Browsing by Author "Mgembe, E. R."
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Item Analysis of the agricultural science, Technology and Innovation System: banana (Musa spp.) case study in Tanzania(ResearchGate, 2010-11) Maerere, A. P.; Rweyemamu, C. L.; Sibuga, K. P.; Mgembe, E. R.; Rwambali, E. G.; Nchimbi-Msolla, S.This study was conducted to collect information on the agricultural science, technology and innovation (ASTI) system in the banana (Musa spp.) subsector in Tanzania. Major policies were reviewed with respect to their impact on the subsector. Linkages among key actors were identified and analyzed. Surveys were conducted in four agro-ecological zones that are major banana producers. The information was collected using two structured questionnaires: one for farmers and another for organizations. Generally, Tanzania was found to have well established agricultural and science and technology policies. However, implementation was hampered by low investment that did not match with government commitments. Main key actors, identified in the subsector, included smallholder farmers, private enterprises and various organizations that played major roles in creation, diffusion and utilization of knowledge. Research and training were found to be mainly under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives and the Sokoine University of Agriculture. Results indicate that 60% of smallholder banana farmers had received primary education. Land is under family ownership, with an average 1.5 ha of which 25–53% was devoted to banana production. Most banana producers were found to operate on an individual basis, with collaboration mainly amongst themselves rather than with other actors. They lacked specialized training and operated at traditional level with very low use of innovations. It is recommended that all major areas of action require strengthening of existing information diffusion system, incentives for innovations, infrastructure, credit schemes, and recognition of banana as an important food and cash crop.Item Knowledge of vegetable insect pests, diseases and control measures in Morogoro and Iringa regions in Tanzania: a call for integrated pest management(Academic Journals, 2021) Kabote, S. J.; Mamiro, D. P.; Maerere, A. P.; Sibuga, K. P.; Mtui, H. D.; Mgembe, E. R.; Erbaugh, M.; Cardina J.This study investigates vegetable growers’ knowledge about insect pests, diseases and control methods. The study adopted cross-sectional research design, employing survey method and involving 400 randomly selected vegetable growers. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to summarize raw data. Colored cards of important pests coupled with field visits were used for pest identification. The results show that 87.1% of the tomato growers reported tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) as one of the important insect pests. Cucurbit growers reported mainly cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) and cucumber moth (Diaphania indica). Cabbage and onion growers reported cabbage aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae) and onion thrips (Thrips tabaci), respectively. Diseases reported were mainly early (Alternaria solani) and late (Phytophthora infestans) blights in tomato and onion respectively, purple blotch in onion, cucumber blight in cucurbits and cabbage blight in cabbages. Insect pest and diseases control was mainly through synthetic pesticides. Frequency of spray was highest in tomato and cucurbits followed by onion. However, the knowledge on tank mixing, record keeping and Integrated Pest Management was limited. It is critical to have a common understanding about insect pests, diseases and control methods that are environmental friendly. Therefore, farmers should be trained on different issues regarding vegetable production and safe use of pesticides. The key training areas should include tank mixing, pest identification and thresholds, and record keeping.