The past, present and future of urban agriculture in Tanzania

Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 1999; 3 (June): 71-78Abstract: Urban agriculture in Tanzania has been in existence; for many decades. Presently urban agriculture is both extensive and intensive. Urban farmers come from all walks of life. From highly placed government civil servants and wealthy businessmen to the most disadvantaged slum dwellers. Urban agriculture is constrained by a number of factors including the legal restrictions which dictate the type of crops to be planted and the number of livestock an urban farmer should keep. This paper highlights the potential of urban

The past, present and future of Urban Agriculture in Tanzania

Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development 1999: Vol 3Urban agriculture in Tanzania has been in existence for many decades. Presently urban agriculture is both extensive and intensive. Urban farmers come from all walks of life. From highly placed government civil servants and wealthy businessmen to the most disadvantaged slum dwellers. Urban agriculture is constrained by a number of factors including the legal restrictions which dictate the type of crops to be planted and the number of livestock an urban farmer should keep. This paper highlights the potential of urban agriculture, its constraints and possible solutions

The use of cell phones in sharing market information among beef cattle smallholders in Mpwapwa District, Tanzania

Journal of continuing education and extension, 2015; 6(1):806-825This study sought to establish the role of cell phones in communication and dissemination of market information for beef cattle smallholders in Alpwapwa District, Tanzania. The study also identified the existing channels related to beef cattle market information for smallholders. A .sample of 120 respondents, four focus groups of discussants and 12 key informants were interviewed. Data wen.' collected using a structured questionnaire from the 120 respondents, a focus group discussion guide and a guide JOr key informant. The questionnaire-based data were analvfed using the .tati.s.tical Package .for Social Sciences where descrimi•e statistics, and inferential (117C111'SiS using ('hi square (7) lest. The findings reveal that the majority of respondents possessed and used cell phones in sharing market inliirmation. This Method 117/S complemented by ,fac.e-toT face interaction and using annual auctions calendar channels'. The ('hi-square (7,- ) test showed positive significant association between access to beef cattle market information via cell phones and awareness of market prices exploration: also between sales volumes demands and high beef Cattle grades applicable in the market. From these findings, it IS concluded that cell phone iech1701eg1' is one of innovative communication pathways that can improve traditional communication channels. llowever, the effective use of cell phones was constrained by major problems, which were established to be; limited availability of electricity,fOr charging the phones and lack of reliable source' of market information. It is' therefOre recommended that the government should increase availabilit of power in rural areas...from various sources including solar enem ' gy and from the ,Vational grid to facilitate effective use of cell phones. Also, livestock information units should be established at the ward and village levels for easy access to reliable livestock information

The use of cell phones in sharing market information among beef cattle smallholders in Mpwapwa District, Tanzania

Journal of continuing education and extension, 2015; 6(1):806-825This study sought to establish the role of cell phones in communication and dissemination of market information for beef cattle smallholders in Alpwapwa District, Tanzania. The study also identified the existing channels related to beef cattle market information for smallholders. A .sample of 120 respondents, four focus groups of discussants and 12 key informants were interviewed. Data wen.' collected using a structured questionnaire from the 120 respondents, a focus group discussion guide and a guide JOr key informant. The questionnaire-based data were analvfed using the .tati.s.tical Package .for Social Sciences where descrimi•e statistics, and inferential (117C111'SiS using ('hi square (7) lest. The findings reveal that the majority of respondents possessed and used cell phones in sharing market inliirmation. This Method 117/S complemented by ,fac.e-toT face interaction and using annual auctions calendar channels'. The ('hi-square (7,- ) test showed positive significant association between access to beef cattle market information via cell phones and awareness of market prices exploration: also between sales volumes demands and high beef Cattle grades applicable in the market. From these findings, it IS concluded that cell phone iech1701eg1' is one of innovative communication pathways that can improve traditional communication channels. llowever, the effective use of cell phones was constrained by major problems, which were established to be; limited availability of electricity,fOr charging the phones and lack of reliable source' of market information. It is' therefOre recommended that the government should increase availabilit of power in rural areas...from various sources including solar enem ' gy and from the ,Vational grid to facilitate effective use of cell phones. Also, livestock information units should be established at the ward and village levels for easy access to reliable livestock information

Albinism: awareness, attitudes and level of albinos’ predicament in Sukumaland, Tanzania

Asian Journal of Applied Science and Engineering, 2014; 3 (4): 382-395In Tanzania, persons with albinism (PWA), continue to be less valued, rejected, attacked and killed for ritual purposes. This study examined the situation of PWA and their households resulting from killings and attacks on them. Specifically, the study assessed the level of awareness, attitudes towards albinism and PWA and level of predicament felt by members of households with PWA. An albinism understanding test and attitudinal scales (Likert and Semantic differential scales) were used to determine attitudes towards albinism and level of dilemma felt. A linear regression model was used to determine the impacts of various variables on the level of predicament. Knowledge on albinism was found to be moderate. Levels of awareness were significantly associated with respondents’ age (p = 0.004), sex (p = 0.017), education level (p < 0.0001), religion (p < 0.001) and ethnic group (p = 0.025). Four-fifths of the respondents (80%) had negative attitudes towards albinism and PWA. Unfavourable attitude was highly associated with education level and occupation (p < 0.001). Level of PWA predicament was higher among household members being significantly impacted positively by level of albinism awareness (β = 0.500), but negatively impacted by attitude towards albinism (β = -313) and age (β = -0.191). Age, education, sex and belief determined level of knowledge on albinism. Education level determined attitudes of respondents. Albinism awareness determined the level of predicament felt. The fight against negative beliefs and attitudes towards albinism requires properly designed albinism awareness creation programme

Adaptation strategies to climate variability and change and its limitations to smallholder farmers. A literature search

In sub-Saharan Africa, knowledge on adaptation strategies to climate variability and change are scattered and fragmented due to lack of standpoints adaptation framework. This paper intends to analyse differences in adaptation strategies across agro-ecological zones, and finding out factors dictating adaptation to climate variability and change to smallholder farmers. The paper is based on documentary review methodology in which journals and books on adaptation were used as the main sources of information. The collected information were analysed by using content analysis. This paper found that smallholder farmers use a variety of practices to adapt to climate variability and change. These practices include: crop management, livestock management, diversification of livelihood strategies and land use management. Availability of extension services, climate change information and membership to social networks were among the factors identified dictating smallholder farmers adaptation to climate variability and change. The paper recommends to the Government of sub-Saharan Africa and development partners to come up with adaptation framework that takes into consideration differences in geographical location. They are needed also to provide enabling conditions to smallholder farmers through strengthening farmers’ supportive services to enhance their adaptive capacitie

Adaptation strategies to climate variability and change and its limitations to smallholder farmers. a literature search

Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2015; 5 (3): 2224-4433In sub-Saharan Africa, knowledge on adaptation strategies to climate variability and change are scattered and fragmented due to lack of standpoints adaptation framework. This paper intends to analyse differences in adaptation strategies across agro-ecological zones, and finding out factors dictating adaptation to climate variability and change to smallholder farmers. The paper is based on documentary review methodology in which journals and books on adaptation were used as the main sources of information. The collected information were analysed by using content analysis. This paper found that smallholder farmers use a variety of practices to adapt to climate variability and change. These practices include: crop management, livestock management, diversification of livelihood strategies and land use management. Availability of extension services, climate change information and membership to social networks were among the factors identified dictating smallholder farmers adaptation to climate variability and change. The paper recommends to the Government of sub-Saharan Africa and development partners to come up with adaptation framework that takes into consideration differences in geographical location. They are needed also to provide enabling conditions to smallholder farmers through strengthening farmers’ supportive services to enhance their adaptive capacities

Adaptation strategies to climate variability and change and its limitations to smallholder farmers. A literature search

Asian Economic and Social Society. Volume 5(3), 77-87In sub-Saharan Africa, knowledge on adaptation strategies to climate variability and change are scattered and fragmented due to lack of standpoints adaptation framework. This paper intends to analyse differences in adaptation strategies across agro-ecological zones, and finding out factors dictating adaptation to climate variability and change to smallholder farmers. The paper is based on documentary review methodology in which journals and books on adaptation were used as the main sources of information. The collected information were analysed by using content analysis. This paper found that smallholder farmers use a variety of practices to adapt to climate variability and change. These practices include: crop management, livestock management, diversification of livelihood strategies and land use management. Availability of extension services, climate change information and membership to social networks were among the factors identified dictating smallholder farmers adaptation to climate variability and change. The paper recommends to the Government of sub-Saharan Africa and development partners to come up with adaptation framework that takes into consideration differences in geographical location. They are needed also to provide enabling conditions to smallholder farmers through strengthening farmers’ supportive services to enhance their adaptive capacities

Adaptation strategies to climate variability and change and its limitations to smallholder farmers. A literature search

Asian Economic and Social Society. Volume 5(3), 77-87In sub-Saharan Africa, knowledge on adaptation strategies to climate variability and change are scattered and fragmented due to lack of standpoints adaptation framework. This paper intends to analyse differences in adaptation strategies across agro-ecological zones, and finding out factors dictating adaptation to climate variability and change to smallholder farmers. The paper is based on documentary review methodology in which journals and books on adaptation were used as the main sources of information. The collected information were analysed by using content analysis. This paper found that smallholder farmers use a variety of practices to adapt to climate variability and change. These practices include: crop management, livestock management, diversification of livelihood strategies and land use management. Availability of extension services, climate change information and membership to social networks were among the factors identified dictating smallholder farmers adaptation to climate variability and change. The paper recommends to the Government of sub-Saharan Africa and development partners to come up with adaptation framework that takes into consideration differences in geographical location. They are needed also to provide enabling conditions to smallholder farmers through strengthening farmers’ supportive services to enhance their adaptive capacities

The role of indigenous technical knowledge in increased food production in Tanzania

The study examines ways of linking research, extension and farmers through a two-way exchange of both indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) and scientific knowledge in order to increase food crop production in Tanzania. Specifically the studied sought to establish: the amount of ITK regarding maize, wheat, beans and round potatoes in 15 villages; the extent to which indigenous and conventional scientific knowledge are employed by farmers; the relationship between the use by farmers of ITK and conventional scientific knowledge, and socioeconomic parameters; and the utilization of findings from the study in drawing up policy implications with regard to the planning of the research and extension efforts in Tanzania for improved agricultural production. The study area comprised three major food producing districts in the southern Highlands of Tanzania, namely, Njombe, Mbeya, and Mbinga. A total of 1020 farmers was sampled through semi-structured interviews during two research visits to the areas, first in June 1989 and then between November 1989 and March 1990. The results of the study identify a great deal of ITK within the communities covered and highlight the need for extension agents to utilize this resource