Agricultural Education and Extension Collection

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Land use assessment in reserve lands: a case study of Mboole-Muyonzo traditional land in Zambia
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1993) Mulongo, Manford Chilube
Reliable and up to date information about land use practices and available land resources in an area is essential for successful resource development and conservation. A land use assessment study was carried out in Mboole-Muyonzo Traditional Land, within the Tonga-Choma Reserve Land No. 21 in Southern Zambia. The objectives of the study were (a) to assess current land utilisation and management, (b) to assess land use change and demographic change between 1970 and 1991, and 1969 and 1990 respectively, and (c) to estimate future land requirement in the year 2000, assuming all other factors are held constant except population growth. Sequential aerial photography was used in assessing land use change during the study period. The study also attempted to project human population in the year 2000 using the exponential population growth model. A field survey was carried out to assess land utilisation and management and resource degradation in the area. The results of the study are: human population more than doubled in two decades with 5% annual growth, cultivated land expanded by 68.4% between 1970 and 1991, cattle stocking level was 2.4 ha/beast/year at the time of the survey (i.e. 40-60% overstocking) and available grazing land was less than half the requirement, and shortage of good arable land has forced the inhabitants to cultivate the hilly terrain resulting in all forms of soil erosion. The study also established that land shortage in the area was more as a result of the 1969 coercive displacement of people to give way for the Batoka ranch project than of rapid population growth. Changes in land tenure structure and land distribution pattern in the province are advisable. Periodic surveillance and monitoring land utilisation on both reserve lands and state land farming areas through sequential aerial photography and sequential geographical analysis techniques is a must if the nation is to succeed in resolving the problems of land degradation in reserve lands and land idleness in state land farming areas. Relocation of some families (e.g.the 13.6% who own 44.4% of the cattle) is advisable. Initiating a land and water management project with livestock development,grazing land management,and soil-and-water conservation as major project components is strongly recommended in the area.
The effect of low tannin sorghum (tegemeo variety) as a replacement of maize in broiler diets.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1994) Allen Zakayo Griffin Gilbert
A study was carried out to investigate the possibility of replacing maize with low tannin sorghum (Tegemeo variety) as an energy source in broiler diets. Three hundred and twenty, week old broiler chicks were fed on four diets in which maize was replaced by sorghum at 0, 33.3, 66.7 and 100% levels, for dietary treatment A, B, C and D, respectively. The control diet contained maize as the only cereal grain. Twenty birds per group were randomly assigned to the four dietary treatments. Liveweight, daily gain, cumulative feed intake and feed gain ratio(FGR) were measured weekly. At eight weeks of age, sixteen birds from each treatment were picked at random and slaughtered for the analyses of their carcass characteristics. Dressing percentage, gizzard, heart, liver and abdominal fat as proportions of carcass weight were determined. At six weeks of age, sixteen male birds were used in the balance trial to determine the metabolizable energy. Mean proximate composition of low tannin sorghum for crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, nitrogen free extracts and ash was 12.1, 5.4, 3.0, 65.3 and 1.6%, respectively. Calcium and phosphorus content were 0.03 and 0.2%, respectively. iii Liveweight gains, feed gain ratio and dressing percentage were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. Substitution of sorghum for maize significantly decreased the proportionate weights of internal organs. Proportionate weights of liver and abdominal fat increased with increasing level of sorghum in the diets, whereas that of gizzard and heart decreased. Mean metabolizable energy values not corrected for nitrogen retention were 9.6, 10.9, 8.9 and 8.0 MJ/kgDM, whereas the mean nitrogen - corrected metabolizable energy values were 8.8, 10.0, 8.1 and 7.1 MJ/kgDM, for diet A, B, C and D, respectively. Mean true metabolizable energy values were 9.6, 11.0, 8.9 and 7.8 MJ/kgDM, respectively. From these findings it can be seen that, low tannin sorghum (Tegemeo variety) can entirely replace maize in the broiler diets, without causing any adverse effects on performance.
Impact assessment of entrepreneurship development on rural women’s micro-enterprises in Muheza and Handeni districts: the case of unifem project in Tanga region
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2001) MWANY1KA,EUNEEMA ELIHUDI
The study was conducted in four villages, two each from Muheza and Handeni districts in Tanga region. The overall objective of the study was to assess how an entrepreneurship development programme/project funded by UNIFEM between 1991- 1995 had contributed to development of micro-enterprises and improved the economic status of rural women in the study area. The specific objectives were to: (i) determine the number and performance of micro-enterprises established during and after the UNIFEM project, (ii) assess how the project’s entrepreneurship development approach (PEDA) had helped to improve the women's capacity to run micro-enterprises, (iii) determine the contribution of PEDA to the improvement of the economic status of the women who were under the project, and (iv) identify factors that influence women’s entrepreneurship development. The study involved a survey of 64 rural women (32 project beneficiaries and 32 non-project beneficiaries). Data were mainly obtained using a questionnaire. The findings of the study revealed that agriculture was the predominant kind of activity (enterprise) carried by the women before the establishment of the project During and after the project, there was a significant increase in the number and types of micro-enterprises established. Assessment of the performance of the enterprises showed that Project beneficiaries (PBs) generally faired better than their non-beneficiaries (NPBs) counterparts although the levels of development and profitability of the enterprises established was very low. The study also showed that the project had significantly contributed to the improvement of the capacity of the PBs to run micro-enterprises as well as their economic status than their NPBs counterparts. The need for a continuous availability of credit facilities, continued technical support and training and availability of reliable infrastructure were identified as critical to the women's micro-enterprises and entrepreneurship development. The study recommends to planners, policy makers and non-governmental organisations, to continue supporting projects of this nature and direct more effort in the creation of aiii more enabling environment and a more sustainable system of developing entrepreneurship as a strategy for poverty alleviation among rural women in the country.
Major agricultural extension providers in Tanzania
(kyoto university IRR, 2001-12) Rutatora, Deogratias F.; Mattee, Amon Z.
While agricultural extension services in Tanzania have mostly been provided and financed by the public sector, the landscape is changing with regard to the provision of extension services in the country. Observations reveal that several non-governmental organi- sations (NGOs) and farmer-led initiatives have, over time, supplemented extension service delivery of the public extension services with cost-sharing, but these experiences have not been formally integrated into the extension system nor has their potential to reduce public expenditure and improve quality of extension service been considered. As the government continues to face financial difficulties, it has started to reconsider the issue of public exten- sion service and is currently entertaining the possibilities of gradually divesting the public sector of extension, leaving the private sector and users to take an increasing responsibility. This paper brings to light major providers of extension services in Tanzania to help inform decision-makers on how various actors can support agricultural extension on a sustainable basis.
Potential and limitations of smallholder seed production in Ethiopia: the case of Soro District
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2002) Mitke, Tsigedingil Mengist
While the majority of smallholder farmers use traditional ways of ensuring their livelihood, small-scale farming is the most important sector of agricultural production in Ethiopia. With increasing effort of the Extension Package Program, farmers started to adopt improved seeds. However, the supply of improved seeds to small-scale farmers by the formal sector was not sufficient. To alleviate the seed shortage, the Smallhlode Seed Production (SHSP) program has been implemented as one of the alternatives to produce and supply seeds to small-scale farmers. This study examined the potential and limitations of smallholder seed production. A cross-sectional survey method was used for this study and respondents were selected randomly. Data were collected using an interview schedule for farmers, self-administered questionnaires for extension workers and other seed professionals, checklists for informal discussions with farmer groups and co-operative committee members as well as using personal observations. Likert-type interview items were also employed to determine opinions of farmers, extension workers and seed professionals. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and cross tabulation were used. The findings from has a potential the analysis show that SHSP in Ethiopia for increasing seed availability and improving seed distribution at prices that small-scale farmers can afford. However, the findings indicate that it has limitations such as producing low quality seed, lack of ready market for produced seeds, inadequate supply of credit and lack of integrated efforts among organisations that can contribute a lot to the sustainability of SHSP.The study recommends the selecting of farmers that are interested and ready to devote their money, labour and skills for quality seed production. As seed quality7 was the major problem indicated by users, reinforcing the technical skills of farmers is important to improve the seed quality, beside this, close supervision and field inspection together with laboratory' analysis should be done. To ensure the sustainability of SHSP and to alleviate the problem of market, strong linkages and co-ordination with ESE. fanners' co-operatives and other concerned organisations should be created.
Knowledge Sharing and Communication Tools for Dialogue Issues on Productivity of Water in Agriculture in Mkoji Sub-catchment, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2003) Kasele, S. S.; Mlozi, M. R. S.; Hatibu, N.; Mahoo, H. F.
The concept of productivity of water in agriculture is new and is understood differently by different stakeholders. Yet to apply it, all stakeholders require a common understanding. Currently there is limited understanding of how the concept can be communicated to different stakeholders. This limits the potential for dialogue to enable concerns to be resolved. This study investigated knowledge-sharing and communication tools suitable in facilitating dialogue among different stakeholders on the productivity of water in agriculture in Mkoji sub-catchment in the upper part of the Rufiji Basin, Tanzania. The study was based on a survey of multiple stakeholders of water in the study area, including direct water users in agriculture, namely farmers; water resources and agricultural experts; and water managers, especially in irrigated systems. A high proportion (87.5%) of the smallholder farmers indicated low awareness of the concept as universally defined. The experts were aware of the basic definition of productivity of water in agriculture as the ratio of total crop yield to the volume of water used. Given past experience in the study areas, knowledge sharing through farmer training, demonstration plots, field visits, radio and posters will assist in increasing the understanding of different stakeholders and thus improve dialogue.
Impact of joint forest management on Handeni hill forest reserve and adjacent communities in Tanga, Tanzania
(2005) Kajembe, G. C.; Mohamed, B.S.; Luoga, E. J.
Most forests in Tanzania have been managed under state ownership regime but have been faced with enormous pressure leading to degradation. Joint Forest Management (JFM) was introduced in 1998 aiming at improving conditions of forest reserves and livelihood of the adjacent communities, one of which being the Handeni Hill Forest Reserve in north eastern Tanzania. Data were collected in 2001 and 2004 on forest inventory and socio-economic attributes of the adjacent communities. Comparisons were done to determine significant changes on forest conditions and livelihood. The study showed a non-significant positive impact on basal area (m 2 /ha), and volume (m 3 /ha), but had no impact on improving farming productivity. There were positive trends on reduced wood energy consumption, increased tree planting and promotion of non wood forest products (NWFPs). The realized benefit stream has positively influenced villagers on acceptance and participation in JFM related activities. It is concluded that a period of 3 years was not long enough to show a significant impact on the forest conditions and livelihood. It is recommended that more efforts are needed to strengthen JFM and more long term studies are needed to monitor the performance of JFM.
Impact of indigenous-based interventions on land conservation: A case study of a soil conservation and agroforestry project, Arumeru district, Tanzania
(John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., 2005) Kajembe, G. C.; Julius, F.; Nduwamungu, J.; Mtakwa, P. W.; Nyange, D. A.
Land degradation has been identified as a serious problem in Tanzania since the 1920s. Among the factors normally cited as contributing to land degradation are deforestation, overgrazing and inappropriate farming practices. Several attempts by the government to arrest the problem have been based on top-down approaches. Indigenous-based interventions are among the alternative practices adopted by the Soil Conservation and Agroforestry Project in Arumeru District, Tanzania. The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of the indigenous-based interventions on land conservation. More specifically the study intended to assess farmers’ perception of land degradation, the adoption rate of indigenous-based interventions, the impact of those interventions, and lastly the sustainability of those interventions. Data for the study were collected through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques and a questionnaire survey. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 1 ) was used to analyse quantitative data and Content and Structural-Functional Analyses were used for qualitative data. The study found that the rate of land degradation was perceived by respondents to be rather severe. The study also revealed that indigenous-based interventions, which require minimal labour and capital, have been highly adopted by many farmers while labour/capital intensive ones have been taken up by fewer farmers. In general, indigenous-based interventions appear to have eased farm operations and contributed towards increased crop yield, improved soil fertility and increased income. Success in some of the indigenous interventions warrants their wider promotion beyond the project area. Copyright # 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Management of natural resources programme, Tanzania TAN-0092
(Royal Norwegian Embassy, 2006) Cooksey, Brian; Anthony, Leonce; Egoe, Jim; Forrester, Kate; Kajembe, George; Mbano, Bakari; Oertzen, Isabell von; Riedmiller, Sibylle
The final evaluation of the Management of Natural Resources Programme (MNRP) consisted of site visits to the programme’s eleven projects, interviews with project managers and beneficiaries, and a review of programme documents and other relevant literature.
Implications of local knowledge in the utilization of forage resources in mixed livestock systems of Eastern Tanzania
(Taylor & Francis, 2007) Komwihangilo, Daniel M.; Lekule, Faustin P.; Kajembe, George C.; Mgheni, Dyness M.; Petersen, Poul H.
Smallholder farmers have considerable understanding of locally available resources that they normally use in crop and livestock production. This was demonstrated in a study about the utility of local knowledge in forage quality evaluation for a mixed livestock production system in Turiani division, Morogoro region, Eastern Tanzania. Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was conducted in four villages in order to identify forages and criteria used by farmers in the description of nutritional and feeding values of local feeds for cattle. Eight to 12 farmers were convened in each village to discuss the different forage species used for cattle feeding, reasons for their preferences and local experiences related to feed resource management. Key informants interviews were also done with farmers’ group leaders and some farmers. Checklists, direct observation, matrix ranking and semi-structured interviews were the major tools applied. Results indicated that criteria used for forage quality assessment were based on objectives of cattle production. These included the amount of milk produced (lactating cows), growth (calves) and general health condition of animals. Palatability of forages and animal satisfaction when fed were other criteria used. Forage grasses such as Pennisetum purpureum, Panicum maximum and Rottboellia cochinchinensis were ranked the highest, intermediate and lowest respectively according to the above criteria. These findings suggest that forage quality description derived from day to day activities is crucial for any interventions that can improve livestock productivity in smallholder production systems.
Evolution, performance and role of traditional credit system on poverty reduction: a case of Ifogong’ho of the wasukuma, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2007) SWAI,OKULI WILLIAM
A study on ifogong’ho traditional credit system was conducted in Magu District, Mwanza region, Tanzania. The general objective of the study was to explore the contribution of ifogong’ho to poverty reduction. Specifically, the study aimed at describing the evolution and operational procedure of ifogong’ho; assessing performance of ifogong’ho as indicated by repayment, interest and default rates; assessing accessibility to ifogong’ho by age, gender, education, household type and wealth; and determining the contribution of ifogong’ho credit to poverty reduction using income, food security and health indicators/A cross-sectional survey approach was employed, whereby four villages that practice ifogong’ho were selected purposively and respondents were selected randomly. Semi-structured and structured questionnaires were administered to ifogong’ho committee members and 131 respondents, respectively. Likert scale questions were employed to determine attitude of members towards access to ifogong’ho by sex, age, household type, education and wealth. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences whereby frequencies, percentages, means and cross-tabulations, were used to elaborate analytical results. Qualitative data were summarized and presented in tables to supplement ifogong’ho important information. The chi-square test statistic was used to determine attitude of ifogong’ho members towards ifogong’ho access and sex, age, household type, education and wealth. Results showed no statistical significant relationship between access to ifogong’ho and sex, age, household type, education and wealth of respondents. The t-test results at p < 0.05 level of significance proved that net income, food security and health expenditure among ifogong’ho members beforeiii getting credit differed significantly after using credit. Net income, food security and health expenditure after credit were higher than those before credit. These results substantiated the need of credit for poverty reduction. The study came up with pertinent recommendations. One of the recommendations given was to boost ifogong’ho fund portfolio size by introducing saving practice in the system.
Spatio-temporal variation in malaria transmission intensity in five agro-ecosystems in Mvomero district, Tanzania
(Geospatial Health, 2010) Mboera, L. E. G.; Senkoro, K. P.; Mayala, B. K.; Rumisha, S. F.; Rwegoshora, R. T.; Mlozi, M. R. S.; Shayo, E. S.
In Africa, malaria is predominantly a rural disease where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy. V arious agro-ecosystems and crop production systems have an impact on mosquito productivity, and hence malaria transmission intensity. This study was carried out to determine spatial and temporal variations in anopheline mosquito population and malaria transmission intensity in five villages, representing different agro-ecosystems in Mvomero dis- trict, Tanzania, so as to provide baseline information for malaria interventions. The agro-ecosystems consisted of irri- gated sugarcane, flooding rice irrigation, non-flooding rice irrigation, wet savannah and dry savannah. In each setting, adult mosquitoes were sampled monthly using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps from August 2004 to July 2005. A total of 35,702 female mosquitoes were collected. Anopheles gambiae sensu lato was the most abundant (58.9%) mosquito species. An. funestus accounted for 12.0% of the mosquitoes collected. There was a substantial village to village variation and seasonality in the density of Anopheles mosquito population, with peaks in May towards the end of the warm and rainy season. Significantly larger numbers of anophelines were collected from tra- ditional flooding rice irrigation ecosystem (70.7%) than in non-flooding rice irrigation (8.6%), sugarcane (7.0%), wet savannah (7.3%) and dry savannah (6.4%). The overall sporozoite rates for An. gambiae and An. funestus were 3.4% and 2.3%, respectively. The combined overall sporozoite rate ( An. gambiae + An. funestus ) was 3.2%. The mean annual entomological inoculation rate (EIR) for An. gambiae s.l. was 728 infective bites per person per year and this was sig- nificantly higher in traditional flooding rice irrigation (1351) than in other agro-ecosystems. The highest EIRs for An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus were observed during May 2005 (long rainy season) and December 2004 (short rainy sea- son), respectively. The findings support the evidence that malaria transmission risk varies even between neighbouring vil- lages and is influenced by agro-ecosystems. This study therefore, demonstrates the need to generate spatial and tempo- ral data on transmission intensity on smaller scales taking into consideration agro-ecosystems that will identify area-spe- cific transmission intensity to guide targeted control of malaria operations.
Evaluation of the soil fertility status in relation to crop nutritive quality in the selected physiographic units of Mbeya Region, Tanzania
(RUFORUM Biennial Meeting, 2010-09) Amuri, N.; Semu, E.; Msanya, B. M.; Mhoro, L.; Anthony, J. M.
This study is assessing soil fertility status in Mbeya region of Tanzania in terms of adequacy for crop growth and crop nutrient status in terms of human nutrition. It will examine levels of macro and micronutrient. The study has just been initiated and will run for two years.
Economic assessment of urban and peri-urban vegetable production in Mbeya municipality, Tanzania
(SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE., 2011) Lumililo,S. M
A study on economic assessment of urban and peri-urban vegetable production was conducted in Mbeya Region. Urban Agriculture (UA) is defined as the growing of plants and the raising of animals for food and other uses within (intra) and fringing (peri) urban built up areas. The general objective of this study was to investigate the economics of growing vegetable in urban and peri-urban areas. Specifically, the study aimed at determining the quantity and monetary value of four selected vegetables produced in (MM); identifying the vegetables grown, assessing the area used; analyzing the gross margins (GM) of the selected four major vegetables and examining the contribution of vegetable production to household incomes in (MM). The data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Purposive and simple random samplings were used to select 160 respondents engaged in urban and peri urban vegetable production. Data were analyzed using SPSS computer programme. Chi-square test showed statistical significant differences at (p< 0.035) in GM between urban and peri-urban vegetable growers and revenue analysis showed a statistical significant difference at (p<0.053) between urban and peri-urban vegetable growers. Plot sizes analysis showed statistical significant differences between urban and peri-urban vegetable growers at (p < 0.008) for Amaranthns, at (p < 0.001) for Chinese cabbage, at (p< 0.031) for Brassica carinata and at (p < 0.008) for Swiss chard. The contribution of vegetable analysis showed high statistical significant differences between urban and peri-urban vegetable growers at (p< 0.01) for Amaranths and Chinese cabbage. Statistical significant differences also showed at (p< 0.001) for Brassica carinata and at (p< 0.015) for Swiss chard. This study recommended that extension agents should provide education on vegetables with high (GM) per square meter and provision of credits to urban and peri-urban vegetable growers by the Government. Longitudinal studies were suggested to be carried out to ascertain the most profitable species of vegetables countrywide.
Influence of climate variability and land degradation on adaptive livelihood strategies of communities in the southern Uluguru Mountains
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2011) Haule, Sylvester Charles
This study was conducted to investigate the emerging adaptive livelihood strategies in response to climate variability and land degradation in South Uluguru Mountains’ communities. Specifically, the study sought to gauge perception of farmers on climate variability and land degradation, identify farmers’ adaptive livelihood strategies and assess the environmental sustainability of the identified adaptive livelihood strategies. Study villages were stratified into highland, midland and lowland zones with respect to their elevations before randomly selecting three sample villages, one from each zone. Quantitative data were collected from 90 smallholder farmers, 30 from each of the three villages. Qualitative data were collected from three Focus Group Discussions, one from each sample village. Field observation and key informant interviews supplemented survey and data from the Focus Group Discussions. The study found that farmers of the South Uluguru Mountains area are aware of the climate and land degradation issues and attribute to over 50% of the problems hindering agricultural production in the area. The communities are impacted more seriously with frequent occurring droughts, landslides, strong winds, soil erosion, decreased soil fertility, wildfires and to a lesser extent, floods on the lowland fields due to riverbank erosion. The communities have been found to own and/or have access to various resources, more important the natural resources such as springs and rivers/streams that flow all the year round. These resources are important in implementing necessary adaptive strategies. While highland and midland farmers grow and store cassava in the field to use at prolonged droughts, lowland communities grow millet which resists droughts. Maintaining farms in both midland and lowland areas have been found to be an important strategy for ensuring food security. It has been recommended in this study that traditional values of natural resource protection be backed by community empowerment to improve sustainability of livelihoods in terms of natural resource use. The study also recommends improving the traditional water conveying technology and its use on small scale irrigation to reduce communities’ dependency on the disrupted short rains.
Assessment of factors influencing smallholder farmers’ utilization of animal draft power: a case study in Bunda district, Mara region
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2011) NGABO,JANE NYANJIGA M
The purpose of the study was to investigate factors influencing smallholder farmers’ utilization of animal draft power (ADP in Bunda District, Mara region. Six villages were purposively selected, and 17 smallholder farmers from each village were randomly selected, seven of them were using ADP, and ten others were not, making a total of 102 smallholder fanners in the study sample. Structured interview schedules were used to collect primary data on ADP users and non-users. The study reveals that the main source of income is crop production while livestock keeping and off-farm activities are secondary sources. The study reveals further that 66.7% of the ADP users and non-users earn incomes of about Tshs. 364,900/= from the sale of field crops. Observations also show that 52% of the ADP users faced, labour shortages during weeding time, high cost of spare parts and prevalent of cattle diseases. Of the 74 respondents who kept cattle, 42% of them reported that tick borne diseases are common diseases in the area. It was also found that the common diseases that affect oxen during the cropping season were foot rots, Foot and mouth disease, worms and tick-borne diseases. Also, the study reveals that most of the respondents do not control cattle parasites because of the high cattle dipping cost charges and the lack of ALEAs. Of all the ADP users, 54.8% indicated to have had learned ADP technologies from their parents (farther). Of all the ADP users, 62% indicated that ploughing using ADP is done by men, for activities such as land preparation and ploughing, while planting, weeding, harvesting, transportation, and processing of field crops are done manually by women and children. The study found that 50% of ADP users reported that DA worked from 5 am to 9 am ploughig, from 9 am to 6 pm grazing, and there no supplementary feeding.
Factors Influencing the use of mobile phones in communicating agricultural Information: A case of Kilolo District, Iringa, Tanzania
(International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Research, 2012-07) Nyamba, S. Y.; Mlozi, M. R. S.
This study sought to investigate factors influencing the use of mobile phones in communicating agricultural information in Rural Tanzania. Generally, it aimed at addressing the following questions: (1) in what ways do farmers make use of mobile phone technologies to meet their agricultural information needs? (2) How the uses of the mobile phones enable farmers to confront the challenges they face in their farming business? (3) What are the farmers’ attitudes toward the use of mobile phone technology? Specifically, the study had three objectives: (1) to determine the extent of ownership of mobile phones by farmers in the study area. (2) to assess the type of agricultural information that farmers send and or receive using mobile phones and (3) to identify socio-economic factors influencing the use of mobile phones in the communication of agricultural information in the study area. A cross-sectional research design and simple random sampling technique were adopted, 384 respondents and 16 key informants were contacted for interview and Focus Group Discussion, respectively. Data collected were summarize, coded before being analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The study found that, asymmetry information generates uncertainties in farming business which eventually limit the economic potential of farmers as market participants. Basically, the study results, can be interpreted that, mobile phone technology acceptance to rural Tanzania was high enough for one to accompany it with a predictable positive economic impact. In terms of access to agricultural information through mobile phones, it was evident that, people in the study area capture the advantages of increased number of mobile phone to access information related to their farming business. Most of respondents valued mobile phones as easy, fast and convenient way of communicating agricultural information. Factors that influenced mobile phone use in communicating agricultural information included mole phone ownership, type of agricultural information to be communicated, farming system practiced, network coverage, and respondents’ socio-economic characteristics. On the other hand, lack of electricity, poverty and lack of knowledge limited respondents’ mobile phone ownership and use.
Poverty and sustainable development impacts of REDD architecture; options for equity growth and the environment
(International Institute for Environment and Development, 2013) Vatn, Arild; Kajembe, George C; Leiva-Montoya, Ruben; Mosi, Elvis; Nantongo, Maria; Silayo, Dos Santos
Strategic power and power struggles in the national REDD+ governance process in Tanzania: any effect on its legitimacy?
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2013) Manyika, K.F.K; Kajembe, G. C; Silayo, D. A.; Vatn, A.
Tanzania is currently undertaking a number of initiatives related to the development of national REDD+ governance structures. These initiatives, among others, include process to establish a national REDD+ Trust Fund (NRTF) and the National Carbon Monitoring Centre (NCMC). In this paper, the on-going national REDD+ governance structure establishment processes at both local and national levels are analysed. The study focused on REDD+ governance process, the participating actors, power and power struggle and its effects on the political legitimacy underlying the REDD+ governance process. The study was undertaken through intensive review of literature and relevant reports and documents, and dialogue with actors involved in the process. It was found that while REDD+ governance continues to evolve, some non-economic actors are transforming themselves into economic actors and ‘Power brokers’ in order to enhance their position in protecting their interests during the process. It was noted as well that strategic power and power struggles are emerging as part of the evolving processes at both local and national levels. The study concludes that strategic intervention/decision was required to facilitate smooth process and avoid the stalemate that can be caused by emerging power struggles in the national REDD+ governance structure development process.
Sources of technical efficiency among smallholders maize farmers in Babati district, Tanzania
(2013-07) Baha, Michael; Temu, Andrew; Philip, Damas
Maize yield in Tanzania has been decreasing in the past few years. The decline has been attributed to many factors. This paper assesses production efficiency and its determinants among maize farmers in Babati district. The paper uses data collected from 122 maize farmers residing in six villages in the study district. A stochastic frontier model has been used to determine the sources of inefficiency among maize farmers in the study area. The results show that the mean technical efficiency score for famers in the study area is 62.3%. This implies that there is a significant room for increasing maize yield in the study area if farmers use the resources at their disposal efficiently. Moreover, the results show that the efficiency of maize farmers in the study area is influenced by farm size, formal education, number of plots owned by the farmer, frequency of contacts with extension officers, and the use of insecticides. It is therefore plausible to argue that improving farmers’ access to extension services and important inputs such as insecticides will have a significant influence on maize yield in the study area.

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