Browsing by Author "Mosha, D.B."

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Extension service needs in mixed farming systems based on elements of agroecology in Karatu District, Arusha Region, Tanzania
(South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE), 2026) Magesa, A.E.; Shausi, G.L; Mosha, D.B.
This study investigated the extension services needed to transition mixed farming systems towards agroecological practices grounded in agroecological principles in Karatu District, Arusha Region, Northern Tanzania. As agroecology gains traction globally to combat climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity, its uptake in sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania and the Karatu district, remains limited due to extension models that favour high- input, monocultural systems. A cross-sectional research design was used, involving 94 smallholder farmers across seven purposively selected villages. Data were collected using structured questionnaires guided by the modified FAO’s Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) and the Borich Needs Assessment model. Results, which on this part are based on the most needed, show that farmers need financial support such as incentives (98.9%) for diversity, improved infrastructure (98.9%), access to cover crops (98.9%), trees, and better space management (100%) for synergies, organic materials (98.9%) and biological inputs (100%) for efficiency, renewable energy technologies (100%) and water-saving equipment (98.9%) for recycling. Others include market access (98.9%) and climate adaptation tools (100%) to build resilience, access to diverse and nutritious foods (98.9%) to preserve culture and food traditions, improved resources for animal welfare (98.9%) to ensure human and social values; support for increased local production; support for increased local production (98.9%) for a circular and solidarity economy. The study concludes that effective extension services should integrate training, input access, market linkages, and policy support to facilitate the gradual transition and promotion of mixed farming systems towards agroecology. The study recommends integrated support, access to inputs, training, market linkages, and supportive agroecological policies.
The impact of rice commercialisation on livelihoods in Kilombero valley, Tanzania: anybody left behind?
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2021) Mosha, D.B.; Boniface, G.
Rice commercialisation is important in Kilombero valley because it is associated with agricultural intensification and escalation leading to increased productivity and subsequent income and livelihood improvement. However, the level of household engagement in rice commercialisation is highly dynamic depending on various factors including resource endowment, social, economic, cultural, institutional, and gender issues. Moreover, the mechanism by which different gender social groups are impacted by rice commercialisation is scantly documented. This paper, therefore, examined the impact of rice commercialisation on the livelihood of different farmers with respect to gender social groups. The empirical exercise uses a panel data set of the Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) collected in 2017 and 2019. The survey involved 537 and 801 rice farming households in the first and second wave of data collection. A mixed-methods approach involving household interviews, focused group discussion and key informant interviews (KIIs) of data collection were used. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were employed as tangible ways of presenting the findings. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were employed in the presentation of the finding. Female, youth, and small-scale farmers are the gender social groups negatively impacted with rice commercialisation compared to others, attributed by inadequate access to land and to improve agricultural inputs; reflecting that the gender gap remains a challenge in Kilombero valley. There is a need to develop friendly policy strategies that will provide equitable access to production resources and that the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with local government authority need to develop a new strategy that will guarantee cumulative and sound rice commercialisation improvement.