Browsing by Author "Mattee, A. Z."

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Accessibility and utilization of agricultural information among women farmers: the case of Korogwe District, Tanzania
(2010) Mniambo, B. D.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mhando, D. G.
This study was conducted in Korogwe district involving 100 women farmers randomly selected from four villages. Household data was collected using a structured questionnaire, and supplemented by interviews for key informants and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse the data. The findings showed that education, age, extension services, and mass media determine the access and utilization of agricultural information. Furthermore, low production was due to lack of extension services, low education of the respondents, inability to access credit and unawareness of sources of information. Moreover, sources of agricultural information such as extension services, mass media, and farmers' own efforts have a direct linkage with the accessibility to agricultural information. The study recommends that efforts to increase farmers' access to agricultural information should be improved. There is a need of improving extension services so as to reach and benefit women farmers. Vugiri ward is located in the highlands that are vulnerable to soil erosion which contributed to poor crop production, hence efforts should be made to introduce soil management practices so as to arrest the situation and increase crop production.
Actors’ roles and functions in the improved rice varieties innovation system in the eastern zone of Tanzania
(SAJAE, 2021) Charles, S.; Mattee, A. Z.; Msuya, C. P.
The objective of the study was to establish the actors’ roles and functions in improved rice varieties innovation system in the Eastern Zone of Tanzania. The target population samples for the study comprised of household heads (n = 340) and other key identified actors (n = 99). The research design was a convergent parallel mixed method. Face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and documentary review were used to collect the data. The findings indicate weak or inability of Agricultural Seed Agency, TANSEED International Ltd, Quality Declared Seed producers in seed multiplication and distribution and agro-dealers were not selling quality rice seeds, thereby resulting in low availability and high prices of the same. Also, the findings show weak participation of farmers, agro- dealers, traders and millers in the functions of guidance of the search and rice varieties development, and the limited number of market actors and weak credit mobilization for farmers to invest in IRVs. The study recommends for the Government of Tanzania to create enabling environment that enhances participation of all key actors in the processes of guidance of the search and rice varieties development; linking farmers with external markets; and enhancing the farmers’ access to credit facilities by working on the obstacles hampering farmers from accessing loans from financial institutions.
Beyond adoption/rejection of agricultural innovations: Empirical evidence from smallholder rice farmers in Tanzania
(SAGE, 2006) Mwaseba, D.L.; Kaarhus, R.; Johnsen, F. H.; Mvena, Z. S. K.; Mattee, A. Z.
This study seeks to explore the adoption of rice research-based innovations in rural Tanzania. Apart from the age and level of education of the head of household, which had an influence on the adoption of herbicide in both study areas, the influence of other variables on the adoption of fertilizer and transplanting varied between the study areas. Moreover, the study shows that adoption of the selected innovations is context-dependent. In Tanzania, rice farming is characterized by the predominance of traditional rice varieties. Farmers grow these varieties for household consumption or income, or both, under crop management practices that are well attuned to the available resources. The observed discontinuation and adaptation of innovations make sense, given the production circumstances in which the farmers operate. The findings of the study raise issues with research implications for improved rice production in the study areas.
Change and stability in the indigenous farming system of the Matengo
(FAO, 1999) Mattee, A. Z.
Mbinga District is one of the most densely populated areas in Tanzania. The indigenous system in the Matengo highlands is characterised by the Matengo pit system. This system is believed to have sustained land productivity for over 100 years. But it now faces problems related to environmental degradation caused by bush fires and deforestation. These problems have emerged due to population pressure and the growing human activities on the land. At the same time, it is now acknowledged that sustainable rural development is one that is based on indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable agricultural practices. But an important question is what contributes to the sustainability of indigenous agricultural systems such as that of the Matengo, and how does the indigenous system adapt to changing circumstances? This paper presents a summary of the findings of the Miombo Woodlands Agro-ecological Research Project which was carried out in Mbinga District by a team of Sokoine University of Agriculture and Japanese scientists from 1994 to 1997, with the support of JICA.
Climate change and its variability on crop production in semiarid areas of Iramba and Meatu Districts, Tanzania
(African Developmen, 2016) Urassa, J. K.; Nombo, C. I.; Kabote, S. J.; Mamiro, D. P.; Mbwambo, J. S.; Mattee, A. Z.; Matata, L. M.; Synneåg, G.
Climate change and its variability are increasingly threatening livelihoods of Tanzania’s predominantly rural population and in particular those households with low incomes. Based on the above reality, a study was conducted in two semi-arid areas of central Tanzania. The overall objective was to determine how climate change and its variability have affected rural households’ crop production over time. Specifically, the paper aims at; assessing farmers’ preferred food and cash crops, determining the impact of rainfall variability on crop production in the semi-arid areas of central Tanzania and determining communities’ perception of climate change. The study on which the paper is based used a mixed method approach whereby both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to complement each other thus improving quality of the results regarding the impact of climate change and its variability on rural households’ crop production. Primary data was collected using a pre-structured questionnaire and focus group discussions’ checklist. Whereas quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Software for Social Scientists, qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Findings generally show that climate change and climate variability have occurred in the study area and consequently crop production has adversely been affected leading to households’ vulnerability to food insecurity. In addition, food shortages have become frequent threatening households livelihood security. Based on the findings, rural households’ capacity to respond to the challenges of climate change and climate variability is a matter of urgency. Therefore, the government, in addition to the efforts already undertaken, should put in place institutional and policy framework to support rural households’ efforts to minimize the impacts of the phenomena.
Determinants of farm-level adoption of water systems innovations in dryland areas: The case of Makanya watershed in Pangani river basin, Tanzania
(2005) Masuki, K.F. G.; Mutabazi, K. D; Tumbo, S. D.; Rwehumbiza, F. B.; Mattee, A. Z.; Hatibu, N.
Water system innovations such as rainwater harvesting involve abstraction of water in the upper catchments. Increasing adoption of rainwater harvesting in the riparian catchments could have hydrological impacts on downstream flows in the river basin, but it is assumed to have overall gains and synergies when efficient use of rainwater is optimized at farm-level. This paper examines the main determinants of adoption of water system innovations with specific emphasis on the intensity of adoption and adoption lag, using a cross-sectional sample of 234 farmers in the Makanya watershed. Censored Tobit models were used to estimate the coefficients of intensity of adoption and adoption lag of water system innovations. Group networking, years spent in formal education, age of respondent, location and agricultural information pathways were found to be major determinants of intensity of adoption at farm-level. It was also found that intensity of adoption and frequency of attendance to collective action are strong determinants of adoption lag of water system innovation in Makanya watershed. Empirical knowledge of the determinants of adoption of water system innovations is critical for an effective scaling out of best practices of water harvesting in the Basin.
Differences in schistosomiasis knowledge among irrigation rice farming communities in different irrigation schemes in Tanzania
(2013-02-26) Salehe, F. S.; Mattee, A. Z.; Tarimo, A. K. P. R.; Ensink, J. E. E.
Aim: To assess differences in schistosomiasis knowledge in farmers working in traditional, improved traditional and modern irrigation schemes in Tanzania. Study Design: A cross-sectional survey among farmers practicing irrigation rice farming, in 2 different regions and 6 different irrigation systems. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out between November and December 2011 in the Morogoro and Kilimanjaro Regions, Tanzania. Methodology: Equal number of irrigators in each scheme was employed. Irrigators were chosen randomly by the researcher from the list of all farmers actually engaged in rice irrigation farming provided by the village governments in the six schemes. Two hundred and fourty samples (240) were used, 120 from each region (40 farmers practicing irrigation rice farming in each scheme). Independent sample t-test was used for testing schistosomiasis knowledge differences among irrigators between schemes with the same design and construction of their infrastructures between the two regions. Results: More than 88% of irrigators surveyed in Kilimanjaro schemes had better knowledge regarding to all schistosmiasis items asked compared to those in Morogoro, particularly Chabi scheme-traditional. There were significant difference on irrigators knowledge on schistosomiasis symptoms (P<0.001), and predisposing factors (P<0.001) between Morogoro and Kilimanjaro Modern schemes. Knowledge on predisposing factors differed significantly (P<0.001) between irrigators in Morogoro and Kilimanjaro improved traditional schemes. Moreover significant difference were noted on irrigators knowledge on schistosomiasis symptoms (P<0.001), predisposing factors (P<0.004) and schistosomiasis control measures (P=0.003) between irrigators in Morogoro and Kilimanjaro traditional schemes. Conclusion: From the results it appears that the level of farmers’ knowledge of schistosomiasis is related to: proximity to health facilities of the community, trainings that have been provided to farmers and farmer’s literacy rate. However the government should be responsible to improve health facilities, construct roads and deliver schistosomiasis education to communities in irrigation areas even for schemes which have not been planned, designed and constructed by the government.
Differences in Schistosomiasis Knowledge among irrigation rice farming communities in different Irrigation Schemes in Tanzania
(International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health, 2013) Salehe, F. S.; Mattee, A. Z.; Tarimo, A. R.; Ensink, J. H. J.; Mtambo, M. M. A.
Aim: To assess differences in schistosomiasis knowledge in farmers working in traditional, improved traditional and modern irrigation schemes in Tanzania. Study Design: A cross-sectional survey among farmers practicing irrigation rice farming, in 2 different regions and 6 different irrigation systems. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out between November and December 2011 in the Morogoro and Kilimanjaro Regions, Tanzania. Methodology: Equal number of irrigators in each scheme was employed. Irrigators were chosen randomly by the researcher from the list of all farmers actually engaged in rice irrigation farming provided by the village governments in the six schemes. Two hundred and fourty samples (240) were used, 120 from each region (40 farmers practicing irrigation rice farming in each scheme). Independent sample t-test was used for testing schistosomiasis knowledge differences among irrigators between schemes with the same design and construction of their infrastructures between the two regions. Results: More than 88% of irrigators surveyed in Kilimanjaro schemes had better knowledge regarding to all schistosmiasis items asked compared to those in Morogoro, particularly Chabi scheme-traditional. There were significant difference on irrigators knowledge on schistosomiasis symptoms (P<0.001), and predisposing factors (P<0.001) between Morogoro and Kilimanjaro Modern schemes. Knowledge on predisposing factors differed significantly (P<0.001) between irrigators in Morogoro and Kilimanjaro improved traditional schemes. Moreover significant difference were noted on irrigators knowledge on schistosomiasis symptoms (P<0.001), predisposing factors (P<0.004) and schistosomiasis control measures (P=0.003) between irrigators in Morogoro and Kilimanjaro traditional schemes. Conclusion: From the results it appears that the level of farmers’ knowledge of schistosomiasis is related to: proximity to health facilities of the community, trainings that have been provided to farmers and farmer’s literacy rate. However the government should be responsible to improve health facilities, construct roads and deliver schistosomiasis education to communities in irrigation areas even for schemes which have not been planned, designed and constructed by the government.
Empowering farmers? Collaborative research at Sokoine university of agriculture, Tanzania
(Routledge Taylor and Francis Group., 2015) Mwaseba, D. L.; Kaarhus, R.; Johnsen, F. H.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mvena, Z. S. K.; Eik, L. O.
This article presents experiences with collaborative and on-farm research based on the implementation of a four-year Programme for Agricultural and Natural Resources Transformation for Improved Livelihoods (PANTIL) at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania. It outlines the basic elements in the implementation of a programme aimed to be demand-based, and discusses the challenges encountered in combining collaborative research with the empowerment of farmers. Finally, the article draws out some lessons with implications for the future organisation of collaborative and on-farm agricultural research.
Empowering farmers? collaborative research at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
(2015-06) Mwaseba, D. L.; Kaarhus, R.; Johnsen, F. H.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mvena, Z. S. K
This article presents experiences with collaborative and on-farm research based on the implementation of a four-year Programme for Agricultural and Natural Resources Transformation for Improved Livelihoods (PANTIL) at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania. It outlines the basic elements in the implementation of a programme aimed to be demand-based, and discusses the challenges encountered in combining collaborative research with the empowerment of farmers. Finally, the article draws out some lessons with implications for the future organisation of collaborative and on-farm agricultural research. Cet article presente des experiences de recherches menees en collaboration et au sein meme d'exploitations agricoles, basees sur la mise en oeuvre d'un programme de quatre ans, le Programme Jar Agricultural and Natural Resources Trans]. Ormation for Improved Livelihoods (PANTIL - Programme pour la transformation des ressources agricoles et naturelles pour des moyens de subsistance ameliores) a la Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) de Morogoro, en Tanzanie. 11 presente les elements de base de la mise en oeuvre d'un programme visant a etre fonde sur la demande et traite des defis rencontres au moment de conjugucr les recherches collaboratives et l'autonotnisation des agriculteurs. Enfin, cet article tire quelques enseignements ayant des implications pour l'organisation future de recherches agricoles menees cn collaboration et an sein des exploitations. El presente articulo examina las experiencias surgidas de una investigaciOn colaborativa realizada en parcelas agricolas. La misma se bas6 en la implementacion del Programa para la TransformaciOn de la Agricultura y de los Recursos Naturales para el Mejoramiento de los Medias de Vida (PANTIL, par sus siglas en ingles), vinculado a la Universidad Sokoine de Agricultura de Morogoro. Tanzania. a lo largo de cuatro aims. El articulo resume los elementos principales requeridos para impulsar tin programa basado cn la demanda, examinando los retos que debieron enfrentarse para combinar la investigacion colaborativa y el empoderamicnto de los productores. A manera de conclusion, el articulo esboza algunos de los aprendizajes obtenidos, los cuales ticnen implicaciones para la organizacion de futuras investigaciones colaborativas que se realicen en parcelas agricolas.
Empowering farmers? Collaborative research at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
(Development in Practice, 2015) Mwaseba, D. L.; Kaarhus, R.; Johnsen, F. H.; Mattee, A. Z.; Kayanda, Z. S.; Mvena, S. K.; Eik, L. O.
This article presents experiences with collaborative and on-farm research based on the implementation of a four-year Programme for Agricultural and Natural Resources Transformation for Improved Livelihoods (PANTIL) at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania. It outlines the basic elements in the implementation of a programme aimed to be demand-based, and discusses the challenges encountered in combining collaborative research with the empowerment of farmers. Finally, the article draws out some lessons with implications for the future organisation of collaborative and on-farm agricultural research. Cet article présente des expériences de recherches menées en collaboration et au sein même d’exploitations agricoles, basées sur la mise en oeuvre d’un programme de quatre ans, le Programme for Agricultural and Natural Resources Transformation for Improved Livelihoods (PANTIL - Programme pour la transformation des ressources agricoles et naturelles pour des moyens de subsistance améliorés) à la Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) de Morogoro, en Tanzanie. Il présente les éléments de base de la mise en oeuvre d’un programme visant à être fondé sur la demande et traite des déﬁs rencontrés au moment de conjuguer les recherches collaboratives et l’autonomisation des agriculteurs. Enﬁn, cet article tire quelques enseignements ayant des implications pour l’organisation future de recherches agricoles menées en collaboration et au sein des exploitations. El presente artículo examina las experiencias surgidas de una investigación colaborativa realizada en parcelas agrícolas. La misma se basó en la implementación del Programa para la Transformación de la Agricultura y de los Recursos Naturales para el Mejoramiento de los Medios de Vida (PANTIL, por sus siglas en inglés), vinculado a la Universidad Sokoine de Agricultura de Morogoro, Tanzania, a lo largo de cuatro años. El artículo resume los elementos principales requeridos para impulsar un programa basado en la demanda, examinando los retos que debieron enfrentarse para combinar la investigación colaborativa y el empoderamiento de los productores. A manera de conclusión, el artículo esboza algunos de los aprendizajes obtenidos, los cuales tienen implicaciones para la organización de futuras investigaciones colaborativas que se realicen en parcelas agrícolas
Factors influencing effective delivery of extension services on soil and water conservation practices in Western Amhara Region, Ethiopia
(AJOL, 2020) Girmachew, S. M.; Msuya, C. P.; Mattee, A. Z.
The study was conducted in Western Amhara Region of Ethiopia to determine the linkage between personal, socio-economic and institutional characteristics and effectiveness of delivery of extension services on Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) practices among smallholder farmers. Data were collected using questionnaire survey and checklist from nine kebeles and 383 randomly selected farmers. The study found that effectiveness of extension service delivery on SWC practices in the study area largely depends on the farmers’ personal, socio-economic and institutional characteristics. Therefore, the study concludes that demand-driven extension service delivery is more effective when farmers’ personal, socio-economic and institutional characteristics are addressed and policies and legal frameworks are in place to guide the extension service delivery. The study draws a number of policy and research implications including the development of policies and strategies that the Amhara National Regional State should approve for addressing personal, socio-economic and institutional variables of farmers as a means for effective delivery of extension services on SWC practices in the study area and areas with similar conditions.
Farmer field schools as a springboard for enhanced uptake of farmer field schools as a springboard for enhanced uptake of new agricultural technologies: lessons for Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2010) Mvena, Z. S. K.; Mattee, A. Z.; Wambura, R. M.; Mwaseba, D. L.; Lazaro, E. A.; Kiranga, E. D.; Kilave, D. M.
The uptake of proven agricultural technologies in less developed countries has not been very impressive over the years. This is in spite of the different methods used to disseminate these technologies, including the focal approach, the improvement approach, the transformation approach and others. With the collapse of the relatively expensive transformation approach in the late 1960s, more practical (in terms of resources and clientele characteristics) approaches, namely, the persuasive and dialogical models were adopted. Thereafter the World Bank introduced the Training and Visit system which has been in use at different periods in Tanzania and at different levels of resource commitment. The latest approach in enhancing the uptake of agricultural technologies is through the Farmer Field Schools that have only a short history in Tanzania.This paper reviews the literature on Farmer Field Schools, first giving a brief description of the nature of Farmer Field Schools. This is then followed by experiences from selected countries in terms of: the purpose of introducing the FFS, the process used in implementing the FFS approach, impact of the FFS approach, conclusions on the effectiveness of FFS in promoting the uptake of agricultural technologies, and finally the lessons learned. This discussion is then followed by a brief presentation of the history of FFS in Tanzania. The paper then makes an assessment of the effectiveness of the approach in the uptake of agricultural technologies and the challenges it faces. The paper concludes by underscoring the importance of FFS, offers some recommendations including the creation of more awareness on FFS and monitoring how FFS graduates sustain the FFS spirit. Finally, the paper gives a critical evaluation of the FFS approach vis-à-vis other approaches in use today
A gendered analysis of climate variability and change impacts and adaptations in semi arid area farming systems and natural resources management
(Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (CCIAM) Programme, 2013) Ombol, C.; Urassa, J. K.; Mbwambo, J. J. S.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mamiro, D. P.; Kabotc, S. J.; Matata, L. M.; Synneag, G.
Climate change and climate variability is increasingly threatening the livelihoods of many Tanzanians especially those living in semi-arid rural areas. The most affected are those; with low incomes, less food, poor access to health services, unstable energy supplies, and living in fragile natural ecosystems. Generally, women and men contribute differently to climate change; likewise, they are affected differently and react differently to its impact. The overall objective of the study was to assess the impact of climate change on rural livelihoods' and how households in semi-arid areas of Tanzania adapt based on gender. The study was conducted in Iramba and Meatu Districts. The study adopted a Sustainable livelihood Approach (SLA) developed by DFID (1992) in the analysis of climate change impacts and households' adaptation. Data was collected using qualitative methods such as focus group discussions and key informant interviews, informal interviews and observations. Findings from the study show that, climate change impacts affect almost everybody in the studied communities; however, differences by gender exist. These findings thus suggest that adaptation to climate change impacts vary across genders due to differences in roles and responsibilities, power relations and access to and control over resources.
Linking livelihood improvement and environmental conservation: Case of east Uluguru mountains in Tanzania
(International Journal of Environmental Science, Management and Engineering Research, 2013) Mattee, A. Z.; Mahonge, C. P. I.; Nsenga, J. V.; Kayeye, H.
Livelihoods improvement and environmental management need to be linked. In order to attain sustainable livelihoods and environmental management, it is important to empower natural resource users with skills on the interdependencies between livelihoods and natural environment. Among the strategies to achieve this is through an action research wherein various resource use options are tested and the interplay among the tested options is determined. In this paper, we present and analyse results obtained from an action research that focused on participatory improvement of farming practices and rehabilitation of watershed through tree nursery management and tree planting in Nyachilo village situated in the East Uluguru Mountains. In the farming trial, we tested conventional ridges, ngolo, contour, and traditional slash and burn flat cultivation (the control) technologies on the basis of their potential to improve yields and control soil erosion. The findings indicated that ngolo ranked the first whereas conventional slash and burn technology ranked the last; farmers showed a desire to learn about useful technologies to improve their traditional farming system. As for tree planting, there existed internal heterogeneities as reflected in the heterogeneous participation of local people in tree nursery management implying that in order to thoroughly understand the community, it is necessary to unpack it and analyze its constituent parts. We concluded that a though analysis of the dispersion of a given community is imperative as such scrutiny may lead to an accurate determination of the practical mix of the community strata for effecting the desired ends.
Perceived and measured climate variability and change in semi-arid environments in Tanzania: experiences from Iramba and Meatu Districts
(Inderscience Enterprises Ltd., 2017) Kabote, S. J.; Mamiro, D. P.; Synnevåg, G.; Urassa, J. K.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mbwambo, J. S.; Nombo, C. I.; Chingonikaya, E. E.; Masolwa, L.
This paper combines farmers’ perceptions of climate variability and change and meteorological data trends to generate empirical evidence to broaden an understanding of the phenomena. The results show an agreement on changing rainfall patterns. Bad years described by drought frequencies, temperature, and dry spell have increased since the 1970s. Crop growing period has decreased by one month in Meatu and by more than a month in Iramba. As hypothesised, the Mann-Whitney U test shows similar men and women’s perceptions at 5% level of significance (P value = 0.701). Similarly, the Kruskal-Wallis H test indicates that the poor, not so poor and the rich have the same perceptions (P value = 0.281). These results have implications on crop and livestock production systems and on livelihoods more generally. We conclude that climate variability and change manifestations overlap, making it a complex phenomena perceived equally by men, women, the poor and non-poor. This is understood holistically by combining farmers’ perceptions and meteorological data trends to inform adaptation strategies related decision making
Reforming Tanzania’s agricultural extension system: the challenges ahead
(1994) Mattee, A. Z.
The agricultural extension system in Tanzania has faced many problems, of which the key seems to be the poor institutional, administrative and organizational structure of the extension services. Recently, the Tanzanian government, with the assistance of the World Bank launched a major restructuring of the country's extension system including the introduction of the training and visit (T and V) extension. The T and V extension has some inherent weaknesses particularly if implemented without any modification to the Tanzanian context, due to lack of resources and other complimentary services. Recommendations are given to make the T and V system of extension more effective under Tanzanian conditions.
Rice for food and income Assessing the impact of rice research on food security in the Kyela and Kilombero districts of Tanzania
(SAGE, 2007) Mwaseba, D. L.; Kaarhus, R.; Johnsen, F. H.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mvena, Z. S. K.
This paper assesses the impact of rice research on household food security in Tanzania. The adoption of research-based innovations in rice farming, on which the impact of rice research is assumed to depend, is outlined. Rice production and consumption levels are presented. The paper shows that farmers produce rice for meeting a range of livelihood outcomes, including food security. However, meeting household needs such as education, health and building good houses are as important as food security. In this context, it is argued that food security should be understood within the framework of household livelihood strategies rather than being seen as dependent on household rice production.
Schistosomiasis: A comparative study of its socioeconomic consequences in different types of irrigation schemes in Tanzania
(Global Advanced Research Journals, 2012-10) Salehe, F. S.; Mtambo, M. M. A.; Tarimo, A. K. P. R; Mattee, A. Z.; Hassan, S. N.
This study was carried out through a cross-sectional design in June through August, 2010 in modern, improved traditional and traditional irrigation schemes in Kilimanjaro and Morogororo Regions, Tanzania. A total of 240 irrigation rice farming respondents were selected purposively at head, middle and tail of each scheme. Interviews using structured questionnaires with closed and open-ended questions were used to collect data. T-test was used to determine variation in different variables for infected farmers between irrigation schemes, and for the same variables between infected and non-infected farmers within the same irrigation schemes. Infection was least at a traditional scheme, but high at a modern scheme both in Kilimanjaro Region. Consequently, infected farmers at Kilimanjaro modern scheme lost the highest number of working days on treatment and care of oneself/family members, 14-30 days per season compared to 4-13 days for infected farmers at a traditional scheme in Morogoro Region. We also found significant difference on income accrued from rice selling between infected farmers in modern (p > 0.001) and traditional schemes (p > 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant difference in net working hours per month between infected versus non-infected farmers in modern (p>0.001), improved traditional (p = 0.006) and traditional (p > 0.001) schemes. Since some of infected farmers in Morogoro schemes sold what could have been their food, assets and livestock the study concluded that schistosomiasis has not only caused illness to those infected, but it had impact on socio- economic development of those infected and their households at large.
Schistosomiasis: A comparative study of its socioeconomic consequences in different types of irrigation schemes in Tanzania.
(2012) Salehe, F. S.; Mtambo, M. M. A.; Tarimo, A. K. P. R.; Mattee, A. Z.; Hassan, S. N.
This study was carried out through a cross-sectional design in June through August, 2010 in modern, improved traditional and traditional irrigation schemes in Kilimanjaro and Morogororo Regions, Tanzania. A total of 240 irrigation rice farming respondents were selected purposively at head, middle and tail of each scheme. Interviews using structured questionnaires with closed and open-ended questions were used to collect data. T-test was used to determine variation in different variables for infected farmers between irrigation schemes, and for the same variables between infected and non-infected farmers within the same irrigation schemes. Infection was least at a traditional scheme, but high at a modern scheme both in Kilimanjaro Region. Consequently, infected farmers at Kilimanjaro modern scheme lost the highest number of working days on treatment and care of oneself/family members, 14-30 days per season compared to 4-13 days for infected farmers at a traditional scheme in Morogoro Region. We also found significant difference on income accrued from rice selling between infected farmers in modern (p > 0.001) and traditional schemes (p > 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant difference in net working hours per month between infected versus non-infected farmers in modern (p>0.001), improved traditional (p = 0.006) and traditional (p > 0.001) schemes. Since some of infected farmers in Morogoro schemes sold what could have been their food, assets and livestock the study concluded that schistosomiasis has not only caused illness to those infected, but it had impact on socio- economic development of those infected and their households at large.