Browsing by Author "Sangeda Anthony Z."

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Herders’ local knowledge and capacity development needs for sustainable rangeland management in Tanzania
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2025) Sangeda Anthony Z.; Selemani Ismail S.; Nindi Stephen J.; Looloitai Lilian
Pastoralists in Tanzania are facing a myriad of threats and challenges in managing rangelands. One of the concrete ways of responding to these challenges and myths about pastoralism is through training, advocacy and public awareness. The study was conducted to examine the existing capacity among pastoralists on rangeland management practices in seven districts (zones) which represent the diverse pastoral ecosystems in Tanzania. The sites vary significantly in terms of climatic conditions which are largely differentiated by rainfall availability and distribution. A total of 221 pastoralists were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The study used cross sectional design in data collection. More information was triangulated through Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using SPSS and content analysis, respectively. It was found that most pastoralists have rich indigenous knowledge yet they received limited training on rangeland related issues. The existing local knowledge related to management of rangeland resources, were found poorly integrated into management practices such as reseeding, bush control, soil and moisture conservation. The study established further that pastoral communities require capacity development in the areas of rain water harvesting, soil and moisture conservation, control of invasive weeds and adaptation strategies to climate change. Therefore, it is recommended to engage local communities by building their capacity on rangeland ecological carrying capacity, diversification of livelihoods strategies, fodder management and establishment of improved pastures.
Influence of finishing strategies on carcass composition and meat quality characteristics of Boran crossbred bulls
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2025) Maro Ezekiel P.; Laswai Germana H.; Sangeda Anthony Z.; Selemani Ismail S.; Shem Martin N.
This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of finishing practices and slaughter periods on carcass composition and quality of meat from Boran crossbred bulls. Fifty-four (2.5 – 3 years old, 205 ± 1.89 kg initial body weight) bulls were assigned/subjected to three different finishing practices; 18 bulls were on sole grazing (P1), 18 bulls were on supplementation after grazing (P2) and 18 bulls were kept on feedlot (P3). After that, 9 bulls (3) from each practice in the same finishing period were slaughtered at 45 days-S1, 60 days-S2, and 75 days-S3. Carcass and non-carcass components and composition were evaluated from slaughtered bulls. Carcass pH was measured at 24 h and 48 h post-slaughter at the LTL muscle and cooking loss and shear force values were evaluated for 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-days aged meat. The findings showed that finishing practice and the slaughter period significantly (P<0.05) influenced the internal fat, heart-lung-liver, carcass length, and chest depth. The fat thickness, internal fat, Heart-lung-liver, four feet, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) full and empty were affected by finishing practices with bulls on P3 registering the highest fat thickness, internal fat and heart-lung-liver followed by P2 and P1 in that order. Meat pH (5.21-5.49) was similar (P˃0.05) in finishing practices and slaughter periods. Carcass length, chest depth, hide, git empty, tenderness, and a* colour significantly (p<0.05) interacted by finishing practice and slaughter period. the L* colour intensities were higher in bulls slaughtered at S3 (45.96) than in S2 bulls (41.29) and a* values vary significantly (p<0.05) with finishing practices. The Boran crossbred bulls showed improved tenderness with bulls on P3 (41.71N) having the lowest shear force values followed by P1 and P2 (44.41N and 45.4 N) with similar values. overall, bulls on P3 have heavier non-carcass components and better meat quality properties than those on P1 and P2. In conclusion, carcass components and meat quality characteristics were better in feedlot-finished bulls at 75 days of slaughter and aged 12 days. For increased beef quality, livestock farmers are encouraged to finish feedlot bulls for 75 days and age meat for 12 days. The findings of this study need further investigation into the influence of finishing strategies on fatty acid content and consumer health perceptions.
The effects of dichrostachys cinerea (sickle bush) encroachment on herbaceous vegetation attributes in the grazing lands of Monduli district, Tanzania
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2025) Mguluka Emelia E.; Sangeda Anthony Z.; Kimera Sharadhuli I.
Reports indicate a global increase in bush encroachment, transforming open grassy systems into dense thickets of woody plants. Dichrostachys cinerea, commonly known as sickle bush or endundulu by Maasai communities, is one of the encroaching shrubs in Africa that tends to form dense thickets, which are difficult to eliminate due to its invading ability. Recently, this plant has been observed to increase tremendously in the grazing lands of Monduli district, although little is known about its impact on herbaceous vegetation attributes in the district. This study aimed to assess the effects of this encroachment on herbaceous vegetation attributes in the grazing lands. Three villages (Mswakini chini, Mswakini juu and Naitolia) were purposively selected and involved in this study. Vegetation surveys and measurements, involving transect lines, plots, sub-plots, and quadrats, were conducted in encroached and adjacent non- encroached sites in the grazing land of each village. A total of 72 (20m × 20m) plots were demarcated, and in each plot, there were five (5m × 5m) sub plots, from where the biomass readings were taken (using a pasture disc meter), vegetation cover estimated (using a pin quadrat), and individual species were identified and counted within 0.25m2 quadrats. A total of 64 herbaceous species were obtained during this study, of which 37.5% were found only in non-encroached areas, 25% only in encroached areas, and 37.5% were common to both sites. The study found that encroached areas had significantly lower biomass (409.604 Kg DM/ha) and a lower cover of desirable vegetation (10%), with greater bare ground cover (56%) compared to non-encroached sites, which had 890.72 Kg DM/ha biomass, 48% desirable vegetation cover, and 19% bare ground cover. The condition of the grazing lands was generally poorer in encroached sites than in non-encroached sites. The findings of this study show the negative effects of Dichrostachys cinerea encroachment on herbaceous vegetation attributes in grazing lands, which challenges sustainable livestock production. These results are relevant to local pastoralists, land managers, and policymakers in Monduli district and other similar areas facing sickle bush encroachment. It is recommended that strategies such as mechanical bush control, controlled grazing, and the use of prescribed burning be implemented, with the aid of advanced studies on the bush, active involvement and training of pastoralists to manage the bush effectively. Policymakers should provide frameworks and resources to promote sustainable forage production.