Browsing by Author "Malekani, Andrew Watson"

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    The contribution of indigenous Agro-biodiversity knowledge management practices for improving livelihoods of local communities: a case study of Masasi and Nachingwea districts in Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2016) Malekani, Andrew Watson
    The study was conducted in Lindi (Nachingwea district) and Mtwara (Masasi district) to investigate and document existing indigenous knowledge practices on management of agro-biodiversity and show how Nonaka and Konnos' 1998 KM model (Socialization, Externalization, Combination and Internalization (SECI)) can be applied to manage indigenous knowledge related to agro-biodiversity in local communities. Combined with Adapted Sustainable Livelihood model, the study also sought to investigate how such knowledge contributes to livelihoods of local communities. This study employed a mixed research design, using cross-sectional and case study designs. The study population was drawn from small holder farmers, village leaders, and Indigenous Knowledge (IK) intermediaries. Purposive sampling was used to select districts, villages, key informants and participants for Focus Group Discussions (FGD). Systematic sampling was used to select heads of households. Their names were picked from the village government register. The total sample for this study was 230 heads of households, 16 key informants (village leaders), 4 indigenous knowledge intermediaries (extension and forest officers) and 80 participants from Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). A Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software Version 16.0 was used to generate frequencies and percentages. Quantitative data was analyzed quantitatively. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Key findings revealed that local communities possess a wide range of indigenous knowledge on soil fertility, intercropping, seed storage, cultivation methods, moisture preservation, and crop preservation. Findings further revealed that fire, fallow and buffer zones are used to demarcate protected areas and village by laws to guide land usage. Findings further revealed that farmers rely heavily on tacit knowledge as opposed to recorded knowledge. The study concluded that farmers create new knowledge through face-to-face and group interactions, folklore, carvings and initiation rites and that IK is largely transferred through oral tradition and demonstrations and is preserved in human minds. The study recommends that KM practices on management of agro-biodiversity should be the responsibility of communities, village authorities, public and private sectors and that the government and private agro-biodiversity actors should foster KM practices on management of agro-biodiversity by engaging communities in the identification, mapping, dissemination and preservation of IK and should conduct user studies to determine areas for intervention. These will help local communities to sustain their farming systems and hence ensure their livelihoods.
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    A study of student’s internet perceptions at Sokoine University of agriculture, republic of Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2006) Malekani, Andrew Watson
    This study was conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture to find out student attitudes and perceptions towards the Internet in meeting their learning needs. A total of one hundred and two (102) students participated in this study. Convenience and purposive sampling techniques were used to pick respondents. Data for this research was collected through a survey using self-administered questionnaires supplemented by observations. Key findings of this study reveal that most students have a positive attitude towards the Internet and use it for academic purposes as opposed to e-mails or leisure. Findings also revealed that most students believe that the information from Internet is current and easier to retrieve compared to print resources. In terms of perceived reliability of Internet information, the study found that most students compared notes retrieved from the Internet with print sources of information. Findings also revealed while they prefer the Internet, its effective use are hampered by several factors including low band width, few Internet access points, and lack of skills. The study recommends that users should undergo basic training in Internet searching skills. It is also recommended that information literacy should be incorporated into the curriculum. Moreover, there should be a deliberate effort to create awareness on the availability of electronic information resources, particularly in the library.