Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://10.10.97.169:4000/handle/123456789/29
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Browsing Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection by Subject "Agricultural extension"
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Item Agricultural extension approaches in Tanzania(Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2019) Msuya, Catherine PhillipThis 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.Item Improving the training of frontline extension workers in tanzania: a pilot curriculum reform initiative with the Ministry of Agriculture Training Institute at Ilonga(Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2019) Rodriguez, Mary T.; Erbaugh, Mark; Mattee, Amon; Msuya, Catherine; Masambuka, Fallys; Cochran, GrahamPromoting the transition of smallholder farmers from subsistence to more commercial and market-oriented production is an important goal of the Tanzanian extension system. The Ministry of Agriculture Training Institutes (MATIs) contribute to this goal by providing training to frontline extension workers (FEWs). However, the capacity of the MATI system to produce agricultural extension practitioners with job-ready competencies has declined, leading stakeholders and employers to raise concerns about the quality and training of FEWs. The main purpose of this study was to develop recommendations for curriculum revisions at MATI Ilonga to improve its program of study. This was done using a competency-based approach that incorporated inputs from stakeholders into the curriculum assessment and revision process. A panel of eight local and external experts derived 23 competencies from a review of the MATI curriculum and extension literature. A survey instrument to assess competencies based on perceptions of importance and graduates’ ability was designed and administered to 189 stakeholders from four stakeholder groups. Stakeholder-respondents considered all but two of the 23 competencies to be very high importance. Weighted discrepancy scores indicated that the highest rated areas for curriculum revision were Value Chains, Business skills, Climate Change, Fisheries, and Land Resource Management. All stakeholder groups except graduates, indicated Value Chains and Business Skills as high priorities requiring enhanced training to improve the ability of FEWs. Follow-up stakeholder consultations indicated support for using the competency-based approach, engaging stakeholders in the curriculum review process, and interest in applying the approach with other MATIs in Tanzania.Item Reforming Tanzania’s agricultural extension system: the challenges ahead(1994) Mattee, A. Z.The agricultural extension system in Tanzania has faced many problems, of which the key seems to be the poor institutional, administrative and organizational structure of the extension services. Recently, the Tanzanian government, with the assistance of the World Bank launched a major restructuring of the country's extension system including the introduction of the training and visit (T and V) extension. The T and V extension has some inherent weaknesses particularly if implemented without any modification to the Tanzanian context, due to lack of resources and other complimentary services. Recommendations are given to make the T and V system of extension more effective under Tanzanian conditions.Item A study of Local Government in Africa through Participatory Action Research (PAR)(University of California Press, 2021) Madaha, RaselTanzania has crafted one of the most creative models of local governments in the world with the potential to improve the lives of marginalized communities. As such, the author used Participatory Action Research (PAR) in an attempt to improve the model and for its strengths in empowering communities. The author collaborated with 120 community representatives, as co-researchers, from across four selected local government councils in Tanzania to examine the role of local governments in delivering public services to marginalized smallholder farmers. The exercise was enriched through the interaction with 128 local government officials. Overall, although the Tanzanian local government model has the potential to improve lives, there is a need to focus on increasing its efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services. The current focus aiming at creating more units of local government increases operational expenses. Increased operational expenses hinder the ability of the local governments to deliver agricultural extension and other public services. Moreover, the findings imply that although local governments need to be awarded some autonomy, they ought to continue working with the central government for the common good of the entire nation. Finally, this study serves as evidence that PAR can help build participatory local government structures on a sustainable basis. The local governments need to be more participatory through the creation of participatory social structures. Those can pave way for the full realization of the potential of the Tanzanian model of local government. The gender perspective has to be incorporated in local governance because the findings highlight that women are disproportionately affected by the failure of the local governments in the provision of public services. The article uniquely seeks to contribute to the African political literature as well as literature highlighting the role of PAR through fostering both co-learning with local co-researchers as well as transformative dialogue among researchers, local governments, and local communities.