Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Development in Agriculture (RUFORUM)RUFORUMhttp://hdl.handle.net/10570/57212024-03-29T16:02:19Z2024-03-29T16:02:19ZAdoption and welfare effects of integrated soil fertility management technologies among smallholder maize and pigeon pea farmers in TanzaniaSanka, M.B.Diiro, G.M.Hillbur, P.http://hdl.handle.net/10570/58712018-01-28T20:57:14Z2016-10-01T00:00:00ZAdoption and welfare effects of integrated soil fertility management technologies among smallholder maize and pigeon pea farmers in Tanzania
Sanka, M.B.; Diiro, G.M.; Hillbur, P.
This study analyzed farmer adoption of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) and its impact on household welfare in Babati district, Tanzania. Cross-sectional survey data collected from a random sample of 500 maize and pigeonpea farmers in Babati district was used. Data were collected through face to face interviews using a semistructured questionnaire. In this study, an adopter of ISFM was defined as the farmer household using at least 50% of the ISFM package including at least one improved crop variety and one type of fertilizer. The study used a probit regression model to quantify the determinants of adoption of ISFM whereas the impact of adoption were estimated using a propensity score matching technique. Results showed that 49.4% of maize and pigeon pea farmers in Babati district used ISFM technologies. Results of the probit regression analysis showed that household size, value of livestock owned, value of household assets, farm size, agricultural training and access to credit (P<0.05), education of the household head and extension services (p<0.1) increased farmer adoption to ISFM. However, participation in off-farm activities (P<0.05) reduced the likelihood of adoption of ISFM. The welfare effects of adoption showed that ISFM can generate sizeable gains in maize and pigeon peas yields, and increase household per capita consumption and food security status of adopting households in the study area (P<0.05). This study revealed that adoption of ISFM can increase welfare of smallholder farmers in Tanzania. There is need to strengthen agricultural extension services through agricultural training on ISFM. Further, it is vital that farmer access to ISFM package is increased and improved through access to affordable credit subsidies on agricultural inputs.
Paper presented at the Fifth RUFORUM Biennial Regional Conference, 17-21 October 2016, Cape Town , South Africa
2016-10-01T00:00:00ZThe atmospheric deposition of phosphorus and nitrogen on Lake KivuBagalwa, M.Majaliwa, M.Kansiime, F.Bootsma, H. A.Karume, K.Mushagalusa, N.http://hdl.handle.net/10570/57732017-12-14T23:44:41Z2016-01-01T00:00:00ZThe atmospheric deposition of phosphorus and nitrogen on Lake Kivu
Bagalwa, M.; Majaliwa, M.; Kansiime, F.; Bootsma, H. A.; Karume, K.; Mushagalusa, N.
Phosphorus and nitrogen are most often identified as the nutrients limiting algal biomass and productivity in aquatic ecosystems. Sources of new nutrients for lakes include riverine input, atmospheric deposition, N fixation, and occasionally groundwater. For many regions, the relative importance of atmospheric deposition is uncertain. Annual dynamics of wet and dry atmospheric nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) deposition on Lake Kivu were investigated at three land stations and one an island station to estimate lake wide atmospheric nutrient input to Lake Kivu. The highest dry P (TP) loading rates were recorded at the southern end of the Lake with lower rates in the north. Annual dry atmospheric deposition was higher than wet deposition in all the four sites. The estimation of dry TP and TN deposition to entire Lake Kivu (2370 km2) is 14.5 ± 16.26 kg m-2 yr-1 of TP and 506.3 ± 590.7 kg m-2 yr-1 of TN. And the wet TP and TN estimation rate for the all Lake Kivu was respectively 0.09 ± 0.07 kg m-2 yr-1 and 2.02 ± 0.16 kg m-2 yr-1. Phosphorus and nitrogen deposition rates in atmospheric deposition around Lake Kivu were similar to the existing estimates of atmospheric phosphorus and nitrogen inputs to other African Lakes. Both biomass burning and soil suspension particles were suggested as possible sources. These estimates should be viewed as a first order approximation of actual phosphorus and nitrogen deposition on the Lake.
2016-01-01T00:00:00ZBacterial leaf streak disease of rice: A silent constraint to rice production in UgandaAndaku, J.L.Tusiime, G.Tukamuhabwa, P.Onaga, G.http://hdl.handle.net/10570/57842017-11-12T22:42:04Z2016-08-01T00:00:00ZBacterial leaf streak disease of rice: A silent constraint to rice production in Uganda
Andaku, J.L.; Tusiime, G.; Tukamuhabwa, P.; Onaga, G.
Bacterial leaf streak disease (BLS) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzicola is one of the emergent biotic constraints to rice production in Africa. The disease, which can cause yield loss of up to 60% on susceptible cultivars, was observed in Uganda in the rice growing districts of Namutumba, Butaleja and Iganga in 2014. As such there is limited data on the distribution of bacterial leaf streak disease in rice growing areas of Uganda. Using a systematic sampling survey, 176 rice fields at tillering to panicle initiation stages in 14 rice growing districts of Uganda were assessed for the prevalence of BLS disease. Results show a high prevalence of bacterial leaf streak disease, where 71.4% of the districts surveyed had the disease. Data collected also revealed significant differences (P < 0.001) in BLS incidence and severities between the districts surveyed. The results further indicated that rice fields where improved varieties and clean seeds were planted had very low incidences and severity. The high prevalence of BLS disease in the rice growing districts may be due to existence of highly virulent BLS pathogens, favourable environment (high humidity and warm temperature) and cultivation of susceptible local rice genotypes. Poor rice residue management, poor field hygiene and utilization of home saved rice seeds by majority of the farmers could also account for the wide occurrence of BLS disease since these lead to the build-up of primary inoculum. For sustainable management of this disease, there is need to create awareness on the wide occurrence of BLS disease in Uganda, educate farmers on management of the disease, understand the population structure of BLS pathogen in Uganda and identify genetically stable sources of resistance to the pathogen under Uganda’s conditions.
2016-08-01T00:00:00ZCharacteristics of effective nutrition-agricultural extension interventions: Lessons from civil society extension organizations in UgandaSitenda, T.Mangheni, N.M.Walekhwa, P.Kabahenda, M.K.http://hdl.handle.net/10570/61302018-04-30T01:07:05Z2016-10-01T00:00:00ZCharacteristics of effective nutrition-agricultural extension interventions: Lessons from civil society extension organizations in Uganda
Sitenda, T.; Mangheni, N.M.; Walekhwa, P.; Kabahenda, M.K.
Conventional agricultural extension interventions have focused on production objectives
with limited attention on nutrition. Recently, there has been a new thrust by the
international and regional organizations as well as national governments to adopt
extension interventions that engage farmers to improve their dietary practices and
achieve nutrition outcomes. However, little has been documented on how these extension
interventions can effectively facilitate the desired changes. The objective of the study
was to identify characteristics of extension interventions that facilitate changes in
farmers’ dietary practices. The study was conducted in Kihihi and Nyamirama subcounties
of Kanungu District in South-western, Uganda. These communities are served
by two civil society extension organizations; Africa2000Network (A2N) and Community
Connector (CC). Nine in-depth Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with 98 farmers were
conducted to collect qualitative data about the interventions and their effect on farmers’
dietary practices. Two FGDs were conducted with extension workers to complement
the farmers’ opinions. Results show that interventions that involve both men and
women for trainings facilitated positive changes in dietary practices. Messages that go
beyond food production and intake to include hygiene fostered positive change in the
dietary practices. Furthermore, methods that were considered effective engaged
farmers beyond formal training settings and included entertainment by incorporating
drama, songs, and radio talk shows during their leisure time. Drama was pointed out as
the most effective method. Conversely, individual methods mainly farmer-to-farmer
visits and individual-learning through reading nutrition books were not well rated by
farmers. Thus, the extension interventions that mix a variety of methods, more especially
those that target men and women; reach farmers during their leisure time; train farmers
on food production, food in-take, household hygiene and savings; conduct activities in
accessible venues; and partner with universities to incorporate research findings to
inform their design; facilitate positive changes in farmers’ dietary practices.
2016-10-01T00:00:00Z