Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection

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Access and use of information communication technologies by agricultural extension agents in Tanzania
(Journal of the Open University of Tanzania, 2017) R, Martin; Kahamba, J. S
Many studies have focused on the use of ICT by farmers; however, little attention has been on the use ICT by agricultural extension agents who are the bridge between source of agricultural knowledge and technologies on one hand and the smallholders on the other. Based on a cross sectional study of agricultural extension agents enrolled at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), in this paper we present, as a point of departure, the extent of access and usage of ICT by agricultural extension agents in Tanzania. Also, factors that influence the use of ICT by Agricultural Extension Agents are assessed. Finally, a conclusion is made and recommendations offered based on the findings.
Accessibility and utilization of agricultural information among women farmers: the case of Korogwe District, Tanzania
(2010) Mniambo, B. D.; Mattee, A. Z.; Mhando, D. G.
This study was conducted in Korogwe district involving 100 women farmers randomly selected from four villages. Household data was collected using a structured questionnaire, and supplemented by interviews for key informants and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse the data. The findings showed that education, age, extension services, and mass media determine the access and utilization of agricultural information. Furthermore, low production was due to lack of extension services, low education of the respondents, inability to access credit and unawareness of sources of information. Moreover, sources of agricultural information such as extension services, mass media, and farmers' own efforts have a direct linkage with the accessibility to agricultural information. The study recommends that efforts to increase farmers' access to agricultural information should be improved. There is a need of improving extension services so as to reach and benefit women farmers. Vugiri ward is located in the highlands that are vulnerable to soil erosion which contributed to poor crop production, hence efforts should be made to introduce soil management practices so as to arrest the situation and increase crop production.
Accessibility of improved chicken farming business information to women improved chicken farmers through mobile phones in Misungwi District, Tanzania
(European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2023-03-16) Iddi Hadija; Nyamba Siwel; Busindeli Innocent
This study aimed to assess the accessibility of improved chicken farming business information to women through mobile phones in Misungwi District, Tanzania. A cross-sectional research design was adopted. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data while Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews were employed to obtain qualitative data. A total of 120 respondents were involved in the study. Quantitative data were mainly analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to yield descriptive statistics and cross tabulations while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The study found that all 120 respondents owned a mobile phone and used it to access improved chicken business information, apart from other uses. The accessed improved chicken business information was mainly about: chicks, transportation, feeds, extension services, veterinary services, markets, and financial institutions. However, women improved chicken farmers encountered many challenges related to the mobile phone use including bandwidth costs and poor networks. Thus, the study recommends the Misungwi District authority to collaborate with mobile phone companies to increase the number of networks and advise them to have a stability of bundle prices which are affordable to the farmers.
Accessibility, availability and utilisation of malaria interventions among women of reproductive age in Kilosa district in central Tanzania
(BMC Health Services Research, 2014) Rumisha, Suzan F; Zinga, Maria M; Fahey, Carolyn A; Wey, Dorothy; Bwana, Veneranda M; Mlozi, Malongo R.S; Shayo, Elizabeth H; Malima, Robert C; Mayala, Benjamin K; Stanley, Grades; Mlacha, Tabitha; Mboera, Leonard E. G
Background: Universal access to and utilization of malaria prevention measures is defined as every person at malaria risk sleeping under a quality insecticide-treated mosquito net (ITN) and every pregnant woman at risk receiving at least two doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP). This study aimed to determine factors affecting accessibility, availability and utilisation of malaria interventions among women of reproductive age in Kilosa district in central Tanzania. Methods: Women of reproductive age with children <5 years old or those who had been pregnant during the past 5 years were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to seek information on malaria knowledge, accessibility and utilization of malaria interventions during pregnancy. Results: A total of 297 women (mean age=29±6.8 years) were involved. Seventy percent of the women had attained primary school education. About a quarter of women had two children of <5 years while over 58% had ≥3 children. Most (71.4%) women had medium general knowledge on malaria while only eight percent of them had good knowledge on malaria in pregnancy. A significant proportion of women were not aware of the reasons for taking SP during pregnancy (35%), timing for SP (18%), and the effect of malaria on pregnancy (45.8%). Timing for first dose of SP for intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) was 1-3 months (28.4%) and 4-6 months (36.8%). Some 78.1% were provided with SP under supervision of the health provider. Knowledge on malaria in pregnancy had a significant association with levels of education (p=0.024). Ninety-eight percent had an ITN, mostly (87.1%) received free from the government. All women attended the ANC during their last pregnancy. The coverage of IPT1 was 53.5% and IPTp2 was 41.1%. The proportion of women making more ANC visits decreased with increasing parity. Conclusion: This study showed that the knowledge of the pregnant women on malaria in pregnancy and IPTp was average and is likely to have an impact on the low IPTp coverage. Campaigns that provide educational massages on the risk of malaria during pregnancy and the usefulness of IPTp need to be emphasised.
Actors’ roles and functions in the improved rice varieties innovation system in the eastern zone of Tanzania
(SAJAE, 2021) Charles, S.; Mattee, A. Z.; Msuya, C. P.
The objective of the study was to establish the actors’ roles and functions in improved rice varieties innovation system in the Eastern Zone of Tanzania. The target population samples for the study comprised of household heads (n = 340) and other key identified actors (n = 99). The research design was a convergent parallel mixed method. Face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and documentary review were used to collect the data. The findings indicate weak or inability of Agricultural Seed Agency, TANSEED International Ltd, Quality Declared Seed producers in seed multiplication and distribution and agro-dealers were not selling quality rice seeds, thereby resulting in low availability and high prices of the same. Also, the findings show weak participation of farmers, agro- dealers, traders and millers in the functions of guidance of the search and rice varieties development, and the limited number of market actors and weak credit mobilization for farmers to invest in IRVs. The study recommends for the Government of Tanzania to create enabling environment that enhances participation of all key actors in the processes of guidance of the search and rice varieties development; linking farmers with external markets; and enhancing the farmers’ access to credit facilities by working on the obstacles hampering farmers from accessing loans from financial institutions.
Adaptation strategies to climate variability and change and its limitations to smallholder farmers. a literature search
(Asian Economic and Social Societ, 2015) Phillipo, F.; Bushesha, M.; Mvena, Z. S. K.
In sub-Saharan Africa, knowledge on adaptation strategies to climate variability and change are scattered and fragmented due to lack of standpoints adaptation framework. This paper intends to analyse differences in adaptation strategies across agro-ecological zones, and finding out factors dictating adaptation to climate variability and change to smallholder farmers. The paper is based on documentary review methodology in which journals and books on adaptation were used as the main sources of information. The collected information were analysed by using content analysis. This paper found that smallholder farmers use a variety of practices to adapt to climate variability and change. These practices include: crop management, livestock management, diversification of livelihood strategies and land use management. Availability of extension services, climate change information and membership to social networks were among the factors identified dictating smallholder farmers adaptation to climate variability and change. The paper recommends to the Government of sub-Saharan Africa and development partners to come up with adaptation framework that takes into consideration differences in geographical location. They are needed also to provide enabling conditions to smallholder farmers through strengthening farmers’ supportive services to enhance their adaptive capacities.
Adaptation strategies to climate variability and change and its limitations to smallholder farmers. A literature search
(Asian Economic and Social Society, 2015) Phillipo, F.; Bushesha, M.; Mvena, Z. S. K.
In sub-Saharan Africa, knowledge on adaptation strategies to climate variability and change are scattered and fragmented due to lack of standpoints adaptation framework. This paper intends to analyse differences in adaptation strategies across agro-ecological zones, and finding out factors dictating adaptation to climate variability and change to smallholder farmers. The paper is based on documentary review methodology in which journals and books on adaptation were used as the main sources of information. The collected information were analysed by using content analysis. This paper found that smallholder farmers use a variety of practices to adapt to climate variability and change. These practices include: crop management, livestock management, diversification of livelihood strategies and land use management. Availability of extension services, climate change information and membership to social networks were among the factors identified dictating smallholder farmers adaptation to climate variability and change. The paper recommends to the Government of sub-Saharan Africa and development partners to come up with adaptation framework that takes into consideration differences in geographical location. They are needed also to provide enabling conditions to smallholder farmers through strengthening farmers’ supportive services to enhance their adaptive capacities.
Adoption drivers of improved Open-Pollinated (OPVs) maize varieties by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
(MDPI, 2021-11) Sigigaba, Masithembe; Mdoda, Lelethu; Mditshwa, Asanda
This study assesses the determinants of adoption drivers of improved open-pollinated (OPVs) maize varieties by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Cross- sectional data of multi-stage random sampling was used to randomly select 150 smallholder farmers in the province. Data collection was conducted through a well-structured questionnaire administered to 150 smallholder farmers. Descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model were used for the analyses. The inferential results reveal that the majority of farmers in the study area were females (70%) with an average age of 45 years and had six people in the households. Smallholder maize farmers spent an average of 10 years in school. The results show that smallholder maize farmers had a farm size of 3 ha and a household income of R 3565.00, which contributes highly to household and farm operations. Farmers had access to extension services and were members of farm organizations. The results show that hybrid is the most used maize variety rather than OPVs. The main reason, among other things, for the poor use and adoption of OPVs is the lack of knowledge about the seeds. The results drawn from the estimations show that socio-economic and institutional factors influenced the adoption of OPVs by farmers in the study area. Therefore, the study recommends strengthening the existing extension services to highlight the benefits of OPVs through training and farmers’ information days.
Adoption of rainwater harvesting technologies 'by farmers in Tanzania. with particular reference to the western pare lowlands
(1999) Senkondo, E.M.M.; Lazaro, E.A.; Kajiru, G.J.
Adoption of technology is an important factor in economic development. Successful introduction of technologies in the developing countries requires an understanding of the priorities and concerns of the smallholder farmers at the grassroots. This paper presents experiences of adoption studies in the Western Pare Lowlands, identifying the factors affecting adoption, constraints to adoption and methodological problems in studying adoption of RWH technologies. A survey approach was the main method used to collect the data from a sample of 86 farmers. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and estimation of empirical model to determine the factors affecting adoption of RWH technologies. The empirical model used was logit regression, Important factors affecting the adoption of RWH were identified as number of plots owned by farmers and the sex of the head of household. Constraints in the adoption of RWH technologies were noted including constraints facing those who are already using the RWH technologies. Problems facing the users include difficulties with water distribution. Two important recommendations are made: First because adoption of technologies by farmers takes time, there is a need for collecting a series of data (separated in time) about adoption rather than depending on single season static data. The models used in evaluating adoption should also consider the time element, Secondly, since the main constraints to adoption is lack of technical knowledge, it is recommended that training of extension workers in RWH techniques and including RWH in the district extension package will reduce the problem of availability of technical knowledge to farmers .
Agricultural extension approaches in Tanzania
(Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2019) Msuya, Catherine Phillip
This chapter analyzes agricultural extension approaches used in Tanzania with a view to improving them for effective extension service delivery in the country. Linear extension approaches, which were used in the past, were skewed more towards research interests than towards the farmers’ perceived problems. Other participatory approaches, which were used, include Farmer Field School and Farmer-to-farmer approach. Farmer field school is the main participatory extension approach is commonly used in Tanzania as opposed to farmer-to-farmer extension approach. The approach seems to be more effective based on its features, principles, and the benefits explained in this paper. However, FFS focuses on agricultural production ignoring other aspects and actors in the agricultural innovation system (AIS). In addition, FFS does not adequately consider current changes in the agricultural sector such as climate change and value chain aspects. In addition, the concept of FFS is not well conceived by the implementers. Therefore, there is a need of improving and or developing new extension approaches that will accommodate current changes and consider all actors in the AIS. In addition, all actors need thorough training on the extension approaches available in the country including FFS for their successful implementation. Furthermore, monitoring and evaluation of the introduced approaches is crucial in order to determine their effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance that will form the basis for their improvement.
Agricultural extension officers’ perceptions towards their roles: a case study of Simiyu Region
(TAJAS, 2020) Mkuki, Z. H.; Msuya, C. P.
Studies have been conducted in Africa to assess extension officers’ perception towards their roles, however, little is known on agricultural extension officers’ perception on their roles as per government job description in Tanzania. The study was therefore conducted in Simiyu Region to assess the perception of agricultural extension officers towards their roles. A cross-sectional survey design was used whereby a structured questionnaire was employed to collect data from 100 randomly selected Agricultural extension officers (AEOs). The collected quantitative data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences computer programme (SPSS). On the other hand, the content analysis was used to analyze the collected qualitative information. The findings show that most of interviewed AEOs perceived their roles namely, advisory, organizational, educational, technical, facilitation and intermediation as important. However the AEOs perceived the existence of difficulties in fulfilling the roles. These include agricultural extension officers overloaded with non-extension tasks like tax collection that hinder them to perform their technical roles; lack of in-service training which results to low level of competence in performing their mandated roles; inadequate logistics such as motorcycles, vehicles, just to mention few, These results to EAOs blamed for not performing their roles. Based on these findings it is recommended that there is a need to work out with all aspects that affect performance of the AEOs’ mandated roles as follows: AEOs concentrate more on their mandated roles and not non extension work, organize short and long term training to improve their knowledge and skills.
Agricultural Extension Reform in Tanzania: Vision and Guiding Principles
(Institute of Continuing Education, 2005-01) Rutatora, D. F.; Rwenyagira, B. W.
A case is made for the need for agricultural extension reform in Tanzania. The paper not only brings to light issues which necessitate agricultural extension reform such as financing, privatization of extension services, cost-effectiveness, relevance, emergence of farmer-led initiatives, changes in extension practice and sustainability, but also provides the vision, guiding principles and their implications, and strategic options. The vision for extension is meant to provide a shared ideal for various extension stakeholders including providers who although may he different in several-ways, will strive to work according to the vision.
Agricultural extension through participatory approaches: Lessons from UMADEP, Morogoro, Tanzania
(Institute of Continuing Education, 2005-01) Rutatora, D. F.; Mattee, A. Z,; Mgumia, A. H.
The Uluguru Agricultural Development Project (UMADEP) uses a combination of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Participatory Technology Development (PTD), Farmer Groups and Farmer to Farmer extension approaches. Experience in the use of these approaches show that farmers in collaboration with extension workers have developed activities which address location specific problems, generated appropriate technological innovations that are sustainable and take into account the socio-cultural and economic milieu of the communities. In addition, this has led to the formation of farmers ' groups which facilitate learning, decisionmaking, and adoption of agreed innovations. UMADEP's experience shows that use of participatory approaches can lead to making extension efforts more responsive to needs offarming communities, cost effective and sustainable.
Agricultural information sources used for climate change adaptation in Tanzania
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2012-10) Mwalukasa, Nicholaus
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess sources of agricultural information used by farmers for climate change adaptation in the semi arid areas of Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach – Mixed quantitative and qualitative methods were deployed. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 100 farmers in three selected wards in Chamwino district in Tanzania. Focus groups were also used to collect qualitative data from 30 farmers in the same wards. Findings – The results showed that the major sources of information for farmers were predominantly local (neighbours and friends), followed by public extension services. Apart from radio and cell phones, advanced technologies (i.e. internet and e-mail) and printed materials were not used in the study area, despite their existence in the communities. Research limitations/implications – The study necessitates a need to conduct regular studies on preferred information source of agricultural information and knowledge, development of technologies and use multiple sources of knowledge and information (such as print and mass media) to deliver relevant information to farmers to enable them to adapt to climate change. Originality/value – The study provides a deep understanding of sources of agricultural information used by farmers in the semi arid area, which necessitates a need for demand-led and client-based information services, in order to meet the disparate farmers’ needs in this regime of climate change. These findings can serve as an example for the increasing use of mixed quantitative and qualitative in information research.
Albinism: awareness, attitudes and level of albinos’ predicament in Sukumaland, Tanzania
(Asian Journal of Applied Science and Engineering, 2014) Masanja, M. M.; Mvena, Z. S. K.; Kayunze, K. A.
In Tanzania, persons with albinism (PWA), continue to be less valued, rejected, attacked and killed for ritual purposes. This study examined the situation of PWA and their households resulting from killings and attacks on them. Specifically, the study assessed the level of awareness, attitudes towards albinism and PWA and level of predicament felt by members of households with PWA. An albinism understanding test and attitudinal scales (Likert and Semantic differential scales) were used to determine attitudes towards albinism and level of dilemma felt. A linear regression model was used to determine the impacts of various variables on the level of predicament. Knowledge on albinism was found to be moderate. Levels of awareness were significantly associated with respondents’ age (p = 0.004), sex (p = 0.017), education level (p < 0.0001), religion (p < 0.001) and ethnic group (p = 0.025). Four-fifths of the respondents (80%) had negative attitudes towards albinism and PWA. Unfavourable attitude was highly associated with education level and occupation (p < 0.001). Level of PWA predicament was higher among household members being significantly impacted positively by level of albinism awareness (β = 0.500), but negatively impacted by attitude towards albinism (β = -313) and age (β = -0.191). Age, education, sex and belief determined level of knowledge on albinism. Education level determined attitudes of respondents. Albinism awareness determined the level of predicament felt. The fight against negative beliefs and attitudes towards albinism requires properly designed albinism awareness creation programme.
Analysis of the organization and challenges of contract farming in Tanzania: a case of Mtibwa sugarcane outgrower scheme
(Science Domain, 2016) Respikius, Martin; Sharp, Jeff
Aims: To analyze the organization and challenges of contract farming in Tanzania. Study Design: Cross sectional. Place and Duration of the Study: Turiani division in Mvomero District. Data collection began in February 2013 and ended in March of the same year. Methodology: The paper utilizes the qualitative data to answer the research questions. Results: Sugarcane growers are contracted through their organizations. Five main challenges of contract farming in the study area were identified. They include delayed payment, lack of fairness in allocation of quotas, lack of transparency in determining the content of sucrose (rendement), lack of transparency in determining the weight of sugarcane and low price of sugarcane.
The application of the agricultural innovation system approach in technology development in Tanzania: researchers' perceptions and practices
(Routledge, 2015) Mgumia, A.H.; Mattee, A.Z.; Kundi, B.A.T.
This paper examines the perceptions of researchers towards features of the innovation system approach. It also examines the extent of incorporation of these features into Tanzania's existing National Agricultural Research System (NARS). Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 100 purposefully selected researchers from 13 public and three private research institutes. and one university. Most (81%) of the researchers perceive end-users (farmers) as an important actor. Other actors such as intermediary organisations (extension), regulatory bodies and entrepreneurs are perceived as important by half (50%) of the researchers. On the other hand. most of the researchers perceive the roles of these actors to be similar to the traditional roles of actors under NARS. The indicators used in measuring the success of agricultural innovation were mainly associated with the pattern of adoption and productivity potential of technologies. suggesting that a linear model of innovation is still dominant in NARS. We conclude that the mode of agricultural innovation under NARS in 'Tanzania is in transition from a linear to a system model of innovation. The study suggested that policies should be redesigned to include wider participation of stakeholders in agricultural innovation; the mandate and capacity of extension services should be expanded to include facilitation of innovation; and indicators of monitoring and evaluation should be all-inclusive to include technical and social changes.
Assessing the institutional framework for promoting the growth of MSEs in Tanzania: The Case of Dar es Salaam
(REPOA, 2009) Mnenwa, Raymond; Maliti, Emmanuel
This paper contains the results of a study conducted in Dar es Salaam in 2006 and 2007 to assess the MSEs institutional support. The study focused on the type and nature of the MSE support institutions which included services they provide, conditions for assessing the services and their needs. The study was conducted in order to inform policy makers, planners and other stakeholders about the function and need, for strong MSE support institutions as well as the capacity of these institutions to adequately meet the demands of MSEs. The results show that there is huge potential demand for MSE support services which is not adequately met by the existing MSE support institutions. The institutional framework for supporting MSEs was found to be constrained by inadequate financial and human resource capacity as reflected in the stringent conditions imposed on MSEs and strategies adopted to promote service delivery. This paper further reinforces knowledge about the institutional framework, and clarifies the needs of both the MSEs and their support institutions.
Assessment of economic and socio-economic factors affecting the demand for goats and goat meat in Malawi
(2012-09) Masangano, J.C.
The general objective of this study is to assess the economic and socio-demographic factors affecting the demand for goats and goat meat in Malawi. Specifically, the project will: determine the levels of demand of goats and goat meat in urban and rural areas of Malawi; determine the major economic and socio- demographic factors affecting the demand of goat and goat meat in the various agro-geographic or regional locations of Malawi; and evaluate consumers response with respect to price changes of goats and goat meat relative to beef and potential effect of changing some of the factors affecting the demand.
Attitude of crop farmers towards public agricultural extension services: implication for extension programming in Tanzania
(College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro-Tanzania, 2021) Shausi, Gosbert Lukenku; Ahmad, Athman Kyaruzi
Overtime, effectiveness of extension service has been the focus of many studies. However, most of these studies have paid more attention on the service itself neglecting the service users’ attitude about that service. It is envisaged that a positive attitude is a key requirement for service utilization. Therefore, this study assessed crop farmers’ attitudes towards agricultural extension services (AESs) in Mpwapwa and Mvomero districts. The study was conducted from December 2017 to February 2018 and used questionnaire and focus group discussions to collect data from 292 participants who were randomly selected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, mean, and percentages), and content analysis. The study found that although AESs were provided in the study area 40.1% of farmers were never visited by extension agents in a month before the study. It was further revealed that 73.5% of the respondents had a favourable attitude towards AESs that are provided in the study area. It was concluded that overall farmers have positive attitude towards public extension service although the service seems not to perform better in areas of marketing, value addition and access to loans and credits. The study recommends that efforts should be made to make sure that all farmers are visited by extension agents. Additionally, extension service should increase emphasis on linking farmers with markets, loans and credits, and capacity building on crop value addition.

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