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.

Photo by @Sokoine University of Agriculture
 

Communities in SUAIRE

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 15

Recent Submissions

No Thumbnail Available
Item
Indigenous knowledge and its application to the conservation of Menai bay conservation area in Unguja Island, Zanzibar.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2011) Omar, Ramla Taub
This study was focused on exploring the existing indigenous knowledge of various biodiversity conservation in Menai Bay Conservation Area (MBCA). The extent and useful indigenous practices in biodiversity conservation in MBCA efforts were investigated and formal and informal traditional institutions for conservation and management of natural resources were investigated. A survey was conducted in 4 villages using structured questionnaires to capture information on household characteristics. In conducting the survey it was originally planned to interview 30 fishermen per village, a number that would have summed to a sample of 120 fishermen in the 4 villages. Participants in this case study were representatives of the community, including the elderly, the youth, local leaders (Shehas) and MBCA Manager. The study was aimed at revealing whether indigenous knowledge is useful for biodiversity conservation and promotes sustainable practices. It examined whether the inherited indigenous knowledge is essential for crafting fishing gears and indigenous practices are consistent with sustainable practices and marine use. Marine knowledge is found to be useful in identifying and locating resources and that sustainable practices ensured continuity of these resources. The findings also revealed formal and informal tradition institutions were useful. However the indigenous knowledge was not documented. Institutions or existing laws for the documentation and dissemination of local indigenous knowledge and practices rarely exist, despite the fact that the collection and dissemination of link is essential for the conservation of the environment and for the preservation of the culture of people associated with sustainable resource management. Although information related to linkage between indigenous knowledge and practices were collected by different Government agencies and NGOs the information was not well documented and disseminated.
No Thumbnail Available
Item
Physical activity and sedentary behaviors associated with overweight and obesity among primary school children in Tanzania: a case-control study
(Emerald, 2021) Pacific, Renatha; Kulwa, Kissa; Martin, Haikael D.; Petrucka, Pammla
Purpose – This study aims at determining the risk of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors on overweight and obesity among primary school children aged 10–13 years in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach – A case-control study was conducted from January to March 2020 involving 69 overweight/obese children as cases and 138 normal weight children as controls. Cases were identified as having body mass index-for-age þ1 standard deviation (SD) and controls as those having BMI-for-age range between 2 SD to <þ1 SD. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection on daily physical activities and sedentary behavior types, frequency duration and activity score. An independent sample t-test was used to compare means of activity score between cases and controls. Binary logistic regression was used to predict risk factors for overweight/obesity. Findings – Risk factors for overweight/obesity were listening to music and/or radio for >2 h/week (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2–6.1) and walking for exercise <2 h/week (OR 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–4.1). On the other hand, rope skipping for >2 h/week (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03–0.7) was a protective factor against overweight/obesity. Controls had a significantly higher mean score of being active during lunch breaks compared to cases (p = 0.012). Cases had higher weight, height and percentage body fat than controls (p < 0.001). The home environment provided more avenues for physical activity than the school environment. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is original research work and the first case- control study to predict physical activity and sedentary behaviors as risk factors for overweight and obesity in Tanzanian school children.
No Thumbnail Available
Item
Implementation status of Tanzania's national school feeding guideline: a case study of Morogoro Municipality
(European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 2026) Haneul, Go; Mosha, Theobald; Pacific, Renatha; Kandonga, Agness
Aims: In the context of Tanzania’s National School Feeding and Nutrition Services Guideline (2020), this study aimed to assess its implementation in primary schools, focusing on meal provision and parental contributions as key operational components. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design combining quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted in primary schools in Morogoro Municipality between June and August 2025.Data were collected from 10 primary schools (six public and four private). Quantitative data were obtained through structured surveys administered to 381 pupils in grades 5–7. Qualitative data were collected through key informant interviews with 10 head teachers and focus group discussions with 25 school food committee members. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and independent-samples t-tests, while qualitative data were analysed thematically to explore school-level practices related to meal provision and parental contributions. Results: School meals comprised 3.55 food groups, with private schools providing significantly more diverse meals than public schools (p < .001). Most public schools relied on simple and repetitive meals, primarily cereals and legumes, reflecting limited and irregular parental contributions and constrained storage facilities. Qualitative findings indicated that head teachers and teachers played a central role in menu planning and programme management, with decisions largely shaped by resource availability rather than full adherence to guideline standards. Parental contributions were the primary source of financing across all schools, though contributions were often insufficient to support diversified meal provision. Conclusion: The findings suggest a gap between national school feeding policy expectations and school-level implementation capacity. Differences in meal diversity and financing arrangements appeared to reflect variation in household economic capacity and school-level resources. Strengthening school-level technical support for menu planning, together with improved communication and reporting mechanisms, may improve adherence to guideline standards. In addition, clearer operational guidance, standardized reporting mechanisms, and stronger mechanisms for parent involvement may support more consistent and equitable implementation of school feeding programmes.
No Thumbnail Available
Item
Awareness, barriers and facilitators on the use of food labels among adult consumers in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania
(NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH, 2026) Wazoel Ester Erasto; Pacific Renatha M.; Mwanri Akwilina Wendelin
Background: Food labeling is a fundamental educational tool for advocating for public awareness. When properly used, food labels serve as an essential public health tool that help consumers understand the nutrition value of food, storage conditions, compare products and make informed food choices. This study aimed to assess the awareness, use, barriers and motivators regarding prepackage food label among adults’ consumers in Morogoro Municipality. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and May 2025, among 310 adults aged 18+ years. Data were collected using a structured and pretested questionnaire that covered awareness, attitude, barriers and facilitators that influence the use of label on prepackaged foods. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic analysis. Results: Out of 310 respondents, about 76% were female;37% were of age between 31-50 years. Awareness of food labels was high (73.5%) of which 50% read the labels consistently. Increased age was negatively associated with reading food labels [AOR 0.96, 95% CI [0.94, 0.98]), while having secondary (AOR 3.09, 95% CI [1.1, 8.71]) or university education (AOR 4.5, 95% CI [1.42, 14.3]) significantly increased the likelihood of reading food labels. Barriers were language used (60%), time constraints (51%), information overload (46%), complexity (47%) and distrust on labels (37%). Health and dietary goals (23.5%) were the main facilitators for food label use. Conclusion: Despite high awareness, consistent food label use was moderate. Barriers such as language, complexity, time constraints, information overload and lack of trust on food labels hinder usage, while health goals encourage engagement. The ministry of Trade and Industry should ensure compliance of label requirements in respect of the language. Target public education is essential to improve consumer understanding and use of food labels.
No Thumbnail Available
Item
Occurrence of some heavy metals in sewage sludge in some Urban Areas and their uptake by amaranthus (amaranthus hybridus}
(SUA, 2001) Matemba, Lameck Eliawony
A study was conducted to determine the occurrence of some heavy metals in sewage sludges from Morogoro and Dar es Salaam urban areas and their uptake by Amaranthus hybridus. A field study was conducted at the Horticultural Unit, Sokoine University of Agriculture Morogoro whereby, the soil was characterised for its physical and chemical properties prior to planting of the test crop. The analytical data showed that the experimental soil was texture mildly-alkaline with a pH value of 7.6, very low % O.C. The textural class of the soil was sandy clay loam. Available and total Cu, Zn, Mn. Cd and Pb ranged from medium to high as compared to established critical levels. The sewage sludge was collected from the disposing sites in Morogoro and Dar es Salaam. Prior to incorporation into the soil the sewage sludge was air dried and characterised for its chemical properties . The results showed that the available and total Cd, Mn, Cu, Zn and Pb ranged from medium to high as compared to established critical ranges. A field study was conducted to study the uptake of some heavy metals and other plants nutrients. In the field studies a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used. The rates of sewage sludge application on air dry basis were 0, 10, 20, 40, and 60 tons/ha. Amaranthus seeds were measured by using 35 cm3 container and sowed in 1 m2 plots which were separated by 0.5 m strips while the blocks were separated by 1 m strips. The uptake of N, P, K, Mg, Ca and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Cd, Pb) were determined. Application of sewage sludge resulted in a marked increase in metal content in Amaranthus plant especially for the highest rates of application during the first and second plantings. The uptake of other essential plant elements increased with increasing rate of sewage sludge application. No adverse effects due to application of sewage sludge were observed. At the end of the first growing season, the soil was analysed to evaluate the residual effects of sewage sludge on soil chemical properties. The results showed that sewage sludge application resulted in a marked increase in total and extractable metals as well as essential elements in the soil, except for total and extractable Mn. The application of sewage sludge resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the concentrations of Cd, Zn, Cu, and Pb. However, the metal content in the soil was below the limits generally accepted as toxic for most agricultural soils. A second planting was done in the same plots without further application of sewage sludge in order to determine the residual concentration of heavy metals in the soil from the previously applied sewage sludge. The results indicated that, the residual metal concentration in the soil had significantly increased. Plant dry matter yield of Amaranthus was determined for the first and second harvests. The application of sewage sludge from Dar es Salaam increased dry matter yield significantly (P < 0.05) at 60 tons/ha. The maximum yields obtained were 3.66 and 2.4 tons/ha for the first and second harvests respectively. The Dry matter yield as the result of application of Morogoro sewage sludge reached a maximum of 2.16 and 1.79 tons/ha at 60 tons/ha for the first and second crop respectively. Generally, the increase in the