Welcome to SUAIRE
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.
Communities in SUAIRE
Select a community to browse its collections.
- The Agroforesty Community is a collaborative network dedicated to advancing sustainable land-use practices that integrate trees, crops, and livestock. It serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, research dissemination, and practical innovations in Agroforestry. By fostering connections among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and local communities, the Agroforestry Community promotes environmental conservation, enhanced agricultural productivity, and resilient livelihoods.
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Recent Submissions
A study of research-extension-farmer linkage in the central zone, Tanzania
(Sokoinie University of Agriculture, 2011) Dustan, Elina
In the past agricultural research institutes have been working almost in isolation without
involving other stakeholders in agricultural development. The government has restructured
the ZARDIs funds in the effort to strengthen research-extension-farmer linkages. In this
respect, the present study investigated the research-extension-farmer linkage based on
current institutional arrangement particularly in the central zone. Three Districts namely
Mpwapwa, Chamwino and Dodoma Municipality in Dodoma Region were selected for
this study. The study population consisted of research staff in the zone, extension staff and
farmers from the three Districts. Structured questionnaires were used in data collection.
The current arrangement has created several opportunities to strengthen linkage. These are
agricultural technologies developed on farmers’ fields and availability of ZARDEF and
DADPs which enable stakeholders to undertake participatory activities. Reading materials,
agricultural shows and on farm experiments were found to be highly effective in linking
stakeholders in the dissemination of agricultural technologies. The zone has adequate
number of qualified staff at all levels. Presence of ZRELO facilitates easy flow of
agricultural information although the ZIELU is not so effective. The zone has conducted
40% of their experiments on farmers’ fields and a block farm of about 300 acres of grape
vine has been established on farmers’ fields. The zone is still facing challenges in linkage
activities. Lack of adequate and timely funding for research and extension was found to be
a major problem that impairs effective planning for joint activities. The ZIELU was found
to be ineffective as there were no permanent office. Cost sharing for research activities
was still a problem as the Districts do not yet contribute funds for research activities. The
study recommends the following: early disbursement and increasing research and
extension funds, improving ZIELU and cost sharing in research and extension activities so
as to strengthen the linkage.
Agroforestry for sustainable bioenergy and improved soil fertility in two agro-ecological zones, Rwanda
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2024) Uwingabire, Solange
In Rwanda, the demand for food and energy is high and rising due
to population growth. Furthermore, in rural households, the primary
energy
supply
is
from
fuelwood
combusted
in
inefficient
cookstoves, resulting in fuel wastage and health issues associated
with smoke in the kitchen. Biochar produced in cooking stoves can
contribute to negative carbon emissions through sequestration of
biomass Carbon while also providing other benefits for sustainable
development, including provision of clean renewable energy and
increased yields in tropical agriculture. In addition, B has low
nutrient
content
and
is
recalcitrant
to
biodegradation;
supplementing B with a fast-releasing nutrient source may
contribute to improving soil fertility and physical conditions and lead
to increased crop productivity. The reported research aimed to
assess the impact of introducing Biochar-producing cooking stoves
on household energy access and vegetable production, both on
smallholder farms and experimental stations, in two agro-ecological
zones (AEZs) of Rwanda. Participatory research on B production
and use was conducted with 60 smallholder farmers selected
purposively to evaluate the potential of Biochar – producing
cooking stoves to address the interconnected challenges of
household energy access and low vegetable productivity in
Rwanda. The study compared two top-up lift draft (TLUD) gasifier
types (Gastov and Karundura) with a three-stone fire (TSF)
cookstove, using a standardized cooking test (SCT) and a
household survey. Key indicators included cooking time, firewood
usage and Biochar yield while the survey collected informationii
about fuel availability, frequency of use, gasifier design, benefits
and challenges. In addition, a three-season field study was done in
two AEZs to assess the Biochar effects on vegetable yields after
application to soil, where Biochar from gasifier stoves was applied
in furrows (2-3 cm deep) in the gardens of French beans
(Phaseolus vulgaris) at a rate of 3 tons per hectare (t/ha) using
randomized paired design. Yield and the soil’s physical and
chemical properties were analyzed. Concurrently, another, three-
season field study (on station trials) was conducted in two AEZs to
assess the synergistic effect of five types of Biochar (from S.
sesban, G. sepium, A. angustissima, Eucalyptus, and Grevillea sp.)
alone or mixed with livestock manure (LM) and applied at 1 and 3 t/
ha using French bean as a test crop. The key indicators were
French bean yields, and soil chemical properties of soils. The study
utilized descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance
(ANOVA) using a generalized model in R, linear fixed effect model
and the difference between means was examined using Tukey’s
test at p<0.05. The study revealed that the TSF stove cooked a
standardized meal faster than the gasifier stove did but the later
reduced fuelwood consumption by 25-50% and produced biochar.
The household survey responses revealed low firewood availability,
but with the ability of firewood, savings when using gasifier stove.
Gasifier stoves provided benefits through temperature control,
reduced need for constant supervision, Biochar production, and
reduced time needed for fuelwood collection, more hygienic and
attractive appearance cooking. Most household cooks reported that
the gasifier stoves produced less smoke and were safer for
children and women’s health. The findings from on-farm trialsiii
showed a consistently positive response in French bean yield
following a one-time application of B in both sites. The B-treated
plots were significantly (P<0.05) higher in pH, plant available
nutrients (available Phosphorus (P), total Nitrogen (TN) and
exchangeable bases), and soil nutrient retention capacity (high
cation exchange capacity (CEC)). Soil porosity, plant available
water (PAW), were significantly increased by B application while
reducing soil bulk density (BD). The B produced by the TLUD
gasifiers was perceived as positive as it combines B production
and bioenergy, reduces off-farm biomass gathering, improves
energy security and produces sufficient B to improve soil
productivity in home gardens. For the on-station trials, the seasonal
increase in yield has been recorded in combined plots with the high
yield found in B-LM, each at the level of 3 t/ha, compared to the
sole application of LM or B and the control treatment. The main
factors for the increase of the French bean yield in the study areas
are improved soil properties, including high pH; high nutrients
content (Avail P, TN), soil OC and soil CEC. The application of B,
either alone or in combination with LM, positively increased soil
nutrients and French bean yield. The improvement became better
as the B rate increased and when mixed with LM than sole
application of B or LM. Increased vegetable yield enables
enhanced nutrition and/or market opportunities and the adoption of
the TLUD stoves may contribute to energy sustainability through
the reduction of fuel use. The study recommends considering the
combination of B with LM as an effective land rehabilitation strategy
to improve soil fertility and increase vegetable yield in Rwanda.
This technology of using B and LM is a low-cost technology foriv
managing acidic sandy soils of Rwanda. The technology offers
significant contributions in terms of improving soil fertility,
increasing
bioenergy
output,
mitigating
climate
change
by
sequestering atmospheric carbon in the soil and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional cooking
methods, particularly for women and children, thus improving the
overall
well-being
and
socio-economic
stability
of
rural
communities.
Socio-economic factors affecting infant mortality in Morogoro district, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2010) Kamilius, Deogratias
The study on socio economic factors affecting infant mortality was conducted in
Morogoro District. In spite of measures taken by key stakeholders including the
government, UNICEF, WHO, health initiatives in Tanzania infant deaths are increasing in
rural populations. Socio economic factors are said to be main courses. A cross sectional
study to observe the influence of socio economic factors affecting infant mortality was,
therefore, conducted in Morogoro district. The ultimate objective of this study is to
determine the socio economic factors influencing infant mortality. The specific objectives
were as follows; to show the role of poverty on infant mortality, explore the influence of
occupation on infant mortality, investigate the association between education and
mortality, show the role of income on infant mortality, explore the linkage between
sanitation and infant mortality, and investigate the influence of distance on infant
mortality. A total of 100 respondents were included in the survey. The data were analyzed
by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 12.0 version computer
software program. The results showed that, education, sanitation, low income, short
distance, poverty and occupation of the households associated with infant mortality. There
is a need of more emphasis on rural (community) development efforts so as to improve the
living standards of all people in the countryside. These efforts include: increasing of
employment opportunities, quality education, improvement of sanitations, infrastructure
such as roads and health facilities by providing qualitable medications and seminars to
households on good care to infants.
Forest condition, threats and management effectiveness of rau catchment forest reserve, Moshi district, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2015) Mkiramweni, Elimoo Nzinyangwa
Forests and in particular catchment forests are important in providing economic and
environmental resources supporting natural systems and catering for the welfare of the
community. Poor management and unsustainable utilization to meet community needs for
forest products and other forest based ecosystem services can however compromise forest
conservation. This study was carried out to assess forest condition, threats and
management effectiveness of Rau catchment forest reserve in Moshi District, Tanzania.
The extent of disturbance was assessed through Threat Reduction Assessment Tool (TRA)
and the management effectiveness was assessed using the World Commission
Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool on Protected Areas. Socio-economic factors
influencing forest utilization were assessed through a questionnaire survey administered to
forest adjacent communities. The results showed that forest disturbance occurs in both
forest edge and forest interior, though at different levels. The disturbance and use intensity
through trees and poles cutting was significantly higher in the forest interior than the forest
edge statistically (p<0.05). This signifies that there is higher human impact in the interior
than the edge or periphery of the reserve. Plant species diversity using Shannon Winner
index was 2.998≈ 3 indicating that the reserve is above average in terms of plant richness
and diversity. The socio-economic factors influencing utilization in the reserve were
education and age whereby increasing age increases the likelihood of forest conservation
while education level on the other hand decreases the likelihood of conservation. The
Threat Reduction Index was 19% implying that the reserve is highly threatened. The major
threats were encroachment, illegal fire wood cutting, pole cutting, fodder and grazing. The
management effectiveness score was 29% which indicates poor management with
potential for deterioration of the ecosystem services provided by the forest. Among
shortfalls in the management of the forest are lack of management plan, unclear and unconsolidated boundaries for the forest, inadequate and unavailable funding,
unavailability and poor condition of working gears, weak law enforcement and poor
community involvement. Proper management plans, strengthening law enforcement,
consolidation of forest boundaries and community involvement in management are
important in ensuring sustainability of the forest reserve.
Determinants of street children prevalence in Bunda town, Mara region, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2008) Masolwa, Jeremia Musa
This study aimed at finding strategies and the way forward for alleviating the street
children problem in Tanzania. The study was conducted in Bunda town, Mara Region. The
study has been prompted by the fact that there has been persistency of children running
from their homes onto the urban streets. This will have negative impact on economic
development if not taken care of. However it should also be noted that children are the
future owners of any country. Therefore ignoring the problem would mean impoverishing
the country instead of developing it. The main objective of the study was to examine the
major factors that lead to prevalence of street children in Bunda town. Specifically the
study aimed to examine the characteristics of street children in the study area, examine the
activities undertaken by the street children in the streets and determine economic, social
and cultural factors that lead to street children. A cross-sectional study design which
employs a survey method and most common design in survey research to compare
variables were used. Data were collected at a single point in time and methods involved
structured interview guides, documentation and structured questionnaires which were
administered to a sample of 100 respondents. Data processing and analysis was done using
SPSS computer software. Research findings showed that a number of factors have
contributed to the street children prevalence in the study area. These include the peer and
parent pressure, abuse and neglecting, orphanage, family conflict, food shortage at
household level and low family income earning. The study recommends that the
government should address well the controversy issue on who is a child and set the child
development policy mainly focusing on how to protect, safeguard and improve the welfare
of children.