Gender Roles in Small Holder Dairy Farming: Pertinent Issues on Access and Control over Dairy Farming in Arumeru District, Tanzania

A study on gender roles in dairy farming and management was conducted in Arumeru district, Tanzania. The study involved women in dairy farming groups and those not in groups. The objective of this study was to assess gender role in dairy farming and management, access and control over income obtained as well as, animal ownership, decision making  and opportunities in dairy farming system in Arumeru. Cross sectional research design was adopted using structured questionnaires to collect information from households from six villages namely Bangata, Sasi, Inshupu, Enaboishu, Sokoni II and Nkoaranga. Descriptive analysis and Chi-square were used to test the statistical significance of categorical and continuous data respectively. The results showed that women contribute more labour force in dairy management than men, those women who were not in groups did not have a full access and control over dairy farming enterprise. Furthermore, it was observed that those women in groups were in a good position to overcome traditional practice. Women who belonged to groups controlled and had access to resources such as livestock (dairy cattle) and income generated from them. However, since most of the farmer groups were still infants, it has been recommended that the women groups should get financial assistance from the government agencies. Similarly, in conjunction with encouraging more women to join groups, gender relations in dairy management should be reassessed to minimize the work load burden to women which affects the level of production and sustainability of the dairy enterprise. Keywords: Access and control, dairy management, gender, women groups.

Socio-Cultural Determinants of Entrepreneurial Capabilities among the Chagga and Sukuma Small and Medium Enterprises in Tanzania

This paper examines socio-cultural determinants (SCDs) linked to entrepreneurial capabilities (EC) among the Chagga and Sukuma Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania. A survey of 254 owner-managers was conducted in Kilimanjaro and Mwanza regions in order to collect quantitative data and case studies for qualitative data. Descriptive statistics and Binary Logistic Regression Model analysis were employed in estimating the effect of SCDs on EC. Results show that values, social factors, beliefs, norms and perceptions demonstrate positive effects while attitudes show a negative effect on EC among the Chagga and Sukuma. However, results show variation on the effect of SCD on EC between the Chagga and Sukuma in which the effect is stronger among the Chagga than Sukuma. This study concludes that SCDs have effect on EC and its implication is that individuals exposed to such SCDs are likely to have a sounding EC. The study recommends that policy makers should consider the role of SCDs in entrepreneurial undertaking. Keywords: Socio-cultural Determinants, Entrepreneurial Capabilities, Chagga, Sukuma, SMEs, Tanzani

Gendered Impact Assessment on Food Securing Upgrading Strategies: Results from Three Methodological Approaches

In developing countries, rural women and men play different roles in guaranteeing food security for their households and communities. The gendered aspects of food security are visible along the four pillars of food security: availability, access, utilization and stability but one cause reported to hamper ineffectiveness is overlooking gender dynamics. Therefore this study aims to explore the gendered arguments towards food security by using different methodological tools while focusing on the food security criteria and the three sustainable development criteria (economic, social and environmental aspects). The specific objectives were to analyse differences between scientist and farmer perspectives in relation to the three upgrading strategies namely rainwater harvesting (RWH), improved processing, and household nutrition education and kitchen gardening) and to find out the difference in results when triangulating the tools on target group in order to set preferences in local contexts which helps to anticipate what measures would be needed to improve food security. The study used diverse assessment approaches namely a) a participatory stakeholder approach using the FoPIA tool (Framework for Participatory Impact Assessment) b) a scientific expert based approach using ScalA-FS (scaling up assessment-Food security tool), and c). Gender Analysis Matrix (GAM). Focus group discussions, key informant interviews and household survey were the main methods of data collection. The study found that female and male participants scored the criteria differently. Men considered social relations in the community and in the household more important for food security than women did. Women scored several production-related aspects as more important than men. Gender-based inequalities along the food value chain ‘from farm to plate’ that impede the attainment of food and nutritional security must therefore be addressed through effective gender responsive policies and programs. Keywords: impact assessment; gender; upgrading strategies; food value chain; Tanzania; participatory researc

Bridging gender gaps with dairy goats and root crops

Aiming to boost household food security and nutrition in resource-constrained, semi-arid areas of Tanzania, a system of integrating dairy goats (Toggenburg and Norwegian breeds) with production of cassava and sweet potato is being studied. Women in agro-pastoral societies in Tanzania typically have low incomes, limited access to resources and are of poor nutritional status. The project methodology addresses gender roles, access, control and ownership of resources, and decision-making among smallholders. It provides a model for establishing dairy goat enterprises in semi-arid areas and has created new hope in test communities, helping alleviate low agricultural productivity and malnutrition

Socio-Cultural Determinants and Enterprise Financial Sources among the Chagga and Sukuma Small and Medium Enterprises in Tanzania

Abstract This paper examines the influence of socio-cultural determinants (SCDs

Contribution of mobile phones to rural livelihoods and poverty reduction in Morogoro Region, Tanzania

The Electronic Journal on Information Systems in Developing Countries http://www.ejisdc.orgThis study examined the contribution of mobile phones to rural livelihoods and poverty reduction in Morogoro region, Tanzania. The study sample comprised of 310 households, 74 focus group participants and 22 key informants. Data were collected through questionnaire, focus groups, and key informant interviews and were analyzed using SPSS and Nvivo. The findings indicate that mobile phones contribute to reduce poverty and improve rural livelihoods by expanding and strengthening social networks; increase people’s ability to deal with emergencies; cut down travel costs; maximize the outcomes of necessary journeys; increase temporal accessibility; and amplify efficiency of activities. The use of mobile phones also reduces costs of doing business and increases productivity by helping rural traders and farmers to secure better markets and prices; and promptly communicate business-related information. Although they enabled rural communities to generate some income through the sale of mobile phone services, the phones had not made important contribution in this aspect. It is concluded that mobile phones contribute to improve rural livelihoods and reduce poverty by providing rural households with fast and easy modes of communication, thereby increasing their ability to access livelihood assets, undertake diverse livelihoods strategies, and overcome their vulnerabilities

Contribution of mobile phones to rural livelihoods and poverty reduction in Morogoro Region, Tanzania

The Electronic Journal on Information Systems in Developing Countries http://www.ejisdc.orgThis study examined the contribution of mobile phones to rural livelihoods and poverty reduction in Morogoro region, Tanzania. The study sample comprised of 310 households, 74 focus group participants and 22 key informants. Data were collected through questionnaire, focus groups, and key informant interviews and were analyzed using SPSS and Nvivo. The findings indicate that mobile phones contribute to reduce poverty and improve rural livelihoods by expanding and strengthening social networks; increase people’s ability to deal with emergencies; cut down travel costs; maximize the outcomes of necessary journeys; increase temporal accessibility; and amplify efficiency of activities. The use of mobile phones also reduces costs of doing business and increases productivity by helping rural traders and farmers to secure better markets and prices; and promptly communicate business-related information. Although they enabled rural communities to generate some income through the sale of mobile phone services, the phones had not made important contribution in this aspect. It is concluded that mobile phones contribute to improve rural livelihoods and reduce poverty by providing rural households with fast and easy modes of communication, thereby increasing their ability to access livelihood assets, undertake diverse livelihoods strategies, and overcome their vulnerabilities