Browsing by Author "Massawe, Goodluck D."

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Determinants of post-harvest milk losses among milk producers in Tanzania
(ASRIC Journal on Agricultural Sciences, 2023) Lugamara, Charles B.; Urassa, Justin K.; Massawe, Goodluck D.
Despite the Tanzania’s programmes that aimed at improving infrastructures for milk and milk products, milk losses continue to be substantially high. The paper evaluated the determinants of post-harvest milk losses at the milk producers in Tanzania. The study adopted the cross-sectional research design whereby data were collected from 370 household heads and 38 Farm Managers in both the dry (June to October 2021; June to September 2022) and wet (November to December 2021; January to May 2022) seasons. Generally, study findings showed that milk was mainly lost through spillage, spoilage and contamination. In addition, Generalised Linear Mixed Model results showed existence of significant associations between location (Adjusted Coefficient (AC) = -0.80; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): -1.28-0.31), cattle keeping systems (AC = -0.75; 95% CI: -1.38-0.11), market price (AC = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.23- 1.10), transport means (AC = -0.69; 95% CI: -1.29—0.10) and spillage. Additionally, washing cow’s udder before milking (AC = -2.10; 95% CI: -3.70-0.49), water used for washing milk utensils (AC = -1.302; 95% CI: -2.43—0.17) and storage equipment (AC = -1.26; 95% CI: -2.47—0.05) were significantly associated with spoilage. Therefore, the Tanzanian government needs to improve extension services and workable strategies to minimise milk losses.
Income linkage as an aspect of power relations among chain actors in the groundnuts seed value chain in Kongwa and Kiteto districts, Tanzania
(TAJOCODE, 2023-06-09) Mulokozi, Gibson G.; Massawe, Goodluck D.; Mwololo, James
This study aims at addressing limited knowledge on income linkages and power dynamics within the groundnuts seed value chain. The study population comprised members from three clusters: research institutes, village and district authority level, including innovation platform members in Kiteto and Kongwa Districts. Primary data was collected through focus group discussions and interviews, while secondary data was obtained from records relating to the groundnut crop and its value chain. Four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) (two in Mlali Village-Kongwa District and two in Kiteto District) with a total of 48 purposively selected respondents participated in the discussions. Key informants were also selected using a purposive sampling technique to obtain a range of cases with relevant knowledge of the groundnut seed value chain. Social network data on income linkages among actors was analysed using the UCINET statistical software package integrated with the NETDRAW program to determine centrality measures and the level of influence and importance among chain actors. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews were also analysed through content analysis involving breaking, comparing, and categorizing to complement the social network data. The study revealed that farmers and middlemen had the highest relative normalized betweenness compared to other actors in both district and village levels, indicating that they are powerful due to their importance in the value chain setup. The study concluded that there is a need to ensure inclusive and improved income linkages both vertically and horizontally with other actors for stable and functional groundnuts seed value chain
Media narratives and agrarian conflicts: unveiling the discourse on farmer-pastoralist tensions in Tanzania
(The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023-12-27) Massawe, Goodluck D.
This paper explores the portrayal of farmer-pastoralist conflicts in Tanzanian media, focusing on how these narratives influence public perception and policy. Despite significant contributions to the economy, pastoralists face negative media depictions that exacerbate tensions with farmers. Using Norman Fairclough's model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the research examines the language and framing in media articles to uncover biases and their societal impact. The paper employs a qualitative methodology, analyzing headlines, lead paragraphs, and lexical choices in media representations over the last 30 years. Findings reveal that media often depict pastoralists as violent, irrational, and obstructive to development, which marginalizes them and reinforces societal prejudices. Positive portrayals, though less frequent, highlight their roles as peaceful, environmentally conscious, and politically significant. The discussion delves into the political economy of media in Tanzania, showing how dominant socio-political groups' interests are served at the expense of pastoralists. Conclusions stress the need for balanced media representations to foster understanding and sustainable coexistence between farmers and pastoralists. Recommendations call for media practices that reflect the complexities of pastoral life and contribute to more equitable policy frameworks.
Rapid environmental flow assessment for sustainable water resource management in Tanzania’s Lower Rufiji River Basin: a scoping review
(Heliyon, 2023) Kimambo, Offoro N.; Mbungu, Winfred; Massawe, Goodluck D.; Hamad, Amina A.; Ligate, Elly J.
The use of Environmental flow (e-Flow) assessment is a widely adopted approach to facilitate informed decision-making concerning sustainable management and utilization of water resources in river systems. The Lower Rufiji River Basin faces various developmental pressures from several sectors, including hydropower, mining, agriculture, livestock, fishing, and tourism, necessitating effective management of the sub-catchment area to prevent significant environmental impacts. Consequently, it is essential to acquire a comprehensive comprehension of the catchment’s at tributes, encompassing both climatic and non-climatic factors. Supported by e-Flow batch anal ysis of the available data at Stiegler’s Gorge using the global environmental flow calculator, a scoping review was conducted to determine the status of environmental flow in the lower Rufiji River basin. The findings suggest that, while there has been progress in understanding eFlow estimation, limited data and ecohydrological processes’ poor comprehension still present chal lenges. Hydrological and holistic methodologies are commonly employed in Tanzania; however, uncertainties remain, raising questions concerning trust between decision-making tools and water resource utilization by the public. Climate variability influences e-Flow in the Rufiji River Basin, and the projections under various scenarios indicate an increased temperature, varying rainfall, and humidity levels. Further, the area has been identified as a vulnerable “hotspot” where communities face greater climate stressor risks. With the existing and planned developmental projects in the basin, including hydroelectric dams, mining, agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, it is critical to assess e-Flow in the Lower Rufiji River basin to ensure resource sustainability. Advocating for preserving a dynamic environmental flow regime in rivers is recommended, considering the Rufiji River Basin’s habitat connectivity. The future research direction should be quantifying the contribution of base flow to the surface flow, and salinity dynamics in the Lower Rufiji River Basin, which can affect the Delta’s biodiversity.