Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection

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The SUA method- the case study from Mbinga
(JICA, 2004) Nsenga J.V.; Mahonge C.P.I.; Mtengeti E.J.; Rutatora D.F.; Tamura K.; Itani J.; Kanda Y.; Araki M.
SCSRD has been involved in developing the “SUA Method” by putting participation at centre and emphasizes on fieldwork to understand multiple realities of each location, while aiming at leading to sustainable rural development. Mbinga District is one of the project activity sites, and located in the Ruvuma region of southern Tanzania. While understanding the realities of the area, SCSRD together with the local government and NGOs, shared ideas and implemented the activities in the framework of the Ntambo perspective, as the focal feature which characterizes Mbinga. In this paper, after the brief introduction of Mbinga and SCSRD’s approach, two case studies from Kindimba and Kitanda villages are introduced so as to explain how characteristics of SUA method are put in practice in real situation.
Effects of using post-harvest management technologies on household food security in Dodoma region, Tanzania
(African Quarterly Social Science Review, 2025) Mtenga Deodata Vicent; Nsenga Justus Vincent; Kayunze Kim Abel
In Dodoma Region, Tanzania, the adoption of grain post-harvest management technologies remains low despite their importance for food security. This study, conducted in Kongwa and Chemba Districts between December 2022 and March 2023, analyses effects of using grain post-harvest management technologies and household food security. The specific objectives were to determine household food security status, analyse postharvest management technologies used for maize and sorghum, compare household food security status based on grain post-harvest management technologies used, and determine effects of grain post- harvest technologies and other factors on chances of being food secure. Data were collected from 384 households using a questionnaire, a key informant interview guide, and a guide for focus group discussions. They analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics software to compute descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that 52.1% of households were food insecure based on grain consumption, and 43.5% were food insecure based on the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Use of improved post-harvest technologies varied across activities, but no significant food security differences were found between users and non-users of improved postharvest technologies. However, food security was significantly different between households whose heads had different levels of education, between households which had different farm sizes, and between smaller and larger households. Binary logistic regression results showed mixed results that household size had significant negative effect on the chances of being food secure, based on amounts of grains consumed but that it had insignificant positive effect on the chances of being food secure, based on HFIAS. Tractor use and group membership had positive significant positive effects on the chances of being food secure, based on amounts of grains consumed. Processing grains and years of schooling had significant positive effects on the chances of being food secure, based on HFIAS. It is concluded that working on the variables that had significant negative effects on the chances of being food secure—household size, age of household head, and land ownership could help increase chances of smallholder farmers being food secure. Such chances could also be increased by keeping up the variables that had significant positive effects on the chances of being food secure—tractor use, being members of farmer groups, improved grain processing means, and education (formal and non-formal). It is recommended to Kongwa and Chemba Districts to promote the use of postharvest technologies analysed and others that are relevant so that more farmers can use them, thereby improving food security. Farming households should join farmer groups, and the agricultural extension service should increase provision of education to farmers on why and how to use the technologies and collaborate with suppliers of the technologies so that they could supply them at more reasonable prices.
A review of Nyerere’s vision for African socialism, self-reliance, and rural transformation
(The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH), 2026-05) Farida Salehe; Mikidadi Muhanga
This review examines Julius Kambarage Nyerere’s Ujamaa: Essays on Socialism (1971), a seminal text in African political thought that articulated an authentically African vision of socialism rooted in communal traditions. Nyerere’s philosophy emphasised familyhood (Ujamaa), self‑reliance, and education for community service, positioning these values as the foundation for Tanzania’s nation‑building and development. The book’s originality lies in its adaptation of socialist principles to African cultural contexts, distinguishing it from Marxist orthodoxy and grounding it in indigenous traditions of solidarity and equality. The review highlights both strengths and limitations. On one hand, its ethical grounding in human dignity, Pan‑African relevance, and critique of capitalism continue to inspire debates on justice and collective progress. On the other hand, practical implementation faced challenges: villagisation disrupted agricultural productivity, collectivism undermined individual initiative, and the one‑party system contradicted democratic ideals. These contradictions contributed to economic stagnation and political tensions. Despite mixed outcomes, Ujamaa remains relevant to contemporary debates on sustainable development, decolonisation, indigenous knowledge systems, and critiques of neoliberal globalisation. His emphasis on education for social responsibility resonates with ongoing curriculum reforms in African universities. The review concludes that Ujamaa: Essays on Socialism is both visionary and contested, standing as a cornerstone of African political philosophy and offering enduring lessons for re‑imagining African‑centred development models that prioritise dignity, equality, and community.
Privacy, medical confidentiality, and health in Tanzania
(Elgar, 2023) Temba, Ferdinand Marcel
This chapter analysed the protection of patient confidential information and privacy in the health sector. It considers the legal framework based on inter- national influences by international instruments and other sources of law in Tanzania from legislative to received laws. From the outset, the chapter finds that the law of confidentiality and privacy in the health sector is underdevel-oped. While Tanzania complies with the international legal position on privacy and confidentiality, the customisation of the rules through local legislation has been taking place slowly. There is no general law on protection of patient confidential information only that the health practitioners are guided by a few specific laws such as the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2008, and Human DNA Regulation Act 2009. The Codes for Conduct and Ethics for specific health professionals such as medical professionals and dentists, nurses and midwives, radiology and imaging professionals, pharmacists, and optometry provide limited guidelines for the standards of medical confidentiality and privacy as well as the exceptions to medical confidentiality and privacy. Despite these setbacks, the health system is organised and prepared to deal with emerging health challenges although crudely, while maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of patients. For instance, the development of science and technology has led to the enactment of laws to address issues likely to cause difficulties in the day-to-day activities of health professionals and thus laws such as the Human DNA Regulation Act 2009 were enacted to address such changes. The few existing laws, albeit, in summary, set standards of privacy and confidentiality and provide for the grounds for disclosure of confidential information which range from statutory exceptions to disclosure due to public interest. COVID-19 which hit the world in late 2019 made Tanzania to adopt and customize World Health Organisation COVID-19 standards and set guide- lines for the prevention and vaccination of COVID-19.
Enhancing access to health information in Tanzania: legal frameworks, university libraries’ pivotal role, and evidence-based policy reforms
(The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH), 2025-11-07) Temba, Ferdinand Marcel
Access to health information is a cornerstone of democratic governance, transparency, accountability, and optimal public health outcomes. Anchored in Article 18 of Tanzania’s 1977 Constitution and the Access to Information Act of 2016, this right intersects with global [e.g., International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Article 19] and regional [e.g., African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Article 9] instruments. Employing doctrinal legal research, this article analyzes these frameworks while positioning university libraries as critical intermediaries for acquiring, organizing, and disseminating health information to academic and societal users. Key findings reveal substantive barriers; broad exemptions, excessive discretionary powers, and fragile enforcement; compounded by procedural gaps in digital regulation and oversight. University libraries empower users through information literacy, digital repositories, and community outreach, yet face resource constraints and infrastructural challenges. The study concludes that aligning legal entitlements with practical access requires systemic reforms to advance health equity and sustainable development. Policy recommendations include narrowing exemptions with public-interest overrides, establishing an independent Information Commission, introducing tiered sanctions and expedited urgent requests, and fostering library-government partnerships for capacity-building and digital integration.
The legal framework for protecting social security rights of the elderly in Tanzania
(Journal of Policy and Leadership (JPL), 2025-09-30) Temba, Ferdinand Marcel
The right to social security is crucial for ensuring social justice, particularly for the elderly who are at heightened risk of poverty. This study examines the legal framework for social security in Tanzania, using doctrinal research to analyse relevant national laws and policies. It begins by outlining the importance of social security and assessing global and regional instruments that protect these rights. The findings reveal that while the Constitution outlines fundamental rights, it does not establish an enforceable right to social security for the elderly. The study highlights the challenges facing universal pension programs, such as the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) and the Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN). Key issues includeenforcement difficulties, insufficient resource allocation, and social exclusion. To address these challenges, the study recommends the development of a comprehensive legal framework that reinforces compliance with international norms and enhances administrative capabilities. Furthermore, it suggests legal reforms aimed at expanding coverage and improving access to social security for the elderly, emphasising the need to tackle issues of inequality and poverty. The analysis incorporates international instruments, such as the ILO Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention and the SADC Social Charter, to examine Tanzania's adherence to these standards. By advocating for policy improvements and legal reforms, the study contributes valuable insights into strengthening social security rights for the elderly in Tanzania, thereby promoting social inclusion and reducing poverty.
The right to regulate in natural wealth and resources in Tanzania: challenges and prospects
(Journal of International Trade, Logistics and Law, 2023-06-01) Kitonka, Naufal; Temba, Ferdinand Marcel
This article examines the right to regulate in Tanzania amidst legal reforms in natural wealth and resources done in 2017. The right to regulate seeks to balance investor’s economic interests in investment protection with host states’ interests in pursuing public policy objectives such as environmental protection and human rights (distributive justice). Achieving this delicate balance, however, is quite tricky. Whilst these reforms elevated the right to regulate to new lights, they equally exposed Tanzania to new investment arbitration claims. This article has reviewed related literature, statutes and case laws and observed that regulatory measures taken in pursuance of these reforms may be at odds with investment treaty standards and commitments entered by Tanzania in investment treaties. The article reveals that majority of bilateral investment treaties entered by Tanzania do not contain provisions recognizing or implicating right of states to regulate. In essence, this contradicts legal reforms done in 2017. It is, therefore, recommended that Tanzania should review investment treaties so that they also reflect the right of states to regulate. By complementing efforts done under domestic investment laws, this will help to safeguard the right of state to regulate.
Trade union formation and collective bargaining in Tanzania: legal framework, challenges and prospects
(Journal of African Law and Contemporary Legal Issues, 2025) Temba, Ferdinand
Trade unions are essential in upholding workers’ rights,supporting equitable pay, and improving working standards through collective bargaining. This article discusses the legal position on trade union formation and collective bargaining in Tanzania, as outlined in the Employment and Labour Relations Act, Cap 366 R.E. 2019 (ELRA). It also reflects global and regional frameworks on trade union recognition and collective bargaining. It explores the processes involved in forming trade unions, their recognition as exclusive bargaining agents, withdrawal of recognition, and the power to enter into an agency shop agreement to deduct agency fees from non-members of a recognised trade union. The article further addresses key challenges facing trade unions, including employers’ refusal to recognise trade unions, fragmentation of unions caused by multiple unions in a single bargaining unit, and opportunities to enhance labour representation and policy influence. It submits that legal and institutional efforts to address these challenges and balance the available opportunities will provide a fair platform for trade unions to exercise collective bargaining as part of their role in fostering working conditions and realising an equitable and just labour market in Tanzania.
Enforcing the right to health through courts in Tanzania: challenges and prospects
(Journal of Contemporary African Legal Studies (JCALS), 2025) Temba, Ferdinand M.
The right to health is recognized as a fundamental human right within international, regional, and domestic legal frameworks. This article explores its judicial enforcement in Tanzania using a doctrinal legal methodology that analyses statutory provisions and case law. It challenges the view that socio-economic rights are non- justiciable, affirming that the right to health is a universally applicable entitlement that can be subject to immediate enforcement. The article identifies factors for effective enforcement, including political legitimacy, judicial capacity, and legal expertise. Major challenges include the lack of express constitutional protection of the right to health, resource constraints, and partial alignment with international legal obligations. Nevertheless, the study underscores underlying prospects such as the progressive interpretation of the right to health through the constitutional guarantee of the right to life under Article 14, and the adoption of legal, policy, and institutional reforms, which promote better health outcomes in Tanzania.
Contribution of organic cotton production to household income relative to conventional cotton production in Bariadi District, Tanzania
(East African Nature and Science Organization (EANSO), 2025-08-08) Said Castory Masanja; Nsenga Justus Vicent; Kayunze Kim Abel
This paper determines the percentage of household income that is due to organic cotton production and differences in incomes from organic cotton production, conventional cotton, other crops, and non-farm activities among smallholder farmers in Bariadi District, Simiyu Region, Tanzania. Using a mixed-methods cross-sectional design, primary data were collected in 2025 from 364 households through a structured questionnaire, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics to compute descriptive statistics and perform the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while qualitative data were analysed thematically through content analysis. The results indicated that organic cotton contributed 11.7% to overall income per capita, unlike conventional cotton, which contributed 9.4%. The median income per capita from organic cotton (TZS 23,964.29) was significantly higher than that from conventional cotton (TZS 0.00) (T = 23,617.50, z = -4.706, p < 0.001, r = 0.247), suggesting that organic cotton provided more reliable and profitable income than conventional cotton. Income from conventional cotton was either absent or minimal for many households, largely due to market instability and input costs. Qualitative findings reinforced the quantitative results by revealing that farmers perceive organic cotton production as more rewarding due to improved access to premium markets, price stability through contractual arrangements, reduced input costs, and alignment with environmentally sustainable practices. Respondents emphasised that organic farming not only enhances income but also promotes soil health and long-term agricultural resilience. These findings highlight organic cotton’s potential as a transformative livelihood strategy capable of reducing rural poverty, enhancing household economic resilience, and contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to no poverty, decent work, and climate action. To maximise these benefits, policy interventions should prioritise strengthening organic certification systems, enhancing extension services, and improving market linkages.
Access to finance from financial institutions among the smallholder’s cashew nut producers in Tandahimba District - Tanzania
(American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (AJHSSR), 2023) Byedileclara Mashalla C.; Mhandon David G.
The study was carried out among the cashew nut producers in Tandahimba District to identify factors that influence smallholder’s cashew nut producers to access finance from financial institutions. The study employed a cross-sectional research design, whereby a sample size of 100 respondents was used. Data were collected through a household survey and interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed by using binary logistic regression and content analysis respectively. The results show that factors influencing cashew nut smallholder’s producers to access finance from financial institutions are: age of the producers’ (p = 0.001), having financial statements for at least three years of producers’ in cooperatives (p = 0.027), cooperative membership to cooperative union (p = 0.014), absence of criminal cases (p = 0.042), certificate of maximum liability from registrar of cooperatives (p = 0.011), minutes of the meeting which approved application for the loan for cooperatives (p = 0.041), farm/ land size (p = 0.044) and effectiveness of cooperative association in linking producers’ to getting a loan from a financial institution (p = 0.032). The study concludes that, the identified factors can be used for efficient access to finances among smallholder’s cashew nut producers in Tandahimba district.
Warehouse receipt systems and agricultural transformation in Tanzania: unlocking smallholder prosperity through policy innovation
(REPOA, 2026) Mhandon Gongwe David
Tanzania's agricultural sector remains the backbone of the national economy, with smallholder farmers playing a vital role in ensuring food security and sustaining rural livelihoods. Despite their centrality, these farmers continue to face structural barriers—including limited access to markets, financial services, and modern agricultural technologies. In response, policy innovations have been central to agricultural reform efforts. Among these, the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) stands out as a transformative mechanism, offering smallholder farmers both market stability and improved access to finance. This chapter examines the interplay between broad policy frameworks and targeted innovations in the agricultural sector, with a specific focus on the WRS. The introductory section provides an analytical overview of agricultural policy innovations in Tanzania, evaluating their impacts on productivity and smallholder livelihoods. The second section explores the WRS in detail, highlighting its mechanisms, contributions to market efficiency, and the challenges that hinder its full potential. The chapter integrates these perspectives and offers a comprehensive understanding of how policy frameworks and interventions shape the dynamics of agricultural development in Tanzania.
Governance structures in domestic value chain of nonindustrial timber in Njombe district, Tanzania.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2022) Martin, R.; Hansen, E.F.; Mhando, D.G.
Although governance structure of the value chain influences the incomes of chain actors, it has received limited attention in domestic value chains literature. To bridge the gap, this paper is set to analyse the governance structure of non-industrial timber in Njombe district in Tanzania. Non-industrial private forestry (NIPF) is the main livelihood activity among smallholders in Njombe district and a heart of district’s revenue. The research adopted an exploratory cross-sectional study design where purposive and snowball sampling was used to obtain respondents. Data were collected through observation, semistructured in-depth interviews with key informants and the respondents. Analysis was done using deductive thematic analysis. Study findings show that value chain actors of non-industrial timber use both vertical and horizontal governance structures. While smallholders earn more income when a combination of structures is used, modular governance gives more returns when one structure is used. Market uncertainty, incentive to spread risk, institutional environment, trust and financial capability of both the buyers and suppliers determine the governance patterns. In addition, findings show that even though a centralized or global governance structure is absent, informal quality standards are emerging and have far-reaching implication to the incomes of chain actors. The paper concludes that both vertical and horizontal governance structures play an important role of linking value chain actors to markets. Therefore, efforts to improve smallholders’ income should be geared toward improving both vertical and horizontal structures because they play a complementary role.
Can legislative reform reshape climate governance? evaluating Tanzania’s environmental management (amendment) act, 2025, as a legal foundation for carbon market regulation
(The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH), 2026-03-30) Temba, Ferdinand M.
The intensifying urgency of climate change demands that national legal systems move beyond discretionary policy frameworks toward enforceable regulatory architectures that integrate mitigation, adaptation, and market-based mechanisms. This article addresses a central question facing developing countries: how can domestic law effectively translate global climate governance norms into binding institutional and compliance structures? Using Tanzania as a critical case study following its recent legislative reforms, the article examines the extent to which the Environmental Management (Amendment) Act, 2025, establishes a legally grounded framework for climate governance and carbon market regulation. Employing a doctrinal and qualitative analytical methodology, the study systematically analyzes primary legal sources; including the amended Act, subsidiary regulations, and institutional mandates; situating these within broader global and regional climate governance frameworks under the Paris Agreement and African Union climate strategies. The analysis reveals that the 2025 amendments effectuate a fundamental normative transformation by embedding climate change within statutory definitions, creating the National Carbon Monitoring Centre as a dedicated oversight institution, mandating climate-sensitive environmental assessments, and establishing legally binding systems for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of greenhouse gas emissions. These reforms collectively construct an institutional architecture that aligns domestic law with the integrity and transparency requirements of Article 6 carbon markets. However, inferential analysis of the framework's practical implications suggests that the legal provisions alone are insufficient to guarantee effective implementation. The study identifies critical dependencies: institutional capacity constraints at sub-national levels, unresolved customary land tenure disputes that threaten carbon project viability, gaps in technical expertise for robust MRV systems, and the absence of clearly defined, legally enforceable benefit-sharing mechanisms. These factors collectively mediate the gap between legal formality and governance effectiveness. The article contributes empirically by providing a systematic analysis of a recent legislative reform within an underexplored African context, and theoretically by demonstrating how polycentric governance principles can be operationalized through domestic legal design. It concludes that while the 2025 Act provides a necessary and credible legal foundation, its transformative potential will be realized only through sustained institutional strengthening, targeted capacity-building, and complementary regulatory measures that address land rights and benefit distribution. The study recommends prioritizing investments in sub-national institutional capacity, finalizing regulations that reconcile customary and statutory land tenure for carbon projects, and embedding participatory governance mechanisms to ensure that carbon market participation delivers both environmental integrity and equitable socio-economic outcomes.
The legal framework of the commission of mediation and arbitration in the settlement of labour disputes in Tanzania
(Turf Law Journal, 2025) Temba, Ferdinand Marcel
This article examines the legal position of the Commission of Mediation and Arbitration (CMA) in resolving labour disputes in Tanzania. It examines labour disputes and the settle- ment of labour disputes under the CMA through mediation and arbitration, in accordance with the Employment and Labour Relations Act, Cap 366 RE 2019 (ELRA), and the Labour Institutions Act, Cap 300 RE 2019 (LIA). The analysis focuses on the legal and institutional framework of the CMA, the powers of meditators and arbitrators, and court decisions on the mandates of the CMA. The article examines procedures for referring disputes to the CMA for mediation and arbitration, including time limits for referring the dispute, condonation, con- ducting mediation and arbitration, determining jurisdictional issues in arbitration, main- taining records of arbitration proceedings, joinder and substitution of parties in arbitration, and arbitration awards, as well as how to challenge faulty awards. Combined mediation and arbitration (med–arb) and its legal framework also form part of the discussion. In settling labour disputes, the CMA faces challenges such as jurisdiction, the time it takes to resolve disputes, the appearance and non-appearance of parties at the CMA, the legal effects, and conflicting decisions and procedural inefficiencies that impede its performance. The article calls for amendments to the ELRA, the LIA, and the rules made thereunder and for the CMA to address challenges that inhibit the smooth settlement of labour disputes.
Governing epidemics as disasters through law: lessons from COVID-19 in assessing Tanzania’s public health and disaster management frameworks
(Journal of Policy and Leadership (JPL), 2026-03-24) Temba, Ferdinand M.
This article analyses how Tanzania's legal and institutional frameworks shaped the management of epidemics as disasters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on the Public Health Act, 2009, and the Disaster Management Act No. 6 of 2022, the study applies doctrinal legal analysis and risk- governance concepts to examine statutory mandates, policy instruments, and institutional practice. The findings show that the Public Health Act provided a clear legal basis for disease surveillance, quarantine, isolation, and control, while the Disaster Management Act established a multisectoral coordination framework. However, implementation gaps constrained their effectiveness. Despite the presence of supporting policy instruments, including the National Disaster Management Strategy (2022–2027) and the Tanzania Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, epidemic governance was weakened by the absence of a formal disaster declaration, reliance on non-binding standard operating procedures, uneven inter-institutional coordination, and persistent inequalities in access to public health services. Although the disaster framework mandates institutional coordination, mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction, and community-based disaster management, these mechanisms were only partially realised during the pandemic.Nevertheless, the legal framework enabled rapid public health interventions and supported elements of a multisectoral response during a complex and evolving emergency. The article argues that Tanzania's epidemic preparedness can be strengthened through closer harmonisation of statutes and policy instruments, codification of operational guidelines, clearer disaster activation thresholds, integration of digital monitoring systems, and the embedding of rights-based safeguards. Therefore, the study underscores the importance of legal preparedness in strengthening disaster risk governance and resilience to future epidemics.
Legal and policy dimensions of climate governance in Tanzania: implications for environmental protection and public health resilience
(The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH), 2025-11-25) Njau, Beatrice Valerian; Temba, Ferdinand Marcel
Climate change presents escalating threats to Tanzania’s ecosystems, socio-economic systems and public health, demanding a governance framework that effectively integrates environmental protection with health resilience. This article provides a wide-ranging doctrinal analysis of the legal and policy instruments shaping climate governance in Tanzania, drawing on the Environmental Management Act (EMA) 2004, the National Climate Change Response Strategy (2021–2026), the National Environmental Policy (2021) and relevant sectoral laws. The study examines how these domestic frameworks interact with global and regional commitments under the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, African Union climate strategies and East African Community policies. Findings reveal that while Tanzania has established a robust formal architecture for climate governance, significant gaps remain in implementation, enforcement, institutional coordination and resource allocation. Insufficient mainstreaming of public health concerns into climate adaptation and mitigation strategies further constrains the nation’s resilience, particularly for vulnerable populations such as smallholder farmers, women and residents of informal settlements. The article argues that enhancing climate governance requires clearer institutional mandates, strengthened judicial and regulatory capacity, improved climate finance utilization and systematic integration of public health considerations across all levels of planning. It concludes by proposing targeted legal and policy reforms to advance a more coherent, equitable and health-responsive climate governance regime capable of safeguarding environmental integrity and human well-being in a changing climate.
“Coffee is ours, but the future is uncertain”: youth aspirations, institutional trust, and livelihood decisions in Tanzania’s coffee heartland
(The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH), 2026-01-08) Mhandon David G.
This study examines how youth in Mbinga District, Tanzania, navigate their engagement with coffee farming amid shifting institutional, economic, and climatic conditions. Coffee serves as both a livelihood foundation and a marker of Matengo identity, yet generational participation is declining as youth increasingly perceive it as high-risk and low-reward. Drawing on six focus group discussions and four key informant interviews across four villages, and guided by Aspirations Theory and the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, we find that youth aspirations are institutionally mediated: while coffee is valued for its cultural and intergenerational significance, engagement is constrained by delayed payments, opaque cooperative governance, limited access to land and finance, and climate-related risks. These conditions narrow youth aspiration windows, prompting informal pre-harvest sales “magoma” and livelihood diversification. Youth express conditional optimism, noting that coffee could remain viable with improved institutional transparency, timely payments, gender-inclusive governance, and climate-resilient support. The study concludes that revitalizing youth engagement requires simultaneous structural and aspirational reforms—strengthening cooperative accountability, enhancing asset access, and integrating climate adaptation into livelihood strategies. These findings contribute to debates on intergenerational renewal, rural youth livelihoods, and institutional trust in African smallholder economies.
Hidden hands, hidden harvests: how intra-household secrecy drives cooperative leakage in Tanzania
(The sub-Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2025-12-30) Mhandon David G.
Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) are vital for integrating smallholders into global value chains, yet they persistently suffer from side-selling (leakage) that undermines their economic viability. Conventional governance models typically attribute leakage to external market prices or weak enforcement, overlooking the household as a critical site of economic contestation. This “institutional blind spot” ignores how domestic power asymmetries and liquidity constraints shape compliance. Drawing on intra-household bargaining and collective action theories, this study utilizes qualitative data from Focus Group Discussions, life histories, and Key Informant Interviews in Tanzania’s Muleba and Karagwe districts to open the “black box” of household decision-making. The analysis reveals that leakage is driven by “hidden hands”: men conceal cooperative income to preserve authority, while women covertly divert specific grades of coffee to informal buyers to secure immediate liquidity for household survival. This secrecy generates a “dual channel” market where high-quality coffee is delivered to AMCOS, while “rejects” and pre-harvest volumes flow into informal “butura” trade (pre-harvest selling). These behaviours are not merely acts of deviance but rational adaptations to a “moral economy of necessity,” where immediate cash needs override abstract cooperative rules. The study demonstrates that meso-level governance failures are rooted in micro-level domestic mistrust. To ensure sustainability, cooperative policy must shift from punitive enforcement to “household-centered governance,” incorporating gender-responsive auditing and liquidity-sensitive payment mechanisms that align institutional goals with the lived realities of members.
Bankable receipts or broken signals? cooperative credibility, service reliability and access to warehouse receipt system-backed credit among cashew smallholders in Tanzania
(Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, 2026-04-29) Mhandon David G.
Purpose – Access to agricultural credit remains a critical constraint for smallholder commercialization in developing economies. Thisstudy examines how cooperative credibility and service reliability influence access to Warehouse Receipt System (WRS)-backed credit among cashew smallholders in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed-methods design was employed using cross-sectional survey data from 200 cashew-producing households in Tandahimba District, Tanzania. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the factors associated with access to WRS-backed credit. Qualitative evidence from key informant interviews and focus group discussions was used to interpret institutional and behavioural mechanisms underlying the observed quantitative patterns. Findings – The results show that access to WRS-backed credit is positively associated with confidence in cooperative auditing, accurate documentation, and timely payment of produce. Perceived service risks reduce the likelihood of credit access. The findings suggest that, beyond the availability of financial products, the credibility of cooperative governance and the reliability ofservice delivery play a decisive role in shaping farmer participation on WRS-backed credit. Research limitations/implications – The study is based on cross-sectional data from one cashew-producing district, which limits causal inference and generalization to other commodity systems. Future research could extend the analysis using panel data and comparative studies across different warehouse receipt commodities. Social implications – Improved access to WRS-backed credit can enhance smallholder livelihoods by easing seasonal liquidity constraints, stabilising incomes, and reducing reliance on informal lenders. Strengthening cooperative credibility and service reliability promotes trust, transparency, and collective action within rural communities. Clearer documentation and timely payments can also improve inclusiveness by lowering barriers for less-resourced farmers, including women and youth. By supporting more equitable participation in agricultural markets, effective WRS implementation contributes to poverty reduction, resilience to price volatility, and broader rural development outcomes in smallholder-based economies. Originality/value – The study contributes to the agribusiness and agricultural finance literature by demonstrating how institutional credibility and operational service reliability jointly shape access to warehouse receipt–based credit in cooperative-mediated commodity systems in developing economies.

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