Browsing by Author "Mtengeti, E.J."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Convergence of horizontal and vertical experiential sharing through participatory feedback: the case of integrated natural resource management and livelihood improvement in Mwanga District, Tanzania
(International Journal of Research and Development in Social Sciences (IJRDS), 2016-07-25) Mahonge C.P.; Nsenga, J.V.; Mtengeti, E.J.; Mosha D. B.; Challe, J.
This paper shows how participatory feedback was adopted to converge horizontal and vertical pathways of experiential sharing encompassing actors and institutions positioned at different points of a spatial scale in Mwanga district. Participatory and representative governance approaches and methods were employed to operationalise this convergence. Sector-oriented local actors convened meetings at their respective villages and drew their perspectives then chose two representatives for each sector category to represent them during the participatory feedback workshop at Mwanga district. Local peoples’ political, technical and executive representatives including ward councilors, ward and village executive officers, and technical facilitators such as ward and village extension officers as well as district heads of departments and extension officers also participated in the workshop. The feedback unveiled the existence of poor groups’ organization for beekeeping, enhanced awareness and knowledge on the role of drought resistant crops such as sorghum, cowpeas, pigeon peas and sunflower among the farmers; and increased awareness and knowledge on the imperativity of forage conservation amongst livestock keepers, among others. It is concluded that participatory feedback is an invaluable tool for converging horizontal and vertical experiential sharing pathways and coalescing multiple levels and dimensions for improved decision making for adapting local people to adversities. It is recommended that periodic participatory feedback be institutionalized in the government development plans to periodically improve experiential sharing and communication for holistic development.
Status quo of beekeeping in dryland area of mwanga district as an entry point towards improved beekeeping intervention
(International Journals of Multidisciplinary Research Academy, 2013) Mtengeti, E.J.; Maseki, N.M.; Mahonge, C.P.; Nsenga, J.V.
Beekeeping is among the economic activities with potential to enhance incomes of smallholder households in the light of climate change through diversification with other activities. Smallholder farmers in the dryland areas of Mwanga district have been affected by climate change. The area has great potential for beekeeping based on the the fact that it has abundant availability of bee forage plants such as Acacia and other trees species and herb vegetation types. Beekeeping, thus, is one of the sectors on which efforts towards improving life standards of people can put emphasis on. However, before interventions for improved beekeeping can be implemented, understanding of the field realities on beekeeping is imperative. Such knowledge may include issues related to local household beekeeping strategies, challenges facing the sector, and mechanisms for addressing those challenges. In Mwanga district, the practice of beekeeping entailed the use of log-hives and traditional ways of beekeeping such as the use of fire in harvesting honey which can result into forest fires; beekeepers encoutered the challenges of theft of honey, lack of appropriate facilities and working gears, and low knowledge on honey production. Also, beekeepers were not organized to delibarate on their interests, instead they operated independent of one another. It was recommended that training should be provided and incentives created so as to promote beekeeping profitably and eco-friendly, and further research is recommended on the market aspects of beekeeping.