Impact of bushmeat consumption on health risk management in Southern Benin

Journal ArticleThe consumption of bushmeat has been linked to several socioeconomic factors. This study examines bushmeat consumers in southern Benin, including their motivations, health risks, and groups. In the Littoral, Atlantique, and Zou districts, 373 people were surveyed. The data were analyzed with R 4.0.2 and SAS 2013 software, and as a result, 74.3% reported consuming bushmeat. Few hunters and transformers were in Group 1, but many were in Group 2. Group 1 consisted of hunters, processors, and restaurant owners, whereas Group 2 was mostly illiterate. Bushmeat is eaten for its taste, nutritional value, and economic and cultural reasons, with many believing it is healthier than domestic meat. Group 1 and Group 2 consume bushmeat frequently and live in peri-urban and rural locations near woods for easy access to bush animals. Group 3, which eats bushmeat rarely, is less involved in the supply chain of bushmeat. Due to poor transit and processing conditions, bushmeat hunting, processing, and consumption in these places expose people to pathogens and increase the risk of food poisoning and zoonotic diseases. Education of local residents is necessary to improve food safety and reduce health concerns. Diversifying income, promoting safer, more sustainable practices, and encouraging rural youth education require supportive policies. To improve Benin's food security and public health, this study stresses bushmeat consumers' motivation

Drivers and barriers to climate‑smart aquaculture adoption: Insights from Mwanza and Mara Regions, Tanzania

Journal ArticleClimate-Smart Aquaculture (CSAq) optimizes resource use, minimizes environmental impacts, and enhances resilience to climate stresses. However, adoption remains limited in African countries, including Tanzania, due to socio-economic, institutional, and environmental barriers. This study investigated drivers and enabling conditions for CSAq adoption in the Lake Zone of Tanzania. A cross-sectional survey of 384 smallholder aquaculture farmers in Mwanza and Mara regions was analyzed using a multinomial logit regression model. The results show that socio-economic factors significantly influenced adoption, particularly education level (higher education increased integrated farming adoption; χ2 = 132.48, p < 0.001), gender (male farmers were more likely to adopt integrated farming; χ2 = 5.239, p = 0.003), and household size (larger households favored integrated systems; χ2 = 10.838, p = 0.021). Institutional factors, including access to finance (χ2 = 10.258, p = 0.013), extension services (χ2 = 14.888, p = 0.008), and training (χ2 = 19.564, p = 0.003), facilitated adoption. Environmental conditions, such as proximity to water (χ2 = 6.351, p = 0.048) and lower climate variability (p = 0.011), also influenced uptake. Integrated farming, which combines aquaculture with agriculture and livestock, emerged as the dominant CSAq practice. Polyculture and monoculture were less commonly adopted. The regression results confirmed that integrated CSAq adoption is significantly driven by income diversity, household size, training, and climate risk perceptions. These findings directly inform the study’s recommendations, which emphasize targeted financial and technical support, including access to credit, extension services, and gender-responsive policies. Strengthening institutional capacity and embedding CSAq into national climate adaptation frameworks will be critical for scaling sustainable aquaculture in Tanzania and similar contexts

Impact of bushmeat consumption on health risk management in Southern Benin

Journal ArticleThe consumption of bushmeat has been linked to several socioeconomic factors. This study examines bushmeat consumers in southern Benin, including their motivations, health risks, and groups. In the Littoral, Atlantique, and Zou districts, 373 people were surveyed. The data were analyzed with R 4.0.2 and SAS 2013 software, and as a result, 74.3% reported consuming bushmeat. Few hunters and transformers were in Group 1, but many were in Group 2. Group 1 consisted of hunters, processors, and restaurant owners, whereas Group 2 was mostly illiterate. Bushmeat is eaten for its taste, nutritional value, and economic and cultural reasons, with many believing it is healthier than domestic meat. Group 1 and Group 2 consume bushmeat frequently and live in peri-urban and rural locations near woods for easy access to bush animals. Group 3, which eats bushmeat rarely, is less involved in the supply chain of bushmeat. Due to poor transit and processing conditions, bushmeat hunting, processing, and consumption in these places expose people to pathogens and increase the risk of food poisoning and zoonotic diseases. Education of local residents is necessary to improve food safety and reduce health concerns. Diversifying income, promoting safer, more sustainable practices, and encouraging rural youth education require supportive policies. To improve Benin's food security and public health, this study stresses bushmeat consumers' motivation

Challenges facing management of operational funds allocated for instructional and support needs of secondary schools in Mbeya District, Tanzania.

International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction 17(2) (2025) 627–642This mixed study focused on the challenges experienced by schools in managing operational funds allocated by the government for instructional and support services. The study employed a cross-sectional design and involved 17 public secondary schools in the Mbeya district, Tanzania. A sample size of 10 participants, encompassing 5 headmasters and 5 bursars, were involved to collect qualitative data by interviews that were analyzed thematically. On the other hand, a sample size of 255 respondents, encompassing members of the School Management Team (SMT) and heads of departments, were involved to collect quantitative data by questionnaire that were analyzed by descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages. The study reveals that, efficiency of schools in managing operational funds received from the government is constrained by unbudgeted mandates from local government authorities, inconsistent disbursement of funds, extended delays in fund disbursement, and teachers serving bursary and teaching roles altogether are burdened in the management of funds. The study underscores the necessity to streamline the coordination in fund allocation decisions between school administrators and local government authorities to ensure equitable allocation of requirements. The central government should also ensure consistent and timely disbursement of funds, and hire dedicated bursars to base in schools

Perceived effects of tree planting in Iringa and Njombe regions Tanzania

The study investigated the perceived effects of tree planting initiatives at a community level within Southern Highlands of Tanzania, addressing a critical gap in the literature regarding local responses to economic benefits and the pursuit of sustainability goals. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study integrated quantitative data with qualitative interviews from local stakeholders. Results indicated enhanced economic benefits from sustainable tree products, which contributed to improved livelihoods and community resilience against climate impacts. The implications suggest that small-scale afforestation can be a viable solution to environmental degradation while providing economic and social benefits to local communities. The findings advocate for policy recommendations that support the integration of tree growing into agricultural practices, promoting sustainability and resilience in small-holder territories

Implications of climate-smart aquaculture practices on households’ income and food security in Mwanza and Mara, Tanzania’s Lake Zone

Journal ArticleBackground: Climate-Smart Aquaculture (CSAq) practices present significant opportunity for the mitigation of climate-related challenges within the aquaculture sub-sector, particularly in the Lake Zone of Tanzania, where aquaculture and fisheries are central to household well-being. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of three CSAq practices—integrated farming, polyculture, and monoculture—on household income and food security. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2023 and February 2024, involving 384 aquaculture households across the Mara and Mwanza regions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including chi-square and t-tests, to determine the influence of CSAq practices on economic and food security outcomes. Results: The findings revealed that integrated farming significantly enhanced both household income and food security, with participating households achieving a "Very Satisfactory" Household Food Security Index (HFSI) score. In Mara, where integrated farming was more prevalent, households reported significantly higher yields (3303 ± 155 kg) compared to those in Mwanza (2454 ± 146 kg; t = 4.96, p < 0.001). However, Mwanza exhibited significantly higher prices per kilogram (6719 ± 103 TSH) than Mara (5799 ± 122 TSH; t = -5.29, p < 0.001) attributed to superior market access and infrastructure. Polyculture practices, more frequently adopted in Mwanza (35.7%) than in Mara (21.8%), yielded variable impacts on income and food security. Chi-square analysis (χ² = 9.269, p = 0.010) indicated significant regional disparities in CSAq adoption, with Mara exhibiting higher adoption rates of integrated farming (69.3%) compared to Mwanza (56.0%). Conclusions: This study confirmed that integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems significantly improve household income and food security, while monoculture increases vulnerability. Regional variations indicate higher yields in Mara, associated with the widespread adoption of integrated farming, whereas Mwanza benefited from enhanced market access and elevated fish prices. Strengthening financial access, training programs, and institutional support is crucial for enhancing CSAq adoption. Key recommendations include the expansion of extension services, the improvement of market infrastructure, and the fortification of cooperative support systems to ensure sustainable aquaculture

Food safety challenges related to meat, fish, and poultry handling and processing in developing countries

Journal ArticleAnimal-derived proteins, mainly coming from meat, fish, and poultry, are vital for ensuring nutrition security, especially in many developing countries. However, poor handling practices throughout the supply chain pose serious risks of foodborne illnesses. This review explores the safety challenges related to the handling and processing of these items in developing nations. It highlights key shortcomings in pre-harvest management, such as weak veterinary oversight and limited disease control at the primary production stage. It also points out processing and distribution as potential contamination points, often worsened by poor temperature control, inconsistent application of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems, and infrastructural issues. Globally, contaminated food causes about 10% of yearly illnesses, leading to roughly 420000 deaths. Therefore, strengthening quality and safety management systems at all stages—from production and processing to distribution and consumer handling—is crucial so stakeholders along the supply chain can effectively reduce these risks and protect public health. This review stresses the need for better veterinary services, improved disease management protocols, and strict safety practices to tackle these ongoing issues. Governments, companies, and NGOs should work on upgrading infrastructure, hygiene standards, and training, along with implementing regulations, to improve food safety management from farm to fork

Stakeholders dynamics in the grassroots innovation journey in Tanzania: a swot analysis

Journal articleThe study analyzes the roles of various stakeholders in Tanzania’s grassroots innovation journey using a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis. The study examines key actors, including government agencies, private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international donors and grassroots innovators to assess their impact on the innovation ecosystem. A cross-sectional design was employed to collect qualitative data from 35 grassroots innovators, selected through purposive sampling from sources such as the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) database, Mashindano ya Kitaifa ya Sayansi, Teknolojia na Ubunifu (MAKISATU) records, and participants in the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair Exhibition (SABASABA). Data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and observations. The SWOT analysis reveals that stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST) and COSTECH provide crucial policy and funding support but face challenges like bureaucratic delays and budget constraints. Other institutions, including the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO), National Institute of Transport (NIT) and Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) are recognized for their role in incubating grassroots innovations. The private sector and international donors contribute financial and technical support, yet issues related to trust and alignment with grassroots needs hinder their effectiveness. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced collaboration, improved coordination and streamlined administrative processes to strengthen stakeholder involvement in grassroots innovation

Extension advisory services on farmer’s climate change mitigation strategies in Misungwi district, Tanzania: issues and options

Journal articleThis study evaluates the impact of extension advisory services on farmers’ climate change mitigation strategies. Questionnaires were completed by 64 extension agents and data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study found that the most common method used for identifying farmers’ climate change adaptation needs is extension agents visiting farmers (84.6%), followed by training sessions are less frequently used (26.2%), and other methods are rarely employed (1.5%). Insufficient training on climate change, with a frequency of 55, resource constraints, reported by around 49 respondents and limited access to climate information also stand out as a significant issue, with a frequency of about 41, and lastly knowledge barriers with 39 respondents were shown as the challenges encountered during dissemination of advisory services to farmers. This study revealed that majority (56.9%) of extension agents reported receiving transport facilities, while 41.5% had access to timely updated information. Though, only 18.5% of respondents indicated receiving regular training. This study concludes that the majority of extension agents have reported that they do not receive sufficient support in their efforts to educate farmers on how to adapt to climate change. The extension agents are not prepared to deal with the complexities of climate change, despite the fact that they rely on personal visits to capture the needs of the farmers. The low level of diversity engagement approaches, the low rates of hands-on training, and the moderate perceptions of comfort in communicating climate information are all indicators that this is the case. In addition, many extension agents believe that the increase of these concerns is caused by resource problems, which include inadequate access to timely information, inadequate training, and inadequate financial resources. This study recommends that the government should allocate enough resources aimed at supporting the extension agents in fulfilling their operations

Traditional knowledge and use of wild cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) in selected communities of Tanzania

Journal articleWild cowpeas are utilized as food, medicine, and nutritious fodder. However, there are limited reports on the cultural significance of wild cowpeas across different agroecologies of Tanzania. This study analyzed the traditional knowledge and identified the most culturally important species. The study involved 260 respondents interviewed from 13 villages in seven districts, using descriptive and ethnobotanical methods to assess traditional knowledge. Fisher’s exact test (p = 0.0403) revealed that knowledge of wild cowpeas depends on age, not gender and education. A Pearson’s test showed significant differences in use categories of wild cowpeas among the respondents, with 31% as animal fodder, 6% as medicine, 3.5% as food, and 2.5% as green manure, while 57% did not use it. Spearman rank correlations revealed positive correlations among the variables tested, with FC and UR significantly having a high correlation index of 0.98, while the cultural value (CVe) index highly correlated with all ethnobotany indices evaluated. Vigna dekindtiana is the most culturally significant species, with the highest frequency of citation (FCs = 20), use reports (URs = 27), and cultural importance (CIs = 1.125). The leaves of V. dekindtiana have been used as animal feed and vegetables, while its roots have been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. This study revealed that wild cowpeas can be utilized in various ways, such as ecological and social aspects, and in breeding programs to improve cultivated cowpeas