Browsing by Author "Mlozi, M. R. S"

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    A decision support system for enhancing crop productivity of smallholder farmers in semi-arid agricultureA decision support system for enhancing crop productivity of smallholder farmers in semi-arid agriculture
    (2013) Churi, A. J.; Mlozi, M. R. S; Tumbo, S. D.; Casmir, R.; Mahoo, M. R. S
    This study aimed at investigative decision support systems for assisting strategic and tactical decision making of smallholder farmers to reduce climate risks and increase crop productivity of semi-arid areas. Specifically, the study assessed farm-level decisions used by the farmers for reducing climate risks; examined information communication and knowledge sharing strategies for enhancing decision making and designed a system for assisting the farmers in selecting appropriate options for improving crop productivity. Development of DSS was governed by design science where prototyping approach was used to allow complete participation of end-users. The proposed architecture allows difference agricultural actors participate in communicating agricultural information and sharing of knowledge with smallholder farmers. The DSS was implemented and assessed by farmers as a useful tool for accessing information and advisories in agricultural systems. More research is recommended to enable simple and affordable mobile phones be used by farmers to access wealth of agricultural knowledge and policies from research centres and government resources.
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    Implementing poultry vaccination and biosecurity at the village level in Tanzania: a social strategy to promote health in free-range poultry populations
    (ResearchGate, 2009-08) Muhairwa, A. P; Mtambo, M. M. A; Mwamhehe, H; Msago, A; Mlozi, M. R. S; Cardona, C.J; Msoffe, Peter L. M.; Bunn, David
    A social strategy was tested for implement- ing Newcastle disease (ND) vaccination and biosecur- ity improvements among free-ranging chicken at village level in Tanzania. In addition to training the local poultry vaccinators, data recorders and poultry- keepers, the strategy involved training and empowering leaders at the district, ward and village level. The trainings covered poultry health, management, and marketing of village chickens, with an emphasis on ND vaccination and improving biosecurity against avian influenza (AI), The study sites included villages in one ward in each of three each three districts (Iringa, Mtwara-Mikindani, and Mvomero) of mainland Tan- zania. Ninety-six local leaders at district level and 101 leaders at ward levels were trained. In addition, 196farmers (households) were trained, as well as 86 vaccinators and 26 data recorders. Data recorders were also trained as poultry first aid workers. ND vaccina- tion was conducted by the vaccinators, supervised by their local leaders with technical assistance from veterinarians. A total of 158,343 village chickens were vaccinated in three rounds of vaccination three months apart. The training and empowerment of local leaders and local implementers was the key element for success as it fostered the feeling of local ownership of the program and prevented conflicts with other development activities within the villages. We con- clude that most animal health programs will increase their odds of success by involving local leaders and by addressing the current challenges facing the
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    Preliminary investigation on accessibility and ultilisation of water in selected villages in Dodoma rural and Bagamoyo districts, Tanzania
    (2003-10) Kusiluka, L. J. M; Mlozi, M. R. S; Munishi, P. K. T; Luoga, E. J; Mdegela, R. H; Kambarage, D. M; Karimuribo, E. D