Browsing by Author "Msuya, C. P."
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Item Actors’ roles and functions in the improved rice varieties innovation system in the eastern zone of Tanzania(SAJAE, 2021) Charles, S.; Mattee, A. Z.; Msuya, C. P.The objective of the study was to establish the actors’ roles and functions in improved rice varieties innovation system in the Eastern Zone of Tanzania. The target population samples for the study comprised of household heads (n = 340) and other key identified actors (n = 99). The research design was a convergent parallel mixed method. Face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and documentary review were used to collect the data. The findings indicate weak or inability of Agricultural Seed Agency, TANSEED International Ltd, Quality Declared Seed producers in seed multiplication and distribution and agro-dealers were not selling quality rice seeds, thereby resulting in low availability and high prices of the same. Also, the findings show weak participation of farmers, agro- dealers, traders and millers in the functions of guidance of the search and rice varieties development, and the limited number of market actors and weak credit mobilization for farmers to invest in IRVs. The study recommends for the Government of Tanzania to create enabling environment that enhances participation of all key actors in the processes of guidance of the search and rice varieties development; linking farmers with external markets; and enhancing the farmers’ access to credit facilities by working on the obstacles hampering farmers from accessing loans from financial institutions.Item Agricultural extension officers’ perceptions towards their roles: a case study of Simiyu Region(TAJAS, 2020) Mkuki, Z. H.; Msuya, C. P.Studies have been conducted in Africa to assess extension officers’ perception towards their roles, however, little is known on agricultural extension officers’ perception on their roles as per government job description in Tanzania. The study was therefore conducted in Simiyu Region to assess the perception of agricultural extension officers towards their roles. A cross-sectional survey design was used whereby a structured questionnaire was employed to collect data from 100 randomly selected Agricultural extension officers (AEOs). The collected quantitative data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences computer programme (SPSS). On the other hand, the content analysis was used to analyze the collected qualitative information. The findings show that most of interviewed AEOs perceived their roles namely, advisory, organizational, educational, technical, facilitation and intermediation as important. However the AEOs perceived the existence of difficulties in fulfilling the roles. These include agricultural extension officers overloaded with non-extension tasks like tax collection that hinder them to perform their technical roles; lack of in-service training which results to low level of competence in performing their mandated roles; inadequate logistics such as motorcycles, vehicles, just to mention few, These results to EAOs blamed for not performing their roles. Based on these findings it is recommended that there is a need to work out with all aspects that affect performance of the AEOs’ mandated roles as follows: AEOs concentrate more on their mandated roles and not non extension work, organize short and long term training to improve their knowledge and skills.Item Building an agricultural extension services system supported by ICTs in Tanzania: Progress made, Challenges remain(IJEDICT, 2013-04) Sanga; Kalungwizi, V. J.; Msuya, C. P.The conventional agricultural extension service in Tanzania is mainly provided by extension officers visiting farmers to provide agricultural advisory service. This system of extension service provision faces a number of challanges including the few number of extension officers and limited resources. This article assessess the effectiveness of an impact-driven, radio-based extension service delivery system that has been introduced in some rural areas of Tanzania. The system aims to enable extension officers to reach many farmers with minimum efforts. However little is known about the effectiveness of this new extension service delivery system. Structured questionnaire, focus group discussion, interviews and participant observation were used to collect data from 55 small holder farmers who who had been receiving an impact-driven, radio- based extension services through Farmer Voice Radio project. Additional data were collected from interviewing extension officers and from archives of participating community radio stations. The results indicate that in some rural areas, farmers have started sharing agricultural information and best practices. Some farmers have also started to change their farming practices. This brings a new finding that farmers can adopt and practice easily what is aired by their fellow farmers in the community radio stations.Item Changes in the agricultural sector and extension workers roles: implications to training sector in Tanzania(TAJAS, 2021) Msuya, C. P.In Tanzania and elsewhere, extension workers roles have been focusing mainly on transfer of technologies from research centers to farmers and train them on the same for improving agricultural production. However, agricultural extension system has been criticized as not effective in improving the agricultural sector. This is mainly caused by changes that are taking place in and outside the agricultural sector like technological, climate, and others that affect performance of extension workers roles. The objective of this paper is to present these changes and their implications to the training sector. The information presented in this paper was obtained from author’s long experience in the topic, literature review and synthesis of the collected information from various sources like Journals, books and reports. The collected information show that there are various changes that are taking place in the agricultural sector like technological, social, climatic and political that require extension workers to change their roles in line with these changes. These include shifting from technology transfer to facilitation, beyond training to learning, lobbying and advocacy, networking and partnering, coaching, negotiation, problem-solving, capacity to reflect and considering value chain aspects. These changes should be well addressed through long and short term training programmes involving new curriculum development and review and organizing short courses. It is recommended that training organs should conduct training needs assessment through participatory approaches to identify relevant knowledge, skills, attitudes and new ways of extension service delivery needed to build capacity of extension workers for them to perform their roles effectively for improving performance of the agricultural sector in general.Item Community awareness of the sources and impact of pollutants with emphasis on endocrine disruptors in Lake Victoria: the case of Jinja in Uganda(2014-06) Msuya, C. P.; Byarugaba, D.; Mdegela, R.; Kamundia, P.; Mbuthia, P. G.Despite its potential, Lake Victoria faces many challenges, including pollution. This study was conducted within Jinja District in, Uganda to establish the sources of pollutant; in particular, those likely to contain endocrine disruptors and their impact on fish productivity. Qualitative data were collected using focus group discussions, case stories, key info. rmants interviews and observations. The collected data were analysed using the inductive thematic analysis method. The findings reveal that pollutants that find access into the lake have the potential to disrupt the endocrine systems of organisms in the study area. However, awareness of the pollutants among community members was low. Human, animal, industrial, agricultural, hospital and domestic waste were the main sources of pollutants likely to contain endocrine disruptors. These pollutants were handled poorly and most of them were disposed into the lake without treatment. This calls for efforts to conduct education and extension programmes for awareness creation and for extending information to the community regarding sources and impacts of these pollutants. Such initiatives will enhance the awareness of local people such that they will be more alert when handling such pollutants in order to improve fish health which will in turn enhance the productivity offish in Lake Victoria.Item The comparative role of independent and intervening variables on influencing the adoption of nitrogen fertilization among maize growers in the Njombe District.(AJOL, 2016) Msuya, C. P.Various practices including Nitrogen fertilization have been recommended in the Njombe District to maintain its status as one of the districts that is famous in maize production in Tanzania. Despite the recommendation the level of adoption is not convincing that forced this study to investigate variables that are most important in determining the adoption behaviour. A cross sectional research design was used to collect data from 113 respondents selected from four villages namely, Ulembwe, Igagala, Kibena and Uwemba. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. The findings reveal that the intervening variables (like efficiency misperception (EM), need tension (NT), prominence and knowledge) played a great role in determining the adoption behaviour compared to independent variables (like age, sex, level of education, farm size and area under maize production). It is therefore recommended that more emphasis should be placed in addressing intervening variables in order to enhance adoption in the study area.Item Control of soil erosion in mzinga river catchment In the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania: Approaches and practices(Tanzania Journal for Population studies and Development, 2017) Mulengera, M. K.; Lulandala, L. L.; Maliondo, S. M; Maerere, A. P.; Temu, R. P. C.; Msuya, C. P.Soil erosion is a serious problem in Tanzania that leads to land degradation and rapid siltation of water reservoirs and water supply structures. This paper presents findings from a project initiated in 2003/2004 to rehabilitate the Mzinga River Catchment. The objective of the project was to rehabilitate the highly degraded catchment in order to improve peoples’ economic well being by imparting knowledge of raising tree seedlings in nurseries, growing forest and fruit trees, practicing agroforestry, and by establishing mechanical conservation works. The catchment conservation approach adopted was land user free choice in collaboration with community conservation committee and other key stake holders. Soil erosion measurements were done on fields, fallow lands, and semi-natural vegetation areas to monitor land use practices that contribute greatly to catchment degradation. Sediment yield modelling was done to determine rates of sediment yields from the catchment. The study results show very high soil erosion rates (up to more than 33 tons/ha) on agricultural lands, and sediment yields from the Mzinga river catchment of about 17 tons/ha per year. The study showed that conservation activities need extension to overcome the bad historical experiences of the communities in the catchment area, and to have more farmers adopting appropriate soil conservation measures after demonstrated increased productivity and economic benefits that will be achieved through good land husbandry practices and planted forest and fruit trees.Item Factors influencing effective delivery of extension services on soil and water conservation practices in Western Amhara Region, Ethiopia(AJOL, 2020) Girmachew, S. M.; Msuya, C. P.; Mattee, A. Z.The study was conducted in Western Amhara Region of Ethiopia to determine the linkage between personal, socio-economic and institutional characteristics and effectiveness of delivery of extension services on Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) practices among smallholder farmers. Data were collected using questionnaire survey and checklist from nine kebeles and 383 randomly selected farmers. The study found that effectiveness of extension service delivery on SWC practices in the study area largely depends on the farmers’ personal, socio-economic and institutional characteristics. Therefore, the study concludes that demand-driven extension service delivery is more effective when farmers’ personal, socio-economic and institutional characteristics are addressed and policies and legal frameworks are in place to guide the extension service delivery. The study draws a number of policy and research implications including the development of policies and strategies that the Amhara National Regional State should approve for addressing personal, socio-economic and institutional variables of farmers as a means for effective delivery of extension services on SWC practices in the study area and areas with similar conditions.Item Factors influencing extension service delivery in maize production by using agricultural innovation system in Morogoro and Dodoma Regions, Tanzania.(African Journal, 2016) Msuya, C. P.; Wambura, R. M.Conventional extension system in Tanzania has recorded limited success in improving agricultural productivity including maize production in the country. The Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) approach in extension service delivery deemed desirable in addressing the challenge. However little is known about the factors influencing delivery of extension service by using AIS. A study was conducted in Morogoro and Dodoma Regions to investigate the identified gap. A cross sectional research design was used to collect data from 345 respondents randomly selected from a population of various actors involved in the maize value chain. Key informant interviews and Focus group discussions were also used in data collection. Observations were used to supplement the collected information. The collected quantitative data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Science computer program while content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The study findings show that factors influencing performance of extension service delivery include Extension staffs’ inadequate knowledge and skills on providing advice by using Agricultural Innovation System. Others were availability, affordability, efficiency, relevance and costs of extension service delivery. Based on the study findings it is concluded that despite the relevance of AIS over conventional extension system, there are a number of factors influencing delivery of extension service using AIS that might in turn bring effect on maize production the study areas. It is therefore recommended that negative factors should be addressed for effective performance of the system to improve maize production.Item Gender roles in the tomato value chain: a case study of Kilolo District and Dodoma Municipality in Tanzania(Sokoine University of agriculture, 2016) Khasa, P.; Msuya, C. P.Although agricultural value chain interventions are implemented they don’t take into consideration different gender categories in the chain. This has partly contributed to failure by many interventions to increase agricultural production. It has also attributed to lack of enough information on gender roles in the agricultural value chain. A study was conducted to assess gender roles in the tomato value chain in Kilolo District and Dodoma Municipality in Tanzania. The study employed a cross sectional research design to collect data from 120 respondents. Key informants interviews and observations were used to supplement the collected data. The statistical package for social sciences was used to analyze data. In both study areas the identified actors were input suppliers, producers, transporters, coolies, brokers, traders and consumers. Box/crate/tenga makers were identified in Kilolo District but not in Dodoma Municipality. Different gender categories like youth, middle and old aged people of both sexes play different roles in the tomato value chain including input supplying, production, transportation and marketing. Middle-aged males followed by females of the same category perform more than half of the roles in the chain. It is recommended that interventions aimed at improving tomato production should focus more on the identified gender categories.Item Impact of supervised enterprise projects component of Sokoine University of Agriculture BSc. Applied Agricultural Extension Programme on Farmers in Tanzania(TAJAS, 2021) Msuya, C. P.; Akerederu, M.; Mapunda, K.In response to inadequate knowledge, skills and attitudes by agricultural extension staff, the Midcareer BSc. Applied Agricultural extension was developed and implemented in 1998 by the Sokoine University of agriculture (SUA), in collaboration with Sasakawa Africa Fund for Extension Education (SAFE). The Supervised Enterprise Project (SEP) is an innovative component of the programme that employs experiential and action research principles. Since the implementation of the midcareer programme and its SEPs component in Tanzania, the programme impact on farmers has not been established and therefore the paper intends to fill the gap. Data were collected from 100 graduates and 105 farmers from selected regions in Tanzania. Focus group discussion and observations were used to supplement the collected information. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and content analysis, respectively. The findings show that SEP introduced practices mainly related to livestock and crop production, post-harvest handling and agricultural marketing. Generally, SEP was identified as the strongest component within the BSc. AEE programme that has impact on farmers. This has been justified by the fact that farmers had positive perception and high expectations from practices implemented by SEP, which resulted to diffusion of implemented practices and their adoption by farmers. Farmers were assisted to improve their yield, food security, income and livelihood. Challenges that affected implementation of SEP include inadequate funds and time, low involvement of stakeholders and inadequate follow up by students after their graduation. This calls the need for allocation of adequate resources to the program, involving of important stakeholders as well as smooth hand over of the implemented SEP to the field extension staff for its sustainabilityItem The important determinants of the adoption behavior: a case study of recommended maize production technologies in Tanzania(African Journal, 2021) Msuya, C. P.Numerous technologies have been developed in the agricultural sector to facilitate its contribution to the livelihood of the people. However the adoption of these technologies has been very low or non existence at all. This paper determined the important factors/variables that determine adoption behaviour. A validated, pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 113 respondents, equivalent to 5 percent of a population selected to represent maize growers in selected villages of Njombe District. The collected data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and the linear regression model was used to investigate the influence of the study variables. The study findings show both independent and intervening factors investigated determined the adoption behaviour. However in all the technologies investigated the intervening factors influenced highly the adoption behaviour. The results presented provide sufficient evidence in supporting the relevance of intervening variables as the most important determinants of the adoption behaviour. The study suggests that emphasis be put on these variables in agricultural extension programs in order to enhance adoption of technologies by farmers.Item Promotion of agricultural innovation systems approach: policy implications for maize extension and advisory services in Tanzania(AJOL, 2021) Msuya, C. P.; Mkuki, Z. H.Studies have been conducted in Africa to assess extension officers’ perception towards their roles, however, little is known on agricultural extension officers’ perception on their roles as per government job description in Tanzania. The study was therefore conducted in Simiyu Region to assess the perception of agricultural extension officers towards their roles. A cross-sectional survey design was used whereby a structured questionnaire was employed to collect data from 100 randomly selected Agricultural extension officers (AEOs). The collected quantitative data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences computer programme (SPSS). On the other hand, the content analysis was used to analyze the collected qualitative information. The findings show that most of interviewed AEOs perceived their roles namely, advisory, organizational, educational, technical, facilitation and intermediation as important. However the AEOs perceived the existence of difficulties in fulfilling the roles. These include agricultural extension officers overloaded with non-extension tasks like tax collection that hinder them to perform their technical roles; lack of in-service training which results to low level of competence in performing their mandated roles; inadequate logistics such as motorcycles, vehicles, just to mention few, These results to EAOs blamed for not performing their roles. Based on these findings it is recommended that there is a need to work out with all aspects that affect performance of the AEOs’ mandated roles as follows: AEOs concentrate more on their mandated roles and not non extension work, organize short and long term training to improve their knowledge and skills.Item Promotion of Agricultural Innovation Systems Approach: Policy Implications for Maize Extension and Advisory Services in Tanzania(2015) Wambura, R.M.; Doamekpor, P. K.; Mwaseba, D. L.; Msuya, C. P.; Masinde, D. M.; Mwanga, L. J.; Iranga, G. M.This paper is based on a study (Wambura et al., 2016) which assessed extension and advisory service delivery for maize production in Morogoro and Dodoma Regions of Tanzania using Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) Approach. Maize productivity in Tanzania is low in spite of its importance to the country’s food security and economic well-being of farmers. New approaches to extension and advisory service delivery are needed that stimulate increased agricultural production and foster the emergency of agricultural innovation systems. The purpose of this paper is therefore to assess the state of maize innovation system in Tanzania and provide policy implications for the future extension and advisory services (EAS). The study used a mixed method research design to collect data using structured questionnaires, one-on-one interviews with key informants, focus group discussions (FGDs) and stakeholders’ workshops. Content analyses of cases provided a context to understand policy implications for maize extension and advisory services in the study areas. It was found that the key aspects contributing to low maize productivity included weak institutional structures, often with little or no contact between other stakeholders. In most cases, lack of farmer organizations hampered farmers taking the initiative. Such problems were compounded by poorly developed markets, poor infrastructure and a lack of knowledge (especially of the maize production value chain), or by inadequate extension services often associated with inappropriate research. Consequently, use of unsuitable varieties and poor management practices with limited access to inputs or output markets resulted in low, often declining yields and low incomes for farmers. The paper concludes that policy makers should identify weak or missing components and linkages within the agricultural innovation systems and take measures accordingly to promote maize innovations; while extension and advisory services should be capacitated to address these gaps and develop technology packages to be disseminated to the farmers.