Browsing by Author "Msuya, Catherine"

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Determinants of the adoption of charco dam rainwater harvesting technology by pastoralists in semi-arid areas of Monduli district in Tanzania
(East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation, 2023-09-29) Mfinanga, Fredrick; Msuya, Catherine; Madaha, Rasel Mpuya
The use of water harvesting ponds in Tanzania known as charco dams in watering livestock have been developed to enhance livestock production in semi-arid areas. However, the adoption of charco dam has been very low. This paper examined the determinants of the adoption of charco dam by pastoralists in semi-arid areas of Monduli District in Tanzania. The study used a cross-sectional research design where data were collected at a single point in time. Quantitative data were collected by using pre-tested structured questionnaire from 367 respondents who were randomly selected from seven villages, namely Moita Kipok, Moita Kilorit, Kilimatinde, Moita Bwawani, Makuyuni, Mbuyuni and Naiti in Monduli District. The collected data was entered into SPSS.20 for analysis. Data was analysed using frequency, percentages, and a binary logistic regression model. The study results show that the intervening factors (perceived advantages and disadvantages of charco dam) have a slightly high influence on the adoption of charco dam with predictive power R2 ranging from 29.5 to 44.5 per cent as compared to independent variables with predictive power R2 ranging from 27 to 37 per cent at a 5 per cent level of significance. Furthermore, the study results indicate that the independent variables namely socio-economic factors specifically age (p=0.000), household size (p=0.002), off-farm income (p=0.025), livestock keeping experience (0.001), herd size (0.002) and institutional factors including access to extension services (p=0.030) and subsidies (p=0.005) have an influence on the adoption of charco dam. This study recommends policymakers to devote more weight to perceived advantages and disadvantages of charco dam technology while constructing charco dam rainwater harvesting projects in order to influence pastoralists to accept the technology and increase water access for livestock in semi-arid areas.
Factors influencing the level of water access for livestock in semi-arid areas of Monduli district, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2023-08-28) Mfinanga, Fredrick; Msuya, Catherine; Madaha, Rasel Mpuya
Access to water by livestock is critical for their growth, reproduction and quality of products. However, despite its relevance, water access for livestock has received comparatively little attention in developing countries Tanzania included. Therefore, the paper examines factors influencing water access for livestock in the semi-arid areas of Monduli district, Tanzania. A cross-sectional research design was adopted whereby primary data was collected using a pre-structured questionnaire discussions from 367 randomly selected pastoralist households. In addition, focus group discussions were used to allow triangulation. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) whereby both descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics were determined. An ordinal logistic regression model was used to determine the factors associated with livestock access to water. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. The findings show that the majority (76.3%) of households experienced low levels of water access for their livestock. Additionally, findings show that off-farm income, access to credit, access to subsidies and the use of donkey carts and or tied jerry cans onto donkeys were significantly associated with water access by livestock. The study concludes that most pastoralists in the Monduli district have a low level of water access for livestock. Therefore, it is recommended that all stakeholders in water and livestock sectors should come up with strategies that ensure pastoral communities have access to sufficient amounts of water for their livestock.
Improving the training of frontline extension workers in tanzania: a pilot curriculum reform initiative with the Ministry of Agriculture Training Institute at Ilonga
(Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2019) Rodriguez, Mary T.; Erbaugh, Mark; Mattee, Amon; Msuya, Catherine; Masambuka, Fallys; Cochran, Graham
Promoting the transition of smallholder farmers from subsistence to more commercial and market-oriented production is an important goal of the Tanzanian extension system. The Ministry of Agriculture Training Institutes (MATIs) contribute to this goal by providing training to frontline extension workers (FEWs). However, the capacity of the MATI system to produce agricultural extension practitioners with job-ready competencies has declined, leading stakeholders and employers to raise concerns about the quality and training of FEWs. The main purpose of this study was to develop recommendations for curriculum revisions at MATI Ilonga to improve its program of study. This was done using a competency-based approach that incorporated inputs from stakeholders into the curriculum assessment and revision process. A panel of eight local and external experts derived 23 competencies from a review of the MATI curriculum and extension literature. A survey instrument to assess competencies based on perceptions of importance and graduates’ ability was designed and administered to 189 stakeholders from four stakeholder groups. Stakeholder-respondents considered all but two of the 23 competencies to be very high importance. Weighted discrepancy scores indicated that the highest rated areas for curriculum revision were Value Chains, Business skills, Climate Change, Fisheries, and Land Resource Management. All stakeholder groups except graduates, indicated Value Chains and Business Skills as high priorities requiring enhanced training to improve the ability of FEWs. Follow-up stakeholder consultations indicated support for using the competency-based approach, engaging stakeholders in the curriculum review process, and interest in applying the approach with other MATIs in Tanzania.
Water use strategies for livestock by pastoralists: The case of semi-arid areas in Monduli district, Arusha region, Tanzania
(African Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 2023-02-10) Mfinanga, Fredrick; Msuya, Catherine; Madaha, Rasel Mpuya
The paper explores livestock water use strategies that have been employed to cope with the problem of water shortage in Monduli District, Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional research design. Quantitative data were collected by using an interview schedule from 367 respondents who were randomly selected from Moita and Makuyuni Wards. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and observations were used to supplement the collected data. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyse quantitative data, while qualitative data were analysed by using content analysis. The study findings show that livestock water scarcity and high-water supply charges caused pastoralists to come up with strategies for accessing water for livestock. These strategies include selling live livestock, engagement in off-farm income generation activities, water supply for livestock schedule, Charco dam rainwater harvesting technology, migration, small ruminant birth control and the use of temporary traditional dug well. Most of the strategies used play multiple roles since they not only enhance access to water for livestock but they play other beneficial roles. For example, selling livestock and birth control serve the problem of land degradation caused by overgrazing and also overcome the conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. It is therefore recommended that such strategies should be promoted for the development of livestock and agriculture sector in general. Other strategies used are traditional, for example, the use of traditional temporary wells, which do not allow pastoralists to access water throughout the year. This calls the need for local government and development partners to come up and promote improved and permanent structures like the Charco dam and other strategies that allow water accessibility throughout the year