Browsing by Author "Mwaseba Dismas L."

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Agroecology issues in agricultural policy and allied science policies in Tanzania
(East African Nature and Science Organization, 2024) Mosha Devotha B.; Nyanda Suzan Samson; Mwaseba Dismas L.
The science and philosophy of agroecology are widely proposed as substantial aspects of the agricultural transition toward a sustainable food system and an eco-friendly environment. Yet, the extent to which agricultural and other allied policies are embedded with agroecology issues is little known, especially in African countries. This study assessed what and how agroecology narratives are integrated, interpreted, or embedded in policies, acts, and regulations of agriculture and allied sciences. A mixed methods approach was employed. The findings revealed that agroecology is not clearly narrated in these policy documents. The policies do not mention agroecology directly, but they point out some disputes or elements such as biodiversity, crop diversification, agroforestry, conservation agriculture and cropping and grazing land rotation, which are relevant for agroecology intensification. This means that in these policy documents, narratives supporting agroecology are insufficient. Thus, we recommend that taking on board policy narratives that directly support the adoption and implementation of agroecological practices is imperative.
Challenges of disseminating agroecological knowledge and practices: experience from farmer research networks in Singida District, Tanzania
(Science domain International, 2026-04-29) Athumani Hadia Mwarizo; Kalungwizi Vituce J.; Mosha Devotha B.; Mwaseba Dismas L.
Farmer Research Networks (FRNs) are essential for disseminating and promoting the adoption of agroecological (AE) knowledge and practices among smallholder farmers. However, many issues that restrict the efficient dissemination of AE knowledge and practices that frequently hinder FRN efforts are poorly documented. This paper examined the challenges of disseminating AE knowledge and practices faced by FRNs in Singida District in Tanzania. The study used a cross-sectional research design where data were collected at a single point in time. Qualitative data were collected using focus group discussions, key informants, and In-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The study findings show that the recurrent obstacles, such as resistance to change, are because most farmers are still dubious about AE practices because of firmly rooted traditional farming attitudes and the labor-intensive nature of some techniques, such as the nine-seeds hole method and compost-making. The findings revealed that FRNs face challenges in reaching all farmers due to limited access to resources like financing and transportation, and village meetings do not give enough time for in-depth instruction and hands-on demonstrations. Gender inequality and social barriers to women's involvement in decision-making and the sharing of AE knowledge are further restricted by social and cultural norms. Furthermore, the lack of expertise in new AE technologies impacts FRNs' capacity to deliver current information, highlighting the importance of ongoing tailor-made training. This study recommends that policymakers should allocate more significant resources to addressing the perceived obstacles associated with comprehensively disseminating AE knowledge and practices.
Factors in smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to climate change impacts in the Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro, Tanzania
(Springer International Publishing Switzerland, 2025) Mattee Amon Z.; Mussa K.R.; Mwaseba Dismas L.; Mahonge C.P.; Nsenga J.V.
This study assessed factors in smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to climate change impacts in the Uluguru Mountains in the Morogoro Region, Tanzania. To this end, the study first determined the smallholder farmers’ awareness and perception of climate change and identified adaptation options preferred by the farmers. A combination of methods, including focus group discussions, key informants interviews, participant observations, and household surveys, were used for data collection. The results indicate that smallholder farmers had a poor understanding of climate change issues, but their knowledge was enhanced by a project that was implemented collaboratively by Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and Professionals for Fair Development (GRET), a French non-governmental organization (NGO). The adaptation strategies preferred by smallholder farmers included terracing, planting fruit trees, the rehabilitation of micro-irrigation canals, and fish farming. However, a noticeable disparity in preference between men and women was observed. The results further revealed that smallholder farmers were vulnerable to climate change and variation due to their limited knowledge of climate change risks, low level of literacy, limited access to climate information, and absence of farmer-based organizations to facilitate better access to credit and market services. The study concludes that crucial factors for smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to climate change in the Uluguru Mountains are access to information and resources, road and market infrastructure, and smallholder farmers’ organization.
Farmer research networks and dissemination of agroecological knowledge and practices in Singida District of Tanzania
(2025-02-27) Athumani Hadia Mwarizo; Mosha Devotha B.; Kalungwizi Vituce J.; Mwaseba Dismas L.
The paper explores different methods used by Farmer Research Networks (FRNs) to disseminate agroecological knowledge and practices in Singida District, Tanzania. The study used crosssectional research design, using a qualitative research approach. Data were collected from 75 participants of focus group discussions, 19 key informants, 26 in-depth interviewees and personal observations. The data collected were analysed using thematic analysis, a structured method to identify patterns and themes based on the study topic. The use of natural pesticides (biopesticides), use of organic fertilizer (mainly compost), intercropping, crop rotation, mixed cropping, nine seed planting methods, Zambian hoe, soil conservation techniques (mainly mulching), timely planting as well as application of recommended spacing are common and major practices in Singida district. FRNs used farmer field schools (FFSs), village government meetings, demonstration plots, farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing, and community groups as the main methods for disseminating agroecology knowledge and practices to farmers. These methods create a wide awareness of agroecological knowledge and practices among farmers in the study villages. It is recommended that local government authorities and development organisations should utilize FRNs to disseminate agroecological evidence-based knowledge and practices to farmers and scale up the utilization of the FRN approach to communicate and disseminate recommended agroecological and agricultural practices for sustainable farming and food systems in Tanzania.
Three planting and household food security: the case of the Shouthern Highlands of Tanzania
(Mkuki na Nyota Publishers Ltd, 2025) Mwaseba Dismas L.; Martin Respikius; Friis-Hansen Esbern; Nyanda Suzan S.; Nsenga, Justus; Mhando David
Large-scale investment in land in Sub Saharan Africa has been well documented (Cotula et al., 2009; Fairhead et al., 2012; German et al., 2013). Since independence, tree plantations in Tanzania had gone through undulating phases (Van den Berg et al., 2013; MNRT, 2014; PFP, 2016; Held et al., 2017; Kimambo et al., 2020)concern for forest loss has spurred ambitious restoration goals for climatic, ecological, and livelihood bene!ts. Restoration activities typically rely on governmentled or large-scale tree planting. A narrow focus on top-down initiatives could promote the recentralization of forestry activities and overlook important contributions by smallholders, especially in Africa. Smallholder tree planting activities are harder to track than institutional e"orts. Here we quantify the extent of tree planting on smallholder woodlots in southern and eastern Tanzania, in comparison to large-scale plantations. In Google Earth Pro, we digitized all woodlots in randomly selected areas, and estimated woodlots’ area, distribution, and expansion rate. We found that by year 2018, woodlots in the smallest size class (< 1 Ha. Promotion of tree planting by donor funded projects has been focusing on environmental aspects such as carbon trading (Lasco, 2008, MNRT, 2010; Vainio-Matilla, 2011, Kimambo et al., 2020). Furthermore, the dominance of the sector by the state during the 1970s and 1980s was primarily focused on the establishment of large-scale tree plantations in the Southern Highlands (Pedersen, 2017)37. Nevertheless, for a long period of time, tree plantations in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania has been done by public plantations and big commercial private companies for timber and other commercial purposes (PFP, 2016). A study done by PFP found that Tanzania experienced a reduction in government managed plantations particularly in the supply of mature pine round wood logs (PFP, 2016). It indicated a reduction of 30% (total 540,300 m#) in government allocations from 2014/15 to 2015/16 harvesting season whereas number of bene!ciaries for allocations increased from 832 to 964 respectively.