Factors influencing student’s use of various gender based violence strategies implemented in Ilemela Municipal Secondary Schools

International Journal of Research Studies in Education 2025 Volume 14 Number 6, 189-199This study explored factors influencing students' use of GBV prevention strategies in secondary schools. The study was conducted at Ilemela Municipal. A total of 381 respondents were used as sample size, among them were 378 students and 3 school counselors. Employing a mixed method concurrent triangulation to collect and analyse data among respondents in the study area. Data collection methods included self-administered questionnaires, interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. The quantitative data were analysed by using binary logistic regression and thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. The binary logistic regression model identified critical factors, such as sex, courage of speaking out and awareness and education, impacting students' participation in GBV interventions. The validation of the instrument was conducted through pilot testing to assess its validity. Additionally, expert opinions were sought from the supervisor and senior researchers to ensure the quality of data gathering instrument. To enhance the reliability, the researcher utilized the test-retest method. Ethical consideration obtaining relevant authority and consent and insuring the willingness of respondents to participate in study by providing relevant data to fulfill the study objectives. Results indicated that female students were more likely to engage in workshops and peer education sessions, while courage of speaking out and awareness significantly hindered participation. Recommendations include creating supportive environments to encourage male student participation, establishing confidential reporting mechanisms, and implementing awareness campaigns to address knowledge gaps. By addressing these factors, schools can enhance the effectiveness of GBV interventions, fostering safer and more inclusive learning environments

Women groundnut farmers’ participation in aflatoxin management interventions in Chemba district, Tanzania

Journal articleThis study examined the nature of women groundnut farmers’ participation in aflatoxin management interventions in Chemba District in Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional mixed-methods research design involving quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Data were collected using a survey of 137 women groundnut farmers. Also, qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Specifically, 66.5% of women respondents were involved in the aflatoxin management interventions currently being implemented in the study area, while 33.5% reported no participation in such interventions. Also, the findings show that the recent TANIPAC project interventions were perceived positively to bring anticipated positive economic changes and lessen aflatoxin contamination in the food system. Overall, women's participation in interventions is crucial for effectively managing aflatoxin and reducing contamination within the food system

Assessment of nodulation potential in Mung bean (V. radiata) genotypes

Mungbean, also known as Green gram (Vigna radiata L) is an important legume and annual crop with a sweet flavor and a soft texture when cooked . Mungbeans are a rich source of protein, fiber, vitamin B and C, and minerals making them a popular ingredient in many vegetarian and versatility in various culinary applications like soups, stews, curries, and desserts. Mungbean growth and productivity is influenced by its ability to form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria known as rhizobia, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be readily used by plants, through the formation of nodules on the roots of the Mungbean plant, where the rhizobia reside. The experiment aimed to assess the nodulation potential in different Mungbean varieties for better management of soil fertility. The experimental design used during research experiment was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and four treatments (four Mungbean varieties). Results showed that, there was significant difference on number of nodules both at flowering and pod filling stage at P-value <0.001. TARI GRAM 1 variety exhibited highest number of nodules at flowering and pod filling stage, 20 and 41 nodules, TARI GRAM 2 variety had 15 and 33.3. nodules, Nuru variety had 10.3 and 20 nodules while Imara variety had 11.67 and 26 nodules respectively. This indicated TARI GRAM 1 variety had superior nodulation potential and nitrogen fixation potential to improve soil fertility and crop yield in mungbean cultivation followed by TARI GRAM 2 variety. Therefore, TARI GRAM 1 and TARI GRAM 2 varieties are recommended for farmers looking to enhance soil fertility in Mungbean cultivation. The increased number of nodules on Mungbean plants leads to higher rates of nitrogen fixation efficiency resulting in greater nutrient availability in the soil as well as the overall soil fertility and sustainability.Higher Education Students' Loan Boar

Influences of independent variables on the adoption of recommended coffee production practices in Siha District, Kilimanjaro Region

Journal articleAims: The adoption of recommended coffee agricultural practices is critical for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of smallholder coffee farmers. This study explores the influences of independent variables on the adoption of these practices. Study Design: A quantitative method was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires administered to the sample size of 198 smallholder farmers. Methodology: Data were analysed using SPSS version 20 with descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) to assess adoption levels. The Probit regression model was applied to evaluate the likelihood that a farmer adopts a given practice based on a set of explanatory variables. The regression examined the association between adoption decision and independent variables, including access to loan, annual income, gender, access to training, number of coffee plants, farm size and educational level. Results: The findings revealed that adoption rate varied across different coffee practices, while some practices like shade adoption and weeding are widely adopted, others like Integrated pest management (IPM) and pesticides use need more support to be widely implemented. Income, land size and access to training were found to significantly affect the adoption of many practices. Income and access to training were associated with the adoption of more advanced practices suggesting farmers with greater financial resources and knowledge are more likely to implement these practices. On the other hand, marital status and gender has no significant influence on adoption of most practices. Conclusion: The study concludes that addressing access to credits and education challenges among smallholder farmers can significantly improve the adoption of these practices, thereby increasing productivity and farmers income. Based on these finding practical training program to improve farmers knowledge, financial support to farmers and targeted interventions for younger farmers should be emphasized

Management and governance of African rivers

Book chapter 21, pp. 561-584Over the years, there has been an outcry over the decline in ecosystem services (ES) that watersheds and rivers provide (Costanza et al., 1997; Kremen, 2005; De Groot et al., 2012; Ferreira et al., 2023; Masese and Dalu, 2024, Chapter 1). This situation has been witnessed in different parts of the world where dramatic declines in ES have posed serious challenges to watershed and river basin conservation (Kulindwa, 2005). While the capacity of watersheds and rivers to provide ES has become erratic, and sometimes increasing arithmetically, watershed and river basin degradation has been increasing exponentially (Brauman et al., 2014), necessitating the need for effective management and governance structures. Africa is endowed with extensive river basins that offer a wide variety of ES for inland and coastal communities (Dube et al., 2024, Chapter 2; O’Brien et al., 2024, Chapter 3; Mwaijengo et al., 2024, Chapter 4; Muvundja et al., 2024, Chapter 5; Dalu et al., 2024a,b, Chapters 6 and 7). The continent has many valuable large rivers, including the Congo, Limpopo, Niger, Nile, Okavango, Orange, Senegal, Volta, and Zambezi whose waters and catchments are habitats for endemic and threatened species of aquatic flora and fauna. Most of these river basins have socio-economic and cultural importance not only at the local, regional and national levels but also at the global scale. They support small-scale and large-scale agriculture, commercial and artisanal fisheries, livestock production and range management, industrial growth, hydro- power development and biodiversity. Unfortunately, the sustainability and well-being of these rivers and their basins face several challenges, including depletion of water resources through excessive abstractions, land use change, barriers to flow and connectivity caused by dams and weirs, failure to invest adequately in river protection, restoration and monitoring, and unsustainable financing of investments in water supply and sanitation (see Mpopetsi et al., 2024, Chapter 25; McClain and Masese, 2024, Chapter 28). The management and governance structures already in place also seem to be inadequate and ineffective. These threats and inadequacies impinge on the sustainable management of rivers, escalating competing demands for basic water supply and sanitation, food security, economic development and river-related ES. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the status of African river basins, existing policy and legal frameworks, and institutional structures established to facilitate their management and governance. The chapter also explores the challenges that have been experienced in the management and governance of river basins in Africa and we propose strategies for their effective management and governanc

Determinants of effective livestock-based drought risk management among pastoral communities: evidence from Handeni District, Tanzania

The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH), pp. 11-18Drought poses a persistent threat to pastoral livelihoods globally, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where livestock-based systems are dominant. Despite the centrality of livestock to pastoralist livelihoods, empirical knowledge on the determinants of effective drought risk management remains limited. This study investigated livestock-based risk management and coping mechanisms among 160 pastoralist households in Handeni District, Tanga Region, Tanzania. A cross-sectional design was employed, using structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Data were analyzed using SPSS, applying multiple linear regression to identify statistically significant predictors of effective drought coping mechanisms. The regression model was statistically significant (F = 13.261, df = 9, p < 0.005), explaining 44.3% (R² = 0.443) of the variance in drought risk management effectiveness. Key predictors included herd mobility (β = 91.749, p = 0.001), pastoral systems and early warning information (β = 316.537, p < 0.001), land size (β = 2.854, p = 0.004), and access to timely markets (β = 11.516, p = 0.021). These findings underscore the critical role of mobility and access to climate and market information in enhancing pastoral resilience to drought. Notably, herd mobility was the most adopted practice, with 66.9% of respondents indicating migration in search of pasture and water as a key adaptive strategy. The study concludes that enhancing drought early warning systems, securing grazing lands, and promoting mobility-friendly policies are vital to effective livestock-based drought risk management. It recommends the integration of local knowledge systems with formal risk analysis and planning, ensuring participatory decision-making from grassroots to national levels. Strengthening institutional support, land tenure systems, and timely market access will improve adaptive capacities and contribute to sustainable pastoral livelihoods under increasing drought conditions

Internal control systems and the revenue collection performance among Local Government Authorities (LGA) in Tanzania

Journal articleThis study examines the influence of internal control systems on revenue collection performance in selected Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Tanzania. Weak internal controls contribute to inefficiencies, fraud, and inconsistent financial reporting, posing challenges to revenue collection. The study evaluates the influence of internal control mechanisms in three LGAs, Mbeya, Mwanza, and Manyara, categorised as high, medium, and low performers by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG). A cross-sectional survey design was employed, collecting data from 400 revenue officers across the three LGAs. The study applied Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) regression, using external audit frequency as an instrument to address endogeneity concerns. Structured questionnaires facilitated standardised data collection. Findings reveal that solid internal controls significantly improve revenue collection. Accurate financial records (β = 0.045, p < 0.01), timely reporting (β = 0.226, p < 0.01), and effective monitoring (β = 0.152, p < 0.01) enhance revenue efficiency. However, fraud incidents negatively impact revenue growth (β = -0.042, p < 0.1). Internal audits strongly influence revenue increments (β = 0.241, p < 0.01), highlighting their crucial role. To enhance revenue performance, LGAs should strengthen internal audits, improve the accuracy of financial records, implement fraud prevention measures, and optimise reporting timelines. Policymakers should establish standardised internal control frameworks, invest in technology, and engage Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), local communities, civil society organisations, and NGOs to enhance external oversight, promote citizen participation, and reinforce trust. Additionally, conducting regular policy reviews will improve accountability and efficiency in revenue collection processes

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

Comparing ARFIMA and ARIMA models in forecasting under five mortality rate in Tanzania

Journal articleTanzania has been taking various measures to drop the Under-Five Mortality Rate (UFMR), but the pace to meet national and global UFMR targets has been slow. Nevertheless, the decline for the past years has continued to be low as compared to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target which is set at 25 deaths/1000 live births by 2030. The lack of statistical modeling-based forecast values of UFMR results into setting targets that are not SMART towards the realization of national and international goals of the health sector. Thus, the current study uses both ARFIMA and ARIMA to make forecasts of UFMR in Tanzania from 2021 to 2030 by using data extracted from the World Databank - World Development Indicators (WDI). Also, an accuracy comparison between the ARFIMA and ARIMA best-fit models in forecasting UFMR was conducted. The forecasts from the best ARFIMA (1, 0.284243, 2) model indicate that by June 2026 the rate will on average be 41 deaths/1,000 live births as compared to the Tanzanian Five Year Development Plan Phase III (TFYDP-III) target of 40 deaths/1,000 live births; whereas the best fit ARIMA (1, 2, 0) model forecasts depict that the rate will be 40.1 deaths/1,000 live births as compared to the TFYDP-III target. In relation to the UN SDGs target of 25 deaths/1,000 live births by 2030, the ARFIMA (1, 0.284243, 2) model forecast values indicate that by 2030, Tanzania will experience a decrease in UFMR to 35.2 deaths/1,000 live births. The ARIMA (1, 2, 0) forecast values indicate that by 2030, Tanzania will experience a decrease in UFMR to 32.9 deaths/1,000 live births. The results of using RMSE and MAPE forecasting model accuracy measures reveal that the ARFIMA (1, 0.284243, 2) model performs better than ARIMA (1, 2, 0) in forecasting UFMR

The role of AfCFTA in enhancing capital accumulation through vegetables and fruits trade: a case of Tanzania

Journal articleTanzania's ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an opportunity to enhance regional trade and stimulate capital accumulation in the fruits and vegetables sectors. This paper is based on a study that explored how trade liberalization driven by AfCFTA can promote capital accumulation through increased net exports, the reinvestment of trade surpluses, and improved financial linkages. Using the Dynamic Equilibrium Model for Economic Development, Resources, and Agriculture (DEMETRA)—a single-country computable general equilibrium (CGE) model—and the Modular Applied General Equilibrium Tool (MAGNET), a global multiregional CGE model, the study simulated two trade liberalization scenarios: (i) tariff-only reductions and (ii) reductions combining both tariff and non-tariff measures (NTMs). These scenarios were evaluated across four trade schedules: Revenue from Tariff (REV), which focused on optimizing government revenue; Agricultural Trade (AGR), which prioritized food security and market access; Intermediate Inputs Trade (INT), which supported industrialization through supply chain enhancements; and Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), which targeted competitive export sectors. The study findings indicate that the Tariff + NTM scenario yielded be er trade outcomes, with net exports for fruits projected to reach 115.79 billion TZS and for vegetables 86.26 billion TZS by 2035, compared to 112.25 billion TZS and 83.48 billion TZS, respectively, under the Tariff-only scenario. The RCA and INT schedules generated the most significant trade surpluses, highlighting the importance of strategic tariff reductions and targeted trade facilitation. Key policy recommendations include reducing NTMs through streamlined customs procedures, investing in export-support infrastructure such as cold storage and transport networks, and enhancing competitiveness through value addition and regional market integration. These measures would maximize the benefits of AfCFTA in strengthening Tanzania's agricultural trade, fostering capital reinvestment, and ensuring long-term economic resilience