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Assessing the contribution of DONET to environmental conservation and to livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Mvumi Makulu ward, Dodoma Rural District
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Mdendemi, Rehema Tiberio; Kisoza, James
This study on "assessing the contribution of DONET to environmental conservation and livelihoods of smallholder farmers" was conducted in Mvumi Makulu ward of the Dodoma Rural District. The study involved a participatory community needs assessment in the study area. The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of DONET in reducing environmental degradation among smallholder farmers, by focusing on livelihood activities support for improved crop and livestock productivity. By using a sample of 120 respondents and 7 key informants, it was found that the demographic and socio-economic factors such as age, gender, income source, farming methods and type of energy used were important predictors of land degradation in the study area. It was recommended that DONET should direct more efforts to improving the activities upon which the smallholder farmers earn their living and whose the intervention efforts are felt within a short time- farming methods, off-farm activities, energy sources and management skills. Based on recommendations of the study and the community needs assessment, a project on "Capacity Enhancement of Smallholder Farmers for Environmental Conservation and Improved Productivity" was proposed. The implementation of the project is at its early stage. (Author abstract)
Assessment of community based animal health services project in Hanang District, Manyara Region
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Mwakasyuka, Fridah Stevens; Kisoza, James
The researcher worked with a Community Based Organization known as CHAWAHA (Chama Cha Wamija Hanang), which operates in 18 villages of six wards in Hanang district Manyara region. Provision of effective veterinary services to livestock keepers and improvement of peoples livelihood especially in the project area was the main goal of this project The project aimed at reducing livestock death incidents through proper livestock keeping by ensuring availability and provision of vaccines and treatment to live stocks, advocating for proper animal husbandry (proportional of number of livestock kept and grazing area). The project also aimed at improving provision of animal health services system by establishing disease surveillance system and training of community based animal health workers who work as para-professionals. Through observation and focused group discussions the researcher was able to get detailed results on the status of livestock keeping in the district especially on vaccination and treatment. Despite the fact that there is large number of livestock in the district which is a major source of income, extension services to provide knowledge and skill on proper livestock keeping to farmers is inadequate. Hence it is difficult to have enough professional extension workers CBAHW is recommended to be an optional, so there is a need to formalize the system, to empower them by building their capacities and also to reform policies which hinder community based animal heath care. (Author abstract)
Capacity building of the UWAMALE farmers' group at Lekitatu Village
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Swai, Walter Ernest; Mutasa, Felician
UWAMALE Farmers' Group constitutes a force of 30 members (9 women, 21 men) with the potential of reaching a membership base of 300 in the very near future. The Group is located at Lekitatu Village, Usa Ward, Poli Division in Arumeru District, It was formed with the aim of combining individual efforts to penetrate the market and also to try and reduce some transactions costs with the objective of increasing productivity and income. During the community needs assessment carried out in December 2005, it was revealed that low income is the main problem among the members. Further analysis attributed this problem to lack of marketing skills. The Group has received assistance through the River Basin Management and Smallholder Irrigation Improvement Project (RBM-SIIP)1,which carried out a substantial rehabilitation of their irrigation infrastructure. The Group is also benefiting through training provided by the Traditional Irrigation and Environmental Development Organization (host organization). This project aimed at strengthening the UWAMALE group through selected areas of capacity building (training) in order to hasten achievement of the desired benefits, which are primarily vested in increased income and food security. (Author abstract)
Establishment of savings and credit cooperative society for Parakuyo Imara: a case of Parakuyo Imara Livestock Primary Cooperative Society Limited in Mikongoro Sub Village, Msata Ward, Bagamoyo District
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Msakamali, Mussa Mohamed; Mwerinde, Joseph K.
The Parakuyo Imara Livestock Primary Cooperative Society (Parakuyo Imara) is a community-based organization (CBO) based in Mikongoro sub-village in Msata ward, Bagamoyo district. Most of Parakuyo Imara members are pastoralist MAASAI by tribe. Parakuyo Imara had 22 founder members, comprising of 6 women and 16 men, residents of Mikongoro in the year 2000. The community members face a problem of low level of income, which induces poor quality of livestock and crop production due to poor methods of crop and animal husbandry. The CBO objective was to improve the livelihoods of its members and those of the community as a whole through improved crop production and livestock husbandry practices. The CBO was registered as livestock primary cooperative society under the Cooperatives Act, 1991. The study therefore aims to find out feasible and viable ways of establishing Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCOS) at Msata ward. The study considered SACCOS as the best and simply means of generating capital for investment among poor. The research involved a sample size of 38 respondents 14 were female, and 24 were male. A research finding shows the necessity of establishment of a SACCOS in the community. The community expected the newly established SACCOS to solve the identified problem of low capital investment to boost up income level of the members. The project seeks Members and leaders to mobilize local savings and operate a small-scale credit facility through SACCOS. (Author abstract)
Evaluation of opportunities and constraints of agricultural marketing systems : a case study of Mbezi Louis Village
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Mjawa, Bertha John; Sinda, Sinda Hussein
Community Initiatives for Income Poverty Alleviation (CIPOA) is an organization that develops and promotes economic enterprises, with a vision to have a sustainably high income and improved quality livelihood community by 2015. Its main objective is to create an enabling and conducive environment to fight income poverty in order to improve livelihoods of Mbezi Louis community by the year 2015 through carrying researches related to community development issues, plan, implement and monitor income generating activities like savings and credit groups famous known as Mshikamano Community Banking and Post Harvest value added products. The projects are carried out by a 100 people group of both gender divided into A, B and C. The paper develops a general framework for the analysis of marketing margins and the food system through extending farming work to consumption level. Observations revealed that in order to facilitate community economic development, research on marketing of processed products and supply chain promotion is important; training on value addition technologies enhances the production of horticultural crops and hence increased income, household employment and nutrition security; training farmers on good agricultural practices for improved quality and networking 1 improves quality, supply and demand as well. Diseases, low crop prices and lack of technology were concluded as major constraints of horticultural crops production in Mbezi Louis village and these affect women more due to their high contribution to farming subsystem. Recommendation is made to build human and non human capacity on appropriate supply chain of horticultural produce. (Author abstract)
Factors contributing to lack of reliable and sustainable market for poultry project products : a case study of UWATU as a CBO in Musoma Municipality
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Layon, Filbert Msuha; Lukanga, Editrudith
This project finds factors hindering the poultry project to access reliable and sustainable market for poultry products by describing a case of UWATU's poultry project in Musoma Municipality. The problems of the project were identified through situational analysis while community needs assessment through structured discussions; then the problems were arranged in order of their priorities whereas lack of reliable and sustainable market for poultry products ranked very high among others, and thus this study proposes ways through which this problem can be solved. Other problems were lack of skills and inadequate capital. The lack of reliable and sustainable market for the poultry products was found to be contributed by insufficient entrepreneurship, marketing and production skills among the CBO members, especially those who are involved in day-to-day activities of the project; lack of promotion and advertisement of the poultry products and lack of skills to identify market preferences. The above mentioned problems were addressed with positive results except one, as the study revealed that one of the factors contributed to lack of reliable and sustainable market was that, the market prefers more indigenous poultry products than exotic products. However, the researcher advised the management of the project to adopt rearing indigenous poultry the soonest. (Author abstract)
Impact assessment on the farmers milk marketing plants : a case of Ol'kalou Dairy Ltd
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Otieno, Stephen Omondi; Palakurthi, Puneetha
Generally, it is accepted that impact assessment is a critical element in further improving community development initiatives and promoting intervention. Also existing impact assessments have made an important contribution to understanding some of the complex interactions between community development interventions, livelihoods and different dimensions of poverty reduction and empowerment (Linda Myoux, 2003). This research project on the social-economic impact of farmers' milk marketing plants in OPkalou Division, Nyandarua District was conducted in the month of March 2007. The main aim of the research was to determine the effectiveness of collective marketing initiatives of the farmers, in partnership with Heifer International - Kenya. The results were envisaged to enhance the collaboration of farmers and Heifer International in its bid to achieve its vision of poverty alleviation and improving nutrition. The study was done for the purpose of examining how collective marketing though the establishment of a milk marketing plant has impacted on the smallholder dairy farmer, effect on their livelihoods and addresses the challenges that are being experienced so as to make recommendations on the way forward in replication of such projects. The study also intended to establish the employment created through direct involvement in milk production and through several support services tied to dairy production. By using questionnaires, interviews and observation 156 respondents were contacted and the data revealed that collective marketing of milk products has greatly benefited the farmers who now, no longer experience serious price fluctuation and inability to sell their produce. This initiative has also rejuvenated their participation in milk production to earn higher incomes to better their lives as most of the earnings from milk sales is used for daily sustenance. The buyers also appreciated such arrangement as it led to a reduction in their costs because they would find the produce ready in bulk unlike if they had to go collecting it all over the locations. However it has been learnt that, a lot more needs to be done to create a buy in to many more farmers so that they would enjoy the economies of scale. Community mobilization in this respect is important for the success of such initiatives. Also to be included in the programs is access to credit to enable the farmers re-stocking their lost herd. The establishment of milk marketing plants has therefore, provided the farmers opportunity to sell their milk, participate in the management of the plant and create window for sustainable rural development. (Author abstract)
Improving milk handling and quality control - a way forward for increasing income to the community : the case of Serengeti Dairy Co-Operative Society Ltd in Bunda District, Tanzania
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Majige, Kululetela Nyamutondo; Sinda, Sinda Hussein
The CBO has been dealing with milk business by trading the same products of the same quality, using the same tools and techniques for milk selling over 40 years. In brief the CBO were purchasing and selling milk direct to the customers in fresh, boiled or fermented without any further transformations. That mode of business operations did not attract upward mobility of the CBO business that is why over that long period of time the CBO was still on the same pace. So, this situation attracted the author to build an interest of conducting this study so that it can come out with causative factors and find alternatives, which can help the CBO to go forward. So far, milk handling and quality control was found to be one of the burning issues (problem) of the CBO. To embark upon this situation, the CBO was assisted to develop and establish a project, which pave the way on how it can address the problem of milk handling and quality control. The project was developed after being acquainted with the goal, mission, overall and specific objectives of the CBO. Also developing and establishing of the CBO project came in hand after making a thorough study for the CBO business operations. Here the study analysed how the CBO conduct milk business, what are the strength and obstacles, which impede effectives of the entire business and upward mobility in terms business expansion and income enhancement. So, the study comes out with a project of capacity building by empowering the target group with knowledge and skills of milk marketing, entrepreneurship and best practice of milk business operations and management. (Author abstract)
Indigenous chicken micro-enterprise for Umoja Wa Akinamama Mkombozi Mlimani Old Shinyanga, (Ukimmos)
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Mikomangwa, Zengo Saul; Mtenga, Hermegild
This report describes a participatory process for establishing local chicken enterprise aimed at improving the productivity of indigenous chickens. Keeping indigenous chickens is a low cost investment with potentials for contributing substantially to food security and income generation especially to the poor rural women. However, New castle (NCD), poor feeding, low genetic potential, management skills, limited access to credit and appropriate marketing strategies limit the productivity of this sector. The project is being implemented by a group of 52 women members in which capacity building support will come from Agricultural Programme of the Catholic Diocese of Shinyanga. The group will receive training focused on addressing the limiting factors named above and will use the locally available resources to achieve the set objectives. External funding will be limited. The overall objective of the project is to contribute towards poverty alleviation and hunger fighting thus improving the community livelihood. Direct beneficiaries of the project are the members of Umoja Wa Akinamama Mkombozi Mlimani Old- Shinyanga (UKIMMOS). They will receive training in local chicken management ranging from disease control, feeding, housing, breeding and marketing. The group as well as for every participating household will construct chickens shed. Twenty local chicken pullets and five Rhode Island Red cockerels will be purchased for cross- breeding. The project also will contribute towards reduction of local chicken mortality by 70% through vaccination by the new castle disease vaccine. (Author abstract)
Integration of chicken keeping for organic vegetable project, Kitomondo Village
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Chalamila, Betty Ngwega; Shungu, Hamidu Abadallah
This study was conducted under Mshikamano Women Community Based Organization (MKIWAKI). The need assessment study conducted in September, 2005 showed that the CBO members and leaders were in need of diversifying their sources of income through integration of chicken keeping. The goal of the project in CED terms was to improve the standard of living of the Kitomondo community through participation in business creation. However, leaders and members of the organization had no knowledge and skills to initiate the project. The objectives of the project were; to facilitate the initiation of chicken micro-enterprise to 20 Kitomondo women, increase the productivity of amaranthus and train women on savings and credit scheme. The knowledge and skills were imparted through training and practice. The methodology used in conducting community need assessment, monitoring and evaluation was face to face interview to 20 trainees, focus group discussion with 15 key informants, observation and review of relevant documents. Descriptive statistic was used as analytical tool. Results showed that about 97% of all planned activities have been accomplished. 20 trained women have been capacitated to establish chicken micro-enterprise and other small enterprise such as food vending, and 15 trainees have been registered with ward SACCOS. Income from chicken sales has increased from Tsh 7,025 to Tsh.59,950 per year, while vegetable productivity has increased from kilograms 4795 to kilograms 9485. The government should ensure women have access to loan with low interest in order to engage in chicken business for poverty alleviation. (Author abstract)
Introducing sustainable agriculture techniques to the Ingui Tuareg community of northern Niger
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2010) Boubacar, Ibrahim; Palakurthi, Puneetha
The goal of this project was to introduce and provide training in sustainable agricultural irrigation techniques to students and parents at the Ingui School in order to meet the short-term food security needs of students and to provide an additional source of economic revenue for the Ingui School. This report provides detailed information on the problems facing the Ingui community, and project development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Results of the project evaluation indicate that project beneficiaries had increased knowledge of drip irrigation technology and business management skills. In addition, results indicated that the majority of garden produce was being consumed by schoolchildren, providing them with health and nutritious food. Finally, due to the short duration of the project, data was insufficient to evaluate the change in school revenue from the sale of garden produce. Overall, the project was successful in that all activities were implemented and the majority of project targets met. (Author abstract)
Involving Homboza community in farm based income generating projects for poverty alleviation in Kisarawe District, Coast Region
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Rwegarulira, Badru Abdunuru; Shungu, Hamidu Abadallah
This project paper presents findings from a project that intended to enhance the capacity of Nyota Njema, a community based organization which focus on poverty alleviation through involving youth and the general community in income generating projects which are non environmental destructive.The overall objective of this project was to assist the organization assess the situation design and implement developmental activities of their choice. However, the needs assessment done through participatory approach revealed that the organization members face a problem of income poverty due to lack of projects that can generate income. The decision made was to initiate agricultural projects, specifically planting Indian red type of mango as well operating a vegetable garden so that the organization can generate income in a long run. Through the implementation, the project has assisted the organization (Nyota Njema) in establishing two different agricultural projects of which all of them are income based. The established projects include a farm planted with Indian red mango trees, expected to take three years before start yielding mangoes. The second project is a green vegetable garden planted with eggplants and cucumbers. With regards to capacity building, project has trained members of the organization on management of horticulture project and diseases control. In general it can be concluded that to some extent the project has achieved its intended goal through empowering the organization in having projects that in the future can generate products for sale and earn income. (Author abstract)
Local chicken productivity improvement project for Kikundi Cha Wafugaji Kuku Bukerebe Village : Magu District, Tanzania
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Kwidika, Godfrey M.; Mtenga, Hermenegild
In rural areas of Tanzania local chickens are among of the potential enterprises that quickly and reasonably can generate income for the poor households. That potential notwithstanding, the sub sector is facing several production constraints that have limited its potentials for contributing to poverty alleviation. The constraints include low management capacity, low genetic potentials, diseases and poor marketing strategies. Diseases are the major constraint, and in particular New Castle Disease (NCD), which causes high mortality of up to 100% of the stock. Despite the mentioned constraints local chicken are birds found almost in all farmer households in the rural areas. That situation is an indication that local chicken is an economic opportunity of which farmers can learn easily the entrepreneurial skills required for making local poultry keeping a reliable source for income generation and household food security. Thus, through capacity building farmers can develop the necessary attitude, knowledge and skills for keeping local poultry as an economic enterprise. Guided by the possibilities for developing enterprising local poultry keepers, the study focused on designing and implementing process for improving capacity of members of local poultry keeping group. Through capacity building to the members the expected outcome is productivity improvement and enhancement of income from the sales of chicken products. The members involved in the local poultry keeping are 36 of which women are 24 and 12 men. The group is located in Kisesa village in Magu district. The overall objective for establishing the project is to put in place a reliable source of income to members through productivity improvement of the local poultry. In response to ensuring attainment of the objective, the capacity building processes emphasis has been on entrepreneurial knowledge and skills related to management, genetic improvement techniques and strategies for diseases control especially new castle disease. (Author abstract)
The role of women in poverty alleviation : a case study of Tarakea Women Sawmill in Rombo District, Tanzania
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Sumari, Sangito Varisani; Baseki, Zera Evans
The core problem among the community household members particularly women in Rombo District towards development has been increasing income poverty. Rombo district is relatively poor with an average per capita income of Shs 96,000 per year when compared with National statistics of about 270,000 per capita (2002). There is a critical land shortage, which according to Rombo District council (2002), on average the area owned by household vary between 0.25 to 1 acres per household. Land is not fertile with very low production per unit area, poor land management husbandry and has been cultivated for many years. About 90 % of the rural population is engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, which is mainly done by women. The main crops cultivated are maize, banana, beans, few fruit trees (mango, avocado and coffee), which is for cash.The area face a serious problem of poverty among women and this led to establishment of the Tarakea Women Sawmill (TAWOSA) with aim to improve their livelihood through an income generating activity. TAWOSA is a registered cooperative society that was established in 1987 with 150 founder women members from Tarakea Division in Rombo District. The project is located in Tarakea division, Rombo District, Kilimanjaro Region. The main activities of Tarakea Women Sawmill are sawmilling activities, which include, timber harvesting (logging), hauling (transportation), sawing and marketing of timber. (Author abstract)
Viability of beekeeping project as a means of income generation and environment conservation at Matipwili Village, Bagamoyo District
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2007) Mariki, Belingtone Eliringia; Kisoza, James
A research project was carried out in Matipwili village area in Bagamoyo District, Coast Region to assess the viability and implementation of beekeeping as a means of income generation and environment conservation. The project comprises of community needs assessment supplemented by socio-economic study and a project implementation. Data were collected using interviews, questionnaires, observation, and documentary search. The socio-economic study established that beekeeping project is viable and there was a need for capacity building to MEDEC a CBO engaged in beekeeping for income generation and environment conservation. The implementation of the beekeeping project aimed at training MEDEC members and sensitizing community on beekeeping, adopting beekeeping techniques using Longstroth hives and planting Melliferous trees for bee foraging. The project objectives attained includes planting 420 Melliferous trees, keeping 10 Longstroth hives, training of all MEDEC members; sensitizing and mobilizing community members for beekeeping and environment conservation. It was recommended further studies on the role of beekeeping in generating income for rural communities. (Author abstract)

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