Browsing by Author "Mwaseba, D. L."

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Empowering farmers? Collaborative research at Sokoine university of agriculture, Tanzania
(Routledge Taylor and Francis Group., 2015) Mwaseba, D. L.; Kaarhus, R.; Johnsen, F. H.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mvena, Z. S. K.; Eik, L. O.
This article presents experiences with collaborative and on-farm research based on the implementation of a four-year Programme for Agricultural and Natural Resources Transformation for Improved Livelihoods (PANTIL) at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania. It outlines the basic elements in the implementation of a programme aimed to be demand-based, and discusses the challenges encountered in combining collaborative research with the empowerment of farmers. Finally, the article draws out some lessons with implications for the future organisation of collaborative and on-farm agricultural research.
Empowering farmers? collaborative research at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
(2015-06) Mwaseba, D. L.; Kaarhus, R.; Johnsen, F. H.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mvena, Z. S. K
This article presents experiences with collaborative and on-farm research based on the implementation of a four-year Programme for Agricultural and Natural Resources Transformation for Improved Livelihoods (PANTIL) at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania. It outlines the basic elements in the implementation of a programme aimed to be demand-based, and discusses the challenges encountered in combining collaborative research with the empowerment of farmers. Finally, the article draws out some lessons with implications for the future organisation of collaborative and on-farm agricultural research. Cet article presente des experiences de recherches menees en collaboration et au sein meme d'exploitations agricoles, basees sur la mise en oeuvre d'un programme de quatre ans, le Programme Jar Agricultural and Natural Resources Trans]. Ormation for Improved Livelihoods (PANTIL - Programme pour la transformation des ressources agricoles et naturelles pour des moyens de subsistance ameliores) a la Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) de Morogoro, en Tanzanie. 11 presente les elements de base de la mise en oeuvre d'un programme visant a etre fonde sur la demande et traite des defis rencontres au moment de conjugucr les recherches collaboratives et l'autonotnisation des agriculteurs. Enfin, cet article tire quelques enseignements ayant des implications pour l'organisation future de recherches agricoles menees cn collaboration et an sein des exploitations. El presente articulo examina las experiencias surgidas de una investigaciOn colaborativa realizada en parcelas agricolas. La misma se bas6 en la implementacion del Programa para la TransformaciOn de la Agricultura y de los Recursos Naturales para el Mejoramiento de los Medias de Vida (PANTIL, par sus siglas en ingles), vinculado a la Universidad Sokoine de Agricultura de Morogoro. Tanzania. a lo largo de cuatro aims. El articulo resume los elementos principales requeridos para impulsar tin programa basado cn la demanda, examinando los retos que debieron enfrentarse para combinar la investigacion colaborativa y el empoderamicnto de los productores. A manera de conclusion, el articulo esboza algunos de los aprendizajes obtenidos, los cuales ticnen implicaciones para la organizacion de futuras investigaciones colaborativas que se realicen en parcelas agricolas.
Empowering farmers? Collaborative research at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
(Development in Practice, 2015) Mwaseba, D. L.; Kaarhus, R.; Johnsen, F. H.; Mattee, A. Z.; Kayanda, Z. S.; Mvena, S. K.; Eik, L. O.
This article presents experiences with collaborative and on-farm research based on the implementation of a four-year Programme for Agricultural and Natural Resources Transformation for Improved Livelihoods (PANTIL) at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania. It outlines the basic elements in the implementation of a programme aimed to be demand-based, and discusses the challenges encountered in combining collaborative research with the empowerment of farmers. Finally, the article draws out some lessons with implications for the future organisation of collaborative and on-farm agricultural research. Cet article présente des expériences de recherches menées en collaboration et au sein même d’exploitations agricoles, basées sur la mise en oeuvre d’un programme de quatre ans, le Programme for Agricultural and Natural Resources Transformation for Improved Livelihoods (PANTIL - Programme pour la transformation des ressources agricoles et naturelles pour des moyens de subsistance améliorés) à la Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) de Morogoro, en Tanzanie. Il présente les éléments de base de la mise en oeuvre d’un programme visant à être fondé sur la demande et traite des déﬁs rencontrés au moment de conjuguer les recherches collaboratives et l’autonomisation des agriculteurs. Enﬁn, cet article tire quelques enseignements ayant des implications pour l’organisation future de recherches agricoles menées en collaboration et au sein des exploitations. El presente artículo examina las experiencias surgidas de una investigación colaborativa realizada en parcelas agrícolas. La misma se basó en la implementación del Programa para la Transformación de la Agricultura y de los Recursos Naturales para el Mejoramiento de los Medios de Vida (PANTIL, por sus siglas en inglés), vinculado a la Universidad Sokoine de Agricultura de Morogoro, Tanzania, a lo largo de cuatro años. El artículo resume los elementos principales requeridos para impulsar un programa basado en la demanda, examinando los retos que debieron enfrentarse para combinar la investigación colaborativa y el empoderamiento de los productores. A manera de conclusión, el artículo esboza algunos de los aprendizajes obtenidos, los cuales tienen implicaciones para la organización de futuras investigaciones colaborativas que se realicen en parcelas agrícolas
Farmer field schools as a springboard for enhanced uptake of farmer field schools as a springboard for enhanced uptake of new agricultural technologies: lessons for Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2010) Mvena, Z. S. K.; Mattee, A. Z.; Wambura, R. M.; Mwaseba, D. L.; Lazaro, E. A.; Kiranga, E. D.; Kilave, D. M.
The uptake of proven agricultural technologies in less developed countries has not been very impressive over the years. This is in spite of the different methods used to disseminate these technologies, including the focal approach, the improvement approach, the transformation approach and others. With the collapse of the relatively expensive transformation approach in the late 1960s, more practical (in terms of resources and clientele characteristics) approaches, namely, the persuasive and dialogical models were adopted. Thereafter the World Bank introduced the Training and Visit system which has been in use at different periods in Tanzania and at different levels of resource commitment. The latest approach in enhancing the uptake of agricultural technologies is through the Farmer Field Schools that have only a short history in Tanzania.This paper reviews the literature on Farmer Field Schools, first giving a brief description of the nature of Farmer Field Schools. This is then followed by experiences from selected countries in terms of: the purpose of introducing the FFS, the process used in implementing the FFS approach, impact of the FFS approach, conclusions on the effectiveness of FFS in promoting the uptake of agricultural technologies, and finally the lessons learned. This discussion is then followed by a brief presentation of the history of FFS in Tanzania. The paper then makes an assessment of the effectiveness of the approach in the uptake of agricultural technologies and the challenges it faces. The paper concludes by underscoring the importance of FFS, offers some recommendations including the creation of more awareness on FFS and monitoring how FFS graduates sustain the FFS spirit. Finally, the paper gives a critical evaluation of the FFS approach vis-à-vis other approaches in use today
Farmers' perceptions of contract farming in Tanzania: a case study of Mtibwa out-grower sugar cane scheme in Morogoro Region
(2015-06) Martin, R.; Mwaseba, D. L.
Globally, the role of contract farming for improving farmers' livelihoods has been a topic of interest and controversy for at least the past four decades. While some research . findings recommend contract farming as a strategy to be adopted for improving farmers' livelihoods, others have expressed reservations regarding the stated benefits. They raise concerns that the "formal contract farming bandwagon- and interventions that strive to integrate rural smallholders into more formal and commercial market systems' do not always deliver the benefits portrayed during promotion of new interventions. Drawing on an empirical study, this paper assesses how contract farming at Mtibwa Sugarcane Out-grower Scheme is viewed by . farmers: specifically, perceptions regarding contract farming among cane growers with reference to its advantages and disadvantages are examined.
Promotion of Agricultural Innovation Systems Approach: Policy Implications for Maize Extension and Advisory Services in Tanzania
(2015) Wambura, R.M.; Doamekpor, P. K.; Mwaseba, D. L.; Msuya, C. P.; Masinde, D. M.; Mwanga, L. J.; Iranga, G. M.
This paper is based on a study (Wambura et al., 2016) which assessed extension and advisory service delivery for maize production in Morogoro and Dodoma Regions of Tanzania using Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) Approach. Maize productivity in Tanzania is low in spite of its importance to the country’s food security and economic well-being of farmers. New approaches to extension and advisory service delivery are needed that stimulate increased agricultural production and foster the emergency of agricultural innovation systems. The purpose of this paper is therefore to assess the state of maize innovation system in Tanzania and provide policy implications for the future extension and advisory services (EAS). The study used a mixed method research design to collect data using structured questionnaires, one-on-one interviews with key informants, focus group discussions (FGDs) and stakeholders’ workshops. Content analyses of cases provided a context to understand policy implications for maize extension and advisory services in the study areas. It was found that the key aspects contributing to low maize productivity included weak institutional structures, often with little or no contact between other stakeholders. In most cases, lack of farmer organizations hampered farmers taking the initiative. Such problems were compounded by poorly developed markets, poor infrastructure and a lack of knowledge (especially of the maize production value chain), or by inadequate extension services often associated with inappropriate research. Consequently, use of unsuitable varieties and poor management practices with limited access to inputs or output markets resulted in low, often declining yields and low incomes for farmers. The paper concludes that policy makers should identify weak or missing components and linkages within the agricultural innovation systems and take measures accordingly to promote maize innovations; while extension and advisory services should be capacitated to address these gaps and develop technology packages to be disseminated to the farmers.
Rice for food and income Assessing the impact of rice research on food security in the Kyela and Kilombero districts of Tanzania
(SAGE, 2007) Mwaseba, D. L.; Kaarhus, R.; Johnsen, F. H.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mvena, Z. S. K.
This paper assesses the impact of rice research on household food security in Tanzania. The adoption of research-based innovations in rice farming, on which the impact of rice research is assumed to depend, is outlined. Rice production and consumption levels are presented. The paper shows that farmers produce rice for meeting a range of livelihood outcomes, including food security. However, meeting household needs such as education, health and building good houses are as important as food security. In this context, it is argued that food security should be understood within the framework of household livelihood strategies rather than being seen as dependent on household rice production.