Factors Influencing Preferences and Adoption of Improved Groundnut Varieties among Farmers in Tanzania

Access and use of seed of improved varieties of groundnut among farmers can improve farmers’ livelihoods and contribute to the potential of crop production in Tanzania. This paper analyzes factors underpinning the adoption of improved groundnut varieties among farmers to pave the way for upscaling quality seed used for increased production and commodity business in farming communities. A four-stage stratified sampling was used to collect data from 300 groundnut farmers in seven agro-ecological zones through individual interviews. Secondary data were collected from the literature and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute at Naliendele centre (TARI–Naliendele). Descriptive statistics and Probit regression model were used for data analysis. The empirical results showed that Johari 1985, Pendo 1998, Naliendele 2009, Mnanje 2009, Mangaka 2009 and Nachi 2015, are the main six improved groundnut varieties used by farmers, with Pendo 1998 having the highest adoption rate (17.1%). In the grain market, four varieties, namely Pendo 1998, Mnanje 2009, Nachi 2015 and Johari 1985, were observed to be highly preferred by grain off-takers. Furthermore, among the adopted improved varieties, Nachi 2015, is observed to be the most consistent high yielding variety, ranging from 1100 kg/ha to 1500 kg/ha in all agro-ecological zones. A farmer’s decision to adopt new varieties is affected by age and gender, farmer group membership, availability of improved seed and seed cost. Overall, male farmers are more likely to adopt improved varieties of groundnut than female farmers. The implications of these findings are also discussed, in particular in the area of policy support

Farmer perceptions on labor-saving technologies in groundnut production systems in Tanzania

Groundnut is among the most valuable crops in Tanzania. It is a good source of oil, food, and income to many households however, it is considered a labor-intensive crop. Farmers perform tedious and laborious activities during ploughing, planting, weeding, harvesting, and shelling just to mention a few. Therefore, in ensuring that groundnut production achieves its potential within and outside the country, the introduction and use of labor- saving technologies cannot be overemphasized. This study intended to assess the farmers perception on groundnut labor-saving technologies in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at (i) analyzing the labor-saving technologies used by groundnut farmers; (ii) Investigating farmers perception on the LSTs. Also, (iii) Comparing the farmers’ resource (such as time and finances) use associated with the traditional tools versus the labor-saving technologies (LST) and (iv) Discussing policy environment for labor saving technology in Tanzania

Low specificity of determine HIV1/2 RDT using whole blood in south west Tanzania

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of two rapid detection tests (RDTs) for HIV 1/2 in plasma and in whole blood samples. Methods: More than 15,000 study subjects above the age of two years participated in two rounds of a cohort study to determine the prevalence of HIV. HIV testing was performed using the Determine HIV 1/2 test (Abbott) in the first (2006/2007) and the HIV 1/2 STAT-PAK Dipstick Assay (Chembio) in the second round (2007/2008) of the survey. Positive results were classified into faint and strong bands depending on the visual appearance of the test strip and confirmed by ELISA and Western blot. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the Determine RDT were 100% (95% confidence interval = 86.8 to 100%) and 96.8% (95.9 to 97.6%) in whole blood and 100% (99.7 to 100%) and 97.9% (97.6 to 98.1%) in plasma respectively. Specificity was highly dependent on the tested sample type: when using whole blood, 67.1% of positive results were false positive, as opposed to 17.4% in plasma. Test strips with only faint positive bands were more often false positive than strips showing strong bands and were more common in whole blood than in plasma. Evaluation of the STAT-PAK RDT in plasma during the second year resulted in a sensitivity of 99.7% (99.1 to 99.9%) and a specificity of 99.3% (99.1 to 99.4%) with 6.9% of the positive results being false. Conclusions: Our study shows that the Determine HIV 1/2 strip test with its high sensitivity is an excellent tool to screen for HIV infection, but that – at least in our setting – it can not be recommended as a confirmatory test in VCT campaigns where whole blood is used

A Business Case for Enhanced Investments in the Groundnut Value Chain in Tanzania

Apart from providing food, agriculture contributes to economic growth and the livelihoods of people in both urban and rural areas through trade. This study analyzes the business case for groundnut farmers and off-takers in Tanzania and beyond to identify opportunities for enhancements along the commodity value chain. A systematic sampling was used to collect data from 300 groundnut farmers in 11 districts across seven agro-ecological zones through individual interviews. Of the farmers interviewed, 240 were from Tropical Legumes (TL) III project intervention districts and 60 were from non-intervention districts. Also, 123 off-takers were purposively selected from commercial areas. Secondary data was obtained from literature and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute at Naliendele. Descriptive statistics, probit regression model, cost-benefit analysis and economic efficiency model were used for data analysis. The empirical results showed that a total of 17 improved groundnut varieties have been released with their adoption rate among groundnut farmers being 35%. The adoption rate was found to be influenced by age and gender, farmer group membership, availability of improved seed and seed cost. Results further showed that only 25% of the groundnut produced annually is used for subsistence purposes while 75% is for commercial purpose. It was further revealed that a farmer is assured of gaining at least TZS 475,000/ha annually by way of groundnut farming. However, only 31% economic efficiency in grain production was noted among farmers, as this was influenced by their level of education, experience and group membership. Finally, it was observed that about 21 t of groundnut grain varieties similar to those available in Tanzania is imported from neighboring Malawi and Zambia

Determinants of profit efficiency among small scale dairy cattle farmers in Njombe district

Masters ThesisThe overall objective of the study was to analyse the profit efficiency of smallholder dairy farmers in Njombe District. The specific objectives were to: (i) To analyse the profit profile of smallholder dairy farmers in Njombe District with respect to socio-economic and technical factors (ii) To analyse the profit efficiency of smallholder milk production in Njombe District (iii) To identify factors that influence profit efficiency. Data for the study were collected from 235 milk producers, 155 are under association and 80 are non- associated. Variation in profitability among smallholder milk production in Njombe District was analyzed by cross tables based on profit terciles for selected famer attributes and other economic factors in the production area using the Student t or Chi square test. Farmers who are; Illiterate, distant from the market, practice indoor feeding system, without access to credit, obtained low profit while farmers who are literate, near to market, practice outdoor feeding system, with access to credit obtained a higher than profit. The profitability of every farmer selected for the study was computed in Tshs per litre using a normalized unrestricted profit function. The results showed that the non-associated earned higher profit by Tshs 176 per litre compared to associated dairy farmers, due to milk price differences. The Profit efficiency of smallholder milk production in Njombe District was analyzed using a Cobb-Douglas profit frontier. It was found that the cost feeds, vetenary services, labour and herd size were significant in influencing profit (p < 0.05). Among inputs feed had the largest influence on profit elasticity equal to 0.6 for associated dairy farmers and 0.3 for non-associated. The efficiency of farmers in the association and non- association was significantly affected by farmer’s education, experience, occupation and distance to the market (p < 0.05). The study concludes that the socio-economic and the technical factors hypothesized for the study tend to constrain the profitability and profit efficiency of farmers and hence dairy development in Njombe District. It is recommended that education should be provided to illiterate and young farmers on dairy best practices. It is also proposed to devise proper input use to overcome the challenge of high prices for dairy feeds and formulate policies that will enable households increase their profit efficiency

Determinants of profit efficiency among small scale dairy cattle farmers in Njombe district

Masters ThesisThe overall objective of the study was to analyse the profit efficiency of smallholder dairy farmers in Njombe District. The specific objectives were to: (i) To analyse the profit profile of smallholder dairy farmers in Njombe District with respect to socio-economic and technical factors (ii) To analyse the profit efficiency of smallholder milk production in Njombe District (iii) To identify factors that influence profit efficiency. Data for the study were collected from 235 milk producers, 155 are under association and 80 are non- associated. Variation in profitability among smallholder milk production in Njombe District was analyzed by cross tables based on profit terciles for selected famer attributes and other economic factors in the production area using the Student t or Chi square test. Farmers who are; Illiterate, distant from the market, practice indoor feeding system, without access to credit, obtained low profit while farmers who are literate, near to market, practice outdoor feeding system, with access to credit obtained a higher than profit. The profitability of every farmer selected for the study was computed in Tshs per litre using a normalized unrestricted profit function. The results showed that the non-associated earned higher profit by Tshs 176 per litre compared to associated dairy farmers, due to milk price differences. The Profit efficiency of smallholder milk production in Njombe District was analyzed using a Cobb-Douglas profit frontier. It was found that the cost feeds, vetenary services, labour and herd size were significant in influencing profit (p < 0.05). Among inputs feed had the largest influence on profit elasticity equal to 0.6 for associated dairy farmers and 0.3 for non-associated. The efficiency of farmers in the association and non- association was significantly affected by farmer’s education, experience, occupation and distance to the market (p < 0.05). The study concludes that the socio-economic and the technical factors hypothesized for the study tend to constrain the profitability and profit efficiency of farmers and hence dairy development in Njombe District. It is recommended that education should be provided to illiterate and young farmers on dairy best practices. It is also proposed to devise proper input use to overcome the challenge of high prices for dairy feeds and formulate policies that will enable households increase their profit efficiency

Factors influencing preferences and adoption of improved groundnut varieties among farmers in Tanzania

Access and use of seed of improved varieties of groundnut among farmers can improve farmers’ livelihoods and contribute to the potential of crop production in Tanzania. This paper analyzes factors underpinning the adoption of improved groundnut varieties among farmers to pave the way for upscaling quality seed used for increased production and commodity business in farming communities. A four-stage stratified sampling was used to collect data from 300 groundnut farmers in seven agro-ecological zones through individual interviews. Secondary data were collected from the literature and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute at Naliendele centre (TARI–Naliendele). Descriptive statistics and Probit regression model were used for data analysis. The empirical results showed that Johari 1985, Pendo 1998, Naliendele 2009, Mnanje 2009, Mangaka 2009 and Nachi 2015, are the main six improved groundnut varieties used by farmers, with Pendo 1998 having the highest adoption rate (17.1%). In the grain market, four varieties, namely Pendo 1998, Mnanje 2009, Nachi 2015 and Johari 1985, were observed to be highly preferred by grain off-takers. Furthermore, among the adopted improved varieties, Nachi 2015, is observed to be the most consistent high yielding variety, ranging from 1100 kg/ha to 1500 kg/ha in all agro-ecological zones. A farmer’s decision to adopt new varieties is affected by age and gender, farmer group membership, availability of improved seed and seed cost. Overall, male farmers are more likely to adopt improved varieties of groundnut than female farmers. The implications of these findings are also discussed, in particular in the area of policy support

Policy options for enhancing quality groundnut seed production and delivery systems in Tanzania

A stable and well-functioning groundnut seed sector is a major step for farmers to achieve the potential of groundnut productivity and production (Bezkorowajnyj et al., 2007). Availing quality groundnut seed is a key component of the groundnut value chain for farmers in particular (NAP, 2013). Quality seed helps cope with the recent increase in drought due to climate change, market shift, and other biotic and abiotic stresses that groundnut production is facing (Zurich, 2014). To make sure that quality and superior variety seeds are produced, the Tanzanian seed sector operations are guided by policy and regulatory frameworks under the Seeds Acts No 29 of 1973 and the No 18 of 2003. The two Seed Acts detail the roles and responsibilities of each seed actor in making sure that quality seed is produced and made available to farmers across the country. The Tanzanian seed sector has been able to release a total of 17 groundnut varieties since the 1960s, which complement one another through their agronomic, genetic and market attributes (Table 1). The released groundnut varieties can be divided into two categories, namely old varieties and recent varieties. The groundnut varieties released before 2009 have been categorized as old varieties (older than 10 years), while those released in 2009 to date are considered new or recent varieties

Etiologies of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infections in Tanzania, 2017-2019.

In 2016, Tanzania expanded sentinel surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) to include testing for non-influenza respiratory viruses (NIRVs) and additional respiratory pathogens at 9 sentinel sites. During 2017-2019, respiratory specimens from 2730 cases underwent expanded testing: 2475 specimens (90.7%) were tested using a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-developed assay covering 7 NIRVs (respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], rhinovirus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus 1, 2, and 3) and influenza A and B viruses. Additionally, 255 specimens (9.3%) were tested using the Fast-Track Diagnostics Respiratory Pathogens 33 (FTD-33) kit which covered the mentioned viruses and additional viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens. Influenza viruses were identified in 7.5% of all specimens; however, use of the CDC assay and FTD-33 kit increased the number of specimens with a pathogen identified to 61.8% and 91.5%, respectively. Among the 9 common viruses between the CDC assay and FTD-33 kit, the most identified pathogens were RSV (22.9%), rhinovirus (21.8%), and adenovirus (14.0%); multi-pathogen co-detections were common. Odds of hospitalization (SARI vs. ILI) varied by sex, age, geographic zone, year of diagnosis, and pathogen identified; hospitalized illnesses were most common among children under the age of 5 years. The greatest number of specimens were submitted for testing during December-April, coinciding with rainy seasons in Tanzania, and several viral pathogens demonstrated seasonal variation (RSV, human metapneumovirus, influenza A and B, and parainfluenza viruses). This study demonstrates that expanding an existing influenza platform to include additional respiratory pathogens can provide valuable insight into the etiology, incidence, severity, and geographic/temporal patterns of respiratory illness. Continued respiratory surveillance in Tanzania, and globally, can provide valuable data, particularly in the context of emerging respiratory pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, and guide public health interventions to reduce the burden of respiratory illnesses