Institute of Development Studies

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://192.168.30.20:4000/handle/123456789/45

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 185

Use of chicken manure extract for biostimulation and enhancement of perchlorate rhizodegradation in soil and water media
(Taylor & Francis Online, 2007) Mwegoha, William J. S.; Mbuya, Odemari S.; Jai, Amita; Ugochukwu, Ngozi H.; Abazinge, Michael D.
The influence of biostimulation using dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on rhizodegradation of perchlorate and plant uptake was studied under greenhouse conditions using soil and hydroponic bioreactors. One set of bioreactors planted with willow (Salix babylonica) plants was spiked with 300 mg L−1 DOC in the form of chicken manure extract, whereas a second set was not treated with DOC. A similar experiment without willow plants was run in parallel to the planted bioreactors. The planted soil bioreactors amended with DOC reduced perchlorate from 65.85 to 2.67 mg L−1 in 21 days for humic soil (95.95% removal) and from 68.99 to 0.06 mg L− 1 for sandy loam (99.91% removal) in 11 days. Nonplanted DOC treated soil bioreactors achieved complete perchlorate removal in 6 and 8 days for humic and sandy loam, respectively. Both planted and nonplanted soil bioreactors without DOC removed > 95% perchlorate within 8 days. Planted soil bioreactors respiked with perchlorate reduced perchlorate to nondetectable levels in 6 days. Hydroponics experiment amended with DOC reduced perchlorate from approximately 100 mg L− 1 to nondetectable levels within 7 to 9 days. Hydroponic bioreactors without DOC had low perchlorate removal rates, achieving 30% removal in 42 days. Leaf samples from sandy loam soil bioreactors without DOC had four times perchlorate phytoaccumulation than the DOC-treated plants. Similar results were obtained with the nonplanted bioreactors. Persistence of perchlorate in solution of planted hydroponic bioreactors without DOC amendment suggested that natural DOC from the plant exudates was not enough to biostimulate perchlorate reducing microbes. The hydroponic bioreactor study provided evidence that DOC is a limiting factor in the rhizodegradation of perchlorate.
The use of phytoremediation technology for abatement soil and groundwater pollution in Tanzania: opportunities and challenges
(Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 2008) Mwegoha, William J. S.
Contamination of soil and groundwater from anthropogenic sources is a major concern in many developing countries including Tanzania. Improper handling of Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) in many urban centers in Tanzania has often resulted into gas emissions and generation of leachate, which pose threat to the environment. Additionally, the use of pesticides for agricultural purposes is on the increase because of the need to improve crop production and control of pests, weed infestation and insect outbreaks. As a consequence, pesticide use has caused adverse contamination in soils and waters. The potentially negative impacts of these pesticide stocks on humans and the environment are of major concern. To make the situation more challenging, the country has experienced a substantially fast growth of the mining sector in many parts of the country over the past ten years, which has resulted in reported soil and water pollution from acid mine drainage with elevated concentrations of heavy metals. It is estimated that more than 30% of the Tanzanians depend on groundwater as their source of water. Most of the conventional methods for environmental remediation of these sites are expensive and often poorly implemented or not implemented at all. Thus, there is a clear need to develop new cost effective and environmentally friendly clean-up methods to remediate the contaminated areas in Tanzania. Phytoremediation is a relatively new and promising technology that uses plants to degrade, stabilize, metabolize or sequester potentially toxic compounds from the environment. This paper is aimed at assessing the potential of phytoremediation as a low-cost alternative, but which has yet to be studied and used in Tanzania.
Heavy metals accumulation in vegetables grown along the Msimbazi River in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
(African Journals Online (AJOL), 2010) Kihampa, C; Mwegoha, William J. S.
Concentrations of cadmium, copper, chromium and lead was determined in four different edible vegetables namely Amaranthus blitum, A. gangeticus, Ipomea batata and Cucurbita maxima grown at four different sites along the contaminated Msimbazi River, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Analyses of these heavy metals were conducted using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Results obtained indicate that the concentrations of heavy metals range from below detection limit to 0.53, 0.14 to 29.08, 0.76 to 17.69, and below detection limit to 39.69 mg/100 g for cadmium, chromium, copper and lead, respectively. With exception to Ipomea batata, other vegetables contained at least two types of heavy metals with high concentrations beyond the permissible values recommended by FAO and WHO for human consumption. Concentrations of cadmium were within the acceptable limits for human consumption in all the vegetables investigated. This work, thus, seeks to provide information on levels of toxic heavy metals in leaves of edible vegetables irrigated with water contaminated by industrial and other anthropogenic effluents, and grown in contaminated soils along the Msimbazi River. The information can be used for monitoring processes to prevent excessive build-up in the food chain.
Heavy metals concentrations in vegetables grown in the vicinity of the closed dumpsite
(International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2011) Kihampa, Charles; Mwegoha, William J. S.; Shemdoe, Riziki S.
Levels of heavy metals cadmium, lead, chromium, zinc and copper in five different edible vegetables, Amaranthus blitum, Vigna unguiculata, Ipomea batata, Solanum nigrum and Cucurbita maxima grown along the slopes of the closed dumpsite were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The extraction of heavy metals from the vegetables was done by dry ashing methods and data were analysed using Statistical Programme for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Excel computer packages. Results obtained for five heavy metals in vegetables ranged between 0.28 and 1.50 mg/kg dw for cadmium; 0.49 and 20.65 mg/kg dw for lead; 1.15 and 29.39 mg/kg dw for chromium; 18.61 and 122.88 mg/kg dw for zinc and 3.96 and 22.47 mg/kg dw for copper. The levels of Zn, Cr, Pb and Cd were above the permissible levels of heavy metals in food as per FAO/WHO guidelines and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) standards. This implies that vegetables grown along the closed Mtoni dumpsite are not suitable for human consumption. This study highlights the potential risks involved in the cultivation and consumption of vegetables on plots along the dumpsites and irrigated with water contaminated with leachates effluents, a practice which may place at risk the health of the urban population who consume these vegetables.
Traffic jam and its social impacts: The case of Dar es salaam city
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Nelson, Erick
This study was conducted in order to identify the social impacts of traffic jam in Dar es Salaam City. A case study design was applied to obtain primary data from the unit of enquiry. Also various methods of data collection such as in depth interview, administered questionnaire and documentary review were applied. Simple random sampling was adopted to select 46 respondents from which data was collected. The findings showed that traffic jam exists and it is a major problem to the commuters in Dar es Salaam city. According to the study, about 78.3% spend more than two to three hours on traffic jam. Some of the causes for traffic jam were said to be poor roads, increased number of cars and location of many offices at one place, lack of parking places as well as poor traffic management. On the other side, traffic jam was found to have the following impacts on health. This includes spread of diseases such as airborne diseases and fainting just to mention few. At family level, traffic jam has led to misunderstanding among family members, separation and divorce and lack of time for parents to be with their children. At community level, traffic jam contributes to poor relation among communities due to lack of time to participate in social affairs, reduced visitation, late arrival of fire and rescue tracks during the occurrence of disasters in the community and late arrival at work or school. In order to eliminate traffic jam in Dar es Salaam city, the following recommendations were made: improving the current infrastructures including construction of flyovers, reallocation of offices and services from the city centre, establishment of other means of transport such as train and water transport. This report was presented in five chapters, chapter one covered introduction of the study, chapter two, literature review, chapter three, research methodology, chapter four, presentation and discussion of the research findings and chapter five, the conclusions and recommendations
Institutions analysis of resource governance among Kiti water users association in Chunya district
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Nzota, Fransisca F.
This study assesses resource governance related to water user association in Chunya district, Mbeya region as a case. Specifically, the study intended to explain the process of carrying out collective bargaining in order to govern water resources and explain how conflicts in water user are resolved in Chunya District. It has also assessed willingness to pay for water as a public good, and the role of property right in mitigate the tragedy of the commons. Qualitative research methodology was employed to collect primary data. Whereas the collected data using structured questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussion and observation were used in the analysis. The documentary review research method was also employed to collect secondary data. The analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Excel Computer Software to analyse descriptive statistics such as cross-tabulations, percentages and averages of the sample size of 98 respondents. Results show that the process of carrying out collective bargaining is not participatory enough since only 33.3% of the members of Water Users Association were involved. However, conflict resolutions in water use are effectively resolved using WUAs. The willingness to pay for water services was relatively high up to 82.7% of the respondents who were interested to pay for using water. The property right assignment was reported to be a stimulate sense of ownership and provides the legal capacity to WUAs in dealing with deviants of water source regulations In order to increase effectiveness in resource governance especially in water resource; WUAs and other water institutions must recognize the role of community in governance of natural resources. Furthermore, the study provided areas for further research.
The impact of subsidized fertilizer on maize production and household income in Tanzania: The case of Sumbawanga municipality, Rukwa
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Sanga, Pascal J.
In the mid-1980s, Tanzania adopted a programme for economic liberalization of the entire economy after pressure from the IMF and the World Bank. It was promised that this economic liberalization would provide a strong stimulus to Tanzanian agriculture. In 1986, Tanzania had to sign with the World Bank and IMF the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), where agricultural subsidies were perceived to cause economic inefficiencies and were completely removed in 1994/95. However, available data show that this promise was not been fulfilled. In 2006, Tanzania came back and inaugurated the strategies for the transformation of Tanzania’s agriculture under the theme “KILIMO KWANZA”. The major aim is to combat poverty and food security through enhanced agricultural productivity via subsidized agricultural inputs. Despite seven years since its inception, little is known about achievement of the programme’s objectives. In this regard, this study examined the impact of subsidized fertilizer on maize production and household income. The study used survey research designs and data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The findings indicate that post subsidy programme period had an average of 77758 tons compared to 58453 tons of the pre-fertilizer subsidy period. Furthermore, findings indicated that there were differences in production between the users of fertilizer and non-users of fertilizer for the year 2012. Lastly, as the logic of subsidy suggests, using year 2012 as a case, it was found that the income for three groups was significantly different suggesting that users of subsidized fertilizers are likely to earn more income than the other two groups of farmers due to low cost of inputs. Some policy recommendations are given to promote the agricultural sector as one part of the national strategies in reducing income and food poverty. The budget constraints in the agricultural sector can be enhanced through reducing public expenditure on non-productive luxurious goods such as vehicles for bureaucrats and instead such budget should be allocated to agricultural sector which can lead to multiplier effect.
Land use conflicts and livelihoods of small holder farmers in Ulanga district
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Maksi, Deogratias Clemence
Land is increasingly becoming a source of conflicts in Tanzania and Africa at large, where land access had traditionally been characterized as relatively unrestricted. The main objective of the study was to examine how Land use conflicts’ smallholder farmers livelihoods are affected by land use conflicts. Subsequently, there were four specific objectives, to examine land administration system in Tanzania, especially land registration processes on how it affects rural smallholder farmers, to examine the state of land ownership in Ulanga district, to examine the causes for land use conflicts in Ulanga district and to examine the weaknesses of legal institutions for the persistence of the land use conflicts at Ulanga district. Primary data were collected from 120 smallholding farmers from 3 wards 2 villages from each ward. The study findings show that land administration system in Tanzania affects land registration process especially in rural areas due to the fact that most of the rural people failed to afford expenses. Also study findings reveal that most of the rural small farmers possess land through inheritance and customary rights. Moreover findings show that some of the underlying factors for land conflict are like, lack of clear demarcations, lack of land title deed, population pressure and agricultural commercialization. It seems that in Tanzania formal institutions for land administration are often simply superimposed on traditional structures without a clear delineation of responsibilities and competencies, implying that they lack both outreach and social legitimacy. It is thus concluded that land issue has a strong touch on a wide range of issues in different thematic areas. It is a cross cutting issue and touches all aspects of social, economic and political activities in rural areas. Therefore land use conflicts may affect the all sectors and live hoods of the natives of a specific area and Tanzania in general. It is recommended that there is a need of having strong legal management machinery which dealing with land management in the country. Also raising awareness on land rights is a crucial thing in land ownership. Furthermore the least there is a need to encourage land registration to the rural people. This service should be allocated in rural areas where most land conflicts occur
Governance instruments and liquid wastes management in urban industrial areas of Tanzania: a case of Morogoro textile industry
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Mwakaboko, Humphrey Donald
This research aimed at examining how governance instruments are applied in managing liquid wastes, its efficiency and effectiveness in the Morogoro Textile Industry. A case study research design was used and eighty-three (83) respondents were interviewed by using questionnaires and participant observations. Data collected were presented using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS, version 16) and analysed using percentages, graphs, and tables. The findings show that, the Morogoro textile industry does not implement all the governance instruments for waste management, the applied one is 48.3% recycling, 16.7% environmental regulation, 6.7% environmental policy and 28.3% environmental standards, and the liquid waste management system/programs adopted by the Morogoro textile industry were less effective and efficient. The findings show that, 60% of workers were not satisfied with the situation of liquid waste management practices in the industry and 28.3% were less satisfied and 11.7% were completely dissatisfied. About 75% of the community said that no any environmental education concerned liquid waste was provided to them, while 25% they do not recall if there was environmental education provided to them. This study recommends improving infrastructures of waste collection and treatment plant, adhering to the rules and regulations from NEMC, applying governance instruments properly, improving the working environment for employees, to improve environmental education and public awareness to the people. The existing technologies need to be updated to minimize liquid wastes produced. Recycling and re-use of liquid wastes and adoption of cleaner or low liquid waste technologies should be emphasized. To date there is no policy for liquid waste management at the national level, thus the government should formulate a liquid waste management policy accompanied by the enabling legislation, to regulate the operations in liquid waste management.
An Assessment of beach management units in combating illegal fishing in lake Victoria, Tanzania: A case of Bukoba district
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Kashililika, Edwin W.
The study is about An Assessment of the Beach Management Units in combating illegal fishing with specific reference to Bukoba District. The aim of the study was to identify factors leading to the ineffective performance of Beach Management Units in combating illegal fishing in Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Ninety-six (96) respondents were interviewed using structured questionnaires also information collected from a fishery official at District and Regional level by focused group discussion. Descriptive data were analyzed by the descriptive analysis method and SPSS 20 version and presented in frequencies. The findings revealed that the performance of the BMUs is poor because of, the lack of boats for patrol (fishery patrol vessel), lack of source of revenue, and difficulty to get information about illegal fishing, BMUs leaders were found to be part of illegal fishing, also intimidation to BMUs’ leaders by big fishers who practised illegal fishing and lastly voluntarism nature of work demoralizes the BMUs leaders to concentrate in combating illegal fishing. Given the above-mentioned reasons fueling illegal fishing, this study recommends local and Central Governments to support the BMUs to improve their performance to achieve the sustainable and equitable exploitation of fishery resources. The basic support recommended includes Adequate funds to support their operations including the purchase of the fishery patrol vessel, awareness raising/sensitization to local authorities and community living along Lake Victoria shores on the importance of these Community-Based Organizations in combating illegal fishing, the impact of illegal fishing and how to provide information to the BMUs leadership about illegal fishing.
Community participation for sustainability of rural water schemes: a case of CHAMAVITA water schemes in Lushoto District
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Mdendemi, Patience Placid
This study assesses community participation for sustainability of rural water schemes in rural areas. Two villages of Emao and Nkelei were taken as a case study. The methodology applied to assess community participation was thoroughly discussed to see the extent of community involvement at different stages of the project. The techniques used included interviews, questionnaires, focused group discussions, physical observation and literature review. A total of 100 respondents were interviewed 92 of whom were project beneficiaries. The study found that community participation in the study area took different forms at the different stages of the project cycle. The nature and extent of participation for the majority of local communities was generally limited to information giving, consultation and contribution. Local communities were generally not involved in decision making, planning, monitoring and evaluation. The key factors in participation are staff with knowledge and skills on participatory approaches, continuous community sensitisation and mobilisation. Poverty was found to be the main inhibitor of local community participation. Other factors are contradicting policies and approaches of different agencies inflexible organisational policies, poor community leadership and dependency. The study also found that participatory approach leads to water project sustainability only when the elements of project sustainability are considered at the early stages. Capacity building was significant when it trained community water attendants and when it formed local communities or water user groups to carry out project activities for immediate intervention. The study concluded that little attention was given to community involvement at different stages of project implementation and that this threatened future sustainability of the water schemes. There was ineffective community participation in both villages. Lastly the study recommends firstly that water attendants and WC members should be trained, secondly that there should be periodic sensitization seminar on O &M, finally that the community should be involved in all stages of project development.
An assessment of beach management units in combating illegal fishing in Lake Victoria, Tanzania: a case of Bukoba district
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Kashililika, Edwin Wakisa
The study is about an assessment of the Beach Management Units in combating illegal fishing with specific reference to Bukoba District. The aim of the study was to identify factors leading to ineffective performance of Beach Management Units in combating illegal fishing in Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Ninety-six (96) respondents were interviewed using structured questionnaires also information collected from a fishery official at District and Regional level by focused group discussion. Descriptive data were analyzed by the descriptive analysis method and SPSS 20 version and presented in frequencies. The findings revealed that the performance of the BMUs is poor because of, lack of boats for patrol (fishery patrol vessel), lack of source of revenue, difficult to get information about illegal fishing, BMUs leaders were found to be part of illegal fishing, also intimidation to BMUs’ leaders by big fishers who practiced illegal fishing and lastly voluntarism nature of work demoralizes the BMUs leaders to concentrate in combating illegal fishing. Given the above-mentioned reasons fueling illegal fishing, this study recommends local and Central Government to support the BMUs to improve its performance to achieve the sustainable and equitable exploitation of fishery resources. The basic support recommended include: Adequate funds to support their operations including the purchase of the fishery patrol vessel, awareness raising/sensitization to local authorities and community living along Lake Victoria shores on the importance of these Community-Based Organizations in combating illegal fishing, the impact of illegal fishing and how to provide information to the BMUs leadership about illegal fishing.
Assessment of performance of vocational training centres on youth unemployment reduction: A case of Mkokotoni Vocational Training Centre in a North District, Zanzibar
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Juma, Juma N.
Youth unemployment is a serious problem facing developed and developing countries since the early 2000s, and it has had a huge impact on the socio-economic context. It was therefore important to deploy initiatives in order to overcome or reduce the consequences of this problem. Vocational training was thought to be the best option to counteract the problem. This study assessed the performance of VTCs on youth unemployment reduction in Zanzibar where four main aspects involved which were: courses offered in VTCs, students’ enrolment trend, extent to which VTCs reduced unemployment, and challenges which faced VTCs. The study used an exploratory research design and involved 140 respondents to assess performance through the administration of a questionnaire, interviews, focused group discussions, observation and documentary review. The findings revealed that a total of eleven courses were offered and the Majority of respondents joined courses which depended on being employed or had low employment possibilities. Also, students’ enrolment was still very low (below 1 percent). It was found that only 28 percent of trainees had employment while 72 percent had no employment, and the main employer was hotel industries which employed 55 percent of trainees while 45 percent were self-employed. In addition, there was inadequate training materials by 74 percent and shortage of materials and equipments for field and practical sessions by 55 percent. To a large extent, the performance of VTCs was affected by different challenges such as lack of areas for field practices (27 percent), and poor coordination (14 percent) which limit performance of VTCs towards well qualified and competent trainees delivery. It therefore concluded that VTCs’ performance on youth unemployment reduction is still not satisfactory. The study therefore recommended measures to improve VTCs’ performance in employment creation such as: the Government should collaborate with the private sector, ensure accessibility of VTCs in tourism areas and review of VTCs’ curriculum to suit with the current situation of labour market.
An analysis of challenges facing folk development colleges in the Southern Highlands zone, Tanzania
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Kalole, Josephine G.
This study examined the challenges which faced the development of FDCs in the Southern Highland Zone of Tanzania. It was inspired by the fact that FDCs’ development was moving backward and the challenges were less known. The study specifically identified the causes of the challenges facing FDCs, found out how the challenges facing FDCs in the southern highlands zone of Tanzania could be addressed, and explored measures for strengthening FDCs. The study used a cross-sectional research design with a sample of 36 respondents who were selected though convenience and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected by using questionnaires, interviews, and documentary review methods. They were analyzed by using SPSS and Microsoft Word for text processing and editing. The study shows that inadequate facilities, poor infrastructure, shortage of qualified personnel, inadequate technological tools, and community’ negative attitude were the challenges which affected FDCs in the study areas. The effects of those challenges were lack of qualified teachers, poor teaching, drop outs, students’ poor performance, students’ failure, unwillingness to teach, teachers’ resignation, and hence bad reputation of FDCs. Measures such as enough budget allocation for FDCs, employing adequate qualified personnel, increasing facilities, involving stakeholders in planning, were proposed. There was also a need to strengthen FDCs through involving development partners, conducting fundraising activities, staff capacity building. Relevant recommendations are made.
The Need of effective land policy in Zanzibar: A case study of West District
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Mtambua, Hamziji H.
The main objective of this study was to examine the need of effective Land policy in Zanzibar with reference to West District as a Case Study and the specific objective was to examine social and economic effects of land dispute in Zanzibar in relation to Land Policy of 1982, to identify the challenges of change of land use in Zanzibar in relation to Land Policy in Zanzibar and to identify the opportunities that can be created by Zanzibar land policy. The major methods used in data collection were questionnaires, structured interview, observation and focus group discussion to get relevant information from the respondents. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft excel programme were used to analyze data, which were then summarized into frequencies and percentages and presented in tables and graphs for easier and to give clear understanding of the study. The growing population and increasing of social and economic activities including Tourism and service development require effective management and administration of land in order to use scarce land resource for development of Zanzibar. This study used 120 respondents including land owners, land officers and local government authorities. The results of this study show that, there is a need of effective land Policy in Zanzibar to guide various social and economic developments, control land use management, effective and easiest land ownerships as well as controlling land disputes . It also showed that land policy will reduce land disputes, proper land use as well as will identify the investment opportunities in west district. The study suggested the review of existing land Policy that will address the issues of effective land ownership and titling, introduction of effective legal instruments in every district to deal with land disputes, mobilize land departments and local government authorities and other land stake holders to work in strong collaboration.
Challenges of promoting number of deliveries in health facilities in Namtumbo district, Tanzania
(Mzumbe Unversity, 2013) Nela, Lucas
This study is about challenges of promoting numbers of deliveries in health facilities in Namtumbo district. Specifically, the study sought to explore the status of women deliveries at health facilities in Namtumbo District, people’s perception on delivering at health facilities, factors influencing deliveries at health facilities, and ways of promoting deliveries at health facilities in the District. The population of study was all community members of Namtumbo district from which a sample of 65(100%) respondents was obtained whereby simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used. Methods of data collection involved both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected by using questionnaires and interviews. Documentary review methods were used in collecting secondary data. Analysis of data was done with excel. Therefore, the report is presented using descriptive statistics, namely frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that the number of women delivering outside health facilities is still high. Influencing factors include negative altitudes of health providers, lack of medicine and medical supply, and budget constraints from the government on health facilities construction making the problem of home deliveries keep on persisting. This makes the pregnant women not to get proper services as guided in order to control the life of pregnant women. Also, the study revealed that the factors which lead the pregnant women to deliver at home include polite language from Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), services provided under a short time, short distance from home to TBAs, zero cost in services and no compulsory HIV/AIDS testing as what is practiced at health facilities. Further, the government is committed towards the promotion of numbers of deliveries in health facilities all over the country but there are still some challenges such as shortage of drugs in the health facilities, lack of funds, lack of transport facilities as well as shortage of personnel. Based on these findings, increase in the utilization of health facilities for delivery by improving education among girls, increase in accessibility to health facility and promotion of early booking as well as regular visits by women have been recommended.
The contribution of World vision on poverty alleviation through Agricultural interventions- in Tanzania: a case of Kinampanda area development programme-Iramba singida
(Mzumbe Unversity, 2013) Mwendi, Romwald D.
The study was conducted in Kinampanda division in Iramba, Singida. The main purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of world vision on poverty alleviation through agricultural intervention. Specifically, the study aimed to examine agricultural activities supported by Kinampanda ADP at household level, assess the accessibility of agricultural interventions supported by Kinampanda ADP to households, investigate the implementation of agriculture intervention by Kinampanda ADP to households, and explore the household expenditure and savings of profit gained from agricultural intervention. In examining agricultural activities supported by Kinampanda ADP at household level, the study findings show that Kinampanda ADP supported households with agricultural trainings, provision of improved farming input and implements and linking them with credit societies. On assessing the accessibility of agriculture intervention supported by Kinampanda ADP to households, the findings revealed that Kinampanda is working best with farming groups and support them in terms of cost sharing. On investigating the implementation of agriculture intervention by Kinampanda ADP to households, the study revealed that, there was increase of cultivated acres, crops productivity and surplus as compared to the time before and after the intervention. Lastly, on exploring the house hold expenditure and savings of profit gained from agricultural interventions, the study revealed that, small household farmers increased their income, own valuable assets, being able to pay for basic needs as well as ability to pay for education and health services. Conclusion, the study revealed that, Kinampanda agricultural interventions have resulted to poverty alleviation as compared to situation before the interventions. The study recommend that Government together with Kinampanda ADP to continue linking small farmers with credit societies to get loans for better operation of their agricultural activities.
The impact of information communication technology (ICT) on performance of Tanzania posts corporation (TPC)
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Isote, Lynnchristine G.
This study aimed at exploring the impact of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on performance of Tanzania Posts Corporation (TPC). The study focused on examining ICT technologies available at TPC; assessing efforts used to improve product innovation in TPC; assessing performance trends before and after adoption of ICT in TPC and exploring customer responsiveness towards TPC services in the era of ICT. The study adopted a case study research design to attain its objectives. The sample size for the study was 62 respondents. Purposive sampling technique was used whereby questionnaire, interviews, observation and documentary review were used to collect data. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Excel software were used in analysis, while data from in depth interviews were analyzed qualitatively. In this study, it was found that ICT technologies available at TPC include: computers, telephone and internet. Also, findings revealed that there was a statistically insignificance increase in performance before adoption of ICT and after adoption of ICT, whereby profitability of items posted in mails and logistic business, financial and agency business and courier business was assed, also Return on Asset and Marginal ratio were used as indicators. The eta squared statistic was applied and the results indicated very small effect size. In addition to that, the study revealed that customers still needed TPC services in the era of ICT in spite of development of other forms of communication like emails, mobile phones and internet. This study recommends increasing the government support to TPC by improving physical infrastructure and providing vehicles for transporting mail and parcel so that it can fulfill the major obligations of universal postal services to the customers so as to ensure efficiency in TPC operations. In order for TPC to enjoy the fruits of ICT on its performance, it must speed up the way of adopting ICT so as to ensure significance increase in performance. Finally, it is recommended that TPC must raise its trustworthiness, improve customer care, strengthen their network, improve their services and cope with market competition.
The impact of subsidized fertilizer on Maize production and household income in Tanzania: The case of Sumbawanga municipality, Rukwa
(Mzumbe Unversity, 2013) Sanga, Pascal J.
In the mid-1980s, Tanzania adopted a programme for economic liberalization of the entire economy after pressure from the IMF and the World Bank. It was promised that this economic liberalization would provide a strong stimulus to Tanzanian agriculture. In 1986, Tanzania had to sign with the World Bank and IMF the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), where agricultural subsidies were perceived to cause economic inefficiencies, and were completely removed in 1994/95. However, available data show that, this promise was not been fulfilled. In 2006, Tanzania came back and inaugurated the strategies for the transformation of Tanzania’s agriculture under the theme “KILIMO KWANZA”. The major aim is to combat poverty and food security through enhanced agricultural productivity via subsidized agricultural inputs. Despite seven years since its inception, little is known about achievement of programme’s objectives. In this regard, this study examined the impact of subsidized fertilizer on maize production and household income. The study used survey research designs and data were collected using questionnaire and interviews. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The findings indicate that post subsidy programme period had an average of 77758 tons compared to 58453 tons of the pre fertilizer subsidy period. Furthermore, findings indicated that there were differences in production between the users of fertilizer and non-users of fertilizer for the year 2012. Lastly, as the logic of subsidy suggests, using year 2012 as a case, it was found that the income for three groups was significantly different suggesting that users of subsidized fertilizers are likely to earn more income than the other two groups of farmers due to low cost of inputs. Some policy recommendations are given to promote the agricultural sector as one part of the national strategies in reducing income and food poverty. The budget constraints in the agricultural sector can be enhanced through reducing public expenditure on non-productive luxurious goods such as vehicles for bureaucrats and instead such budget should be allocated to agricultural sector which can lead to multiplier effect.
Challenges of micro-finance institutions towards women empowerment in Kilimanjaro Region Tanzania: A case study of Moshi Municipality
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Kyara, Stella E.
The study identified the challenges that micro-finance institutions face in the process of empowering women in Moshi Municipality. The specific objectives of the study are; exploring the causes of challenges of micro-finance institutions, assessing the strength and opportunities found in Moshi Municipality for women empowerment, and lastly suggesting possible solutions to alleviate challenges that face micro-finance institutions in Moshi Municipality. The study adopted a case study design. Random sampling and purposive sampling were used to a total number of 70 respondents who were customers and staff of micro-finance, and Municipal officials who were dealing with microfinance. Data collection for this study employed different methods such as questionnaires, interviews, observation and focused group discussion. With respect to the objectives the findings revealed several challenges, causes of the challenges and pointed strength and opportunities found in Moshi municipality which are; poor repayment, politics, delay of funds, bureaucracy, corruption, unfaithful staffs, and unfaithful customers. Causes for the challenges are poor management in the organizations, economic depression, and inflation. And lastly strengths and opportunities to empower women in Moshi Municipality pointed out are; the availability of financial institutions, availability of funds, the area being in town where business can possibily flow due to the availability of good infrastructures, and availability of entrepreneurship education to the customers that gives them a wide knowledge of operating business and skills to manage funds they raise. Basing on the findings it was recommended that, there should be multiple ways to help in alleviating the experienced challenges which includes, design of suggestion box, trainings should be conducted for capacity building to customers, there should be a visit to customers' business for evaluation to see if they meet standards that can help them lend more money, lastly, financial management education should be provided to SACCOS board members and there should be more cooperative officers to support organizations in training, auditing and advise to the existing SACCOS.