Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection

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Malawi’s decentralized agricultural extension delivery system: the approaches, services offered and linkage of actors
(AJOL, 2023) Mphepo, P. J.; Urassa, J. K.
Agricultural extension is central in the agricultural development process. Generally, Malawi has continuously been reforming her extension services in order to increase accessibility and uptake of technologies by farmers. The study on which the paper is based aimed at determining the strength of linkages of different actors in the Malawi’s decentralized extension system. The study adopted the cross-sectional research design whereby a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 150 randomly selected smallholder maize farmers in Mangochi district. Supplementary data were collected from 10 focus group discussions and 9 key informant interviews. IBM-SPPS was used to determine descriptive statistics. Social network analysis was used to determine the strength of linkages between actors in the agricultural sector. Findings show that the government, private sector and lead farmers are interconnected in the provision of agricultural extension services to smallholder farmers. It is concluded that the district has strong linkages of the three main actors in the provision of coordinated and uniform agricultural extension services to smallholder farmers. Therefore, there is need for the government and other agriculture sector stakeholders to build the capacity of the frontline extension staff on approaches that can help farmers practice what is taught using farmer field schools which are currently underutilized. In addition, all the extension service providers need to mobilize resources to strengthen Malawi’s district agricultural extension structures specifically, at the Traditional Authority and Group Village Headman levels for improved coordination and linkages.
Agricultural transformation and development in sub-saharan Africa: experiences and policy implications from the Asian green revolution
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2024) Kabote, S.J
This review paper employs population and structuralism theories to analyse agricultural transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa, taking a broader continental approach. It also draws lessons from the Asian green revolution of the 1960s. The review finds that the population in Sub-Saharan Africa is increasing, leading to a corresponding rise in food demand. However, agricultural transformation has been limited due to several challenges including low government spending on agricultural interventions and research; inadequate extension service delivery; poor land use governance; insufficient agro-processing and value addition; limited investment; and climate change. Moreover, the Asian Green Revolution demonstrates that even densely populated regions can achieve agricultural transformation through increased productivity. The review concludes that agricultural transformation cannot occur without increased agricultural productivity accompanying structural economic changes. It emphasizes that agricultural transformation and structural economic transformation must progress concurrently. The review offers policy recommendations, stressing the need for strong political will and governments’ commitment to drive agricultural transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa..
Influence of communication channels on sustained adoption of climate-smart agricultural technologies in the West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2023-12-26) Mzingula Emmanuel P.; Massawe Fatihiya A.; Salanga Raymond J.
Climate change has been reducing agricultural production, especially cereals, potatoes and vegetables in the West Usambara Mountains. One approach for farmers to increase crop productivity in the West Usambara Mountains is to adopt Climate-Smart Agricultural (CSA) technologies. From 2011 to 2019, the Climate Change Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) project employed different communication channels to promote CSA technologies such as terraces, tree planting, organic fertilizers, improved seeds and weather information services. Understanding the influence of communication channels on the sustained adoption of CSA technologies is essential to decision-makers and extension workers. This study assessed the influence of communication channels on the sustained adoption of CSA technologies. A cross-sectional research design was adopted whereby a sample of 124 households was chosen by using simple random sampling from 140 farming households which participated in the CCAFS project. Data were collected by using household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Analysis of quantitative data was conducted by using the Multivariate Probit Model through STATA software version 17 while thematic analysis was done for qualitative data. Results show that mobile phone contacts had a positive significant influence on the sustained adoption of tree planting and terraces. Farmers' meetings had a positive significant influence on the sustained adoption of weather information services, tree planting and terraces. Farmer-extensionist contacts had a positive significant influence on the sustained adoption of weather information services, improved seeds, organic fertilizers and terraces. Farmer-researcher contacts had a positive significant influence on the sustained adoption of improved seeds. Demonstration farms had a positive significant influence on the sustained adoption of weather information services. This study concludes that communication channels are information pathways useful in promoting the sustainable adoption of CSA technologies in the study area. This study recommends that agricultural stakeholders including policymakers and extension workers should incorporate communication channels when promoting post-project adoption of CSA technologies and designing future sustainable CSA interventions since they are important information pathways to farmers.
Gender and mechanization in small-scale irrigation schemes: analysis of agricultural machinery access by smallholder rice farmers in Mbarali District, Tanzania
(AJOL, 2023) Mwalyagile N.; Jeckoniah J. N.; Salanga R. J.
Given that women in Tanzania bear a disproportionate amount of the agricultural labour burden, it is anticipated that agricultural mechanization could help them substantially. However, the impact of agricultural mechanization is gendered, with women not receiving the same benefits as men, particularly in terms of access. Smallholder farmers use agricultural machinery inequitably. This paper explores the socio-economic factors linked to gender inequalities in agricultural machinery access for smallholder rice farmers. A cross-sectional research approach was used to collect data from 397 farmers randomly selected from small-scale irrigation schemes in Mbarali District. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found the most used agricultural machinery are power tillers and combine harvesters, with a larger proportion of male farmers using combine harvesters (84.1%) compared to 59.7% of women. From the binary logistic regression analysis, agricultural machinery access for male farmers is positively associated with education, membership in scheme associations, and farming experience. Female farmers’ access to agricultural machinery is significantly associated with land size cultivated, membership in the scheme association, and offfarm income activities (p<0.05). Male farmers had more access to agricultural machinery than female farmers. It is concluded that membership in a scheme association, education and training, off-farm income activities, and land area cultivated are potential determinants of agricultural machinery access. It is therefore recommended for enhancing land access, particularly for female farmers, and creating an enabling environment for gender equality in agricultural machinery access.
Association between factors affecting sustainability and sustainability of donor-funded projects: a case of MAPEC organization in Missenyi District, Tanzania
(JETIR, 2023) Tryphone Mugisha Josiah; Salanga Raymond John
Neglecting the factors affecting sustainability at design of donor funded projects has a perpetual influence on sustainability. It has been a challenge in most of donor funded projects in Tanzania. Similarly, in Missenyi District where it is the most beneficial recipients of donor-funded projects in Kagera region, but there were contentions that donor funded projects received with good intention ended up being unsustainable. Therefore, the study intended to determine the association between factors affecting sustainability and the extent of sustainability of Pamoja Tuwalee Project. A cross-sectional research design was employed, and a questionnaire was administered to 120 respondents to collect data. The Descriptive Statistics and Content analyses were used to analyse the data. The results show that none of the four factors that affecting sustainability was significantly associated with sustainability of Pamoja Tuwalee Project because the overall extent of sustainability was low (41.9%) below 50%. Moreover, the strength of association between the four factors and extent of sustainability was moderate (Phi = 0.11 to 0.30 (Healey, 2013). Community involvement is the factor that was most associated with sustainability (= 2.363) with a moderate strength of association (Phi = 0.141). It was followed by household diversification (= 2.260; Phi = 0.137), and training project beneficiaries (= 2.119; Phi = 0.133). Meanwhile, Involvement of project beneficiaries in decision making was poorly associated with sustainability. It was the factor with the lowest strength of association unlike the other three factors (= 1.890) with a moderate strength of association (Phi = 0.112). It concludes that none of the four factors was significantly associated because of the low overall extent of sustainability of Pamoja Tuwalee Project. Therefore, it is recommended that all stakeholders should critically consider factors affecting sustainability at project design through implementation to sustain significance association and strong strength association between factors affecting sustainability and project sustainability.
Associating the RIPAT approach with ecological agriculture, food security and poverty reduction: a case of RIPAT-SUA Project, Morogoro, Tanzania
(MKUKI NA NYOTA, 2023) Ringo Dominick E.; Malisa Emmanuel T.; Kayunze Kim A.; Salanga Raymond J.
Literature shows that conventional farming has failed to support farmers to meet food security and the agro-chemicals that are used are beneficial for crop yield in terms of quantity, but they contaminate crop products, soils, and water bodies. Ecological farming seeks to improve food crop yields for balanced nutrition, strengthen fair markets for their produce, enhance healthy ecosystems, and build on ancestral knowledge and customs of farming. Projects applying the RIPAT approach promote agricultural technologies with the aim of increasing food and nutrition security and ultimately reduce poverty. Whether the technologies introduced through the RIPAT approach portray the principles of agro- ecology is an area of inquiry dealt with in this chapter, using RIPAT-SUA project as a case study. Primary data were collected through a survey using a questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and participatory rural appraisal. Household food insecurity access scale was used to determine food security. Results showed that elements of agro- ecology supported by the RIPAT-SUA project’s basket of technology options include diversity (new crops), efficiency (intercropping cereals with legumes), recycling (incorporation of crop residues in the soil), human and social values (banana vs the environment), synergies (livestock and crop production, intercropping cereals with legumes), culture and food traditions (orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, iron-rich beans and dairy goats), and circular and solidarity economy (high value crops which attract buyers and consumers). Furthermore, through the RIPAT-SUA project, food and nutrition security and income have also improved. Therefore, projects applying the RIPAT approach adhere to agro-ecology, and through supporting farmers to grow well-sorted varieties of crops and livestock and applying technologies from the basket of options generated from a situation analysis, it is possible to improve food and nutrition security, and income, and ultimately reduce poverty. It is recommended that the use of the RIPAT approach should be applied in any agricultural interventions among small scale farmers and agricultural projects should be designed with a lens of food and nutrition security by implementing a wide range of relevant technologies associated with crops and livestock produced under agro- ecology principles.
Influence of perceived climate change-related factors on sustained adoption of climate-smart agricultural technologies in the West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania
(The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH), 2023-08-26) Mzingula Emmanuel P.; Massawe Fatihiya A.; Salanga Raymond J.
In the West Usambara Mountains Tanzania, crop production is highly challenged by climate change and variability due to farmers’ dependence on rainfall and the use of poor technologies. Between 2011 and 2019, the Climate Change Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) was implemented to promote the adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural (CSA) technologies in the West Usambara Mountains. Understanding farmers’ perceptions of climate change can enhance participation and adoption of sustainability of CSA technologies when the project is phased out. This study assessed the influence of perceived climate change-related factors on the sustained adoption of CSA technologies at the end of the CCAFs project. A cross-sectional research design was conducted by involving 124 households selected by simple random sampling from 140 farming households which received CSA interventions. Primary data were collected through household questionnaire survey, key informant interviews and focus group discussions while secondary data was obtained from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority. Data analysis employed STATA software version 17 to run the Multivariate Probit Regression model for quantitative data while content analysis was employed for qualitative data. Results show that a perceived increase in pests and diseases had a positive significant influence on the sustained adoption of tree planting and weather information. Increased floods had a positive significant influence on the sustained adoption of terraces and tree planting. Unpredictable rainfall had a positive significant influence on the sustained adoption of organic fertilizers and weather information. Increased droughts had a positive significant influence on the sustained adoption of organic fertilizers and improved seeds. The increased temperature had a positive significant influence on the sustained adoption of weather information. It is concluded that farmers’ perceptions of climate change are important to enhance the sustainable adoption of CSA technologies. It is recommended that policymakers and other stakeholders incorporate farmers’ perceptions of climate change when reviewing post-project interventions and designing new projects to enhance participation, sustainability of adoption of CSA technologies and improve crop productivity.
Determinants of farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies against climate variability and change: Lessons from central Tanzania in Manyoni district
(Elsevier, 2024-03-27) Kabote, Samwel J.; Mbwambo, Edward P.; Kazuzuru, Benedicto B.
Farmers’ adaptation strategies against climate variability and change impact are fundamental in abating the effects in this epoch. Previous studies have confirmed the presence of context-specific farmers’ adaptation strategies in Tanzania. However, it is not clear what factors influence farmers to select specific adaptation strategies. This study contributes to filling this knowledge gap. We used the cross-sectional research design in a survey of a random sample of 330 small-scale farmers. The multivariate probit was used to model the factors determining the choice of adaptation strategies. Farmers adapted a number of strategies, nonetheless, there were four key adaptation strategies: drought-resistant varieties, use of early maturing varieties, resistant livestock breeds, and conservation agriculture. Farmers used more than one strategy, and the choice was determined by multiple factors that showed a statistically significant impact at 5 %. We categorize the factors into four groups: (i) individual farmer and or household characteristics covering age, farming experience of the household head; household size; and household wealth, especially livestock ownership (ii) farm characteristics like location of the farm and farm size (iii) institutional factors that include access to extension services, technology, and provision of title deeds for land ownership to the farmers; and (iv) knowledge of manifestation of CV & C like shifting of rain seasons, and awareness of using meteorological information in decision making. These factors should be considered in policy development to heighten the effectiveness of the adaptation strategies in cushioning climate variability and change impact in the study area and central Tanzania at large.
The implication of water accessibility challenges to urban water governance in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania
(Elsevier, 2024-03-13) Kabote, Samwel J.
This study investigates water accessibility challenges in urban and peri-urban areas and its implication to urban water governance in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania. A cross-sectional research design was adopted using a survey of 90 randomly selected households. The key informant interview was used to collect key information. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The Mann-Whitney U Test was employed to establish the extent to which factors affected water accessibility differently in urban and peri-urban areas. Content analysis was used to analyse qualitative information. Approximately 69% of the respondents accessed water from public piped water system. Some accessed water from public water taps while others used private boreholes and tank carts. Water supply, more so in peri-urban areas, was not reliable. In addition, water leakage, cost of connecting to the public piped water system, cost for constructing a borehole, climatic and environmental factors piled up into challenges of water accessibility suggesting poor urban water governance. The Mann-Whitney U Test showed that households in peri-urban areas were significantly affected by the challenges compared to households in urban areas at 5% level of significance where p = 0.000. The study concludes presence of challenges in water access due to multiple factors with implications on urban water governance. Therefore, urban water governance should be improved to heighten water accessibility. Further studies should focus on developing an urban water governance framework in Tanzania.
Public-private partnerships in agricultural extension services delivery in Tanzania: prospects, challenges, and the Way forward
(MKUKI NA NYOTA, 2023) Muhanga Mikidadi I.
The extension services delivery in Tanzania is dominated by the public sector. Despite the efforts observed on the provision of extension services, there is notable unsatisfactory performance of the agricultural sector which is attributed to numerous factors including weak agricultural services delivery system which among others includes agricultural extension services provision. The agricultural extension services are reported, inter alia, not being provided in the right amounts and time. Obviously, for the agricultural extension system to be effective there is a need for substantial investment in research and extension to facilitate extension officers working closely with the farmers to work efficiently. Inadequacy in both financial and human resources in the public sector has made it difficult to realize effective extension services delivery. The private sector’s involvement in the agricultural extension services (AES) delivery has recently been considered to have the potential to offset challenges related to the agricultural extension services provision. This chapter discusses public-private partnerships in provision of extension services in the agricultural sector in Tanzania. A global overview of agricultural extension services delivery and public-private partnership in terms of theories and best practices is an entry point to the chapter. The chapter further presents the emerging efforts and best practices from the private sector in Tanzania concerning agricultural extension services delivery. A thorough debate is presented reflecting the potential of the private sector to contribute to addressing challenges related to delivering extension services in the agricultural sector. The recommendations have been provided towards effective agricultural extension services delivery through a public-private partnership. An exemplary public-private partnership initiative named Rural Initiatives for Participatory Agricultural Transformation (RIPAT) approach has been captured and analyzed in this chapter. This is an extension/ rural development approach which has been developed in Tanzania and is being implemented by public and private sectors to reinforce agricultural extension services. Public–Private Partnership (PPP) has been found having potential towards effective agricultural extension services delivery as it has been observed that PPP can address some of the challenges on agricultural extension services (AES) delivery. It is recommended that PPP in AES should be enhanced to capture this opportunity.
Water level fluctuation effect on fish reproduction success
(Hindawi, 2024) Mangi Halima Omari
Alteration of water levels of the lake/reservoir due to changes in river discharges, upstream abstraction, and drawdown regulation due to hydropower generation has been reported as among the major challenges to fish physiology and ultimately reproduction. Variations in lake/reservoir water levels influence biodiversity and the abundance of lake/reservoir biota. Variations have the greatest impacts in the littoral zones hence, interfering with fish spawning, incubation, and hatching of eggs, as well as the development of larvae, postlarvae, and juveniles. This particular paper reviews the literature available on the effect of the reservoirs/lakes’ water level fluctuations on fish reproduction success using the documentary view method. The literature argues that water level fluctuations have both positive and negative impacts depending on frequency, magnitude, and duration and the species exposed. Extreme fluctuations tend to bring more adverse impacts. It further indicates that extreme and untimely water level fluctuation has direct impacts on the aquatic habitats and ultimately impacts fish assemblage and their populations. Few articles indicate the range of decrease or increase of water level, duration of such events, and effects they have on reservoir/lake ecosystem functions and fish physiology. Nevertheless, quantification of moderate and extreme water level fluctuation and associated effects is lacking. Although water level fluctuation is an important environmental cue for aquatic organisms, literature shows that the reduction of extreme water level variations especially multiannual variations is vital for fish reproduction. Therefore, upstream water use and reservoir operations should take into consideration the effects of water level fluctuations on reservoir structure, biological functions, and ultimate effects on fish reproduction.
Influence of health information systems on services delivery in public and private health facilities: a systematic literature review
(ResearchGate, 2021-07-10) Muhanga Mikidadi I.; Haule Christiana D.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are thought to have a significant influence on the delivery of health services through health information systems (HIS) use. The literature with relation to the influence of health information system on health services delivery is reviewed in this paper. The study specifically examines theoretical aspects of the concept of HIS and its benefits, the impact of HIS on service delivery, obstacles to effective use and the effect of underutilization of these systems. Using the documentary review approach, various search engines and databases were employed to search for information in peer-reviewed publications and conference papers. The search query involved keywords such as ‘information systems’, ‘health sector’, ‘health information systems’, ‘health services’, ‘services delivery’, ‘influence of health information system on health services delivery and ‘quality health services’. The review focused on material published in -English language. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been found to have a significant influence on the delivery of health services through health information systems (HIS) use. Health Information System (HIS) remains important in the health sector to ensure cost-effective and reliable delivery of health services. The availability and effective use of HIS provide the means at which health services can effectively and efficiently delivered in health facilities.
Pre and post economic reforms in the governance of mineral resources: a review of mining policies and laws since independence in Tanzania
(ResearchGate, 2022-05-23) Muhanga Mikidadi
For any country to substantially benefit from its natural resources, minerals inclusive, efforts should be directed on how decisions in connection to such resources are made or not; also, how such decisions are implemented or not. Tanzania is fourth in Africa in terms of natural resource endowment. Incognizant of that, various laws and policies were enacted since independence in 1961 to govern the sector. This article analyses the mining industry in Tanzania during the sixty years of independence. It specifically discusses the mining policies and legislations in Tanzania before and in the context of Tanzania’s reforms economy. The article further analyses the pre- and post-economic reforms environment and its impacts on the governance of mineral resources. A documentary research method was employed to collect information related to mining activities, policies and legislations from 1961. The search strategy included a review of published and grey literature from research reports and other secondary evidence. The search query involved keywords such as ‘mineral sector reforms’, ‘mining sector’, ‘reforms in the governance of mineral resources in Tanzania’, ‘Tanzania’s mining policies’, ‘mining legislation in Tanzania’, ‘mining laws in Tanzania’ and ‘pre and post-economic reforms’. The review has identified various issues established by the legislations, regulations and policies employed in the mining industry since 1961. The legislation and policies enacted have impacted the governance of the sector. It has been observed that the government of Tanzania has been putting a lot of efforts to enable the public to benefit from the resource by establishing policies and laws. Despite establishing these governance structures and aspects the country needs extra initiatives for the public to further and significantly benefit from the sector. The sad thing is that Tanzania though endowed with natural resources remains on the list of poor countries sixty years after independence.
Towards partnership and multi-sector engagement for health related responses in tanzania: where does one health approach stand?
(ResearchGate, 2021) Muhanga Mikidadi I.; Saleh Farida
Partnership and multisector engagement involving professionals from humans, animals, and environmental health and knowledge on the associated consequences from the interactions of humans, animals and environment on health is vital towards attainment of optimal health. This is due to the fact that health-related challenges that require One Health approach (OHA) to manage, have grown in frequency, dynamics and manifestation to the extent of requiring strengthened efforts to address emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases. The need for multi-disciplinary approaches to effectively manage these risks requires stronger partnerships at the community level and government engagement. Having realised this, the Government of Tanzania formulated One Health Strategic Plan (2015–2020), with an intention of enhancing knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) under OHA. Little is empirically known on how effective this plan has been towards facilitating partnership and multi-sector engagement (P&MSE) for outbreak responses. Data were collected in Morogoro region using a questionnaire from 1440 respondents recruited through multistage sampling procedure, 80 Focus Group Discussion participants and 16 key informant interviewees. IBM-SPSS v.20 analyzed quantitative data while qualitative data were organized into themes on specific objectives. Results revealed that only 3.8% (CI:95%, 2.8 to 4.8) identified P&MSE in the study area, 30% (22.9 to 35.8) of the respondents indicated that the reported PMSEs to be effective in outbreak responses. The study further revealed that 32.3% (95% CI:30.3 to 35.3) had adequate OH knowledge. Only 5% (95% CI:4.0 to 6.1) were aware of OHA related practices and 2.5% (CI 95%, CI:1.7 to 3.4) correctly described OHA. Despite the efforts in the OH Strategic Plan to promote OHA, little has been observed on P&MSE for outbreak responses. Though both low awareness and insignificant PMSE have been observed, 39.2% confirmed the relevance of OHA towards PMSE. Schools, hospitals and non-governmental organizations were identified to facilitate P&MSE for outbreak responses. This indicates that efforts established through the plan have not significantly reflected at the community level. This study recommends strengthening efforts towards the execution of OH Strategic Plan focusing on creation of effective P&MSE for outbreak responses.
Financial and non- financial incentives best practices in work organisations: a critical review of literature
(ResearchGate, 2021-11) Manjenje M.; Muhanga M.
Motivation has effects on employee performance in numerous ways. Cognizant of this, companies have established various incentives/motivational packages to enhance employees’ morale and hence improve performance. Obviously, workers are motivated by both financial and non-financial rewards. The literature on employee motivation focusing on financial and non-financial incentives is reviewed in this article. The intention is to identify the best practices in connection with these incentives. Using a documentary analysis research process, information was collected from peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and conference proceedings, employing various search engines. Keywords including "motivation," "incentive," "financial rewards," “motivation,” “incentive,” “reward” “financial incentives,” and "non-financial incentives" were used during the search. Publications in English language were the only ones reviewed. The articles which met those criteria were selected and underwent the quality assessment and data extraction. The search identified 1497 publications, abstract screening was done from 1091 qualified publications, and 440 full-texts were screened for eligibility. Only 85 articles reflected the theme of this review. Both financial and non-financial incentives have been found to be crucial in this review, despite the fact that most of people are working hard to retain their economic and social status. Numerous types of financial and non-financial incentives were identified through the review. Managers must ensure that their workers operate in friendly and attractive conditions, according to the findings. This study suggests that managers and other interested parties use the findings as a starting point for identifying and understanding factors motivating workers in their organisations in order to create an atmosphere that supports, promotes, and fosters such factors. It is recommended that the best ways to inspire employees are to build a supportive and exciting working atmosphere, effective communications and strong association, morale-boosting events and commitment to off-the-job life.
Evidence-based evaluation of RIPAT approach towards execution of national development programmes and plans: a case of RIPAT-SUA Project in Morogoro, Tanzania
(AJOL, SUA, 2023) Muhanga Mikidadi; Malisa Emmanuel T.; Ringo Dominick E.
Successful implementation of a project, among others, relies on the approach employed towards the execution of such a project. Non-adherence to national programmes, and local specific economic and social aspects in connection to a project has been reported among the factors leading to the failure of innumerable projects, agriculture-related projects inclusive. Cognizant of that, the Rural Initiatives for Participatory Agricultural Transformation (RIPAT) approach was initiated as one of the extension approaches for reinforcing agricultural extension services in Tanzania. While this approach has been considered to be useful, there is a lack of adequate basis for evidence-based advocacy of the approach. It is against this background that this article documents an evaluation of the RIPAT approach to justify its validity as an extension approach which unleashes national development plans while addressing local specific economic and social aspects in connection to a project. Field visits involving a team of 20 staff from SUA and RECODA were conducted in Morogoro Municipal Council and Mvomero District in Morogoro Region with the intention of further testing and validating the RIPAT approach to generate a sound basis for evidence-based advocacy of the approach. Participatory approaches enabled the participants to observe, discuss and learn from existing RIPAT projects and stakeholders (including project beneficiaries, lead farmers and extension officers). Household surveys, field visits, brainstorming, group discussions, key informant interviews with RIPAT project staff and beneficiaries, presentations and plenary discussions were employed to generate information to test and validate the RIPAT approach. It was found that RIPAT projects, from their design, consider national programmes and specific economic and social aspects of the community where a particular project is implemented. An evaluation of the RIPAT-SUA project showed that the project contributed to improvement in households’ food security, nutrition and income. These findings demonstrate a clear alignment and contribution to the attainment of the Agricultural Sector Development Programme (ASDP) and accordingly the Tanzania Development Vision (TDV) 2025. It was further observed from the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis that projects employing the RIPAT approach have higher chances of sustainability and that the benefits accruing from or promised by the RIPAT approach outweigh the weaknesses and threats. It is concluded that the RIPAT approach has the potential to unleash national programmes/plans and guarantee project success, given the presence of other factors. Up-scaling of the RIPAT approach and incorporation of the same in the government extension system is crucial.
Determinants of digital literacy among smallholder farmers: a case of Hai and Moshi Districts, Kilimanjaro- Tanzania
(ResearchGate, 2022) Mohamed Hashim; Urassa Justin; Muhanga Mikidadi; Hassani, M. S
Access to agricultural extension services, social media, and training on ICTs in developing countries stand a good chance of impacting significantly small-scale farmers' livelihoods and therefore, the digital literacy level of smallholder farmers is highly influential. The extent to which an opportunity for farmers to use information communication technologies (ICT) to access agricultural information for the transformation of their subsistence farming has been tapped by smallholder farmers requires empirical investigation. Therefore, the current study determined smallholder farmers’ digital literacy and the factors associated with the same. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design whereby data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 200 purposefully selected smallholder farmers through a multistage sampling procedure. In addition, four focus group discussions and five key informant interviews were used to collect complementary data. An index score and Likert scale gauged digital literacy. Data were analysed by using IBM- SPSS (Version 20) while STATA software was used for binary logistic regression analysis to determine factors associated with smallholder farmers’ digital literacy. Study findings show that 74.5% (95% CI: 0.68 to 0.81), 0% (95% CI: 0 to 0) and 25.5% (95% CI: 0.19 to 0.32) of the farmers fall under the category of low, moderate and high digital literacy levels respectively. Study findings show further that one’s sex (p=0.068), training on ICTs (p=0.013), access to social media (p=0.001), extension services (p=0.006), and support from NGOs (p=0.000) were significantly associated with farmers’ digital literacy. It is concluded the smallholder farmers had a low level of digital literacy due to a lack of training and skills to make good use of ICT. Therefore, it is recommended that the agricultural and ICT departments in Hai and Moshi Districts and other interested stakeholders should collaborate and conduct awareness campaigns and training in rural areas to enhance digital literacy among smallholder farmers to enable farmers to use ICT and transform their agricultural production.
Determinants of primary school teachers’ health literacy in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania: a reflection on access to health information
(WILEY Online Library, HINDAWI, 2023) Mshingo David M.; Muhanga Mikidadi I.; Salanga Raymond J.; Ngowi Edwin E.
Background. Teachers have the potential of promoting health knowledge and consequently health-literacy (HL) enhancement. Cognizant of this, interventions geared toward influencing and strengthening school teachers’ HL have remained important. However, for such interventions to be effective, understanding what determines teachers’ HL is inevitable. Purpose. This article analyses the determinants of primary school teachers’ HL by analyzing what prompts their health information-seeking patterns. Methods. A cross-sectional research involving 189 randomly sampled primary school teachers was conducted in 2021 in Morogoro Municipality whereby data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey and analyzed using IBM-SPSS. A score index gauged HL while frequencies and percentages measured other variables. Results. All teachers had high HL with a mean HL (standard deviation) of 8.10062. Only 43.4% searched for HI, 20.1% of those who searched for HI were influenced by healthrelated problems encountered, 12.2% searched for HI to broaden their knowledge on health-related issues, and 7.4% were prompted by health risks around. Also, 3.7% of the teachers acceded that health-seeking information is influenced by an interest in searching HI for self-health management. About 36.0%, 32.3%, and 31.7% of the teachers agree that the provision of health education, interest to read issues related to HL, and addressing issues related to HL influence teachers’ HL. Conclusion. Teachers have been searching for HI due to different concerns, though there is a need to further enhance such efforts. Recommendation. The government, communities, and development partners should enhance HI seeking to promote teachers’ HL for a healthier society.
Resilience and sustainability of tobacco co-operatives in Southern Africa: an eye into contract farming in Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Malawi
(ResearchGate, 2021-09) Muhanga Mikidadi; Katundu Mangasini
Farmers in Africa, in their quest to walk away from poverty, have been observed to work jointly through agricultural and marketing co-operatives societies (AMCOS). Despite these efforts, the situation on the ground is not that rosy. Innumerable factors have been reported to haunt, weaken and fail co-operative movements in Africa, tobacco co-operatives inclusive. The states have of recently been less involving themselves if not disengaging from providing inputs, credit, extension services, and price supports for several reasons. This seems to have left a room to fill, where private firms have been considered to have the potential to take up similar roles, and in a more efficient manner. In such mishaps, be it climate- related, economic or political, and social, understanding the way (how) people and institutions could become much more resilient becomes vital towards the promotion of well-being. Resilience building supports people and institutions in dealing with changes and adapting to some new circumstances hence achieving sustainability. Contract farming (CF) is an approach that has the potential whereby the private sector has been expected to create win-win arrangements with smallholder farmers. Tobacco farmers have been observed to be involved in CF arrangement through AMCOS which is expected to lead to resilience and sustainability. While it has been anticipated that contract farming carries the potential which can substitute the state in the wake of the agrarian sector reforms, very little empirical evidence exists on how resilient and sustainable the Tobacco Co-operatives in Southern Africa are in the face of CF. It is against this background that this article analyses the resilience and sustainability of Tobacco Co-operatives in the tobacco sub-sector in Tanzania, Malawi, and Zimbabwe using A documentary research method (documentary analysis). In this article, resilience has been analysed based on networks, innovation, and the role of the state.
“One health approach” towards effective health services delivery in sixty years of independent Tanzania
(PanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development (PJGD), 2023-11) Muhanga Mikidadi; Ngowi Edwin Estomii
The year different phases of development and attempted innumerable interventions, including a series of "development alternatives" to fight poverty, hunger, and infectious diseases. These efforts towards effective health services provision treated humans, animals, and environmental health separately. Due to the increase in human, livestock, wildlife, and environment interactions, the efforts did not result in the anticipated health outcomes. This prompted the government to search for an alternative approach. Cognizant of this, the government introduced the "One Health Approach (OHA)", which recognizes health as one, without a dividing line between humans, animals, and environmental health. This paper, therefore, analyzes (i) the debates for advancing effective health services delivery sixty years after independence; (ii) an emerging approach for interdisciplinary collaboration for human, animal, and environmental health, which is considered to have the potential for effective delivery of health services; and, (iii) the relevance of the OHA towards minimizing the undesirable impacts of human, livestock, and wildlife interactions on health. A documentary analysis (documentary research method) was employed to gather the information for the study. OHA is at its infancy stage, though this initiative signifies an essential landmark towards dealing with health-related challenges reflected at the convergence of humans, animals, and the environment. The milestone is outstanding as it leads to building fundamental capacities concerning public health, particularly regarding preparedness and response as per International Health Regulations. The OHA underscores the need for collaborative working efforts involving human, livestock, wildlife, and environmental health professionals for optimal human, animal, and environmental health attainment. There is a need to upscale the OHA and further understand the consequences of the interactions for optimum human, animal, and environmental health. Therefore, it conveys the idea that it is necessary to expand and enhance the OHA and the importance of comprehending the implications of the interactions for the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment.

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