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Sokoine University of Agriculture  Institutional Repository (SUA IR). This repository was built and is maintained by the university library  (Sokoine National Agricultural Library-SNAL) , in order to collect, preserve and disseminate scholarly output generated by University research community (staff and students) members.

This repository hosts a variety of openly accessible materials including: scholarly articles and books, theses and dissertations, conference proceedings and technical reports. For assistance about depositing your research output in the repository click here. SUA IR Policy  click here or any queries contact us at snal@sua.ac.tz.

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Recent Submissions

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Ectoparasites and hemoparasites of the Emini Silvery Mole rats (Heliophobius Argentiocinereus Emini) in Morogoro region, Tanzania Essau Elly Mwalukasa
(Journal of Ideas in Health, 2025) Shija,Debora Elias; Ngalameno,Mungo Kisinza; Nzalawahe,Jahashi Said
Background: The silvery mole rat (Heliophobius Argentiocinereus Emini) is a subterranean rodent widely distributed across Sub-Saharan Africa and exploited as a protein source in some communities. Despite this, limited data exist on ectoparasite and hemoparasite infections in this species in Tanzania. This study aims to determine the prevalence of hemoparasites in silvery mole rats and to identify their potential arthropod vectors in the Morogoro region of Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mvomero and Morogoro districts, Tanzania, between March and June 2023. A total of 137 silvery mole rats were captured through manual excavation. Ectoparasites were collected from animal fur and identified morphologically using taxonomic keys. Blood samples were obtained directly from the heart, and smears were prepared, stained with Giemsa, and microscopically examined for hemoparasites. Statistical analysis was performed to assess associations between host factors, ectoparasite infestation, and hemoparasite infection. Results: Of the 137 captured mole rats, 65% (n=89) were females and 86.7% (n=120) were adults. The overall prevalence of ectoparasitism was 71.5% (98/137). A total of 1,503 ectoparasites were recovered, dominated by Androlaelaps spp. (93.15%, n=1400), followed by Echinolaelaps echidinus (6.19%, n=93), and Haemaphysalis spp. ticks (0.67%, n=10). Hemoparasites were detected in 29.2% (40/137) of hosts, including Anaplasma spp. (25.5%) and Babesia spp. (16.8%). Coinfections with both parasites occurred in 13.1% of individuals. Adult mole rats had significantly higher odds of hemoparasite infection (OR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.15–9.11, p = 0.04). Tick infestation was strongly associated with Babesia spp. (χ² = 11.91, OR = 15.56, p < 0.001) and Anaplasma spp. (χ² = 5.82, OR = 8.3, p = 0.01). Conclusion: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of ectoparasites and hemoparasites among silvery mole rats in the Morogoro region. The dominance of mite infestations and significant associations between ticks and blood parasites highlight the potential role of mole rats as reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens. Further molecular studies are warranted to characterize these parasites and evaluate their public health implications.
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Economic assessment of cotton pesticides marketing in Tanzania: a case of insecticides in Kwimba and Meatu districts
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2003) Mwalukasa,Essau Elly
In recent years, following liberalisation of agricultural inputs particularly for cotton, Co-operatives have severely reduced their pesticide procurements and private traders have apparently been uninterested in entering the market. This study aimed at systematically analysing the structure, conduct and performance of cotton insecticides marketing in the study area. The specific objectives of the study were firstly; to assess the cotton insecticides market structure in the study area. Secondly, to describe the cotton insecticides market conducts in the study area. Thirdly, to evaluate the performance and implications of the current cotton insecticide marketing on insecticide use in cotton and fourthly, to assess the determinants of insecticide use in smallholder cotton production, in the study area. Secondary data were collected from key institutions in the cotton sector. A survey was conducted on sample of 120-cotton growing farm households in the sample districts, and 33 crop-input traders in Mwanza, Shinyanga urban and peri-urban, and sample districts. The Structure-Conduct-Performance framework approach objective, seller concentration index, descriptive statistics and cross tabulation analytical methods were used. The results reveal that relatively very small proportion of imported cotton insecticide (14%) was channelled through private traders. However, a greater proportion was through the Cotton Development Fund (CDF) distribution channel (86%). The results also indicate that there was greater seller concentration of eighty six percent in favour of insecticides marketed through CDF. To address the second objective, descriptive statistics and cross was used to assess the current cotton insecticide market. To address the first iii tabulation were the main methods of analysis. Results indicate that price subsidy of about 50% was offered by CDF. Results also indicate that majority of private traders (93.3%) sold insecticides on cash basis at market prices. Correlation analysis was one method used to address the third objective, which indicated that regression model was estimated. The results from the model revealed that 10% increase in farm size under cotton during 2000/2001 season was significantly associated with 6.93% increase in amount of insecticides used by farmers (p<0.01), other factors held constant. It is therefore generally recommended from the study that incentives for private sector need to be enhanced. The Cotton Development Fund (CDF) should reorient its focus to facilitating active participation of private traders in cotton insecticide market. This may mean revisiting its current pricing policy of subsidising the cotton insecticide farmgate price, to enhance fair play and efficiency in cotton insecticides marketing. Emphasis on shift from small-scale cotton production to at least medium scale is one of the recommendations from this study. This may enable exploitation of economies of scale by farmers from using insecticides and other inputs in cotton production.
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Histomorphology of the stomach mucosa of Emin’s mole rat (Heliophobius emini)
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2023) Shabani, R; Assey, R J; Kimaro, W; Kisinza, N
Histomorphological structure of the stomach mucosa of Emin‟s mole rats (n=10) was studied at five sampling points along the greater curvature. The first sampling point was at the esophagus-stomach junction and the fifth close to the pyloric sphincter. The stomach mucosa was glandular starting with a very narrow branched tubular mucous gland. Branched and coiled tubular mucous glands were again seen at sampling point three and five. The gastric gland bodies were deepest at sampling point number four. Parietal cells were the principal cells on the gland bodies except at sampling points three and five where mucous cells dominated. Presence of two areas with mucous glands suggests an evolved mechanism of protecting the stomach wall against physical and chemical damages, especially against the indicative highly acidic gastric environment. The large number of parietal cells on the stomach mucosa signifies a decreased gastric pH and very likely indicates a high bactericidal environment in the Emin‟s mole rat.
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Concentration and intake of macro, trace, and toxic elements by infants through milk and baby foods in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2012) Ngilisho,Maria
Excessive or too little minerals pose health effects for infants. Since the infancy period is the most critical time with respect to nutrition, there is a need to know’ the actual concentration of trace and toxic elements in their foods during this stage. This study aimed to determine the levels of calcium, potassium, zinc, copper, lead and in Morogoro Municipal and intake of these mineral elements by infants. Human milk was collected from 41 mothers at different postpartum periods, cow milk was bought from dairy farms and infant formulas were purchased from shops. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry flame mode w'as used to analyze 97 samples. Intake of macro and micro elements were assessed for compliance with Recommended Daily Intake by World Health Organization. Mean elemental concentration in the seven days postpartum was higher and lowest in the 9-months postpartum. Human-, cowand tinned baby- milk showed significant differences (p 0.05) in all elements except for lead. Concentrations in different brands of baby foods were significantly 0.05). Mineral content in human milk was found to be below recommendations. Cow milk had high Ca and K and tinned baby milk had high K. and Cu. Calcium in baby foods matched recommendations, K was high, Zn and Cu were absent. Pb and Cd were below permissible levels. There was a relationship between K concentration in human milk with maternal age and marginally with wheat consumption (p = 0.050). This study concludes that concentration of toxic elements in milk and tinned baby foods in Morogoro Municipal are low hence safe for infant consumption. Conversely, tinned baby foods should be fortified with Zn and Cu to ensure infants consume enough for their growth and development.
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The role of farmer research groups in agricultural technology generation and dissemination in the coffee-banana-based farming Systems: the case of Bukoba rural district
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2001) Ndiwaita,Gerson Ngaiza
This study examined the role of Farmer Research Groups (FRGs) in agricultural technology generation and dissemination in Bukoba Rural District. The specific objectives of the study were to: (i) identify and describe the general characteristics of the FRGs, (ii) identify technologies that were promoted by researchers through FRGs, (iii) describe the nature and extent of farmer participation in the process of agricultural technology generation and dissemination, and (iv) identify the strengths and weaknesses of FRGs in agricultural technology generation and dissemination. The research design of this study was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using an interview schedule and a questionnaire supported by personal observation and informal discussion with key informants. A representative sample size of 60 respondents (30 FRG members and 30 non-FRG members) was drawn from a sampling frame using a table of random numbers. In addition, five researchers and extensionists involved in the FRG programme were interviewed in order to enrich the findings of this study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in the analysis of the data. The characteristics of the respondents that were interviewed in this study are presented in chapter four. The findings showed that agricultural technologies such as use of improved seed varieties and use of manure and fertilisers for maize, cassava, bean and sweatpotatoes were the type of technologies that were experimented in order to see their performance on farmers’ fields by ARI-Maruku through FRGs. Furthermore, farmers were educated on the control of banana weevils through trapping techniques and use of improved bean storage techniques. Majority of the FRG respondents (70 percent) were involved in carrying out research trials, attending research meetings and iii seminars. In addition, respondents indicated that meeting (77 percent) was the most widely used method of dissemination, apart from other methods like field visits and demonstration. The major constraints of farmer participation in FRGs were: lack of support services such as inputs, credit and reliable markets, poor coordination and communication between FRG members and researchers and too much work to some households. The study revealed the strengths of FRG approach as: education of farmers on improved farming practices, enhanced acceptance of agricultural technologies, increased group unity and improved farmer to farmer information sharing. Some weaknesses that were identified in the study were: lack of proper and systematic record keeping that is required to evaluate the results, lack of capital to purchase inputs and targeting a small number of farmers.