Browsing by Author "Mgeni, C. P."

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    Economic viability of improved fodder production in Iringa region: comparative cost – benefit analysis of different on-farm treatments
    (Eastern and Southern Africa Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 2022-06) Mbwaga, A. I.; Mgeni, C. P.; Kadigi, R. M. J.
    Inadequate fodder production and availability has been a challenge to the livestock farmers in Tanzania. This study assessed the economic viability of fodder production using on-farm treatments at ASAS farm in Iringa region. A Completely Randomized Design was employed to arrange 24 sub-plots (six treatments and four replications) in plots of 10m x 10m dimension making a 100m 2 which is equivalent to 0.025 acres. Sub-plots were spaced each at 0.5m apart from the adjacent plot by a 1m wide path around the plot’s boundaries receiving different treatments of fertilizer. The total area for Rhodes’s grass (Chloris gayana) study was 2835m 2 . The seeds were sown in each plot and fertilizers were applied in Treatment two -Cattle Farm Yard Manure (T2-CFYM), T3 (CFYM)+Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulphur, and Zinc (NPSZn), T4 (NPSZn), T5 (NPSZn)+Sulphate of Ammonium (SA) and T6 (NPSZn + Urea) while T1 remained as a control (no fertilizer). Through Microsoft Excel, Cost-Benefit Analysis was done to assess the economic viability of each treatment. The study findings revealed that Treatment 3 and Treatment 6 of the experiments yielded positive Net Present Values (NPVs) of TZS 346 601.3 and TZS 1 324 442; Benefit Cost Ratios (BCRs) of 1.46 and 1.72; and Internal Rates of Return (IRR) of 15% and 16%, respectively. It is concluded that the application of T3 and T6 to the Rhodes grass would improve fodder profitability. It is recommended that with the experiment, large and smallholder farmers may produce enough fodder for themselves and surplus for sale to other livestock keepers.
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    Wildlife poaching practices in Tanzania’s Ruaha Landscape
    (AJOL, 2022) Mrosso, H. T.; Kicheleri, R. P.; Kashaigili, J. J.; Munishi, P. K. T.; Kadigi, R. M.; Mgeni, C. P.; Kimaro, M. H.
    Throughout the world, millions of wild species and products are illegally collected, used, traded and exported. Tanzania's Ruaha landscape is considered a critical area for biodiversity, as well as an area where poaching exists. Despite the area being rich in abundance and diversity of wildlife, in- depth analysis of wildlife species hunted most and the methods used by poachers is lacking. This study assessed the most hunted wildlife species, extracted products and uses, and associations between wildlife products, hunting methods, and ethnic groups. Data was collected by utilizing the snowball technique after 123 poachers were given a semi-structured questionnaire in villages near the Ruaha National Park. Among the most hunted species are did-dik, impala, kudu, lion, buffalo, and elephants. Bushmeat, skin, claws, ivory, and fat were the most harvested wildlife products. 60 % of wildlife products used for food and source of income, and the methods used for illegal hunting were domestic dogs, spears, snares, and torches. The findings are critical for understanding the link between the most poached species, products, and methods used in relation to ethnic groups in the Ruaha landscape. Increased anti-poaching patrols and wildlife conservation awareness could help reduce the dependence of local communities on wildlife products.