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.
Recent Submissions
A hidden potential of pigeon peas cultivation practices to curb household food insecurity in rural areas of eastern southern Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2025) Mbwana, H.A; Kaingo, J.
Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is a tropical legume with significant potential for enhancing food
security and nutrition, particularly in semi-arid regions. This study assessed the impact of pigeon
pea cultivation practices on household food security, dietary diversity, and economic wellbeing in
two villages, Mibure (Ruangwa) and Mitumbati (Nachingwea), in the Lindi region of Tanzania. The
study involved 300 farming households, with data collected through household surveys focusing
on crop production practices, food availability, dietary diversity, and disposable crop income.
Two major models were employed: (i) the direct effects of pigeon pea cultivation methods on
household wellbeing indicators (adequate household food availability, household dietary diversity,
disposable crop income, and calorie and protein production) and (ii) the effects of crop income
and calorie production on adequate food availability and dietary diversity. Results revealed that
72% of maize-growing smallholders also grew pigeon peas, along with other legumes like beans
and cowpeas. Intercropping was the predominant cropping practice, with over 50% of households
using cereal-legume intercropping, while crop rotation was less common. Intercropping pigeon
peas with cereals was significantly associated with increased household food availability and
dietary diversity. Households practicing intercropping achieved higher disposable crop income
and produced more calories and protein, contributing to improved food security and dietary
outcomes. The study concludes that pigeon pea intercropping is an effective strategy for enhancing
food and nutrition security in semi-arid regions of Tanzania. The results suggest that promoting
legume-based intercropping systems could improve household food availability, dietary diversity,
and economic wellbeing.
Prevalence of poor nutritional status and associated factors among children in Dodoma region of Tanzania
(Food Science & Nutrition Research, 2024) Mbwana, Hadijah Ally; Mwinuka, Lutengano
Background: Undernutrition is a problem of public health significant in developing countries. This study examined
the factors associated with stunting in children in Dodoma Region in Tanzania.
Methods: Multistage stratified sampling procedure was used to select respondents. Height and weight were
measured and nutritional status of children was determined. Stunting, underweight, and wasting in children were
defined using these criteria, which were compared to WHO norms and standards. Logistic regression models were
used to establish relationships between stunting and multiple variables.
Results: The overall prevalence of stunting was 33%. Mzula village had the highest prevalence of severely
underweight children at 3.6%. There were no significant differences in weight and height among children between
villages. Important factors associated with stunting in a univariate logistic regression were mother’s education,
material used to build house, age of the child and distance to water source. In the multivariate analysis distance
to water source and mother’s education, maternal education, and child’s age were found to independently predict
stunting. The univariate logistic regression picked the father’s education, age of the mother and distance to water
source as main determinants of being underweight.
Conclusion: The current study stresses the importance of implementing region specific and context-relevant
treatments to prevent malnutrition in this and other similar contexts in Tanzania.
Gender disparities and power dynamics in sunflower value chains: evidence from Singida District, Tanzania
(The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH), 2025) Mosha Devotha B.
Sunflower cultivation in Tanzania, particularly in Singida District, represents a critical source of income and
nutrition for smallholder farmers, with women constituting the majority of producers. Despite their significant contributions,
women face systemic gender disparities in accessing production resources, extension services, and market opportunities,
rooted in patriarchal norms and cultural practices. This study problematizes these inequalities by examining the roles,
relationships, and power dynamics between male and female farmers in the sunflower value chain, highlighting how social
and cultural barriers perpetuate unequal resource distribution and limit women’s economic empowerment. Drawing on
mixed-methods data from the Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) study conducted in Iramba and Mkalama
districts between 2017 and 2022, this paper employs descriptive and inferential statistical analyses to reveal significant
gender gaps. For instance, chi-square tests indicate that men are significantly more likely to access improved seeds (χ² =
12.45, p < 0.01) and processing machinery (χ² = 15.67, p < 0.001) than women, while women’s land ownership is 45% lower
on average (t = 3.89, p < 0.05). Qualitative findings further underscore that men dominate decision-making in marketing and
income control, marginalizing women’s agency. These disparities undermine the potential of the sunflower sub-sector to
foster equitable and sustainable development. Addressing these challenges requires targeted interventions, such as gendertransformative policies and community-based education programs, to promote equitable access to resources, enhance
women’s participation in high-value chain nodes, and ensure inclusive benefits from sunflower commercialization.
Effect of different processing methods on the anti-nutritive components of selected indigenous vegetables
(Asian Food Science Journal, 2024) Ngungulu, Theresia Ponsiano; Wenaty, Alex; Chove, Bernard; Suleiman, Rashid; Mbwana, Hadijah
Indigenous vegetables are widely utilized due to their high nutritional profiles, easy availability, and
accessibility in rural areas. The consumption of indigenous vegetables is limited by their high
perishability nature which causes high post-harvest losses. Also, the presence of anti-nutritive
components which tend to affect the bioavailability of micronutrients, poses a challenge in availing
their full nutritional potential to consumers. This study aimed to determine the effect of boiling,
fermentation, solar and sun drying (with and without blanching) on the anti-nutritive components of
the leaves of Cassava (Manhot esculenta Crantz), Black jack (Bidens pilosa) and Bitter lettuce
(Launaea cornuta). The raw, dried, boiled and fermented vegetables were evaluated directly after
being subjected to their corresponding treatments. Total oxalate and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) were
analyzed using titrimetric methods and phytate was determined using the UV spectrophotometric
method. From the results, oxalic acid ranged from 180.2 ± 1.56 to 26.3 ± 2.34mg/100g, phytate
ranged from 18.8 ± 1.07 to 0.7 ± 1.11mg/100g and hydrogen cyanide ranged from 357.1 ± 10.56 to
4.1 ± 2.49mg /100g across the treatments. All processing methods significantly (P<0.05) reduced
hydrogen cyanide and oxalic acid content in all vegetable samples. Phytate was significantly
reduced (P<0.05) after boiling and fermentation while, all drying treatments resulted in non-
significant changes in phytate content. In consequence, all processing methods studied proved to
be effective in the reduction of hydrogen cyanide and oxalic acid. Boiling and fermentation showed
their effectiveness in the reduction of phytate. Therefore, it is recommended that these plants
should be eaten boiled or fermented to increase the bioavailability of micronutrients
Community aspirations and hopes on groundwater governance: qualitative insights for climate change adaptation and resilience in semi–arid Dodoma, Tanzania
(Frontiers, 2026-05-21) Mosha Devotha Baltazary; Kashaigili Joel Johaiven; Samani Patrice Lina; Kashaigili Joel Japhet; Kangile Rajab Joseph
Introduction: Aspirations and hopes play a vital role in shaping ideas about water resource management. Due to increasing climate variability and a growing population, reliance on groundwater has risen in the Dodoma Region, threatening its sustainable use. Over the years, the community has relied on indigenous knowledge (IK) and traditional methods to ensure that groundwater remains accessible and well managed for both current and future generations. Despite their importance, community aspirations, hopes, and IK regarding effective groundwater governance remain underexplored. This study examined the community’s aspirations, hopes, and IK that contribute to the sustainable management of groundwater and land resources in the context of climate change in Tanzania.Methods: The research employed a qualitative approach, including focus group discussions and interviews with key informants conducted from December 2024 to February 2025. Participants and respondents were water users and managers from community, government, and non-government organizations. Content analysis was used to group qualitative information into small, meaningful themes.Results: The community’s aspirations and hopes focus on urging the government to increase the number of both deep and shallow wells, expand water price subsidies, and strengthen pollution control initiatives to protect, conserve, and manage groundwater, ensuring equitable and inclusive access. There is a high level of “hydro-geological and biological literacy” that guides traditional decisions about groundwater exploration and site selection. The construction of the Farkwa Dam boosts hopes for economic and social progress, including the expansion of irrigated agriculture. Local water users maintain traditions for water and land care, rooted in their cultural heritage and overseen by traditional leaders, but these traditions are declining among youth. Building partnerships with communities and leaders and encouraging inclusive cooperation that respects indigenous practices are essential.