Sokoine National Agricultural Library

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://10.10.97.169:4000/handle/123456789/1

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 134

The effect of some organic acids on phosphorus solubility in soils
(Med. Fac. Landbouww. Rijksuniv. Gent, 1985) Msaky, J. J. T.; Msanya, B. M.
The study on the solubility of phosphorus in three soil types of California (ranging frm ac id to calcareous soils) by three organic ligands (fumarate, oxalate and citrate) showed that important quantities are solubilized by these acids. Oxalic acid prove d to be more effective in solubilizing P than citric and f'umar ic acids for Hugo and Calera soils. However, for Linne soil citrate proved superior over the other two ligands. For all the soils, an increase in the concentration of organic ligand resulted in an increase in solubilized Phosphorus. Such an increase was more pronounc ed for calcareous soil (Linne) than was the case for the other non-calcareous soils.
Inter-relationships among important soil properties based on data of some typic paleudults
(Med. Fac. Landbouww. Rijksuniv. Gent, 1985) Lopulisa, C. F.; Msanya, B. M.
A study of inter-relationships among important soil characterization physico-chemical data was made. These data were extracted from thirty soil profile descriptions representing soils developed on different parent materials and classified as Typic Paleudults according to the USDA Soil Taxonomy (1975). Correlation studies indicate that most of these parameters are highly correlated.
Automating agricultural information and documentation services in Tanzania
(1988) Massawe, Julian J
Agricultural development is essential for Tanzania's economic growth and national development. This dissertation reviews the development of agricultural documentation and information services, examines factors that pose obstacles in the development process and looks at the role and prospects of information technology, especially microcomputers, in agricultural information management in Tanzania. It is argued that there is need to adopt a coordinated approach to An effective exploitation and better management of these resources is the expected outcome. National bibliographic control is also envisaged. The major agricultural information systems - AGRICOLA, AGRIS and CAB described and their possible inputs into the The services expected from TADIS and their contribution toward the New developments, mainly CD-ROM and its potential as both a storage medium and a vehicle of document delivery are discussed.
Clay mineralogical composition and its influence on some physico-chemical properties of selected soils of Coast region, Tanzania
(1995) Mgata, E. S.; Msanya, B. M.
A mineralogical study was carried out in Coast Region, Tanzania, on soils developed from different parent materials. These materials are; unconsolidated sands and gravels of Neogene age, Grey-green marls of Cretaceous age, Calcareous silt stone and sandstone of Jurassic age and migmatitic gneisses of Precambrian age (Usagaran system). The soil clay fractions exhibit pertinent differences in mineralogical composition. Soils developed from migmatitic gneisses are predominantly kaolinitic with accessory amount of goethite. Kaolinite in these soils is pedogenic and is formed from feldspars and mica. Soils formed from calcareous siltstone and sandstone have mixed clay mineralogy including smectite, vermiculite and illite. Both smectite and vermiculite in these soils are pedogenic and are formed from mica, while illite is inherited from the parent materials. Soils developed from the grey-green marls are dominated by smectite and have some accessory amounts of kaolinite and illite; while those developed from tertiary sediments are characterized by mixed clay mineralogy including smectite, kaolinite and traces of gibbsite. The pedogenic environment suggests that both kaolinite and smectite in these soils are not formed insitu but are inherited from transported parent materials. The clay mineralogy is clearly reflected on the cation exchange capacity, moisture retention characteristics and carrying capacity (n value) of these soils
Environmental profile for agricultural production and development of conservation strategies in Mahenge village, Mbinga district, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture and ARI Mlingano, 1996) Maggogo, J. P.; Msanya, B. M.; Kimaro, D. N.
Pedon characteristics and their implications for land management in two villages of Mbinga district,Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 1998) Msanya, B. M.; Kimaro, D. N.; Araki, S.
A land resources study was carried out in Lupilo and Tukuzi villages in Mbinga District. Two pedons representing the villages were selected for the study to obtain data that are important for land management. Standard soil and land resources survey procedures were employed. The results show that the soils are very deep, well drained, red and dark reddish brown sandy clays to clays and classify as Haplic Acrisol (Isohyperthermic, very deep, kaolinitic, Typic Rhodustuli) at Lupilo and Ferric Acrisol (lsohyperthermic, very deep. kaolinitic, Ustic Haplohumult) at Tukuzi. The structure is generally poor for the two pedons. Bulk density values are low throughout Tukuzipedon. Both pedons have medium available water capacity and generally low soil fertility. The clay mineralogical composition is dominantly kaolinitic with accessory amounts of sesquioxides. These characteristics are associated with poor soil conditions. The study shows that the two pedons represent fragile ecosystems that require careful management. Due to poor chemical, mineralogical and physical characteristics, the study recommends areas offurther research. The commonly used tie-ridge (Ngolo) cultivation system should be studied further to find out its contribution to soil fertility, The use of rock phosphate as a P-fertilizer and as a possible liming material should be further investigated.
Convergence of libraries and computer centres for African universities: A strategy for enhancing information services
(IOS Press, 1999) Lwehabura, M. J. F.; Matovelo, D. S.
This paper aims at stimulating universities in Africa to work towards convergence of computer centres and library services as a strategy for enhancing information provision in these institutions. It highlights the convergence initiatives in the context of developed countries and gives advantages and benefits of such a strategy particularly in developing countries' constraints in both material and human resources. Despite possible obstacles that have also been pointed out, the paper concludes by stressing the timeliness for convergence of the two services in African universities where IT is now rapidly being adopted.
The information needs of small scale dairy farmers in Tanzania
(1999) Dulle, F.W.; Aina, L.O.
The study was undertaken to investigate the information needs of small-scale dairy farmers and various information sources they consulted to resolve their information needs. It involved 71 small-scale dairy farmers from five villages, which were selected through a systematic random sampling from Mbozi district. Personal interviews were used to gather data from small-scale dairy farmers. Small scale dairy farmers were found to be in need of information on livestock feeds availability and feeding techniques (97.2%), parasite and disease control (83.1%), general animal husbandry (81.7%), heat detection and breeding techniques (43.7%) and information on milk marketing (39.4%). In resolving their information needs it was found that attending extension meetings and extension worker visits were the most dependable information sources used by the majority of farmers. The use of agricultural libraries as an information source was very uncommon to the majority of the respondents with the major reason being lack of such a service.
Pedological Characterization, Clay Mineralogy and Classification of Some Soils of Mikese Area, Morogoro District, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 1999) Msanya, B. M.; Kimaro, D. N.; Kimbi, G. G.
A study was carried out in Mikese Ward, Morogoro District, with the objective to make an inventory of the soils of the area, to determine their physico-chemical and mineralogical properties and to classify them. Eight soil profiles were identified and form three major groups of soils namely, very deep, well drained, dark reddish brown to dark brown, sandy clay loams and san:ly clays on the steep convex slopes; very deep, well drained, dark brown to dark red, sandy clay Loams and sandy clays on the linear slopes; and very deep, well and imperfectly drained sandy loams to sandy clay loams and sandy clays in the valley bottoms. The soils of the convex and linear sLopes classified as Isohyperthermic, deep, mixed, Kanhaplic Haplustalfs and Isohyperthermic, deep, mixed Oxic Ustropepts representing a relatively advanced pedogenic development as indicated by high contents of Fe, Al and Ti and relatively low SUAI ratios. The soils of the valley bottoms classified as Isohyperthermic, deep, mixed, Typic Argiustolls, Isohyperthermic, deep, mixed, Typic Tropaquepts and Isohypenhermic, deep, mixed, FLuventic Ustropepts. These soils are of Lowto intermediate pedogenic deveLopment as indicated by the relatively Lower Fe, Al and Ti contents and both high Si and SUAl ratios. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the studied soils have a mixed clay mineraLogy including kaolinite and mica. Small amounts of smectite were identified in one profile with alkaline subsoil reaction. Bulk densities of surface horizons are relatively lower than those of subsoils ranging from 1.-1to 1.6 /!fglnr in topsoils andfrom 1.4£0 1.9 Mg/m' in subsoils. Total porosity -ranged from 40 to 58% insurfacesoils Md from 28 to 32 % in subsoils. Available waterholding capacities of the soils are between 155 and 248 mm/m of soil. The soils have overall poor supply of Nand P. The basic cations Ca ++: Mg+ + and K+ are medium to high throughout the profiles. The CEC of the soils is.very low with values ranging from 6 to 13 cmoit +)/kg soil). These results - imply that continuous utilization of the soils for crop production without proper management will result into a drastic loss of soil fertility.
Information technology for agricultural research: SNAL's opportunities and challenges in addressing researchers' information needs in 21 st century.
(Proceedings of FoA conference, 1999) Dulle, Frankwell, W; Lwehabura, J.F; Matovelo, Doris, S; Mulimila, Revocatus, T
The paper defines information and briefly reviews its role in agricultural research. Applications of information technology in agricultural libraries is considered to playa vital role in provision of information to researchers, policy makers, practitioners, lecturers, extensionists, information workers, students and the public at large for their meaningful contribution to agricultural development. SNAL's achievements and problems in information provision to its clients for the ending millennium are discussed. Introduction of IT applications to some of its services such as CD-ROM services, and Online Public Catalogue are some of the achievements despite a list of problems albeit budgetary constraints, critical shortage of manpower, over dependence to external aids and failure to reach a wider audience of its clients. Whilefurther investments in IT and its applications could greatly improve information services to agricultural researchers, constraints mentioned above are among the major challenges to SNALS' obligations of meeting its user information needs for the coming millennium.
Effectiveness of Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) in disseminating veterinary information
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2000) Sife, Alfred S.; Chilimo, Wanyenda
The Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) was established by Parliamentary Act No. 21 of 1991, which elevated the former University Library to a national agricultural library. Therefore, SNAL serves both as a University Library as well as a national agricultural library. SNAL’s overall goal is to develop and maintain library and information services in agricultural sciences and related disciplines. As a university library, SNAL aims at supporting efficiently and effectively teaching, research, extension, consultancy and other academic activities of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). The Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) consists of many academic units that include four faculties; namely; the Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Science, and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. This paper examines the capacity of SNAL in disseminating veterinary information. Electronic information resources available at SNAL are assessed with the aim of examining the coverage of veterinary information in comparison to other agricultural related fields offered by SNAL. Major electronic information resources include: CD-ROMs, e-journals and an OPAC. Additionally, the information needs and seeking behavior of veterinary scientists and students at SUA are identified in order to establish the extent to which SNAL meets their needs. The quality of library human resources at SNAL in relation to their capacity to provide veterinary information was observed as well.
Effective library management: issues for managers and subordinates
(New Library World, 2000) Lwehabura, M.J.F; Matovelo, D.S
The importance of effective management for a successful and productive organisation is stressed. Considers library and information services managers as having a centre stage role for leading their subordinates in the process of bringing an effective management and good work output for their organisations. Stresses the importance of managers and their subordinates working together through managerial roles and sharing a strategy for an effective management process. Points out selfmanagement, understanding individual's behaviour, assertiveness, delegation, empowerment and good relationships as some aspects that could help to harness an effective management process to improve and strengthen productivity.
The extension triad approach in disseminating agricultural information to extension workers: some experiences from the Southern Highlands Dairy Development Project, Tanzania
(2000) Dulle, F.W.
The agricultural extension services in developing countries have been widely criticised for their ineffectiveness. The extension triad is considered to be an alternative and promising approach in an attempt to improve the extension services in such countries. This study investigates the information- seeking pattern of extension workers and the ways in which the Southern Highlands Dairy Development Project disseminates information to such workers, as well as the extent to which it addresses some of the common problems reported to hinder the extension services in developing countries. Out of 66 copies of a semi-structured questionnaire distributed to dairy extension supervisors and field extension workers within the Project area, 49 responses (69.7% response rate) were received. The use of personal sources, attendance at professional meetings, seminars, short courses and conferences and the reading of newspapers were found to be the three main information sources consulted by the respondents, while contact with researchers and the use of agricultural libraries were very unpopular. The Project extension services proved superior in comparison to the traditional extension services. For sustainability purposes, it is recommended that the Project, in collaboration with the Government and farmer groups, launches an alternative organisation to pursue activities run by the Project before it comes to an end.
Researchers' perspectives on agricultural libraries as information sources in Tanzania
(2001) Lwehabura, M.J. F.; Mulimila, R. T.; Matovelo, D. S.; Dulle, F.W.
This paper reports results based on a study aimed at assessing the capability of agricultural libraries in meeting researchers' information needs, finding out means used by researchers to cope with the scarcity of scientific information, and based on study findings, give some recommendations on how to improve agricultural library services in Tanzania.
Implementation of policies and strategies for agricultural information access and use in Tanzania
(Pietermaritzburg, University of Natal, 2001) Chailla, Angela Mashauri
Agriculture is an important enterprise in Africa and indeed in Tanzania where it is one of the major economic sectors, embracing all its population. Agriculture contributes about 60% to the Gross Domestic Product, generates about 75% of the total export earnings and employs 84% of the Tanzanian active labour force. Information plays a critical role in agricultural development in most countries. However, one of the most serious reasons adduced for the low agricultural production in Africa is the limited access to adequate information support to all stakeholders in agricultural production. This affects all sectors of research, extension and training. Inadequate access to and use of agricultural information by research scientists undermines the potential to fulfil their information needs. They often lack access to current, relevant and timely information. This results in duplication of research efforts. Lack of access to scientific literature in the agricultural field in Tanzania has been attributed to the ineffectiveness of the various information providers in the country, among which the key ones are agricultural libraries and documentation centres. Studies by agricultural information specialists and international organizations have established that agricultural libraries and documentation centres in Less Developed Countries have not excelled in providing agricultural information to users. This has been attributed to several reasons. The major one being the non-implementation of policies, strategies and recommendations advanced by scholars, international organizations and consultants for more availability, accessibility and use of agricultural libraries’ services and facilities. The main objectives of this study were to establish the extent to which Tanzania has implemented the key policies, strategies and recommendations for enhancing accessibility and use of agricultural libraries and documentation centres’ services and facilities. Some of the key policies and strategies recommended by scholars include; increasing the libraries capacity in human, financial and material resources. Such policies and strategies include, among many others: library staff development, (iii)cooperation and networking among agricultural libraries and documentation centres at national regional and international levels and formulation of national information policies to give guidance to agricultural information acquisition, organization, management and provision. They also include formulation of Information and Communication Technologies’ policies for standardization in operating systems and data formats. Two main data collection instruments were used in the study namely; a self administered questionnaire and an interview schedule. The instruments were supplemented by on site observations of the libraries’ operational activities. The sample size comprised 34 agricultural libraries and documentation centres located in all seven agricultural zones and 18 interviewees from the Ministry of agriculture, agricultural institutions and research stations. The Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) for Windows version 9.0 was used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data. The problems facing agricultural libraries and documentation centres in Less Developed Countries today are many and varied, and differ from one country to another. In Tanzania, the study findings established that these problems can be classified into six major categories: lack of adequate resources/materials; inadequate number of qualified personnel at managerial, professional and technical levels; lack of cooperation and coordination among existing libraries and documentation centres; limited financial resources; lack of explicit and operational training programmes for library personnel and lack of a national information policy per se. Tanzania has a number of sectoral policies in place, related to information, technology and research. These “little sectoral policies” are fragmented and need a policy framework to provide the missing coordination. The study established that the number of skilled information staff in the national agricultural library system was small. Libraries and documentation centres in many agricultural institutions and research stations were poorly equipped and lacked professional trained staff. Furthermore, operational budgets were limited and hence lack of current and relevant library materials including subscriptions to scientific (iv)journals. Contacts of agricultural information personnel with regional and international circuits on development were found limited. The study findings also revealed that the agricultural library information system in Tanzania was lacking in efficiency and effectiveness in meeting the diversified information needs of agriculturalists, particularly the research scientists. To this effect, where information was abundantly available, it was often inaccessible due to lack of technical know-how in documentation, organization and management for awareness of its availability to users. The study assumed that the global Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and current technological developments in the publishing industry could facilitate effective agricultural information organization and management, including repackaging of information for extension personnel and farmers, and resource sharing via electronic networking. However, the poor economic growth of Tanzania, as in other Less Developed Countries, has posed limitations to the full utilization of ICTs through lack of resources, policy guidelines and frameworks for the implementation of such policies. The study concluded that there has not been an effective and efficient implementation of policies, strategies and recommendations for access and use of agricultural information in Tanzania due to a number of problems, the main ones being: lack of awareness of the policies and strategies among the libraries, parent organizations and policy makers and lack of capacity of the libraries and documentation centres to implement the policies, strategies and recommendations. The study recommended that agricultural libraries and documentation centres in Tanzania be given priority in budget allocation for acquisition of basic equipment, such as photocopiers and micro computers and for training library personnel at all levels. The more affluent libraries, such as the Sokoine National Agricultural Library and the Division of Research and Development library of the Ministry of agriculture, should audit their resources to determine the best ways to assist the documentation centres in remote research stations to organize and adequately present the required information to users. Agricultural libraries’ managers and information specialists (V) should become more assertive,focused, and committed in finding out about the policies and recommendations and eventually working out the requirements for their implementation and monitoring.
Application of information technology for research in Tanzania: feedback from agricultural researchers
(2002) Mulimila, R.T.; Matovelo, D.S.; Lwehabura, M.J.F.; Dulle, F.W.
This paper reports results of a study aimed at assessing agricultural researchers' access to information technology facilities. It also examines to what extent such facilities are used in facilitating researchers' access to scientific information. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey to 321 agricultural researchers selected randomly at 13 research centres throughout the country. The response rate obtained was 76.3%. Out of 244 respondents, 170 (69.7%) reported having access to internet or e-mail facilities. While 79.3% of the respondents having access to the internet reported using the facility frequently for information search, the e-mail facility was not popularly used by the respondents for information requests to sources outside respondents' institutions. CD-ROMtechnology was found not to be readily available to many respondents because of the unavailability of such facilities at their research centres and minimal use of e-mail facilities for resource sharing with other centres' CD-ROMdatabases. It is concluded that, along with a low level of information technology development in the country, the available information technology facilities have not been fully exploited to facilitate agricultural researchers' accessto information. Some measures to improve information technology infrastructure and its use for improvement of research productivity are recommended.
Marketing library services in academic libraries: A tool for survival in the 21st century
(University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal, 2003) Lwehabura, M. J. F.; Dulle, F. W.; Mulimila, R. T.
This article discusses the concept of marketing library and information services as an important library activity. It also stresses the need for librarians and information specialists especially those in academic libraries in developing countries to become proactive and to take marketing as a serious and obligatory library function. With the emergence of new information providers and diverse avenues that enable information users/seekers to access information even outside library premises, the authors argue that it is very likely librarians with lose potential clients. Marketing of library services is therefore considered to be a tool that can be used by librarians to fight and compete and also attract both new customers and old library users. The article also suggests a number of media that can be used to market library services in academic libraries.
Creating a core journal collection for agricultural research in Tanzania: citation analysis and user opinion techniques
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2004) Dulle, F. W.; Lwehabura, M. J. F.; Matovelo, D. S.; Mulimila, R. T.
The major objective of this study was to analyse the citation patterns of agricultural scientists in Tanzania. The specific objectives were to: assess researchers' access to information as reflected from citation analysis; establish a list of core agricultural journals for agricultural researchers in Tanzania using citation analysis and user opinions; and find out the extent to which the available information resources meet the research needs revealed by the study. The study involved the analysis of 295 MSc theses and 21 PhD theses submitted at Sokoine University of Agriculture between 1989·1999, and 309 conference proceeding articles published during the same period. It is concluded that generally agricultural scientists in the country had limited access to current journals. A number of options are recommended to alleviate the situation, with a focus on electronic journal provision supported by international organizations.
User fee in public libraries: perspectives, opportunities and challenges in Tanzania’s libraries
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2005) Matovelo, D. S.; Lwehabura, M. J. F.
The user fee practiced in public libraries in Tanzania since 1996 and implications of the fee are examined in relation to the role of libraries in economic development. The paper aims at stimulating discussions among professionals and other stakeholders regarding the effects and controversies of the issue. Based on a survey of literature, brief and informal. discussions with eight library users and librarians in three public libraries in Tanzania, it looks into the fee concept and discusses' the experiences and implications of the fee to both the public and public libraries that so far are not optimally used. In addition, charged services in four public university libraries have been examined for possible lessons to be learnt. While recognizing the growing pressure to commercialize access to information resources as a strategy for coping with economic difficulties in the public sectors, the paper cautions that the practice may have more disadvantages than advantages. It is observed that while there may be other reasons preventing the public from using libraries, the fee may actually be a hindrance to developing positive attitudes towards use of libraries by the public for their socio-economic development. The authors see the existence of an opportunity for librarians to make tangible contribution in the society's development process by promoting the use of easily accessible information through public libraries rather than supporting restrictive rules. It is concluded that paying for basic library services may not necessarily be a solution to the library's economic constraints across the board. For this reason, Tanzania's libraries should consider the present period as a period for promotion, advocacy, and investment in the value and role of information for economic growth and in the expansion as well as creation of public library clientele. Among the recommendations put forward is the need for conducting in-depth studies that would profile the actual users of these libraries, determine membership trend and find out user opinion and attitude towards fee practices in Tanzania. The paper also recommends the use of participatory methods in order to make fair decision regarding access, use and sustainability of public libraries. The paper finally suggests some possible alternatives for economic sustainability of the libraries ..
From collection management to knowledge management practices: considerations for the Sokoine National Agricultural Library in Tanzania
(2006) Lwoga, Edda T.; Sife, Alfred S.
“collection management” to present day “knowledge management”. Developments in ICTs are mainly responsible to the shift. This paper discusses how university libraries in developing countries can transform from collection management to knowledge management practices, focusing on the Sokoine National Agricultural Library in Tanzania. Challenges for implementing KM practices in the universities are also discussed. Recommendations are also made on how libraries including SNAL can implement KM practices, and move beyond the inherent collection management practices.

Browse

Browsing Sokoine National Agricultural Library by Issue Date