Browsing by Author "Mattee, A.Z."

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The application of the agricultural innovation system approach in technology development in Tanzania: researchers' perceptions and practices
(Routledge, 2015) Mgumia, A.H.; Mattee, A.Z.; Kundi, B.A.T.
This paper examines the perceptions of researchers towards features of the innovation system approach. It also examines the extent of incorporation of these features into Tanzania's existing National Agricultural Research System (NARS). Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 100 purposefully selected researchers from 13 public and three private research institutes. and one university. Most (81%) of the researchers perceive end-users (farmers) as an important actor. Other actors such as intermediary organisations (extension), regulatory bodies and entrepreneurs are perceived as important by half (50%) of the researchers. On the other hand. most of the researchers perceive the roles of these actors to be similar to the traditional roles of actors under NARS. The indicators used in measuring the success of agricultural innovation were mainly associated with the pattern of adoption and productivity potential of technologies. suggesting that a linear model of innovation is still dominant in NARS. We conclude that the mode of agricultural innovation under NARS in 'Tanzania is in transition from a linear to a system model of innovation. The study suggested that policies should be redesigned to include wider participation of stakeholders in agricultural innovation; the mandate and capacity of extension services should be expanded to include facilitation of innovation; and indicators of monitoring and evaluation should be all-inclusive to include technical and social changes.
Characteristics of agriculture technology and application of an agricultural innovation system in Tanzania
(Routledge, 2015) Mgumia, A.H.; Mattee, A.Z.; Kundi", B.A.T.
The globalisation of the world economy and advancements in science, including the use of biotechnology for agricultural production has subjected agricultural technologies to market forces for their generation and dissemination. It is evident, however, that while some technologies are more amenable to commercialisation, there are other technologies that may still need strong participation of public institutions for their generation and dissemination. This study analysed a total of 87 agricultural technologies in crop, food, and soil thematic areas with respect to the extent of incorporation of innovation systems in the process of technology development, multiplication and commercialisation. Each of the technologies was assessed in terms of its characteristics, actors involved and their roles at each stage of innovation. The study found that the economic features and multiple dimensional characteristics of agricultural technologies determine actors involved in the development and dissemination of the technologies through commercialisation. While 40% of the technologies were conunercialised by business enterprises, 60% needed intermediation interventions. Features of agricultural innovation system have been incorporated particularly under 'projects' implemented by R&D or NGOs, which is an indication that the coverage and sustainability is subjective. Thus, government interventions in promoting agricultural innovations should focus on both operations and policy issues for effective incorporation of innovation system.
Contribution of innovation intermediaries in agricultural innovation: the case of agricultural R&D in Tanzania
(Routledge, 2015) Mgumiaa, A.H.; Mattee, A.Z.; Kundi, B.A.T.
With the current global economic reforms and advances in science, the move has been towards privatisation of the agricultural knowledge infrastructure. However, inadequate capacity of agricultural entrepreneurs and the diversity in the characteristics of the agricultural technologies have created market and system failures, resulting in imbalances of the supply and demand of technologies and hampering private agricultural business development. Experience from countries with mature innovation systems indicates the emergence of innovation intermediaries that facilitate agricultural entrepreneurs to innovate. Using a case-study approach, the present study identified and mapped the recipients of technologies from agricultural research institutions in Tanzania and analysed the extent to which 'innovation intermediation roles' have been applied by recipients in relation to demand articulation, network brokerage and innovation process management. Through an in-depth analysis of twelve cases, the study revealed the role of innovation intermediation performed by NGOs and R&D as project interventions not as their core activities. The study demonstrates the potential contributions of innovation intermediaries in agricultural innovation processes and recommends official recognition and government support in the establishment and implementation of innovation intermediation activities outside the project set-ups.
Nature and cost of participation in farmers field school: case study from north wollo administration zone, Ethiopia
(2013) Gebreyes, M.G.; Mattee, A.Z.
This research was conducted on Integrated Pest Management (1P11/1) Farmers Field School (FFS) project of Save the Children - UK in North Wollo Administration Zone, Ethiopia. The objectives of the study were to assess the nature and quality of farmers' participation in development projects and to analyze the cost of particiPation for different categories ()Partners. Data were collected using focus group discussions, observation and interviews with 120 respondents. Simple descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data using SPSS software. The qualitative data were coded in two categories using constant comparison and asking question techniques. The nature of participation evolved from lower consultative form of participation to higher levels involving self-mobilization. The cost to farmers in terms of time spent on project activities li'aS /07(11(1 to be high. The financial and material cost of participation, however, were affordable to !I/Oat-niers. It is recommended that the members be . facilitated to gain adequate benefits kom their involvement by linking the schools to other stakeholders and service providers and that expansion and growth of each school should be encouraged by increasing the number of members of the school to also include the disadvantaged, and by diversifying activities of the school
Utilization of medicinal plants by waluguru people in east uluguru mountains Tanzania
(2006) Mahonge, C. P. I.; Nsenga, J. V.; Mtengeti, E. J.; Mattee, A.Z.
A study was done to assess utilization of medicinal plants in Nyachilo village situated in eastern Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered and informal discussions conducted to traditional healers and midwives. The respondents were selected from Changa, Mselelo, Tanana, Mitamba, Kimeza, Mandani and Kibundi subvillages. Within the subvillages random sampling was used to determine the number of respondents to be interviewed. The study found that plant medicines utilized in the area can be categorized into groups for treating convulsion, pain killers, rituals and casting evil spirits, treating diseases, relieving respiratory complications, and treating skin eruptions. Many medicinal plants are collected from the forests (37.3%) and farms (37.3%). However, 16.4 % of the medicinal plants are not easily accessible. The community perceives modern medical system far advanced in comparison with traditional healing system. Both systems however, are useful in their sights. The study also revealed that in most medicinal plants, leaves are used as medicines (31.7%), followed by roots (29.6%), then barks (20.7%). The community proposed that in order to sustain conservation of medicinal plants, the traditional healers should be trained on appropriate harvesting and utilization techniques of the medicines. It is recommended that appropriate agronomic techniques that will ensure cultivation of medicinal plants should be taught to the community so as to guarantee sustainable utilization in future