Browsing by Author "Shausi, Gosbert Lukenku"
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Item 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 KyaruziOvertime, 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.Item Challenges facing small-scale cashew nut processors in Ruangwa district, Tanzania: an implication for policy change(European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2022) Mgonja, Nemganga Salimu; Shausi, Gosbert LukenkuThis study was carried out to assess the challenges faced by small-scale cashew nut processors in Ruangwa District, Tanzania. The study employed a correlational research design using a survey on a sample of 180 small-scale cashew nut processors. Data were collected through questionnaire administration, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and documentary reviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and content analysis respectively. The study revealed the following challenges that face small-scale cashew nut processors: use of inefficient local processing tools, less availability of appropriate equipment and machine for processing, lack of money to acquire new technology, and lack of investment and working capital. Other challenges were the availability of raw materials, lack of market information on kernel, lack of reliable training facilities, and lack of government initiative support on cashew nut processing. The study recommends improvement and facilitation of modern processing equipment, training processors on improved processing techniques and improvement of domestic and international cashew nut markets.Item Factors determining crop farmers’ willingness to pay for agricultural extension services in Tanzania: a case of Mpwapwa and Mvomero Districts(Academic Journals, 2019-10) Shausi, Gosbert Lukenku; Ahmad, Athman Kyaruzi; Abdallah, Jumanne MushiThis study assessed crop farmers’ willingness to pay for AESs and identified factors influencing their willingness to pay for AESs. Data were collected from 292 randomly selected crop farmers’ households between December 2017 and February 2018 using a questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and Tobit regression model. The study found that 92% of the respondents are willing to pay for AESs. It was also found that farmer’s age, education attainment, farming experience, distance from farm to the nearest important road, income (both farm and nonfarm) and attitude towards AESs are significant determinants of farmers willingness to pay for AESs. The study recommends that these variables be given proper policy consideration by the government and other stakeholders in the design and the implementation of a workable fashion of privatizing extension services for the expected impact of improving extension services and farmers’ productivity hence improved quality of lifeItem Local perception of household vulnerability to food insecurity in Bahi district, Tanzania(Science and Education Publishing, 2020) Shausi, Gosbert LukenkuA study was carried out in Bahi District of Central Tanzania to explore local perceptions of food security and vulnerability to food insecurity. In this area millet is the staple food. In this regard, a household without enough millet to feed its members for the whole year was perceived food insecure even if it had access to other foodstuffs. Also, a household that depleted its millet stocks in less than 12 months was perceived food insecure while vulnerability was perceived as a state of being food insecure and/or being at risk of becoming food insecure. Based on local perceptions, 76% of the sampled households were found vulnerable to food insecurity whereas 24% were not. Besides, majority of the households were food insecure (63%) while only 37% households were food secure. Various factors were associated with household vulnerability to food insecurity. These factors include household being headed by a very old person (70 years and above); lack of alternative sources of income; misuse or improper handling of the produced food; a household having dependents (children under 13 years and old persons of over 70 years old). Therefore interventions to improve food security and reduce vulnerability to food insecurity should address these factors and seek to improve millet production.Item Maize farmers’ knowledge and perception of improved postharvest storage technologies in Kilolo District, Tanzania(Journal of Stored Products and Postharvest Research, 2020) Ahmad, Athman Kyaruzi; Shausi, Gosbert LukenkuThis study assessed small-scale maize farmers’ knowledge and perception on the use of improved postharvest storage technologies in Kilolo District, Tanzania. The participants of the study include 260 farmers who were randomly selected from four villages. Data were collected by using interview schedule, questionnaire, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and personal observation. Descriptive statistics such as means, frequencies, and percentages were computed. The study found that majority of respondents had low knowledge on the use of improved postharvest storage technologies. However, majority of the respondents had positive attitudes towards the use of improved postharvest technologies. It is recommended that Kilolo District Council and other development partners should promote the use of improved post-harvest technologies to reduce maize post-harvest losses; develop training programs on capacity building of extension officers and farmers on postharvest handling of maize and ensure that maize postharvest storage technologies are made available to farmers at a subsidized price.Item Prevalence, knowledge and practices on prevention and management of overweight and obesity among adults in Dodoma City, Tanzania(PLOS ONE, 2024-01-30) Msollo, Safiness Simon; Shausi, Gosbert Lukenku; Mwanri, Akwilina WendelinOverweight/obesity is increasing leading to high rates of non-communicable diseases. The study aimed to assess the prevalence, knowledge and practices on prevention and management of overweight/obesity among adults in Dodoma region. Methodology A cross- sectional research was conducted among 313 randomly selected adults aged 25– 65 years. Face to face interviews were conducted to obtain demographic information, knowledge on preventing and managing overweight/obesity using a pre-tested questionnaire. Weight and height were measured following standard procedures and nutrition status was categorized using WHO criteria. Dietary intake was assessed using qualitative 24 hours recall to obtain dietary diversity score. Data was analyzed using the SPSS™ Version 20 to obtain descriptive and inferential statistics. Results About 62.6% (n = 196) of the participants were females. The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity was 59.7% (n = 186) of which 28% (n = 88) were overweight and 31.3% (n = 98) obese. Obesity was three times higher among females (41.8% vs 13.7%) than males. Overweight/obesity was positively associated with female sex (Adjusted OR 2.34; 95%CI: 1.235–4.68; p = 0.001), low knowledge (Adjusted OR 2.15; 95%CI: 1.22–3.81; p = 0.008) and negatively associated with dietary diversity score (Adjusted OR 0. 452; 95%CI: 0.199– 1.87; p = 0.03). About 76% of respondents reported that overweight/obesity is a result of consuming high energy (38.8%; n = 92) and high fat foods (27%; n = 63). More than half of the respondents reported to be insensitive with kind of foods they consume and for those who were sensitive, 64% do so to avoid diseases. Furthermore, 60% control their weight by doing physical exercises while 18% by both physical exercises and diet management. However, about 43% did not know foods exposing individuals to health problems. Conclusion and recommendations High prevalence of overweight/obesity was observed and significantly associated with female sex, low dietary diversity and knowledge on overweight/obesity prevention. This creates a need to improve knowledge on prevention of overweight/obesity.