Browsing by Author "Mosha Devotha Baltazary"

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Agroecological practices and extension services in the mixed farming system of Tanzania: a review of related policies
(Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2025) Magesa Augustino Emmanuel; Shausi Gosbert Lukenku; Mosha Devotha Baltazary; Rutatora Deogratias Frederick
Agroecological practices are increasingly recognized globally for their capacity to enhance the sustainability, resilience, and productivity of agricultural systems, particularly in mixed farming systems prevalent in developing countries like Tanzania. Grounded in principles of biodiversity, ecological balance, and socio-economic equity, agroecology provides a transformative pathway for sustainable agricultural development. This review employs qualitative content analysis and comparative policy analysis to critically assess policy frameworks at the global, regional (e.g., African Union’s Agenda 2063), East African Community (EAC), and national levels (e.g., National Agriculture Policy 2013, ASDP II) that influence the adoption of agroecological practices, with a specific focus on mixed farming systems in Karatu District, Manyara Region. The findings reveal that while global and regional frameworks are broadly supportive of agroecology, national policies demonstrate significant gaps in implementation, including the absence of localized agroecological indicators, weak institutional coordination, and limited integration of sustainability principles. A major constraint identified is the inadequate role of agricultural extension services in promoting agroecological knowledge and practices; over 60% of farmers in Karatu reported minimal access to ecological extension support due to capacity shortfalls and policy misalignment. To address these challenges, the study recommends integrating agroecological indicators into national policy frameworks, strengthening extension service capacity through targeted training, mobilizing financial resources, promoting participatory approaches, and implementing land tenure and gender-inclusive reforms to enable a more effective and equitable agroecological transition in Tanzania.
Community aspirations and hopes on groundwater governance: qualitative insights for climate change adaptation and resilience in semi–arid Dodoma, Tanzania
(Frontiers, 2026-05-21) Mosha Devotha Baltazary; Kashaigili Joel Johaiven; Samani Patrice Lina; Kashaigili Joel Japhet; Kangile Rajab Joseph
Introduction: Aspirations and hopes play a vital role in shaping ideas about water resource management. Due to increasing climate variability and a growing population, reliance on groundwater has risen in the Dodoma Region, threatening its sustainable use. Over the years, the community has relied on indigenous knowledge (IK) and traditional methods to ensure that groundwater remains accessible and well managed for both current and future generations. Despite their importance, community aspirations, hopes, and IK regarding effective groundwater governance remain underexplored. This study examined the community’s aspirations, hopes, and IK that contribute to the sustainable management of groundwater and land resources in the context of climate change in Tanzania.Methods: The research employed a qualitative approach, including focus group discussions and interviews with key informants conducted from December 2024 to February 2025. Participants and respondents were water users and managers from community, government, and non-government organizations. Content analysis was used to group qualitative information into small, meaningful themes.Results: The community’s aspirations and hopes focus on urging the government to increase the number of both deep and shallow wells, expand water price subsidies, and strengthen pollution control initiatives to protect, conserve, and manage groundwater, ensuring equitable and inclusive access. There is a high level of “hydro-geological and biological literacy” that guides traditional decisions about groundwater exploration and site selection. The construction of the Farkwa Dam boosts hopes for economic and social progress, including the expansion of irrigated agriculture. Local water users maintain traditions for water and land care, rooted in their cultural heritage and overseen by traditional leaders, but these traditions are declining among youth. Building partnerships with communities and leaders and encouraging inclusive cooperation that respects indigenous practices are essential.
Farmers’ perceptions towards the implementation of agroecological practices for enhancing food availability in Singida Rural District
(Academic Journals, 2023-11-09) Kanjanja Sauda M.; Mosha Devotha Baltazary
This paper delves into the global drive to promote agroecological practices, which have been widely acknowledged for their diverse economic, social, and environmental benefits. Yet, a critical gap persists in our understanding on the impact of these practices on food availability from the perspective of farmers. Our study focuses on farmers' perceptions regarding the role of agroecological practices in enhancing food availability within Singida Rural District in Tanzania. To explore this understudied terrain, we conducted a comprehensive questionnaire survey involving 160 farming households drawn randomly from four villages. Employing a Likert scale methodology, we meticulously assessed farmers' perspectives on the implementation of various agroecological practices. Strikingly, a significant majority (64%) of respondents unequivocally recognized the pivotal contribution of agroecological practices to enhance household food availability. Nonetheless, a nuanced dichotomy emerged, nearly half of the participants (53%) expressed reservations about the perceived ease of integrating agroecological practices. This hesitancy was attributed to the challenges and labor-intensive nature associated with implementation of certain agroecology techniques. Encouragingly, our findings highlight the potential of collective efforts in mitigating labor-related concerns. In light of these insights, we advocate for targeted interventions by local government entities and agroecology stakeholders; by facilitating farmers' access to essential knowledge, skills, and resources, we can catalyze the transformative journey toward agroecology. This shift holds the promise of fostering a more sustainable food system that resonates with the needs of both present and future generations.
Gender Equity in Agriculture: Proposing Integrated Solutions to Address Women's Challenges in Rural and Urban Food Production Systems in Tanzania
(East African Nature and Science Organization, 2026-07-02) Mosha Devotha Baltazary
Agriculture is central to Tanzania’s economy, and women contribute more than half of the agricultural labour force. Despite this contribution, persistent gender inequalities continue to constrain productivity, weaken food security, and limit inclusive economic growth. This study examines how patriarchal land tenure systems, unpaid care responsibilities, and insecure urban farming arrangements jointly restrict women’s participation in higher-value agricultural production. Drawing on a systematic literature review and a comparative analysis of rural and urban food-production systems, the study proposed an integrated GenderTransformative Approach (GTA) to address these barriers. The findings show that technical support alone is insufficient unless accompanied by structural reforms that strengthen women’s land rights, reduce time poverty through labour-saving and climate-smart technologies, and transform social norms that sustain unequal gender relations. The study therefore proposes a GenderTransformative Framework that links legal reform, institutional support, technological innovation, and community-level change. By addressing both rural exclusion and urban tenure insecurity, the framework offers a pathway to move women from subsistence production into commercial agricultural value chains and to advance gender equity in Tanzania’s food systems. It is recommended that development projects should integrate legal reform, market support, access to technology, and social change within a single framework rather than treating women’s productivity constraints as isolated problems.
Water governance in tanzania – a synthesis of legal and institutional frameworks for groundwater management in the upper great Ruaha River Catchment
(East African Nature and Science Organization, 2024) Mosha Devotha Baltazary
The importance of groundwater resources in buffering the effects of climate change on water scarcity and security is highly acknowledged worldwide. However, groundwater development and use can only be sustainable with a more robust policy and institutional arrangements related to water governance. The purpose of this study was to analyse the legal framework of water resource development and management in order to contribute in identifying policy constraints to sustainable groundwater resource development and management in Tanzania. The paper used information from literature reviews and data collected through qualitative methods using a case study of Usangu Plains in the Upper Great Ruaha River Catchment in Tanzania. The findings reveal that water governance institutional frameworks are well structured to provide guidelines on how water as a basic human resource can be utilised and properly managed, but most importantly, these institutional arrangements place disproportionate emphasis on groundwater. Attaining sustainable groundwater development and use requires new disclosures and narratives in water policy and law, integrating both surface and groundwater resources. The weaknesses identified in groundwater governance need to be taken on Board once, the existing water institutional frameworks open to perfection for sustainable utilisation of groundwater resources.