. This paper analysed the smallholder rice farmers’ competitiveness in terms of Technical Efficiency (TE) in Morogoro and Mbeya regions, Tanzania. Data were collected from 382 smallholder rice farmers. The Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier model was used to establish the frontier line of the farmer’s production potentials by a single-stage Maximum Likelihood Estimates. The findings show that the mean TE indices for Kapunga, Madibira and UWAWAKUDA AMCOS were 84.9%, 87.6% and 79.1% respectively. Across AMCOS, it was found that intermediate costs, labor costs, fixed costs and amount of fertiliser influenced productivity ( P<0.05) while access to training, water distribution, ploughing time, planting systems, and access to credit influenced TE (P<0.05). The mean TE for the whole sample was 83.8% indicating that smallholder rice farms in the study area have been operating below the maximum level of production frontier and given the available technology, farmers can increase their production by 16.2%. The rice production in terms of TE has not reached a plateau, hence there is a potential for improvement. This study recommends that policymakers should prioritize the implementation of targeted training programs and enhance access to agricultural inputs and credit facilities to improve the technical efficiency of smallholder rice farmers. The Local Government Authority and development partners espoused with improving smallholder farmers’ livelihoods should ensure farmers’ access to credit and increase farmers’ linkages to credit providers in the rice farming schemes.
Traditional livestock systems in Tanzania; an application of the TEEB Framework
(The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), 2020) Baltussen, W.; van Berkum, S.; Dijkxhoorn, Y.; Helmes, R.; Özkan Gülzari, Ş.; Vellinga, T.; Massawe, G. D.; Galgani, P.; Borniotto, D.; van den Elzen, F.; Smith, T.