Welcome to SUAIRE

Sokoine University of Agriculture  Institutional Repository (SUA IR). This repository was built and is maintained by the university library  (Sokoine National Agricultural Library-SNAL) , in order to collect, preserve and disseminate scholarly output generated by University research community (staff and students) members.

This repository hosts a variety of openly accessible materials including: scholarly articles and books, theses and dissertations, conference proceedings and technical reports. For assistance about depositing your research output in the repository click here. SUA IR Policy  click here or any queries contact us at snal@sua.ac.tz.

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Recent Submissions

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Factors contributing to the witchcraft related killings in Bariadi district, Shinyanga
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2010) Rumbeli,Beatrice Sospeter
Witch killings have been a problem facing the world especially African countries. In particular, African witches are widely thought to use their accult powers to inflict harm on other community members. In Tanzania, 3.693 people were killed for witchcraft related accusations. There are many efforts made by the Government, NGOs, training programmes, radio programmes to stop the witch killings. These include: TAMWA, Amnesty International, radio programmes like Radio Faraja (Shinyanga) and Radio Sauti (Mwanza). Together with all the efforts made to address the witchcraft killings, the problem is still rapidly increasing throughout the country and Bariadi district in particular. Overall objective of this study was to investigate factors contributing to the killings of old women. Study adopted a cross sectional design by using open and closed ended questionnaires administered to a sample of 30 villages as sampling unit. Stratified sampling technique was used whereby 30 villages were divided into two strata based on remoteness and township criterion. Stratification resulted into 15 villages selected from remote areas and 15 from town centres. Interviews with key informants and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were used. Analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). A Probit regression model was run using STATA software. Findings revealed that, witchcraft related killings in Bariadi is negatively contributed by infant mortality rate, under five mortality rate, religion affiliation and natural calamity as hypothesized earlier. Witch killings were positively contributed by education status of the village, health services provision, poverty level of the village and scramble for resources. This suggests that in order to eliminate this situation, education to community should be provided, to improve economic well being of the people. Organizations which advocate anti-witchcraft killings should empower the community in dealing with the problem. Traditional songs could help to speed up the education to community.
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Viability and genetic integrity of African eggplant (Solanum spp.)seeds during natural ageing under cold dry storage
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2024) Jonas Nickas; Sognigbé N'Danikou; Abdul J. Shango; Newton Kilasi
Seed deterioration occurs gradually during long-term seed storage. Viability, vigour, and genetic integrity of African eggplant seeds were assessed under natural ageing during genebank storage. The percentage of tail DNA before and after seed imbibition was used to account for genotoxicity and DNA repair during cold dry storage at 10 °C using the comet assay. After 2, 5, and 12 years of storage in the genebank, a reduction of seed viability was observed in all studied African eggplant genotypes. However, seed viability was more significantly reduced in seed lots that had been stored for a longer period in the genebank (p < 0.05). Overall, higher viability loss was recorded in seeds regenerated 12 years before (p < 0.05). The molecular analysis by comet assay showed significant DNA damage during natural aging under genebank conditions, accompanied by important loss of viability and germination energy in older seeds translated into low DNA repair after seed imbibition. The seed lots which had better initial quality were able to maintain higher viability during genebank storage. The findings inform on the storage behaviour of African eggplant genotypes and are relevant for the proper handling of seed lots in genebanks. They are also relevant for future studies on seed longevity prediction in African eggplant.
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Farmers' knowledge and traditional processing practices of pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan) in Rural Areas in Lindi Region Tanzania: a quantitative and qualitative mixed study
(AJOL, 2024) Tiisekwa, A.B.; Chove, B.E.; Mongi, R.; Raybak, C.; Stuetz, W.
Pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan) are an important protein source in many parts of tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. However, their quality and availability may be affected by post-harvest handling and processing practices in use. In the present study, knowledge and practices of pigeon pea growers (PPG) in Lindi Region were evaluated with respect to harvesting, storage, processing and cooking preparation. A sample of 597 randomly selected PPG from two villages, were interviewed and 60 farmers participated in focus group discussions. Majority PPG (83.6%) harvested pigeon peas (PPs) by cutting and putting them in polyethylene sacks while 86.6% had knowledge on only one storage method. Also, majority of PPG (77%) lacked any processing knowledge on mentioned methods such as hulling and solar drying. Results also indicated 75.7% of PPG having no knowledge on cooking preparation methods out of which 94.5% had no knowledge on soaking, 89.6% on use of bicarbonate and 89.9% on methods to increase shelf life of PPs. Overall, 49.4% had little/limited knowledge on harvesting, storage, processing, and cooking preparation practices, with no significant gender difference. All PPG prepared stew using green or dry PPs. A sizeable proportion (45%) of PPG used dry PPs for stew preparation, after traditional hulling. The threshing of peas from pods was carried out manually. Traditional methods in the Lindi Region are laborious and time-consuming; resulting in poorly prepared products thus affecting the appearance of processed PPs. Training farmers on proper postharvest handling and processing can improve food security and market appeal.
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Organophosphorus pesticide residues in tomatoes: a case of Mlali and Doma Wards in Mvomero District, Morogoro
(AJOL, 2024) Wenaty, A.; Mkojera, B.
Extensive pesticide use poses a significant challenge to Tanzania's horticulture industry, particularly affecting the leading tomato producer, the Morogoro region. This study focused on assessing organophosphorus pesticide residues in tomatoes from Mlali and Doma divisions in the Mvomero district of Morogoro. A total of 40 samples were collected from both farms and markets for analysis, utilizing Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for extract analysis. Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) Version 9.1 was employed for data analysis. The study identified six organophosphorus pesticides, with concentrations in the following order: pirimiphos methyl > diazinon > fenitrothion > dimethoate > profenofos > chlorpyrifos. Pirimiphos methyl levels ranged from 3.32±0.03 to 9.53±0.05 μg/kg in Mlali samples and 0.20±0.01 to 6.33±0.03 μg/kg in Doma samples. Chlorpyrifos was detected in the lowest concentrations across all samples. Interestingly, higher pesticide levels were found in market samples compared to those from farms, suggesting potential misuse post-harvest and during distribution. This misuse could have severe consequences for tomato consumers, including both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. The study underscores the importance of educating farmers on the proper use of pesticides and the potential adverse effects resulting from their misuse. Addressing this issue is crucial for ensuring the safety of tomatoes in the market and protecting consumers from harmful effects associated with pesticide residues.
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Tomato post-harvest losses as influenced by improper handling facilities in Morogoro, Tanzania
(AJOL, 2023) Mwankemwa, L.S.; Silayo ,V.C.; Lazaro, E.L; Mrema G.C.
The losses on perishables have been a challenge for so long in developing countries, the current status is critical and its control for small-scale farmers and retailers has not been adequately addressed. The aim of this study was to generate information on tomato handling practices and losses for small-scale farmers and retailers in six selected areas in Morogoro region, Tanzania. A need assessment survey was conducted to help gather information on tomato postharvest handling and practices for the purpose of preparing possible mitigation actions. Sixty respondents with at least 3 years of farming or retailing tomatoes were purposively selected through the help of the extension officer and market leaders to represent part of the tomatoes’ handling chain. The SPSS version 16 statistics software was used for data analysis using descriptive statistics. The findings obtained showed that farmers were not using any storage facilities for tomatoes while retailers used inferior handling facilities and some did not use any storage facilities ultimately losing most of their tomatoes. This study found that tomato post-harvest losses (PHLs) were 29.7% at the farmers’ level and 18.4% at the small-scale retailers’ level during handling and marketing. Besides 60-80% of the farmers and 30-80% of retailers were unaware of the existence of Evaporative cooling structures (ECSs) to avert tomato PHLs. However, 60-80% of all respondents indicated the desire to have ECSs used to improve their tomato business. This prompted the need to have ECSs introduced in order to extend the shelf life of tomatoes while maintaining their quality and hence reducing PHLs.