Browsing by Author "George, William Juma"

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Choice of green manure technology on smallholder maize production systems in Tanzania: a case of Mkinga district, Tanga region
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2009) George, William Juma
In Mkinga maize-based farming systems, intercropping of maize with green manure have been increasingly been one of the strategies to revive the declining maize production caused by increasing pests infestations and low soil fertility. This study was conducted to evaluate economic viability of green manure utilization on farmers’ livelihoods. The specific objectives of the study were: (i) to measure the accrued costs and benefits of green manure in maize production systems on farmers’ livelihood; (ii) to undertake investment analysis in maize cropping with green manures systems: (iii) to establish farmers' own perceptions on the use of green manures in soil fertility improvement for maize production: and (iv) to propose the best alternative options for green manure utilization for sustainable maize production. Data for the study were collected using household survey from a total of 120 households randomly selected from two villages found in similar agro-ecological zone. Descriptive analysis, gross margin analysis, partial budgeting and benefit-cost analysis were used as analytical tools.Results show that fanners adopted two planting options of green manures that is (Mucuna/maize intercrop or Mucuna/maize staggered). The average maize grain yield over the five years was 906Kg/acre, 374Kg/acre and 304.2Kg/acre in Mucuna/maize intercrop and Mucuna/maize staggered and with no green manure respectively. The gross margin in maize./Mucuna intercrop, Mucuna!maize staggered and without green manures was Tsh 215 920 per acre, Tsh 58 620 per acre and -3 945.6 per acre respectively. Mucuna/maize intercrop yields a high NPV of Tsh 612 807 and BCR of 2.43 at 20% interest rate. The shift from sole crop to maize cropping with green manure is profitable by Tsh 231 833. Future research in pursuit of improving availability of green manure seeds, produce outlets and integrated nutrient management strategics tapping on farmer innovations is required to ensure sustainability of the production system.
Economic value of using African weaver Ants as biological control in fruit production and export in Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2015) George, William Juma
Food consumer demands are increasing for safe crop production systems because of ecological and health risks of pesticides. African weaver ants are alternative to pesticides to promote production and facilitate export. An experiment was conducted to test the weaver ants (with and without feeding) in 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons and was compared with insecticides and no-pest control. A qualitative survey on export problems was conducted in 2013/14 buying season. The objective was to investigate the economic value of using African weaver ants as biological control agent in both production and export. The methods of analysis were partial budgeting techniques involving Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) and measures of return on investments namely: Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). Export problems were interpreted from the perspective of institutional theory. Results shows that switching from insecticides to African weaver ants in cashew led to positive net change in benefits of 8731 TZS/tree in 2012/13 and 13 903 TZS/tree in 2013/14 seasons. Higher MRR values was obtained when switching from no-pest control to African weaver ants without feeding at 235% in 2012/13 and at 405% in 2013/14 seasons. It ranked first for all decision criteria used (NPV at TZS 66 926 per tree, BCR at 2.5:1 and IRR at 57%). In mango, switching from insecticides to African weaver ant without feeding gave positive net change in benefits by 8957 TZS/tree in 2012/13 and 20 736 TZS/tree in 2013/14 seasons. The MRR were higher at 509% in 2012/13 and at 743% in 2013/14 seasons when switching from no-pest control to African weaver ants without feeding. Conflicting results were noted when ranking feasibility. African weaver ants without feeding was superior for NPV at TZS 66 926 per tree. The use of African weaver ants without feeding in both orchards and was recommended. It facilitates to capture organic markets of cashew and mango products from Tanzania to the target export market in Europe such as meeting export product quality, insufficient volumes of products.