Browsing by Author "Nsenga, J.V."

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Convergence of horizontal and vertical experiential sharing through participatory feedback: the case of integrated natural resource management and livelihood improvement in Mwanga District, Tanzania
(International Journal of Research and Development in Social Sciences (IJRDS), 2016-07-25) Mahonge C.P.; Nsenga, J.V.; Mtengeti, E.J.; Mosha D. B.; Challe, J.
This paper shows how participatory feedback was adopted to converge horizontal and vertical pathways of experiential sharing encompassing actors and institutions positioned at different points of a spatial scale in Mwanga district. Participatory and representative governance approaches and methods were employed to operationalise this convergence. Sector-oriented local actors convened meetings at their respective villages and drew their perspectives then chose two representatives for each sector category to represent them during the participatory feedback workshop at Mwanga district. Local peoples’ political, technical and executive representatives including ward councilors, ward and village executive officers, and technical facilitators such as ward and village extension officers as well as district heads of departments and extension officers also participated in the workshop. The feedback unveiled the existence of poor groups’ organization for beekeeping, enhanced awareness and knowledge on the role of drought resistant crops such as sorghum, cowpeas, pigeon peas and sunflower among the farmers; and increased awareness and knowledge on the imperativity of forage conservation amongst livestock keepers, among others. It is concluded that participatory feedback is an invaluable tool for converging horizontal and vertical experiential sharing pathways and coalescing multiple levels and dimensions for improved decision making for adapting local people to adversities. It is recommended that periodic participatory feedback be institutionalized in the government development plans to periodically improve experiential sharing and communication for holistic development.
Institutional and natural resource use dynamics and their implications on sustainable watershed management in the East Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania.
(The Institute of African Studies (AJAS), 2010) Mattee, A.Z.; Mahonge, C.P.I.; Nsenga, J.V.; Nindi, S.; Kayeye H.
Mountain landscapes have been recognized worldwide for their potential to support people’s livelihood and hence they have become areas of high population densities compared to surrounding plains (Hamilton and King 1983). However, unsustainable utilization of mountain ecosystems has led to environmental degradation (Templeton and Scherr 1999). Mountainous regions of East Africa have been facing severe degradation of forests, soils and water resources due to unsustainable anthropogenic utilization (Mashalla 1988). The far reaching effects include impediments to other beneficiaries to meet their needs especially those whose supply depend on mountain landscapes such as supply of safe and clean water, mountain forest products and general balancing of the climate. This phenomenon is common in the Uluguru Mountains. Although these mountains are potential sources of water for downstream areas of Tanzania including Dar es Salaam and Morogoro regions (Heijnen 1970), natural environment in these landscapes has been degraded. Thick forests and woodland that covered the Uluguru Mountains before the intensification of human activities have been degraded by unsustainable anthropogenic utilization such as deforestation, setting bushfires and poor agricultural practices (Rutatora et al. 1996). As a result of these challenges various institutions (formal and governmental) have evolved over time in attempt to govern livelihoods and ecological strategies for mitigating and/or adapting people to cope with undesirable consequences.
Status quo of beekeeping in dryland area of mwanga district as an entry point towards improved beekeeping intervention
(International Journals of Multidisciplinary Research Academy, 2013) Mtengeti, E.J.; Maseki, N.M.; Mahonge, C.P.; Nsenga, J.V.
Beekeeping is among the economic activities with potential to enhance incomes of smallholder households in the light of climate change through diversification with other activities. Smallholder farmers in the dryland areas of Mwanga district have been affected by climate change. The area has great potential for beekeeping based on the the fact that it has abundant availability of bee forage plants such as Acacia and other trees species and herb vegetation types. Beekeeping, thus, is one of the sectors on which efforts towards improving life standards of people can put emphasis on. However, before interventions for improved beekeeping can be implemented, understanding of the field realities on beekeeping is imperative. Such knowledge may include issues related to local household beekeeping strategies, challenges facing the sector, and mechanisms for addressing those challenges. In Mwanga district, the practice of beekeeping entailed the use of log-hives and traditional ways of beekeeping such as the use of fire in harvesting honey which can result into forest fires; beekeepers encoutered the challenges of theft of honey, lack of appropriate facilities and working gears, and low knowledge on honey production. Also, beekeepers were not organized to delibarate on their interests, instead they operated independent of one another. It was recommended that training should be provided and incentives created so as to promote beekeeping profitably and eco-friendly, and further research is recommended on the market aspects of beekeeping.
The entrepreneurship potential of rural areas: soap production as a side business for Tanzanian rice farmers
(African Journal of Applied Research (AJAR), 2022) Tsuchiya, Y.; Swai, T.A.; Takahashi, K.; Wakamatsu, T.; Watari, R.; Nsenga, J.V.
Purpose: This study examines soap production’s entrepreneurship potential and profitability as a supplementary business for rural rice farmers in Tanzania to promote their economic independence. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: We randomly sampled and interviewed about ten smallscale soap manufacturers in urban Tanzania gathered from 2019-2021 to develop a soap production business strategy for rural farmers at a similar scale. Considering the Voronoi theory, we calculated the distance from the rural areas to urban centres to determine the transportation costs, which particularly burden rural farmers. Soap production costs and profitability were determined based on transportation costs and raw material prices. Findings: Rural farmers would incur high transportation costs, given the high average distance to the nearest urban centre (sometimes > 100 km). Nevertheless, producing their rice bran oil, valuable raw material for soap production, would give them a competitive advantage over urban producers. Research Limitation: The study’s proposed strategy can be applied to similar contexts to reduce the urban-rural entrepreneurship divide. Practical Implication: Soaps made using rice bran oil help farmers reuse agricultural waste. Their active ingredients also increase their marketability as high-end cosmetic products, providing farmers with additional income. Social Implication: Commercializing agricultural residues such as rice bran increases farmers’ revenues and reduces CO2 emissions by preventing the residues’ incineration; this creates a virtuous cycle in society. Originality/ Value: This study presents a more realistic business strategy for rural Tanzanian farmers, as, unlike previous studies, it considers not only direct costs but also transportation costs.
The potential for producing aquaculture feed mixed with rice bran available in Rural Tanzania
(Japanese Society for Tropical Agriculture, 2026) Yooko T.; Hitoshi T.; Swai, Tobias A.; Nsenga, J.V.
Despite the high number of primary industry workers in many developing countries, the sector’s share of gross domestic product remains low. To eliminate economic disparities in developing countries, it is crucial to promote primary industries in rural areas. Diversifying agriculture through integration with fisheries could be one solution. This study focused on feed production utilizing rice bran, a byproduct of rice cultivation, to enable small-scale tilapia farming as a side business for farmers in Tanzania’s rice-growing regions. The results confirm the possibility of manufacturing feed consisting of 50% rice bran and indicate that the supplementation of this feed with local protein sources can satisfy the nutrient requirements of tilapia. Rice bran is prone to spoilage but this preservation issue has been resolved by using fermented rice bran. The use of rice bran, an agricultural residue is expected to increase, not only in tilapia feed, but also in livestock feed.