Papers by Samwel J Kabote
Abstract: This paper combines farmers’ perceptions of climate variability and change and meteorol... more Abstract: This paper combines farmers’ perceptions of climate variability and change and meteorological data trends to generate empirical evidence to broaden an understanding of the phenomena. The results show an agreement on changing rainfall patterns. Bad years described by drought frequencies, temperature, and dry spell have increased since the 1970s. Crop growing period has decreased by one month in Meatu and by more than a month in Iramba. As hypothesised, the Mann-Whitney U test shows similar men and women’s
perceptions at 5% level of significance (P value = 0.701). Similarly, the
Kruskal-Wallis H test indicates that the poor, not so poor and the rich have the same perceptions (P value = 0.281). These results have implications on crop and livestock production systems and on livelihoods more generally. We conclude that climate variability and change manifestations overlap, making it a complex phenomena perceived equally by men, women, the poor and non-poor. This is understood holistically by combining farmers’ perceptions and meteorological data trends to inform adaptation strategies related decision making.
Climate change and its variability are increasingly threatening livelihoods of Tanzania’s predomi... more Climate change and its variability are increasingly threatening livelihoods of Tanzania’s predominantly rural population and in particular those households with low incomes. Based on the above reality, a study was conducted in two semi-arid areas of central Tanzania. The overall objective was to determine how climate change and its variability have affected rural households’ crop production over time. Specifically, the paper aims at; assessing farmers’ preferred food and cash crops, determining the impact of rainfall variability on crop production in the semi-arid areas of central Tanzania and determining communities’ perception of climate change. The study on which the paper is based used a mixed method approach whereby both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to complement each other thus improving quality of the results regarding the impact of climate change and its variability on rural households’ crop production. Primary data was collected using a pre-structured questionnaire and focus group discussions’ checklist. Whereas quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Software for Social Scientists, qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Findings generally show that climate change and climate variability have occurred in the study area and consequently crop production has adversely been affected leading to households’ vulnerability to food insecurity. In addition, food shortages have become frequent threatening households livelihood security. Based on the findings, rural households’ capacity to respond to the challenges of climate change and climate variability is a matter of urgency. Therefore, the government, in addition to the efforts already undertaken, should put in place institutional and policy framework to support rural households’ efforts to minimize the impacts of the phenomena.
Keywords: climate change, semi-arid, crop production, livelihood
Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2012
Sustainable Intensification to Advance Food Security and Enhance Climate Resilience in Africa, 2014
Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), 2014
Abstract
Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques, this chapter examines p... more Abstract
Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques, this chapter examines processes and impacts of International Land Deals in Kisarawe District. Three focus group discussions encompassing 30 participants and 17 key informants were involved. A survey of 180 small-scale farmers who were heads of households or spouses also participated in the study. Qualitative data were analyzed used content analysis techniques whereby quantitative data were summarized using Statistical Package for Social Science. Results showed that the process of land leasing to the British Sun-Biofuel Tanzania Limited were top down. Secondly, the employment opportunity created by the investor though improved household income was not sustainable and so small-scale farmers bounced back into poverty. Thirdly, despite a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the investor and Kisarawe District, there were no mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of the deal as a result the win-win situation was not attained and that the deal exacerbated rural poverty among small-scale famers.
Lambert academic publishing, 2012
Lambert academic publishing, 2012
Journal of African Studies, 2009
For about two decades, Affirmative Action (AA) policies, particularly Quotas and/or Special Seat... more For about two decades, Affirmative Action (AA) policies, particularly Quotas and/or Special Seats have been substantial measures for increasing women’s political representation and participation in developing countries and Tanzania in particular. However, attitudes related obstructions influences AAs’ implementation in the country. With this rationale, this study was conducted in Misungwi District to assess factors influenced attitudes towards AAs’implementation. A key question in this study was: Do sex, awareness/knowledge on Affirmative Actions (AAs) and duration in local leadership positions influences respondent’s views towards AA’s implementation? Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews and documentary reviews. The analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 13. Findings revealed that, more women had positive attitudes towards AA’s implementation as opposed to men. Knowledge on reasons for Affirmative Action’s introduction was also positive. In addition, respondent’s attitudes were positive for respondents stayed six years and above in local leadership positions. Though it was a case study findings depicted a real picture of most District Councils in Tanzania. The study concluded that negative views towards AAs’ implementation exacerbated women’s under-representation as well as poor participation in local politics. Finally, we recommend that the family, schools and political parties should be entry points to eliminate negative attitudes towards AAs’ implementation in Misungwi District and the nation at large. Public gender awareness campaigns, accompanied with empowerment programmes are also highly recommended in this regard.
Keywords: Attitudes, Affirmative Action policies, Implementation, Local politics, Women participation, Misungwi District, Mwanza, Tanzania
Loyola Journal of Social Sciences, Jun 30, 2011
This paper focuses on gender equity in primary education in Kahama District, one of the artisanal... more This paper focuses on gender equity in primary education in Kahama District, one of the artisanal mining communities in Tanzania. The focus is on Grade I registration, Standard VII completions, and pass rates. Data used in this paper came from the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Miners’ survey conducted in 2010 in Bugarama ward. Two questions are addressed; first what is the status of gender equity? Secondly, if inequality is widening, who are the most affected between boys and girls? Primary data were synthesised from discussions with key informants; while, secondary data were obtained from primary school records. Findings indicate that the first half of the last decade was characterised by high gender disparity with boys being ahead of girls in each variable studied. However, over time, gender disparity was declining modestly. The reason among others could be hinged on an enabling policy environment and the desire by the Tanzania Government to achieve national and international targets. Based on these findings, three education policy interventions should be formulated and effectively implemented so as to spur gender parity in primary education. The first policy intervention should focus on gender parity during Grade I registration; the second one should aim at controlling school attrition of both boys and girls until graduation with an idea in mind that artisanal mining activities may act like a magnet to some of the school children. Finally, the third policy intervention should focus at sustaining gender equity once it has been attained.
Keywords: gender equity, primary education, rural Tanzania
Loyola Journal of Social Sciences, Dec 31, 2012
Livelihood diversification is becoming widespread in developing countries, more so in rural areas... more Livelihood diversification is becoming widespread in developing countries, more so in rural areas. However, very little is known of how this actually operates, specifically in artisanal mining communities of
Tanzania where poverty is rampant. Livelihood diversification is considerably important in artisanal mining of Tanzania because mining areas have become under control of multinational companies following economic liberalization. For this reason, livelihood diversification can help artisanal mining communities to minimize risks from displacements in paving way for large-scale mining companies. This paper is a trend
analysis establishing realities prior to and after privatization of the Bulyanhulu gold fields. Its two specific objectives are: first, to assess displacements and land issues and implications to livelihood diversifications; secondly, to examine livelihood diversifications. A retrospective technique was used to analyze the situation before privatization. Using this technique, respondents were asked to report about their livelihood and income strategies for the past one decade and a half. The paper establishes that artisanal mining and farming activities were two major livelihood and income strategies before and after privatization. In addition, petty business and waged employment through casual labour somewhat emerged after privatization of the gold fields. The paper concludes that livelihood strategies were not much diversified in the study area during the periods under consideration. Having limited livelihood diversifications, it is difficult for artisanal mining communities to come out of poverty. This implies that political, legal and policy arrangements are critical in enhancing livelihood diversifications in artisanal mining communities in order to reduce vulnerability and poverty.
Journal of Continuing Education and Extension 4(2): 295-317, Dec 2013
Abstract
Although climate variability and change are not new phenomena in semi-arid areas, thei... more Abstract
Although climate variability and change are not new phenomena in semi-arid areas, their trends may change over time. Using data from Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) during the interval 2003 -2011, this paper examined inter-annual anomaly (deviation from long term mean) and seasonal variability of rainfall and temperature in Iramba and Meatu Districts. Results showed no significant increase (P>0.05) of inter-annual rainfall variability. Nonetheless, a considerable shift of heavy rains was evident in Iramba District. In both districts there was a shift of months with the most rain. In addition, considerable rainfall and temperature variability were depicted by the trends in the; number of hot and cold years; number of dry and wet years as well as by trends in the number of rainy days in both districts. While temperature showed an increasing trend throughout April in both districts, rainfall showed a decreasing trend, which can increase evapo-transpiration and in turn reduces moisture for the crops, exacerbates poor pasture productivity for livestock, and leads to water scarcity for both crops and animals. Hence, adjustments in cropping and livestock production systems and institutional support are critical in order to buffer the impact of climate variability in semi-arid areas.
Keywords: Rainfall, temperature, semi-arid, climate change, climate variability, Tanzania
International Journal of Gender and Women's Studies, Sep 30, 2014
Abstract
Since the 2000, Tanzania is striving to eliminate gender inequality in the educatio... more Abstract
Since the 2000, Tanzania is striving to eliminate gender inequality in the education system. As such, the gender gap in enrolment is closing in primary education. Yet, gendered performance remains a challenge. Using data from Primary School Leaving Examination results for the period between 2007 and 2011, and from qualitative methods, this paper examined trends and factors for poor performance in Mathematics and Science subjects with a gender perspective. Two schools from rural and two from urban areas were involved in the study. The results did not show a clear trend in Mathematics performance in rural relative to urban schools, which showed a clear decreasing trend. On the other hand, performance in science was decreasing in rural schools and in one of the urban schools. There was also lower girls’ performance in both subjects with some few unique cases. Secondly, the gender inequality was more prominent in rural relative to urban schools because of a number of overlapping factors including lack of female teachers role models and lack of an appropriate school environment for girls. Therefore, to tackle gender inequality in performance, rigorous efforts need to consider multiple, but interlocking factors with a gender lens, while considering rural-urban differences.
Keywords: Performance, gender inequality, Mathematics, Science, Tanzania
UTAFITI Journal, Dec 2012
Abstract
Compared to other regions in the world, agricultural performance in sub-Saharan Africa ... more Abstract
Compared to other regions in the world, agricultural performance in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has for many decades been deteriorating. Theoretically, it has been argued that rapid population growth could be responsible for not only deteriorating agricultural performance but also to environmental degradation. On the other hand, the Asian Green Revolution of 1960s has been reported as a success story in terms of transforming agriculture and improving food security in the context of increasing population in countries such as China and India. This article reviews the Malthusian theoretical ideas and their relevance to agricultural transformation in the African context and sub-Saharan Africa in particular. It further discusses empirical evidence emanating from sub-Saharan Africa in relation to agricultural productivity, population growth and the integrity of the environment. Based on ensuing discussions, the agricultural sector in SSA needs to be transformed, and theoretical arguments that negate the Malthusian stance are really relevant in this sub-continent. It is further stressed that replicating the Asian Green Revolution will not work perfectly in SSA because of variations in context based on policy, institutional, and structural arrangements. Therefore, transforming agriculture in this sub-continent is not an easy and straight forward task; rather, its success will depend on the interplay between policy interventions, integrating the agricultural sector with other sectors of the economy, active participation of different stakeholders, as well as government mediations.
Keywords: agriculture transformation, Green Revolution, population growth, environmental degradation
Journal of Environment and Earth Sciences, Aug 31, 2014
Abstract
Positive changes, like adopting drought resistant crop varieties, in the rain-fed farmi... more Abstract
Positive changes, like adopting drought resistant crop varieties, in the rain-fed farming system (RFFS) in response to climate variability and change enhance system’s ability to support people’s living as opposed to negative changes, like lack of pastures, which put the system at risk of failure in supporting the living. Using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and household survey, this paper examined the roles of climate variability and change in triggering changes in RFFS. Specifically, the paper: (i) assessed dominant crop and livestock farming system; (ii) assessed the change element of crop and livestock production systems; and (iii) examined factors for the changes in RFFS. A random sample of 388 households was used. Qualitative data analysis was done through content analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to assess factors that explain changes on RFFS. The results showed that dominant crops were different in each village. Secondly, some changes in crop varieties and in livestock grazing arrangements were noted in response to climate variability and change. Unlike the hypothesis (P>0.05), the results demonstrated that warming (ß = -10.61, Wald = 36.26, P ≤ 0.001) showed highest significant impact on likelihood of adopting new crop varieties relative to other factors. Similarly, drought (ß = 2.16, Wald = 6.82, P ≤ 0.009) showed highest impact on the likelihood of changing a grazing place. Yet, the changes were constrained by factors like natural resources protective policies, failure of crop varieties to withstand warming and drought, and poor land use management. Therefore, the RFFS was at a crossroads with implications on system sustainability and livelihoods. The government and private interventions should support farmers and agro-pastoralists to manage risks related to the changes in RFFS in response to climate variability and change.
Keywords: Climate change, agro-pastoralism, livelihoods, semi-arid, Tanzania
Organisation for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), Mar 1, 2014
Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, Dec 31, 2012
Abstract
This article presents and analyzes status and trends for people who were voluntarily te... more Abstract
This article presents and analyzes status and trends for people who were voluntarily tested for HIV/AIDS infections in Njombe Town Council in Njombe region. The analysis covers five year period between 2007 and 2011. This period was specifically chosen because it was in July 2007 that the government of Tanzania inaugurated a campaign for HIV/AIDS voluntary counselling and testing. Nevertheless, trends for the people who are using Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) centres and the associated results regarding HIV/AIDS infections are not clearly established. The article utilizes data collected from three Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) centres in Njombe Urban. Percentages of people infected with HIV/AIDS were computed using a calculator. Findings demonstrate that the number and percentages of people who were voluntarily tested for HIV/AIDS was increasing suggesting that over time more and more people were using voluntary testing and counselling centres (VCT). Interestingly, while the number of people visiting VCT centres revealed increasing trend, HIV/AIDS infections showed decreasing trend over the years for all of the VCT centres under consideration. Notwithstanding decreasing trend for HIV/AIDS infections, many people were living with HIV/AIDS particularly women. Overall, infections accounted for 6.5% at Njombe Health Centre higher than at Njombe Lutheran VCT centre and at Kibena Hospital, where both recorded 5.1% of people infected with HIV/AIDS. Controlling new cases for HIV/AIDS infections will help to re-direct resources to development initiatives at all levels. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to curb further HIV/AIDS infections in Njombe urban and in Tanzania more generally.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, infection trends, urban Tanzania
Thesis Chapters by Samwel J Kabote
Climate variability and change pose serious challenges to smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralis... more Climate variability and change pose serious challenges to smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists. Nonetheless, their trends and impacts on rain-fed farming system (RFFS) in semi-arid areas of Tanzania have not sufficiently been explored. This study was conducted in Iramba and Meatu districts to contribute to this knowledge gap. The study specifically (i) assessed meteorological data trends of rainfall and temperature between 1994 and 2011; (ii) determined farmers’ perception of climate variability and change in relation to meteorological data trends; (iii) determined changes in RFFS in response to climate variability and change; and (iv) examined changes in gender relations in response to climate variability and change. Although available meteorological data were less than 30 years suggesting climate variability, farmers’ perceptions covered up to 30 years and so addressed the question of climate change. A qualitative phase informed a household survey that covered a random sample of 388 households’ respondents (39% women). Qualitative data were transcribed into text and analyzed based on content and meaning of the text. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze quantitative data. The results showed that there was no significant increase (P > 0.05) in inter-annual rainfall variability. However, seasonal rainfall variability showed a clear decreasing trend in April and December, in Iramba; and in January and April, in Meatu. Decreasing rainfall trend in April occurred simultaneously with increasing temperature trend. In addition, farmers’ perception and meteorological data trends compared well on change and on increased rainfall unpredictability as well as on increased warming and dry years. Nonetheless, due to missing data in some periods, meteorological data trends did not show increased frequency of drought since the 2000s as opposed to farmers’ perception. As hypothesized (P > 0.05), men and women’s perceptions were almost the same. Similarly, perceptions of the poor, not so poor and the rich were almost the same (P > 0.05). Unlike the hypothesis, the binary logistic regression model showed that climate variability and change had significant impact on changing crop varieties and livestock grazing places relative to non-climatic factors. Warming (ß = -10.61, Wald = 36.26, P ≤ 0.001) showed the highest impact on changing crop varieties. In addition, drought (ß = 2.16, Wald = 6.82, P ≤ 0.009) showed the highest impact on changing livestock grazing places. Based on division of labour, control over resources and biased norms, climate variability and change increased and perpetuated existing asymmetrical gender relations. The study concludes that although inter-annual rainfall had not changed significantly, temperature, drought and seasonal rainfall variability had intensified relative to the situation in the 1970s. This had substantial impacts on cropping and livestock systems and on gender relations. Therefore, strategies used by the farmers and interventions promoted by the government and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) to address the impacts should comprehensively consider seasonal variability with gender perspectives.
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Papers by Samwel J Kabote
perceptions at 5% level of significance (P value = 0.701). Similarly, the
Kruskal-Wallis H test indicates that the poor, not so poor and the rich have the same perceptions (P value = 0.281). These results have implications on crop and livestock production systems and on livelihoods more generally. We conclude that climate variability and change manifestations overlap, making it a complex phenomena perceived equally by men, women, the poor and non-poor. This is understood holistically by combining farmers’ perceptions and meteorological data trends to inform adaptation strategies related decision making.
Keywords: climate change, semi-arid, crop production, livelihood
Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques, this chapter examines processes and impacts of International Land Deals in Kisarawe District. Three focus group discussions encompassing 30 participants and 17 key informants were involved. A survey of 180 small-scale farmers who were heads of households or spouses also participated in the study. Qualitative data were analyzed used content analysis techniques whereby quantitative data were summarized using Statistical Package for Social Science. Results showed that the process of land leasing to the British Sun-Biofuel Tanzania Limited were top down. Secondly, the employment opportunity created by the investor though improved household income was not sustainable and so small-scale farmers bounced back into poverty. Thirdly, despite a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the investor and Kisarawe District, there were no mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of the deal as a result the win-win situation was not attained and that the deal exacerbated rural poverty among small-scale famers.
Keywords: Attitudes, Affirmative Action policies, Implementation, Local politics, Women participation, Misungwi District, Mwanza, Tanzania
Keywords: gender equity, primary education, rural Tanzania
Tanzania where poverty is rampant. Livelihood diversification is considerably important in artisanal mining of Tanzania because mining areas have become under control of multinational companies following economic liberalization. For this reason, livelihood diversification can help artisanal mining communities to minimize risks from displacements in paving way for large-scale mining companies. This paper is a trend
analysis establishing realities prior to and after privatization of the Bulyanhulu gold fields. Its two specific objectives are: first, to assess displacements and land issues and implications to livelihood diversifications; secondly, to examine livelihood diversifications. A retrospective technique was used to analyze the situation before privatization. Using this technique, respondents were asked to report about their livelihood and income strategies for the past one decade and a half. The paper establishes that artisanal mining and farming activities were two major livelihood and income strategies before and after privatization. In addition, petty business and waged employment through casual labour somewhat emerged after privatization of the gold fields. The paper concludes that livelihood strategies were not much diversified in the study area during the periods under consideration. Having limited livelihood diversifications, it is difficult for artisanal mining communities to come out of poverty. This implies that political, legal and policy arrangements are critical in enhancing livelihood diversifications in artisanal mining communities in order to reduce vulnerability and poverty.
Although climate variability and change are not new phenomena in semi-arid areas, their trends may change over time. Using data from Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) during the interval 2003 -2011, this paper examined inter-annual anomaly (deviation from long term mean) and seasonal variability of rainfall and temperature in Iramba and Meatu Districts. Results showed no significant increase (P>0.05) of inter-annual rainfall variability. Nonetheless, a considerable shift of heavy rains was evident in Iramba District. In both districts there was a shift of months with the most rain. In addition, considerable rainfall and temperature variability were depicted by the trends in the; number of hot and cold years; number of dry and wet years as well as by trends in the number of rainy days in both districts. While temperature showed an increasing trend throughout April in both districts, rainfall showed a decreasing trend, which can increase evapo-transpiration and in turn reduces moisture for the crops, exacerbates poor pasture productivity for livestock, and leads to water scarcity for both crops and animals. Hence, adjustments in cropping and livestock production systems and institutional support are critical in order to buffer the impact of climate variability in semi-arid areas.
Keywords: Rainfall, temperature, semi-arid, climate change, climate variability, Tanzania
Since the 2000, Tanzania is striving to eliminate gender inequality in the education system. As such, the gender gap in enrolment is closing in primary education. Yet, gendered performance remains a challenge. Using data from Primary School Leaving Examination results for the period between 2007 and 2011, and from qualitative methods, this paper examined trends and factors for poor performance in Mathematics and Science subjects with a gender perspective. Two schools from rural and two from urban areas were involved in the study. The results did not show a clear trend in Mathematics performance in rural relative to urban schools, which showed a clear decreasing trend. On the other hand, performance in science was decreasing in rural schools and in one of the urban schools. There was also lower girls’ performance in both subjects with some few unique cases. Secondly, the gender inequality was more prominent in rural relative to urban schools because of a number of overlapping factors including lack of female teachers role models and lack of an appropriate school environment for girls. Therefore, to tackle gender inequality in performance, rigorous efforts need to consider multiple, but interlocking factors with a gender lens, while considering rural-urban differences.
Keywords: Performance, gender inequality, Mathematics, Science, Tanzania
Compared to other regions in the world, agricultural performance in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has for many decades been deteriorating. Theoretically, it has been argued that rapid population growth could be responsible for not only deteriorating agricultural performance but also to environmental degradation. On the other hand, the Asian Green Revolution of 1960s has been reported as a success story in terms of transforming agriculture and improving food security in the context of increasing population in countries such as China and India. This article reviews the Malthusian theoretical ideas and their relevance to agricultural transformation in the African context and sub-Saharan Africa in particular. It further discusses empirical evidence emanating from sub-Saharan Africa in relation to agricultural productivity, population growth and the integrity of the environment. Based on ensuing discussions, the agricultural sector in SSA needs to be transformed, and theoretical arguments that negate the Malthusian stance are really relevant in this sub-continent. It is further stressed that replicating the Asian Green Revolution will not work perfectly in SSA because of variations in context based on policy, institutional, and structural arrangements. Therefore, transforming agriculture in this sub-continent is not an easy and straight forward task; rather, its success will depend on the interplay between policy interventions, integrating the agricultural sector with other sectors of the economy, active participation of different stakeholders, as well as government mediations.
Keywords: agriculture transformation, Green Revolution, population growth, environmental degradation
Positive changes, like adopting drought resistant crop varieties, in the rain-fed farming system (RFFS) in response to climate variability and change enhance system’s ability to support people’s living as opposed to negative changes, like lack of pastures, which put the system at risk of failure in supporting the living. Using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and household survey, this paper examined the roles of climate variability and change in triggering changes in RFFS. Specifically, the paper: (i) assessed dominant crop and livestock farming system; (ii) assessed the change element of crop and livestock production systems; and (iii) examined factors for the changes in RFFS. A random sample of 388 households was used. Qualitative data analysis was done through content analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to assess factors that explain changes on RFFS. The results showed that dominant crops were different in each village. Secondly, some changes in crop varieties and in livestock grazing arrangements were noted in response to climate variability and change. Unlike the hypothesis (P>0.05), the results demonstrated that warming (ß = -10.61, Wald = 36.26, P ≤ 0.001) showed highest significant impact on likelihood of adopting new crop varieties relative to other factors. Similarly, drought (ß = 2.16, Wald = 6.82, P ≤ 0.009) showed highest impact on the likelihood of changing a grazing place. Yet, the changes were constrained by factors like natural resources protective policies, failure of crop varieties to withstand warming and drought, and poor land use management. Therefore, the RFFS was at a crossroads with implications on system sustainability and livelihoods. The government and private interventions should support farmers and agro-pastoralists to manage risks related to the changes in RFFS in response to climate variability and change.
Keywords: Climate change, agro-pastoralism, livelihoods, semi-arid, Tanzania
This article presents and analyzes status and trends for people who were voluntarily tested for HIV/AIDS infections in Njombe Town Council in Njombe region. The analysis covers five year period between 2007 and 2011. This period was specifically chosen because it was in July 2007 that the government of Tanzania inaugurated a campaign for HIV/AIDS voluntary counselling and testing. Nevertheless, trends for the people who are using Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) centres and the associated results regarding HIV/AIDS infections are not clearly established. The article utilizes data collected from three Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) centres in Njombe Urban. Percentages of people infected with HIV/AIDS were computed using a calculator. Findings demonstrate that the number and percentages of people who were voluntarily tested for HIV/AIDS was increasing suggesting that over time more and more people were using voluntary testing and counselling centres (VCT). Interestingly, while the number of people visiting VCT centres revealed increasing trend, HIV/AIDS infections showed decreasing trend over the years for all of the VCT centres under consideration. Notwithstanding decreasing trend for HIV/AIDS infections, many people were living with HIV/AIDS particularly women. Overall, infections accounted for 6.5% at Njombe Health Centre higher than at Njombe Lutheran VCT centre and at Kibena Hospital, where both recorded 5.1% of people infected with HIV/AIDS. Controlling new cases for HIV/AIDS infections will help to re-direct resources to development initiatives at all levels. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to curb further HIV/AIDS infections in Njombe urban and in Tanzania more generally.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, infection trends, urban Tanzania
Thesis Chapters by Samwel J Kabote
Books by Samwel J Kabote
perceptions at 5% level of significance (P value = 0.701). Similarly, the
Kruskal-Wallis H test indicates that the poor, not so poor and the rich have the same perceptions (P value = 0.281). These results have implications on crop and livestock production systems and on livelihoods more generally. We conclude that climate variability and change manifestations overlap, making it a complex phenomena perceived equally by men, women, the poor and non-poor. This is understood holistically by combining farmers’ perceptions and meteorological data trends to inform adaptation strategies related decision making.
Keywords: climate change, semi-arid, crop production, livelihood
Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques, this chapter examines processes and impacts of International Land Deals in Kisarawe District. Three focus group discussions encompassing 30 participants and 17 key informants were involved. A survey of 180 small-scale farmers who were heads of households or spouses also participated in the study. Qualitative data were analyzed used content analysis techniques whereby quantitative data were summarized using Statistical Package for Social Science. Results showed that the process of land leasing to the British Sun-Biofuel Tanzania Limited were top down. Secondly, the employment opportunity created by the investor though improved household income was not sustainable and so small-scale farmers bounced back into poverty. Thirdly, despite a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the investor and Kisarawe District, there were no mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of the deal as a result the win-win situation was not attained and that the deal exacerbated rural poverty among small-scale famers.
Keywords: Attitudes, Affirmative Action policies, Implementation, Local politics, Women participation, Misungwi District, Mwanza, Tanzania
Keywords: gender equity, primary education, rural Tanzania
Tanzania where poverty is rampant. Livelihood diversification is considerably important in artisanal mining of Tanzania because mining areas have become under control of multinational companies following economic liberalization. For this reason, livelihood diversification can help artisanal mining communities to minimize risks from displacements in paving way for large-scale mining companies. This paper is a trend
analysis establishing realities prior to and after privatization of the Bulyanhulu gold fields. Its two specific objectives are: first, to assess displacements and land issues and implications to livelihood diversifications; secondly, to examine livelihood diversifications. A retrospective technique was used to analyze the situation before privatization. Using this technique, respondents were asked to report about their livelihood and income strategies for the past one decade and a half. The paper establishes that artisanal mining and farming activities were two major livelihood and income strategies before and after privatization. In addition, petty business and waged employment through casual labour somewhat emerged after privatization of the gold fields. The paper concludes that livelihood strategies were not much diversified in the study area during the periods under consideration. Having limited livelihood diversifications, it is difficult for artisanal mining communities to come out of poverty. This implies that political, legal and policy arrangements are critical in enhancing livelihood diversifications in artisanal mining communities in order to reduce vulnerability and poverty.
Although climate variability and change are not new phenomena in semi-arid areas, their trends may change over time. Using data from Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) during the interval 2003 -2011, this paper examined inter-annual anomaly (deviation from long term mean) and seasonal variability of rainfall and temperature in Iramba and Meatu Districts. Results showed no significant increase (P>0.05) of inter-annual rainfall variability. Nonetheless, a considerable shift of heavy rains was evident in Iramba District. In both districts there was a shift of months with the most rain. In addition, considerable rainfall and temperature variability were depicted by the trends in the; number of hot and cold years; number of dry and wet years as well as by trends in the number of rainy days in both districts. While temperature showed an increasing trend throughout April in both districts, rainfall showed a decreasing trend, which can increase evapo-transpiration and in turn reduces moisture for the crops, exacerbates poor pasture productivity for livestock, and leads to water scarcity for both crops and animals. Hence, adjustments in cropping and livestock production systems and institutional support are critical in order to buffer the impact of climate variability in semi-arid areas.
Keywords: Rainfall, temperature, semi-arid, climate change, climate variability, Tanzania
Since the 2000, Tanzania is striving to eliminate gender inequality in the education system. As such, the gender gap in enrolment is closing in primary education. Yet, gendered performance remains a challenge. Using data from Primary School Leaving Examination results for the period between 2007 and 2011, and from qualitative methods, this paper examined trends and factors for poor performance in Mathematics and Science subjects with a gender perspective. Two schools from rural and two from urban areas were involved in the study. The results did not show a clear trend in Mathematics performance in rural relative to urban schools, which showed a clear decreasing trend. On the other hand, performance in science was decreasing in rural schools and in one of the urban schools. There was also lower girls’ performance in both subjects with some few unique cases. Secondly, the gender inequality was more prominent in rural relative to urban schools because of a number of overlapping factors including lack of female teachers role models and lack of an appropriate school environment for girls. Therefore, to tackle gender inequality in performance, rigorous efforts need to consider multiple, but interlocking factors with a gender lens, while considering rural-urban differences.
Keywords: Performance, gender inequality, Mathematics, Science, Tanzania
Compared to other regions in the world, agricultural performance in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has for many decades been deteriorating. Theoretically, it has been argued that rapid population growth could be responsible for not only deteriorating agricultural performance but also to environmental degradation. On the other hand, the Asian Green Revolution of 1960s has been reported as a success story in terms of transforming agriculture and improving food security in the context of increasing population in countries such as China and India. This article reviews the Malthusian theoretical ideas and their relevance to agricultural transformation in the African context and sub-Saharan Africa in particular. It further discusses empirical evidence emanating from sub-Saharan Africa in relation to agricultural productivity, population growth and the integrity of the environment. Based on ensuing discussions, the agricultural sector in SSA needs to be transformed, and theoretical arguments that negate the Malthusian stance are really relevant in this sub-continent. It is further stressed that replicating the Asian Green Revolution will not work perfectly in SSA because of variations in context based on policy, institutional, and structural arrangements. Therefore, transforming agriculture in this sub-continent is not an easy and straight forward task; rather, its success will depend on the interplay between policy interventions, integrating the agricultural sector with other sectors of the economy, active participation of different stakeholders, as well as government mediations.
Keywords: agriculture transformation, Green Revolution, population growth, environmental degradation
Positive changes, like adopting drought resistant crop varieties, in the rain-fed farming system (RFFS) in response to climate variability and change enhance system’s ability to support people’s living as opposed to negative changes, like lack of pastures, which put the system at risk of failure in supporting the living. Using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and household survey, this paper examined the roles of climate variability and change in triggering changes in RFFS. Specifically, the paper: (i) assessed dominant crop and livestock farming system; (ii) assessed the change element of crop and livestock production systems; and (iii) examined factors for the changes in RFFS. A random sample of 388 households was used. Qualitative data analysis was done through content analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to assess factors that explain changes on RFFS. The results showed that dominant crops were different in each village. Secondly, some changes in crop varieties and in livestock grazing arrangements were noted in response to climate variability and change. Unlike the hypothesis (P>0.05), the results demonstrated that warming (ß = -10.61, Wald = 36.26, P ≤ 0.001) showed highest significant impact on likelihood of adopting new crop varieties relative to other factors. Similarly, drought (ß = 2.16, Wald = 6.82, P ≤ 0.009) showed highest impact on the likelihood of changing a grazing place. Yet, the changes were constrained by factors like natural resources protective policies, failure of crop varieties to withstand warming and drought, and poor land use management. Therefore, the RFFS was at a crossroads with implications on system sustainability and livelihoods. The government and private interventions should support farmers and agro-pastoralists to manage risks related to the changes in RFFS in response to climate variability and change.
Keywords: Climate change, agro-pastoralism, livelihoods, semi-arid, Tanzania
This article presents and analyzes status and trends for people who were voluntarily tested for HIV/AIDS infections in Njombe Town Council in Njombe region. The analysis covers five year period between 2007 and 2011. This period was specifically chosen because it was in July 2007 that the government of Tanzania inaugurated a campaign for HIV/AIDS voluntary counselling and testing. Nevertheless, trends for the people who are using Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) centres and the associated results regarding HIV/AIDS infections are not clearly established. The article utilizes data collected from three Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) centres in Njombe Urban. Percentages of people infected with HIV/AIDS were computed using a calculator. Findings demonstrate that the number and percentages of people who were voluntarily tested for HIV/AIDS was increasing suggesting that over time more and more people were using voluntary testing and counselling centres (VCT). Interestingly, while the number of people visiting VCT centres revealed increasing trend, HIV/AIDS infections showed decreasing trend over the years for all of the VCT centres under consideration. Notwithstanding decreasing trend for HIV/AIDS infections, many people were living with HIV/AIDS particularly women. Overall, infections accounted for 6.5% at Njombe Health Centre higher than at Njombe Lutheran VCT centre and at Kibena Hospital, where both recorded 5.1% of people infected with HIV/AIDS. Controlling new cases for HIV/AIDS infections will help to re-direct resources to development initiatives at all levels. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to curb further HIV/AIDS infections in Njombe urban and in Tanzania more generally.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, infection trends, urban Tanzania