Browsing by Author "Msuya-Bengesi, C. P."

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Local community’s knowledge on onion production, pests and pests management in Kilosa and Kilolo Districts, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2014) Mamiro, D. P.; Maerere, A. P.; Sibuga, K. P.; Ebaugh, M. J.; Miller, S. A; Mtui, H. D.; Mgembe, E.; Msuya-Bengesi, C. P.; Aloyce, A.
To assess local community’s knowledge on onion production, pests and pests management a baseline survey was carried out in Kilosa and Kilolo Districts. The results indicated that more than 36% of onion producers were middle aged (34-49 years) and were literate at least with secondary education (80%). Onion production was the major source of livelihood to more than 80% of hundred onion farmers (40 females, 60 males) interviewed. Up to three onion crops per year from different fields were realized due to availability of means for irrigation mainly by flooding and the main production season was from March-July under monoculture or in the intercropping. Eighty four per cent of onion farmers own land and production was on small scale holders. Fifty per cent of small scale farmers produced onion on land size of 0.25-2.0 acres.Onion varieties grown were Red Bombay, Red Creole and Khaki with preference to Red Bombay (72%) for its high yield, marketability and bulb size while Khaki (21%) was chosen for its storability. Onion seed sources were from other farmers (40%) and were expensive, which means the cost for seeds were beyond a prospective farmer’s affordability. The most prevalent pests reported by interviewees were thrips (Thrips tabaci) (73%), weeds led by Mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana) (55%) and fungal diseases led by purple blotch (55%).Onion production was found to be the major source of livelihood to more than 80% of farmer respondents. The challenges observed were such as source of improved seeds, means to combat pests and lack of higher yielding varieties which can resist insect pests and diseases. The IPM package on management of the most prevalent pestsis required to reduce onion yield losses.
Tomato value chain information system in tanzania:lessons from Kilolo District and Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania
(Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran, 2020) Nyamba, S. Y.; Kalungwizi, V. J.; Mlozi, M.R.S; Busindeli, I. M.; Kilima, F. T. M.; Msuya-Bengesi, C. P.; Chija, B. B.; Mvena, Z. S. K.; Gabagambi, M; Gjotterud, S. M.; Kiranga, E
T he major challenge for the tomato farmers is getting a fair price at the market price given that there are many actors involved in the tomato value chain. Given this situation, this project's goal was to improve communication pathways in dissemination of agricultural market information in tomato value chains in Iringa and Dodoma Regions in Tanzania. The specific objectives were to: identify and assess the status of tomato production and information sharing among the various actors in every node in the tomato value chain; identify the communication and knowledge dissemination pathways in tomato value chain; examine the efficacy of communication and knowledge dissemination pathways in tomato value chain; establish the innovative communication and knowledge dissemination pathways in tomato value chain, and enhance capacity and empower the various stakeholders involved in the tomato value chain. One way of achieving the goal of the study was to come up with an innovative communication pathway that would improve the marketing of tomatoes by directly linking farmers to markets. The study has developed a system called Tomato Value Chain Information System (ToVCIS). The system links famers to different markets in the Tanzania by sending text messages to a control centre which is fed with prices on a daily basis by government employed market