Browsing by Author "Msongaleli, Barnabas"

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    Determinants of farm-level decisions regarding cereal crops and varieties in semi-arid Central Tanzania
    (Academic Journals, 2015) Msongaleli, Barnabas; Tumbo, Siza; Rwehumbiza, Filbert; Kihupi, Nganga
    We assess the potential and constraints of increased sorghum and pearl millet production to enhance food security and livelihoods in central Tanzania. These dryland cereals show a high potential to contribute to local food security. The study employed structured questionnaire survey as the main data collection method. Data analysis involved the use of Multinomial logit model (MNL) in combination with other descriptive statistics to determine the socio-economic and agro ecological variables influencing crop and variety choices and preferences. Empirical results revealed that age of the household head, farming experience, having plots on particular soil types and access to weather information significantly influence choices of cereal crops among sorghum, pearl millet and maize. On the same token, age, farming experience, farmer-extension contact and access to weather information were important factors on the choice of sorghum varieties viz. local landraces versus improved. Farmers’ perception results show that harvest and post-harvest processes, consumer tastes and preferences, and market access and prices strongly influence farmers’ decisions to grow sorghum. In conclusion the results show that although sorghum and pearl millet contribute to the food supply, perceptions, agro-ecological variables and socio-economic factors collectively constrain the realization of their potential in minimizing household food insecurity.
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    Sorghum yield response to changing climatic conditions in semi-arid central Tanzania: evaluating crop simulation model applicability
    (Scientific Research Publishing, 2014) Msongaleli, Barnabas; Rwehumbiza, Filbert; Tumbo, Siza D.; Kihupi, Nganga
    Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) and Agricultural Production Systems SIMulator (APSIM) were calibrated and evaluated to simulate sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L. Moench) var. Tegemeo under current and future climate in central Tanzania. Simulations for both current and future periods were run assuming present technology, current varieties and current agronomy packages to investigate rain-fed sorghum yield response. Simulations by both crop models using downscaled weather data from eight General Circulation Models (GCMs) under the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) and Representative Concentration Path- way (RCP 4.5) by mid-century show a mixture of increase and decrease in median sorghum yields. Four GCMs project yields to increase by 5% - 23.0% and one GCM show a decrease by 2% - 9%. Model simulations under the remaining three GCMs give contrasting results of increase and de-crease. Adjustment of crop duration to mimic the choice of growing local cultivars versus improved cultivars seems a feasible option under future climate scenarios. Our simulation results show that current open-pollinated sorghum cultivars would be resilient to projected changes in climate by 2050s but things seem better with long duration cultivars. We conclude that crop simulation models show their applicability as tools for assessing possible impacts of climate change on sorghum due to agreement in the direction of crop yield predictions in five out of eight selected GCMs under projected climate scenarios. The findings provide useful guidance and motivation to government authorities and development agencies dealing with food security issues to prioritize adaptations policies geared to ensuring increased and sustained sorghum productivity in Tanzania and elsewhere.
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    The contribution of climate-smart agriculture to reducing climate-related risks to rain-fed maize production: insights from Tanzania’s semi-arid and sub-humid regions
    (African Journals Online (AJOL), 2024) Msongaleli, Barnabas
    Adaptation responses of rain-fed smallholder farming systems to climate change and variability have become more unpredictable. Semi-arid and sub-humid regions are most affected by knowledge gaps on climate change adaptation strategies. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices are crucial because they ensure predictable and effective adaptation responses that reduce crop failures. To determine potential new strategies for farm-level climate change adaptation, this study examined the implications of three CSA practices on rain-fed maize production: crop diversification, intercropping, and planting date adjustment. Plot-level data were obtained from the Tanzania National Panel Survey (TNPS) throughout waves 1 (2008/2009) and 2 (2010/2011). The consistency of the adaptation responses was evaluated using test-retest reliability. The findings showed that intercropping and splitting plots to plant crops other than maize was an analogue for crop diversification and reduced variability of maize grain yields. The panel linear regression model revealed that the yields of maize grains were positively correlated with intercropping and crop diversification (plot division). Moreover, the results of the meta-analysis showed that intercropping, crop diversification, and planting date adjustments could greatly increase smallholder rain-fed maize farmers’ resistance to the effects of climate variability and change. The government and non-governmental organizations should be encouraged to provide funding for agricultural extension education, which is a major factor in the implementation of CSA techniques.
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    The contribution of climate-smart agriculture to reducing climate-related risks to rain-fed maize production: insights from Tanzania’s semi-arid and sub-humid regions
    (African Journals Online (AJOL), 2024-01-30) Msongaleli, Barnabas
    Adaptation responses of rain-fed smallholder farming systems to climate change and variability have become more unpredictable. Semi-arid and sub-humid regions are most affected by knowledge gaps on climate change adaptation strategies. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices are crucial because they ensure predictable and effective adaptation responses that reduce crop failures. To determine potential new strategies for farm-level climate change adaptation, this study examined the implications of three CSA practices on rain-fed maize production: crop diversification, intercropping, and planting date adjustment. Plot-level data were obtained from the Tanzania National Panel Survey (TNPS) throughout waves 1 (2008/2009) and 2 (2010/2011). The consistency of the adaptation responses was evaluated using test-retest reliability. The findings showed that intercropping and splitting plots to plant crops other than maize was an analogue for crop diversification and reduced variability of maize grain yields. The panel linear regression model revealed that the yields of maize grains were positively correlated with intercropping and crop diversification (plot division). Moreover, the results of the meta-analysis showed that intercropping, crop diversification, and planting date adjustments could greatly increase smallholder rain-fed maize farmers’ resistance to the effects of climate variability and change. The government and non-governmental organizations should be encouraged to provide funding for agricultural extension education, which is a major factor in the implementation of CSA techniques.