Browsing by Author "Makindara, Jeremia"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    An economic risk analysis of fertiliser microdosing and rainwater harvesting in a semi-arid farming system in Tanzania
    (Taylor & Francis, 2017) Mwinuka, Lutengano; Mutabazi, Khamaldin Daud; Sieber, Stefan; Makindara, Jeremia; Bizimana, Jean-Claude
    This paper attempts to relate farm-level technologies in a semi-arid area with economic viability, taking risk analysis into consideration. Data gathered from various sources, such as a household baseline survey, farm trials, agricultural experts and government agencies, were used. Crop yields, crop prices, and prices for key production inputs, mainly fertiliser and rainwater harvesting through tied-ridges, were simulated for the net economic return distributions, e.g., pearl millet, groundnuts, and sunflower under different farm-technologies scenarios using a farm simulation model. The results indicate that an intercrop of pearl millet and groundnuts is the most economically viable farming system compared with other alternative scenarios if supplemented with rainwater harvesting technology. Risk neutral and risk-averse farmers both prefer this approach. If these technologies are geographically considered and synthesised, they may be cost-effective for farmers with implications for the current and future livelihood and productivity of crops in rural semi-arid areas.
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    Grape value chain mapping in Dodoma region, Tanzania
    (IISTE, 2018) Kulwijila, Mary; Makindara, Jeremia; Laswai, Henry
    Understanding value chain actors, relationships, opportunities and constraints are crucial in determining the contribution of a commodity to economic development. However, one critical component that has escaped the attention of researchers is the link between these constraints with post-harvest losses of food crops along the chains. The study mapped grape value chain in Dodoma region. Specifically, the study sought to: (1) map linkages between actors, activities and flow of the product in the grape value chain and (2) analyze pre- and post harvest constraints contributing to grape losses. A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 240 farmers and 30 traders which were randomly selected. Descriptive statistics, multiple responses and sub sector analysis were used to analyze the data collected. Results indicated that the key actors in grape value chain were input suppliers, producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Relationship among actors was very weak because no farmers and traders associations were identified. The major constraints along the value chain that contribute to grape losses were high production and transport costs, poor extension services, limited access to marketing information, inadequate market access, lack of credit, poor knowledge on post harvest handling, poor roads, inappropriate post-harvest technologies and spoilage of the commodity. It is concluded that, grape value chain is hampered by both pre and post-harvest constraints that greatly contribute to post-harvest losses and addressing these constraints could improve value chain and reduce the losses. The study recommends government intervention to subsidize grape inputs and infrastructure development including feeder roads, processing and storage technologies for grape actors to benefit from various activities and reduce post harvest losses. Furthermore, the study recommends provision of extension services, credit facilities and establishment of grape board which could oversee marketing of grapes to reduce problems associated with low grape selling price to growers.
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    Grape value chain mapping in Dodoma region, Tanzania
    (IISTE, 2018) Kulwijila, Mary; Makindara, Jeremia; Laswai, Henry
    Understanding value chain actors, relationships, opportunities and constraints are crucial in determining the contribution of a commodity to economic development. However, one critical component that has escaped the attention of researchers is the link between these constraints with post-harvest losses of food crops along the chains. The study mapped grape value chain in Dodoma region. Specifically, the study sought to: (1) map linkages between actors, activities and flow of the product in the grape value chain and (2) analyze pre- and post harvest constraints contributing to grape losses. A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 240 farmers and 30 traders which were randomly selected. Descriptive statistics, multiple responses and sub sector analysis were used to analyze the data collected. Results indicated that the key actors in grape value chain were input suppliers, producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Relationship among actors was very weak because no farmers and traders associations were identified. The major constraints along the value chain that contribute to grape losses were high production and transport costs, poor extension services, limited access to marketing information, inadequate market access, lack of credit, poor knowledge on post harvest handling, poor roads, inappropriate post-harvest technologies and spoilage of the commodity. It is concluded that, grape value chain is hampered by both pre and post-harvest constraints that greatly contribute to post-harvest losses and addressing these constraints could improve value chain and reduce the losses. The study recommends government intervention to subsidize grape inputs and infrastructure development including feeder roads, processing and storage technologies for grape actors to benefit from various activities and reduce post harvest losses. Furthermore, the study recommends provision of extension services, credit facilities and establishment of grape board which could oversee marketing of grapes to reduce problems associated with low grape selling price to growers.
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    Reckoning the risks and rewards of fertilizer micro-dosing in a sub-humid farming system in Tanzania
    (Taylor & Francis, 2016) Mwinuka, Lutengano; Mutabazi, Khamaldin Daud; Makindara, Jeremia; Sieber, Stefan
    Smallholder farmers are reluctant to risk investing in fertilizers. To understand how risk is perceived and how economic returns are distributed before the decision to invest in fertilizer use is made, needs a systematic approach using localized applications. This study assesses the profitability and net return variability of fertilizer micro-dosing (MD) in the sub-humid rain-fed maize (Zea mays L.) farming system in Tanzania. Useful data was gathered from a household baseline survey, water and nutrient limited calibrated yields, marginal costs and yields from farmers’ field trials, along with other information from expert and historical data. Crop yields, crop prices and prices for key production inputs (mainly fertilizer) were simulated for the net economic return distributions for maize under different fertilizer MD rates using the Economic and Nutritional Impact Assessment Model (FARMSIM), which is supported by Simulation and Econometrics to Analyse Risk (SIMETAR). The results show relative differences in stochastic returns between water and nutrient limited (without fertilizer MD) and with fertilizer MD scenarios. Farmers are likely to adopt fertilization technologies if best agronomic practices are promoted through farmer groups and field schools, fertilizers are re-packaged into small quantities for ease of purchase and access, and the coverage of subsidized fertilizers is increased.
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    Simulated willingness of farmers to adopt fertilizer micro-dosing and rainwater harvesting technologies in semi-arid and sub-humid farming systems in Tanzania
    (Springer, 2017) Mwinuka, Lutengano; Mutabazi, Khamaldin Daud; Graef, Frieder; Sieber, Stefan; Makindara, Jeremia; Kimaro, Anthony; Uckert, Götz
    Productivity of African agriculture falls below the global average due mainly to limited use of productivity-enhancing technologies. In Tanzania, smallholders farm without fertilizer on fragile soils in rain-fed areas. Inadequate soil nutrients, nutrient mining, and soil-moisture stress are the main factors limiting crop productivity. Fertilizer micro-dosing (MD) and rainwater harvesting (RWH) through tied ridges appear to be appropriate technologies to help replenish soil nutrients and improve soil moisture for increased crop production. It nonetheless remains unclear whether these technologies can be adopted by smallholder farmers in Tanzania. There have been limited efforts to predict adoption and diffusion of new technologies in Tanzanian agriculture. This paper assesses the willingness of farmers to adopt fertilizer MD with and without tied ridges. Data were obtained from a household baseline study, participatory ex-ante impact assessments, and simulation exercises. Our cross-section analysis used integrated ex-ante assessment tools to understand sustainability and to prioritize and sequence technology adoption and diffusion. Simulation predicted the ex-ante impact of selected technologies, the adoption rate peaks, the likelihood for reaching peaks, and the possible time required to reach peak adoption. Our findings suggest the best paths that technology users should take, while considering factors which affect adoption during research planning, implementation, and testing of the farm level technologies.