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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
Physical-chemical properties, storage stability and sensory evaluation of pumpkin seed oil
(2006) Lyimo, M. E.; Shayo, N. B.; Kasanga, A.
Physico-chemical properties, storage stability and sensory evaluation
of pumpkin seed oil was carried out and compared with other vegetable oils
commonly used in Tanzania in order to evaluate its potential as an edible oil
with the aim of promoting its utilization in rural areas. Pumpkin seeds were
collected from different farmers in three villages in Morogoro Region, Tanzania.
The proximate composition of the seeds was determined using standard
methods. Storage stability of the oil was evaluated by monitoring the physicalchemical
properties of the oil for 15 weeks following the standard procedures.
Acceptability of the oil was determined using a 5 point hedonic scale. Pumpkin
seeds contained 34.7%, 15.9%, 3.85% and 44% protein, fat, fibre and
carbohydrates, respectively. The specific gravity of the pumpkin seed oil was
0.92; peroxide value 4.6 meq/kg; iodine value 108.4; saponification value 173.0
and acid value of 0.5 mg KOH/g. The pumpkin seed oil was organoleptically
acceptable in terms of flavour, taste and odour. The pumpkin seed oil conforms
very well with other common edible vegetable oils in Tanzania in terms of
physical-chemical properties and sensory evaluation. Farmers should be
encouraged to utilize pumpkin seed oil for household consumption
Evaluating economic impact of credit to small-scale farmers: a case study of Turiani division, Morogoro
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2008) Sipira, Goodluck Loishiro Mellau
The study of evaluating economic impact of credit to small scale farmers was carried out
in Turiani division. Specifically the study aimed at evaluating impact of that credit on
use of modem agricultural inputs, impact of credit to smallholders’ livelihood and the
performance of savings and credit cooperative societies. Both purposive and simple
random sampling techniques were used in the sampling process. Purposive technique
was used to select the area of study and target population relevant to the study. Six
groups of beneficiaries each containing 5-20 members were randomly selected for the
study. Equal number of non-beneficiaries was purposively selected from six villages.
Therefore a total of 36 borrowers were selected and equal number of non-beneficiaries
was selected from six villages of Turiani division. The sampling unit comprised of 36
beneficiaries and 36 non-beneficiaries. These villages were purposively selected due to
easy accessibility and the fact that they have many farmers who were using SACCOS
services. After the study, results revealed that there is a positive impact in terms of
farmers’ use of modem and purchased agricultural inputs, credit on smallholder farmers
livelihood and the performance of savings and credit and cooperative societies. The
findings from this study will assist the government and other MFIs to formulate
procedures to design institutional frameworks for improving credit services to small-
scale farmers. Furthermore, the findings of this study will also assist private and public
sector to enhance the ability of poor farmer to access credit and consequently improve
their living standards through increased earning from their agricultural activities.
Peformance assessment of semi-formal systems of credit for small scale farmers in Arumeru district, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1999) Sumay, Francisca Pancras
The main objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of semi-formal
financial services in increasing access to credit by small scale farmers. The data
were collected from four villages of Poli Division in Arumeru District, and from the
three semi-formal financial institutions offering credit to the interviewed small scale
farmers. The specific objectives were to: identify/characterize semi-formal sources
of credit in the study area; assess the different types of credit required and obtained
by small scale farmers; determine the characteristics that discriminate users and non
users of credit from semi-formal services; describe the procedures and conditions for
accessing the credit from these institutions; and to determine the utilization of credit
from semi-formal sources and to what effect. One hundred small scale farmers (50
with credit and 50 without credit) were interviewed using a structured, pre-tested
questionnaire. The analysis was carried out by using the Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS) computer programme, where means, frequencies and
percentages were established. The Cross-tab sub-program was also applied to
determine the relationship between and among the variables. This was supplemented
by a review of the available reports and published material from the credit
institutions.
The study revealed that small scale farmers can access credit from semi-formal credit
institutions, but the main problems are the long distances to the credit offices and the
difficult loan conditions. Socio-economic characteristics do not discriminate users
and non-users of credit. The basic human needs are not fulfilled, thus loanii
divergence, however, majority of small scale farmers benefit from using credit to
finance agricultural production.
From the study the following can be recommended: establishment of financial
institutions which deal also with loans for agricultural purposes; small scale farmers
should be educated on how to manage their farming business and the importance of
being credit-worthy; the government should provide its people with essential welfare
services (health, education); and also a reliable market or processing industries
should be established so as to avoid losses during harvestTHESES
Assessment of Soil and Water physical and chemical properties for Crop production in the Nyarubogo irrigation scheme, Rwanda
(Rwanda Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2024-09-20) Tuyisabe J. B; Silungwe F. R; Mahoo H. F
Agricultural production is significantly influenced by the soil and water quality,
especially in irrigation systems, where poor management may result in degraded soil
and lower crop yields. This study is noteworthy because it tackles the problems of
nutrient imbalances, salinity, and acidity in the Nyarubogo irrigation system. This
study aimed to assess the irrigation scheme's soil and water quality to spot any hazards
to crop productivity and suggest suitable mitigation measures. A wide range of
characteristics, such as pH, nutrient content, total dissolved solids (TDS), magnesium
adsorption ratio (MAR), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), adsorption ratio (SAR), and
electrical conductivity (EC), were determined on a comprehensive set of soil and water
samples. The results showed that, with pH values ranging from 5.1 to 6.9, most of the
soils in the study area are acidic, which may hinder crop development and nutrient
availability. Furthermore, the soil demonstrated a moderate cation exchange capacity
(CEC), suggesting a respectable ability to retain nutrients. The SAR of the water
samples in this study ranged from 0.22 to 0.28 meq/l, indicating that water was suitable
for irrigation and that no adverse effects were anticipated. It is evident from the high
MAR values found in irrigation water that cautious management is required to avoid
long-term soil deterioration. To lessen the negative consequences of acidity, salinity,
and nutrient imbalances, this research emphasizes the need to routinely monitor the soil
and water and use specific soil management techniques. The findings establish a basis
for enhancing soil health and maintaining agricultural output, giving farmers and
agricultural managers involved in the Nyarubogo irrigation project crucial information.
Health and social support services to HIV/AIDS infected individuals in Tanzania: Employees and Employers perceptions
(BMC Public Health, 2014) Kassile, Telemu; Anicetus, Honest; Kukula, Raphael; Mmbando, Bruno P
Background: HIV is a major public health problem in the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It often leads
to loss of productive labour and disruption of existing social support system which results in deterioration of
population health. This poses a great challenge to infected people in meeting their essential goods and services.
This paper examines health and social support services provided by employers to HIV/AIDS infected employees in
Tanzania.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, which employed qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection
and analysis. Structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to assess the health and social support
services provision at employers and employees perspectives. The study participants were employees and employers
from public and private organizations.
Results: A total of 181 employees and 23 employers from 23 workplaces aged between 18–68 years were involved.
The results show that 23.8% (i.e., 20.4% males and 27.3% females) of the employees had at least one member of
the family or close relatives living with HIV at the time of the study. Fifty six percent of the infected employees
reported to have been receiving health or social support from their employers. Employees’ responses were
consistent with those reported by their employers. A total of 12(52.2%) and 11(47.8%) employers reported to have
been providing health and social supports respectively. Female employees (58.3%) from the private sector (60.0%)
were more likely to receive supports than male employees (52.6%) and than those from the public sector (46.2%).
The most common health and social support received by the employees were treatment, and nutritional support
and reduction of workload, respectively.
Conclusions: HIV/AIDS infected employees named treatment and nutritional support, and soft loans and reduced
workload respectively, as the most important health and social supports they needed from their employers. This
study provides baseline information for further studies on provision of health and social support services by
employers to HIV/AIDS infected employees in the context of a developing economy like Tanzania.
Keywords: Family member, Treatment and nutritional support, Workload, Workplaces