Browsing by Author "Urassa, Justin K."

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Access to bank loans and smallholder farmers' paddy productivity; a case of Mvomero district, Tanzania
(IJASAB International, 2022) Mpeku, Faraja N.; Urassa, Justin K.
Limited access to credit is one of the main limitations facing smallholders in Africa. Therefore, the study on which this paper is based, aimed at comparing smallholder farmers paddy productivity before and after their access to loans from formal financial institutions. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design whereby data were collected once from 110 smallholder paddy farmers in Mvomero District using a questionnaire. In addition, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to enable triangulation. Quantitative data from the questionnaire were analyzed using SPSS whereby both descriptive and inferential statistics were determined. Study findings show that the paddy crop continues to play an essential role in the majority of households in the study area. Paddy productivity, on the other hand, was relatively low. The results from the linear regression show that loan size, age of household, farm size, the use of fertilizer and farming experience were significantly associated with paddy productivity. They further show that the major challenges faced by smallholder farmers in their access to bank loans were high-interest rates, loan inadequacy, and high collateral demand. The results of the paired sample t-test show that there is a difference in productivity before and after farmers accessed bank loans. Despite the importance of paddy farming to household livelihoods, it was reported that access to credit has a positive impact on the productivity of paddy farmers.
Adoption of recommended maize production practices and productivity among farmers in Morogoro district, Tanzania
(Springer, 2019) Gahanga, Consolatha J.; Urassa, Justin K.
The chapter is based on a study that aimed at assessing the adoption of recommended maize production practices and productivity between farmers who were members of Farmer Field Schools (FFSs) and those who were not. The study was conducted in Morogoro District, Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at identifying FFS recommended maize production technologies; determining socio-economic factors influencing farmers’ adoption of the technologies; and comparing maize productivity and income between households involved in FFS and those that are not. Lastly, it determined the contribution of maize sales to the household incomes of the two groups. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design whereby data was collected from 166 individuals through household surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), whereby descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were determined. A logistic regression model was used to determine the association of socio-economic factors and the adoption of FFS technologies. Study findings show that age, education, household income and farm size significantly influenced the adoption of recommended FFS practices. Results also show that farmers who participated in the FFS had a higher maize productivity and maize sales were the main source of income in the study area. Thus, extension agents need to do more to encourage more farmers to join FFS so as to get access to improved maize technologies which will enable them to raise their maize productivity and ultimately their income and general living standards.
Determinants of post-harvest milk losses among milk producers in Tanzania
(ASRIC Journal on Agricultural Sciences, 2023) Lugamara, Charles B.; Urassa, Justin K.; Massawe, Goodluck D.
Despite the Tanzania’s programmes that aimed at improving infrastructures for milk and milk products, milk losses continue to be substantially high. The paper evaluated the determinants of post-harvest milk losses at the milk producers in Tanzania. The study adopted the cross-sectional research design whereby data were collected from 370 household heads and 38 Farm Managers in both the dry (June to October 2021; June to September 2022) and wet (November to December 2021; January to May 2022) seasons. Generally, study findings showed that milk was mainly lost through spillage, spoilage and contamination. In addition, Generalised Linear Mixed Model results showed existence of significant associations between location (Adjusted Coefficient (AC) = -0.80; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): -1.28-0.31), cattle keeping systems (AC = -0.75; 95% CI: -1.38-0.11), market price (AC = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.23- 1.10), transport means (AC = -0.69; 95% CI: -1.29—0.10) and spillage. Additionally, washing cow’s udder before milking (AC = -2.10; 95% CI: -3.70-0.49), water used for washing milk utensils (AC = -1.302; 95% CI: -2.43—0.17) and storage equipment (AC = -1.26; 95% CI: -2.47—0.05) were significantly associated with spoilage. Therefore, the Tanzanian government needs to improve extension services and workable strategies to minimise milk losses.
Impact of livelihood strategies on household wellbeing in land shortage villages of mvomero district, Tanzania
(East African Journal of Social and Applied Sciences, 2019) Lyatuu, Patricia M.; Urassa, Justin K.
This paper examines a household’s wellbeing status (HWBS) and its relationship with Livelihood Strategies (LS) and demographic characteristics (DC) in the land shortage villages of Mvomero District, Tanzania. Through a cross-sectional research design, a structured questionnaire was administered to 267 randomly selected households. The findings show that 95.3% of households were unwell expressly in Mgeta villages; only 6.7% formed a well-off category. Unlike the hypothesis, a combination of on and off-farm LS confirmed to have a positive significant influence (p < 0.05) on the likelihood for a household to be well-off, whilst sole farming demonstrated a negative influence. Likewise, unlike the hypothesis, location of a household and sex of its head verified to have a negative influence (p < 0.05) on the likelihood for a household to be well-off. It is concluded that the majority of households are not well and only a combination of on and off-farm LS enhance wellbeing except for female headed households and those located within shrunken arable land areas. Tanzania’s Development agencies are advised to encourage LS diversification, relocation to land abundant area while paying special attention to female headed households.
Implication of institutional frameworks governing land tenure security in social-economic dynamics: experience from Iringa District in Tanzania
(Journal of Public Policy and Administration, 2024) Usika, Gerald; Urassa, Justin K.; Kabote, Samwel. J.
Purpose: The study aimed to examine the implication of institutional frameworks governing land tenure security in socioeconomic dynamics in the Iringa district. The study used the case of the Iringa district to investigate the institutional framework that provides implications for the governance of land tenure security in Tanzania. Methodology: The study employed phenomenography by collecting primary data from 16 key informants selected from village and district levels. Data from key informants were complemented by documentary review with perception considered deductively. Findings: Findings confirmed the existence of two principal institutional frameworks; the Land Act No. 5 of 1999 and the Village Land Act No. 4 of 1999. Nonetheless, bureaucracy, inadequate policy dissemination, and poverty emerged as primary causes of deviations in land policy implementation in the study area. This study concludes that the successful implementation of Tanzania's land policy in the Iringa District Council has significantly facilitated land tenure security through the issuance of a Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy. Establishing a robust institutional framework and clear land use rules has been central to this success. However, challenges such as complex Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy acquisition procedures, bureaucracy, inadequate policy dissemination, and prevalent poverty in rural areas have been identified as impediments. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study was guided by Institutional Theory which describes the interaction of human beings with existing natural resources, the institution involves the regulation of formal rules from constitutions, status laws, and other legal frameworks controlling the interaction and relationship of human behavior. The study contributed to the theory by establishing the relationship between the organization and enforcement of policy and regulatory framework that governs land tenure. Also, the study recommends expanding the Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy issuance, strengthening local land administration, simplifying land use regulations, facilitating easier access to Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy especially for impoverished households, and implementing strategies to reduce bureaucracy and enhancing policy understanding at the grassroots level. These measures aim to enhance land tenure security and support sustainable development in rural communities.
Inter-annual anomaly and seasonal variability of rainfall and temperature in selected Semi-arid Areas of Tanzania
(2012) Kabote, Samwel J.; Mamiro, Delphina; Synnevåg, Gry; Urassa, Justin K.; Mattee, Amon Z.; Mbwambo, Jonathan S.; Nombo, Carolyne I.; Masolwa, Leah W.; Chingonikaya, Emanuel E.
Although climate variability and change are not new phenomena in semi-arid areas, their trends may change over time. Using data from Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) during the interval 2003 -2011, this paper examined inter-annual anomaly (deviation from long term mean) and seasonal variability of rainfall and temperature in Iramba and Meatu Districts. Results showed no significant increase (P>0.05) of inter-annual rainfall variability. Nonetheless, a considerable shift of heavy rains was evident in Iramba District. In both districts there was a shift of months with the most rain. In addition, considerable rainfall and temperature variability were depicted by the trends in the; number of hot and cold years; number of dry and wet years as well as by trends in the number of rainy days in both districts. While temperature showed an increasing trend throughout April in both districts, rainfall showed a decreasing trend, which can increase evapo-transpiration and in turn reduces moisture for the crops, exacerbates poor pasture productivity for livestock, and leads to water scarcity for both crops and animals. Hence, adjustments in cropping and livestock production systems and institutional support are critical in order to buffer the impact of climate variability in semi-arid areas.
Land Access and Associated Factors in Densely and Sparsely Populated Areas: Mvomero District, Tanzania
(Intersect, 2014) Lyatuu, Patricia M.; Urassa, Justin K.
Ensuring secure access to land among rural inhabitants for ending the vicious cycle of poverty and natural resources degradation is a global challenge. Two important measures of secure land access include the ability to acquire tenure rights and benefits gained from the land, yet available studies have given them little attention to date. This study drew data from 267 households in Morogoro region of Tanzania using a questionnaire. In addition, focus group discussions and key informants were employed to explore the means and processes through which farmers in densely and sparsely populated areas—Mgeta division and Mlali division, respectively—derive a living from land. The study employed a cross-sectional research design to collect qualitative and quantitative data, the latter of which was analyzed using SPSS, whereby descriptive and inferential statistics were determined. Results showed that most of the households acquire farmland through inheritance and purchase. Nonetheless, more than one third of the households in both sites were without secure access to land. We found that access to arable land in Mgeta was constrained by soil erosion and repeated fragmentation, compelling farmers to excessively apply fertilizers, to expand farms through seasonal migration, and to trek up to 6 hours to reach their farms. In addition, lack of irrigation water discouraged many from settling in land-abundant areas, since, in Mgeta, water was readily available from nearby catchments. Access to land in Mlali, in contrast, was found to be limited by land grabbing perpetuated by weak tenure security, monetary poverty and non-compliance to land laws. Consequently, land-constrained households cope by borrowing farmland and by trekking up to 12 hours to reach their farmland. Binary logistic regression results showed that while high-income levels and productive assets influenced access to land positively, location had a negative significant influence (p < 0.05). In conclusion, lack of formal land titles and irrigation water in land aboundant villages, monetary poverty and soil erosion as well as non compliance to the land law together contributed to limit secure access to land in the study area. Tanzanian government is advised to encourage land-constrained households from land scarce areas to settle in land abundant areas, through investing in irrigation infrastructure. It additionally could speed up formalization of land titles and create awareness on tenure security, also invest in soil fertility, and projects that can increase household income and asset portfolios. The government may probably enforce compliance to land law.
Land access and livelihood strategies in Mvomero district Tanzania
(International Journal of Physical and Social Sciences (IJPSS), 2015) Lyatuu, Patricia M.; Urassa, Justin K.
Land is a key asset for rural livelihoods. The general objective of this paper is to determine the relationship between land access and livelihood strategies (LS) in the context of land scarcity. A good understanding of the above relationship is of great importance to policy makers and all those interested in improving the well-being of those living in such areas. Moreover, the above could offer guidance for focused poverty interventions aiming at promoting diversity of LS. The paper is based on a study that was carried out in Mvomero District, Tanzania. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through a pre-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. A total of 267 respondents were involved in the household surveys that aimed to explore the portfolio of household’s livelihood strategies, the availability of assets requisite for smooth diversification, challenges associated with LS and the effects of land access on LS. The quantitative data collected was analyzed using the SPSS software: descriptive and multinomial logistic regression were performed to identify dominant LS, determine assets portfolios and the influence of land access and selected household socio-economic characteristics on choices of LS. Qualitative data were analysed using the content analysis method and used to supplement the quantitative information. The results show that, farming was the dominant household LS. However, a significant proportion of households cope with land shortage by engaging in survival off-farm LS due to lack of labour skills, savings and capital necessary for undertaking high paying LS. A households location and its distance to the farm was positively related to its engagement in survival off-farm LS. Moreover, ownership of land without formal land titles negatively influenced a household’s diversification of its LS (p < 0.05). It is concluded that regardless of land scarcity in the study area, majority of households are still confined in farming. However, insecure access to land coupled with lack of capital for engaging in high paying LS has forced a significant proportion of households to venture in survival LS. Tanzania government is therefore advised to support the studied communities and those with similar context to diversify livelihood strategies in a meaningful manner through provision of education and labour skills as well as improvement of their access to credits. In addition, the studied community is advised to strive to have savings and obtain labour skills.
Land tenure security and households’ food security nexus: implications for an improving land governance in Iringa District, Tanzania
(African Journal of Empirical Research, 2024) Usika, Gerald; Kabote, Samwel J.; Urassa, Justin K.
This study was conducted to determine the contribution of the Certificate of Customary Rights of Occupancy (CCRO) to farming households’ food security in the Iringa District Council. Particularly, the study aimed to determine the influence of land tenure security on the food situation of households, the influence of land tenure security on food consumption, and the influence of land tenure security on the source of food for households. The study was guided by the institutional theory and the theory of access, these theories linked the study to the existing body of literature. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design where villages that received CCRO were considered as the treatment group of the study and those villages without CCRO were categorized as the control group for the study. The study decided to adopt the Propensity Score Matching method for constructing a comparison group. The total sample size for this study was 400 households, with equality divided between the two villages, with and without CCRO. The study used a systematic random sampling approach to select a sample size of 400 households from the targeted population. The study employed a mixed methods approach whereby both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through questionnaires and interviews respectively. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using IBM SPSS for quantitative data, while qualitative data was analyzed using a content analysis approach. The study found that those households with CCROs show a high score of food consumption compared to households without CCROs, this indicates that CCROs enhance food security in households. This was supported statistically by regression results and bivariate outcomes that illustrate the significance of CCROs ownership in improving the food situation of households between households having CCROs compared to those that haven’t. Furthermore, the study found that there is a difference in food consumption patterns between households with CCROs and those without CCROs. The study concluded that land tenure security has a great impact on the food security of households in the Iringa district, also, it was concluded that CCRO ownership contributes to improving the food situation of households enhancing their capacity to access diverse food groups. The study recommended that government and local government authorities develop policies and strategies that are tailored and applicable to agriculture development and land ownership to improve land governance structure that allows land registration easy.
Land tenure security, household income and distribution, lesson from southern highlands in Iringa District Council
(International journal of Research in Business & Social Science, 2024-04-22) Gerald Usika, Gerald; Urassa, Justin K.; Kabote, Samwel J.
Land distribution is a key factor in income inequality in rural areas of developing countries. This study examines the impact of land tenure security on household income and its distribution in Iringa district, Tanzania, focusing on the Certificate of Customary Right of Occupation (CCRO). Using a quasi- experimental design and Propensity Score Matching, 404 respondents were randomly selected and divided into groups with and without CCROs. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through surveys and in-depth interviews. Analysis using SPSS/STATA revealed that households with CCROs had higher agricultural yields, sales, and lower production costs. They also invested more in modern farming techniques and soil conservation, leading to higher incomes and reduced income inequality. Despite over 50,000 CCROs issued, credit access remains limited due to a lack of awareness and additional collateral requirements. The study concludes that secure land rights are vital for economic growth and poverty alleviation. Recommendations include increasing awareness about CCROs, facilitating their use as collateral, and exploring barriers to credit access for CCRO holders. Further research is needed to address these challenges.
Rain-fed farming system at a crossroads in Semi-Arid areas of Tanzania: what roles do climate variability and change play?
(IISTE, 2014) Kabote, Samwel J.; Mamiro, Delphina P.; Synnevåg, Gry; Urassa, Justin K.; Mattee, Amon Z.; Chingonika, Emanuel E.; Mbwambo, Jonathan S.; Nombo, Carolyne I.; Masolwa, Leah M.
Positive changes, like adopting drought resistant crop varieties, in the rain-fed farming system (RFFS) in response to climate variability and change enhance system’s ability to support people’s living as opposed to negative changes, like lack of pastures, which put the system at risk of failure in supporting the living. Using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and household survey, this paper examined the roles of climate variability and change in triggering changes in RFFS. Specifically, the paper: (i) assessed dominant crop and livestock farming system; (ii) assessed the change element of crop and livestock production systems; and (iii) examined factors for the changes in RFFS. A random sample of 388 households was used. Qualitative data analysis was done through content analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to assess factors that explain changes on RFFS. The results showed that dominant crops were different in each village. Secondly, some changes in crop varieties and in livestock grazing arrangements were noted in response to climate variability and change. Unlike the hypothesis (P>0.05), the results demonstrated that warming (ß = -10.61, Wald = 36.26, P ≤ 0.001) showed highest significant impact on likelihood of adopting new crop varieties relative to other factors. Similarly, drought (ß = 2.16, Wald = 6.82, P ≤ 0.009) showed highest impact on the likelihood of changing a grazing place. Yet, the changes were constrained by factors like natural resources protective policies, failure of crop varieties to withstand warming and drought, and poor land use management. Therefore, the RFFS was at a crossroads with implications on system sustainability and livelihoods. The government and private interventions should support farmers and agro-pastoralists to manage risks related to the changes in RFFS in response to climate variability and change
Role of Heifer In-Trust schemes in Smallholder Household’s Well-Being in Semi-Arid Region of Shinyanga, Tanzania
(RJSSM, 2015) Msangya, Msangya. L; Urassa, Justin K.; Mahonge, Christopher P.
Livestock-In-Kind Credit schemes has been used all-over the world to help the rural poor invest and save. Investment in livestock enables the rural poor to overcome shocks/risks and alleviate poverty. The Heifer in-Trust Schemes (HIS) was initiated in Shinyanga Region (semi-arid) to help reduce food and income insecurity of smallholder households. However, there exists an information gap on the schemes role to the beneficiaries’ well-being. As such, this study aimed at determining the role of heifer-in-trust schemes in smallholder household’s wellbeing. It adopted a cross-sectional research design. Data from 202 randomly selected HIS beneficiaries were collected using a structured questionnaire. In addition, five focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to supplement the data collected through the questionnaire. Results showed that the dairy enterprise was the major source of food and income. Results further show that households’ food security increased in terms of the number and diversity of meals taken per day and income increased from milk and animal sales. It is concluded that investing in dairy farming is vital for smallholder households’ well-being.
Roles of lead farmers in facilitating uptake of agricultural technologies in collaboration with extension officers: a case of RIPAT approach in Tanzania
(Mkuki na Nyota, 2023) Ringo, Dominick E.; Mattee, Amon Z.; Urassa, Justin K.
Low agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa is caused mainly by the low uptake of agricultural technologies resulting from the declining role of public extension services. For example, the existence of a wide extension-farmers’ ratio in Tanzania has limited access to new agricultural technologies and the capacity to turn the information and knowledge into practices for actual development. To contribute to narrowing the Extension-Farmer ratio, the Rural Initiatives for Participatory Agricultural Transformation (RIPAT) approach has been adopted to bridge agricultural technology gaps through promoting the use of lead farmers (LFs) as the principal agents of change in their communities. This paper assesses the roles played by LFs in the uptake of agricultural technologies and how they fill the gap of inadequate extension staff. The study on which this paper is based, involved 384 LFs and non-LFs who were randomly selected from a population of 1800 farmers in Karatu and Singida districts in 2018. The findings show that the use of LFs has narrowed the extension: farmers’ ratio tenfold at the village level and facilitated the uptake of technologies at reduced costs since they are from within the community and are not necessarily paid for. It is concluded that LFs play an important role in bridging agricultural technology gaps. It is recommended that formalization of the use of LFs should be integrated into Tanzania’s public extension system. In addition, there is a need for further research on the performance of LFs.
School based reproductive health education and teenage pregnancy: a case of Mtwara region, Tanzania
(IISTE, 2019) Dunor, Hawa; Urassa, Justin K.
Teenage pregnancy is one of the complex health and development problems facing the world. In Tanzania adolescent pregnancy has been identified as one of the reasons for girls dropping out of school. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of school based reproductive health education programmes on teenage pregnancy. The study adopted a cross-sectional explanatory design and was conducted in Mtwara Region, Tanzania covering four secondary schools. Respondents for the study were randomly selected. Data was collected using a pre-structured questionnaire, focus groups discussions and key informant interviews. A total of 156 individuals participated in the study. Findings from the study show that school based reproductive health education programmes were effective in terms of knowledge creation. Generally, the results show a significant (P≤ 0.001) difference in reproductive health education between intervention and non-interventions schools. In addition, significant differences were also observed between rural and urban non-intervention schools. It is therefore concluded that school based reproductive health education programmes are effective in knowledge creation among adolescent girls. Hence, it is recommended that a comprehensive school based reproductive health education programme (SBRHEP) be instituted in schools as a way of reducing teenage pregnancies and spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STI’s). However, for this to be more effective there is need for a standalone subject that only deals with reproductive health education rather than the status quo where it is offered under the biology subject.