Masters Dissertations

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    Accessibility and use of nutrition information in addressing underfive child malnutrition in Morogoro Urban, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2002) Wanyenda Leonard, Chilimo
    This study was undertaken to examine the access to and use of nutrition information in addressing the problem of malnutrition in Morogoro urban district Tanzania. The study investigated the Maternal and Child Health clinics (MCH) nutrition information delivery systems; variables that determine accessibility and use of information; extent of the use of nutrition information in addressing malnutrition and the relationship between the information that mothers have and the nutritional status of their children. Survey research method was used for data collection whereby questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were used for data collection. The study found that although the MCH health and nutrition education sessions are an important aspect in disseminating nutrition information to mothers, these sessions are seldom conducted and the attendance of mothers to these sessions is poor; awareness of mothers concerning different nutritional aspects is still low due to lack of information; and education is the most important variable that determines use and access to nutrition information. The study concludes that: Access to reliable nutritional information is an important aspect in addressing child malnutrition and therefore efforts should be made to ensure that mothers have access to adequate and reliable nutritional information. The study recommends the establishment of information units within the MCH clinics; frequent organization of nutrition seminars for mothers; and that nutrition information providers in MCH clinics should pay more attention to the less educated women.
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    Adsorption of nitrate and chloride in some Tanzania soils dominant in allophanic and kaolinitic clays
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1978) Parmar, Kokila Hasmukh
    Nitrate and chloride adsorption in some virgin Tanzanian soil dominant in allophanic (x-ray amorphous) and kaolinitic clays as affected by the electrolyte (equilibrating solution) concentration, pH and anionic composition (complementary ion effect) were investigated. The adsorption of both N03 and C1 (in both leached and unleached samples) in all the solid increased with increasing electrolyte concentration. A transition from negative absorption of both anions at lower concentration to positive adsorption at higher concentration was observed in nearly all the soils. The Freundliah adsorption isotherm model was suitable to N03 adsorption in all and C1 adsorption in some of the soils. Description studies revealed that the amount of C1 desorbed increased with the increasing concentration of N03 in the electrolyte and on the colloidal surfaces. The N03 ion was found to be a better extractant of C1 than the S04 ion which in turn was better than the 0H ion. Adsorption of N03 (except in two soils) and C1 in all the soils increased with increasing pH of the electrolyte solution. This was contrary to the usual observation that anion adsorption increases with decreasing electrolyte pH. Surface preference (anionic competition) study revealed that the soils preferred N03 over C1. The adsorption of N03 increased in the presence of C1 in the mixture and vice versa. Destruction of the soil organic matter prior to equilibration with the electrolyte solutions of different pH values increased the magnitude of N03 adsorption at pH 3.3 and 6.0. However, the adsorption of C1 was decreased by a similar treatment.
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    Application of nitrogen and irrigation to pasture to enhance dry season cattle production in Uganda.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1970) Tiharuhondi, Enos Robin
    This study was initiated to ascertain the role of fertilizer nitrogen and/or supplemental irrigation in bridging the dry season shortage gap. Past research on Uganda pastures noted that this has mainly been on species introduced from outside the country and selection from local and introduced species and varieties for adaptation to different ecological zones under various management practices. The role of fertilizer in pasture production has also been reviewed as well as the role of water in the life of the land. Lastly a brief review has been made of the methods of measuring pasture output. The experiment was conducted at Makerere University Farm, Kabanyolo. The climate at Kabanyolo is classified as moist tropical. Annual rainfall is about 51.2 in with two peaks in April and November and two lows in January and July. The upland cultivated soils of Kabanyolo have been described as latosols or ferrallitic soils. A split plot design was employed, the main plots being for irrigation and no irrigation, and the split pots for the four levels of nitrogen. Nitrogen, calcium ammonium nitrate, potash and phosphate were applied. For irrigation a sprinkler system was used. The grazing stock included yearling ¾ Jersey ¼ Nganda crossbred heifers (first year) and yearling ¾-Jersey-1/4-Nganda crossbred steers (2nd year). The first grazing cycle of each year was used for conditioning the animals. Animals were weighed before entering the first replicate and when they completed the fifth replicate. Herbage samples were taken for yield estimation and chemical analyses. Soil samples were taken for moisture and chemical analyses. Statistical analysis using t test for the average moisture percentages of the irrigated and non-irrigated treatments for one year of recording showed that irrigated plots had higher soil moisture content than the non-irrigated plots. Generally the experimental treatments had no significant effects, diminutive or incremental, on the constitution of these nutrients. In both seasons Herbage yields increased as the level of N-fertilization increased, and with irrigation where N was applied. Irrigation had no significant effect on crude protein composition during the dry seasons but had a significant lowering effect during the wet seasons. The crude fibre composition in herbage was not influenced by irrigation but was significantly reduced by fertilizer nitrogen in all seasons. Neither season nor level of N nor irrigation enhanced the accumulation of NO3-N in herbage to a minimum level of CO.20% reported as toxic to livestock. The stocking rate increased with increasing levels of N in both irrigated and non-irrigated treatments. It was evident from the study that a combination of high levels of N with irrigation was able to maintain a steady production of large quantities of herbage yields declined progressively.
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    Assessment of reef fish biomass and density in the Dar es Salaam marine reserves, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2016) Julius, Pagu
    The Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves systems (DMRs) comprise of the North Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves systems (NDMRs) with General Management Plan (GMP) and the South Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves systems (NDMRs) without a GMP. This study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of the GMP in the conservation of coral reef ecosystem by assessing reef fish biomass, density and coral cover. Sampling was conducted from August, 2014 to April, 2015. Line Intercept Transect (LIT) was used to characterize benthic cover and Underwater Visual Census (UVC) was used to assess reef fish abundance and biomass. The findings showed that both fish density and fish biomass in NDMRs was significantly higher than SDMRs (Mann-Whitney P=0.0004). Population size structure for Juvenile fish had no significant difference between the sites (Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, P = 0.4721). Recruit fish in NDMRs has significantly higher density than SDMRs (Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, P < 0.0001). Regarding adult fish, NDMRs has significantly higher mean size than SDMRs (Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, P < 0.0001). Species diversity index was significantly higher in the NDMR (Shanon Diversity Index (H´) = 4.323) than SDMRs (H´ = 3.227). Fish-biomass varied significantly for the three seasons in the NDMR (Hc, P < 0.0001) and for SDMRs fish biomass was significantly difference for the three seasons (Hc, P < 0.0020). Fish density was highly correlated with coral cover for both NDMRs and SDMRs (r = 0.96). This study has revealed the effectiveness of GMP in conserving coral reef ecosystem in the NDMRs and call for the urgent preparation of GMP for the SDMRs.
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    Basic density of the wood from Eucalyptus species grown in Rwanda
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1982) Gashumba, Eugene
    Basic density of the wood from Eucalyptus matidenii, Eucalyptus microcorys and Eucalysaligna grown in Rwanda was studied. The objectives of the study were:To provide information on the variation in basic densities of the species.To provide information on the variation in basic densities within and between trees of the species. To find whether a relationship existed between basic density and tree age and site.To compare the basic densities of the three species from Rwanda with those of the same species grown in other countries. Each of the three species was sampled at Butare, Gisenyi and Musha, sites which are located in different geographic regions. Three 5 cm thick discs were cut from each tree, one at breast height, one at 33 per cent and one at 66 per cent of total tree height. A strip of 2 x 2 cm cross section was extracted from each disc from bark to bark through the pith. The radial strips were then cut into two pieces through the pith and each of these pieces was finally divided into three equal length sections which were used as final samples for the laboratory measurements. Basic density was calculated from oven dry weight and green volume of the samples. The main results from the study are: There were no significant differences between sites. Although the effect of age on basic density could not be confirmed due to intervening factors, tree average basic densities from younger stands seemed to be lower than the overall values for the species. Highly significant differences existed between specie; and represented alone about 55 per cent of the total estimated variation. Significant differences existed between trees but represented only 8 per cent of the total estimated variation E. microcorys aged 38 years at Butane, 26 years at Gisenyi and 26 years at Musha had average wood basic densities of 732, 618 and 719 kg/m3 respectively. Out of the three species considered, this species was found to have the densest wood. It was significantly denser than E. saligna but not significantly different from the 23-24 and 35 year old E. maidenii. E. maidenii aged 35 years at Butane, 9 years at Gisenyi and 23-24 years at Musha had average densities of 693, 583 and 693 kg/m3 respectively. The average basic densities of the 24, 9 and 23-24 year old E. saligna from Butane, Gisenyi andMusha were 589, 475 and 551 kg/m3 respectively. This species was found to be the least dense of the three. The average tree basic densities from stands in Rwanda are lower than the values for the same species growing in Australia. Compared to results from Brazil, averages for E. saligna from Rwanda are higher than those of the same species grown in Itupeva and in the same range as those grown in Mogi Guacu. In the axial direction, basic density increased significantly with height in the stems of E. microcorys. In E. maidenii and E. saligna, the increase was not significant at the 0.05 level. In the radial direction, basic density increased significantly from the pith outwards at height levels 1.3 m and at 33 per cent, but not at 66 per cent. It is suggested that E. maidenii, because of its dense wood and fast growth should be selected for large scale plantations for the production of fuel wood and construction wood urgently needed in Rwanda.
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    Biomass, volume and nutrient content assessment in three-year old eucalyptus melliodora unweeded, clean-weeded and intercropped with beans, sorghum and maize in Morogoro area, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1982) Ahimana, Celestin
    In February, 1978, an agroforestry experiment was established at Mafiga, a semi-arid area, in Morogoro Region, Tanzania (37º38' E and 6º49' S). The experiment was a 5 x 5 Latin square in which Eucalyptus melliodora was grown unweeded, clean-weeded and intercropped with beans, sorghum and maize at 2.5 m x 2.5 m espacement. In February, 1981, at the age of three years, the stands were clearfelled and the above crops were grown amongst the coppice. At the time of clearfeelling, the opportunity to assess the volume and biomass of felled treel was taken. The biomass of litter, undergrowth and fallen branches was also assessed. Soil samples were taken for assessment of the nutrient store. Calcium, nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium concentrations and contents in various tree components and liter were determined. Loss of nitrogen by burning was also ascertained. The new bean, sorghum and maize crops were also assessed for biomass and nutrient content when they were harvested in June 1981. Tree and stand volume was estimated using the summation of volumes of equal tree sections and the stand volume also assessed-using the formula V = g x H and by Kio's and Satoo's methods. Above and below-ground tree component biomass was determined by destructive sampling. The allometric regression model in {tree component, kg) = a + a (In dbh, cm) was used to estimate the dry weight of individual trees in the plots. Unweeded trees had the lowest survival rate {53%), volume {8.57 m3 ha-1) and biomass {6,0 t ha-1) , There was no significant difference between clean-weeded trees and those intercropped with beans either in volume or biomass production (respectively 37.41 m3 ha-1 and 37.82 m3 ha-1 and 31.0 t ha-1 and 30.0 t ha-1). Intercropping sorghum and maize significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the tree volume and biomass production (respectively 26.02 m 3 ha-1. and 24.80 m3 ha-1 and 21. 8 t ha-1 and 21 . 0 t ha-1 ). Yields of food crops were as follows: beans, 14'7 kg ha-1; maize, 500 kg ha-1; sorghum, 180 kg ha-1. Beans, sorghum and maize residues had an oiomass of 0.3, 1.7, and 2.2 t ha-1 respectively. The wood yield hectare for planted with beans is sufficient to provide enough fuel for a family of five for a period of at least six years. By removal of stem (overbark) and branches considerable amounts of nutrients are drained from the site, however by leaving the branches and bark on the site, the nutrient drain is insignificant. Nitrogen loss by buring varied from 41% to 91% of the original concentration. Very small amounts to nutrients are lost in food crop harvesting. Techinically, intercropping the above agricultural crops has been found feasible. However, while the espacement of 2.5 m x 2.5 m in this experiment favours tree growth, wider espacements would provide better food crop growth. More reseach is needed to find precisely which tree espacements will give the optimum balance between food crop and wood yields under any specified set of environmental conditions.
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    Cassava root flour as a source of energy for growing and finishing pigs
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1980) Babyegeya, Wilfred Bitegeko Melwa
    Two experiments were conducted to evaluate cassava root flour as a source of energy for growing and finishing pigs by substituting maize with cassava. In the first experiment maize was replaced by cassava up to 45 percent in four- rations (O, ,15 , 30 and 45 percent cassava), and the digestibility of nutrients in all four rations determined and campared. In the second experiment maize was replaced by cassava up to 40 percent in five rations {O, 10, 20, 30 and 40 percent cassava). Growth rate, feed efficiency and carcass character-istics of pigs in all five rations were determined and compared. The digestibility of nutrients in all cassava based rations was significantly greater {P<.05 ) than in the control maize ration. The increase was however at a decreasing rate up to 45 percent cassava indicating that there must be an upper limit of using cassava in the pig rations.The results of the second experiment indicated that it was advantageous to incorporate cassava up to 40 percent in the nations for growing and finishing pigs. Growth rate, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics of pigs on cassava based rations were generally better or equal to that of pigs on maize based rations. The two experiments as a whole therefore, suggest that cassava can to a large degree, be successfully used as sub-stitutes for certain cereals in nutritionally balanced rations for growing and finishing pigs in Tanzania.
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    Causes of decline in coffee production and its impact on household wellbeing and gender relations in Moshi, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2010) Njau, Perpetua Nicholaus
    Decline in coffee production has impact on household wellbeing and gender relations. The main objective of the study is to identify factors responsible for decline in household coffee production and further to assess whether the decline of coffee production has led to decline in household wellbeing. The study answered questions on what are the factors responsible for decline in coffee production, how the decline in coffee production affects household socio-economic and what the implications of the changes in coffee production are and livelihoods on gender relations. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis. The methods of data collection were questionnaire, interviews, field observation and secondary data. The types of questions asked include causes of coffee decline, livelihood and gender relations changes. Both closed and open- ended questions were asked. Random sampling was used to get sample whereby 10% households were studied, making a total of 100 sample of the study. Research findings indicated that the decline in coffee resulted in changes from farm to non-farm activities like petty trade, changes from cash to food crops and increasing out-migration. The implications of the decline in coffee crop production revealed that men lacked source of income and failed to assume household cash responsibilities than before. It was also found that women work load of providing household needs has increased. Furthermore the gendered ownership of assets was changed in that women owned bananas, fruits, milk, beans and maize and men owned coffee before, however, later with the decline of coffee production, men owned bananas, milk, beans, maize and fruits.The study recommended that the policies concerned the cut-off agricultural subsidies, population increase need to be reviewed in order to ensure available farm inputs and land for expansion of agriculture. There is a need of empowering both men and women to enable them generate sound income for household needs.
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    Causes of decline in major crop production in Bukoba: Banana, coffee and tea
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1976) Kabwoto, Ernest
    There is proof that the production of major crops namely banana, coffee and tea in Bukoba has declined. The available statistics show that yield per hectare for banana and coffee has been declining over time since 1910 to the present day. The decline for tea production is reflected in the failure of the Bukoba Tea Scheme to hit its target set by 1974 and lack of enthusiasm on the part of the peasants and their withdrawal from participating in the scheme. One cause of this decline originates from the inherent physical characteristics of the soils which besides being naturally infertile are very susceptible to leaching of essential plant mineral nutrients under Bukoba climatic conditions. This process has been observed to be due to very high rainfall in Bukoba and other climatic factors which make the soils continually lose their mineral nutrients. Under such conditions there is rising demand for manure/fertilizer inputs to restore and maintain soil fertility. This also calls for better husbandry methods on the part of the peasants which currently seem to be lacking. Besides, the costs of the inputs are so high that an ordinary peasant cannot afford them without assistance in the present conditions. These conditions are against the peasant. The market situation is such that producer price of the two cash crops (coffee and tea) has been kept low for long time and the future does not seem bright. This is partly due to domestic policies. While the earnings realised in the world marker are low, a large part of them do not reach the producer. Instead they are either spent on administrative costs or other things outside the coffee and tea industries. The marked effects are that potential productive peasants withdraw from participation in the production of the crops and shift to other sectors of the economy or become less productive within the industries themselves. The author suggests that this situation should be rectified if crops production is to be kept at the required level and quality. This is possible if the government is ready to reinvest proceeds in the three industries and create necessary incentives for farmers so that they can produce more and raise the quality of the crops. For example the government may subsidize the peasant through providing fertilisers and insecticides and may improve infrastructural facilities in the area in order to boost his production means.
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    Coconut oil meal in fattening pig rations
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1979) Lekule, Faustin P.M
    This experiment was designed to study effects of using coconut cake in pig diets. Pigs of average live weight 40 kg were fed to a restricted scale diets containing 0, 10, 20 or 30% coconut meal to a slaughter weight of 90kg. The coconut meal replaced an equal weight of soybean/maize meal in the diet. Rate of gain and efficiency of feed conversion were linearly reduced by increased levels of coconut meal beyond 10% while costs of feed per kg meat produced increased progressively when coconut meal was incorporated in diets above 10%. The 10% coconut meal diet supported the highest growth rates and was the most economical. The rates of gain were 0.705, 0.719, 0.531 and 0.438kg/ day for the 0, 10, 20 and 30% coconut meal diets, respectively. The efficiencies of feed conversion were reduced beyond 10% coconut meal inclusion; the ratio of feed per gain were 3.21, 3.11, 3.83 and 4.91 for 0, 10, 20 and 30% coconut meal diets, respectively. Though coconut meal was cheaper than the replaced soybean/maize meal the cost of feed per kg live weight gain followed a similar trend. Addition of coconut meal increased fat firmness and side fat thickness. Other carcass quality parameters of meat colour, backfat thickness, area of longissimus dor Lekule si muscle, carcass length, killing out percent, iodine value and saponification value were not affected by the level of coconut meal in the diet. Most were, however, affected by sex. Gilts produced more lean than barrows. Organ weights of kidneys, heart, liver, spleen and weights of kidney fat, fillet muscle and ham were not influenced by the level of coconut meal in the diet. Feed intake was reduced at 20 and 30% levels of coconut meal in the diet. Reduced consumption, reduced digestibility due to increased fibre content and possibly poor lysine availability and protein digestibility of coconut meal are advanced as the main contributing factors for decreased rate and efficiency of gain when coconut meal was incorporated beyond 10%.
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    Community based marine curio trade in Unguja island-Zanzibar
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2013) Haji, Asha Mati
    The marine curio trade is important economic activities for most of coastal people. It involves collection and selling of marine living resources. This study was aiming at determining the contribution of curio trade to the livelihood of the coastal people of Unguja Island by identifying the most common curio species collected, the abundances, there sizes, determining the prices and the contribution of curio trade. The study sites was Nungwi, Kiwengwa and Stone town and covered both collectors and curio sellers. Field survey, direct field observation and formal interview were used in gathering vital information on the aspect of the marine curio trade. The result showed that almost all marine species collected at Nungwi and Kiwengwa were similar. About 18 species of marine shells were found to be collected to both Kiwengwa and Nungwi. In Nungwi about 71% of the curio collectors were adult female and 29% were male, but in Kiwengwa major portion of curio collectors were under 18 years consisting of 68%, male were 23% and females were 9%. The study also found that, curio sellers are concentrated in Zanzibar town followed by Nungwi and Kiwengwa. There are some marine species which are decreasing in abundances example, Cypraea cassis rufa, Cypraea cassis cornuta, Lambis truncata and Ovula ovam. Curio trade has positive contribution to the livelihoods of the coastal people, this study has found that the collection pressure for marine shell has increased from increasing number of collectors and sellers; hence this pressure could cause great reduction to some organisms and even disappearance. This study recommend strong management , rules and regulations should be planned to ensure curio sellers and collectors are done their business sustainably.
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    A comparison of sorghum silage as roughage feed for lactating dairy cattle
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1980) Majani, Ally S
    Sisal pulp is a potential cattle feed as it is readily available at no cost on the sisal estates. The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of feeding sisal pulp silage to lactating dairy cattle fed at different levels with sorghum silage on milk yield and composition. Two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment in which the in vivo digestibility for the experimental diets were evaluated, 12 rams were fed sorghum silage (group 1), sorghum silage plus concentrate (group 2) and sorghum silage plus sisal pulp (group 3). The in vivo digestibility coefficients for sisal pulp silage and concentrate were obtained by difference. Sisal pulp silage was slightly superior to sorghum silage in form of chemical composition. The DM, OM, CWC and CP digestibility coefficients for sorghum silage were 44.4, 47.6, 46.0 and 44.5 respectively and the digestibility coefficients for sisal pulp silage in that order were 54.3, 56.5, 71.4 and 67.8 respectively. The CWC and CP digestibility coefficients for sisal pulp silage in that order were significantly higher (P 0.05) than the corresponding values for sorghum silage. The ME for sorghum silage and sisal pulp silage were 1.48 Mcal/kg and 1.95 Mcal/kg respectively and these were significantly different (p,0.05). In the second experiment, 18 lactating dairy cattle were used in a randomised block design in three treatment groups of six animals each. The experiment consisted of a pre-experimental period (4 weeks) during which all the animals were given 2/3 sorghum silage + 1/3 sisal pulp silage + concentrate. In the experimental period (6 weeks) the cows in-group 1 were offered 3/3 sorghum silage + concentrate but animals in group 2 continued to receive the same diet as in the pre-experimental period. Cows in group e were supplied with 1/3 sorghum silage + 2/3 sisal pulp silage + concentrate and in the post experimental period (4 weeks) all the cows were fed as in the pre-experimental period. Throughout the three feeding periods all the animals were allowed 2-3 hours grazing per day. The amount of concentrate offered to the three groups was the same. The voluntary roughage kg DM intakes per 100kg body weight were 1.31 for group 1, 1.19 for group 2 and 1.57 for group 3 animals. The differences were significant (P,0.01). The total DM intakes per metabolic body weight and the total ME consumed from the total diet followed the same trend. There were no significant differences (P,0.05) among the three treatment groups in form of actual milk yield, 4% FCM and milk composition. During the experimental period, the actual milk yield values for the three groups in the order of increasing sisal pulp silage in the diet were 8.4kg, 6.8kg and 8.1kg and the 4% FCM in that order were 8.9kg, 7.9kg and 8.9kg. However, animals in groups 3 gained more body weight but no significant (P,0.05) during the experimental period, followed by group 2 and group 1 gained the least. It is concluded that sisal pulp silage may be used as the major part of the roughage diet for lactating dairy cows without any adverse affect on animal health or production.
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    Copper and Zinc Status of some volcanic ash soils in the Mbeya district
    (University of Dar es salaam, 1980) Kamasho, Josephath Aiwinia
    The aim of this project was to prepare the available Cu and Zn fertility maps for the soils of the Mbeya District. Before reaching this stage, an investigation was carried out to select a suitable extractant for these two nutrient elements. Critical soil-test values and limits for Cu and Zn fertility categories to be used for demarcating the area were identified. Attempts were also made to identify critical plant tissue content of Cu and Zn fertilisation on soils of different fertility in the district. Among the three extractants, 0.1N HC1, 0.05M EDTA and DTPA, evaluated for their suitability for assessing Cu and Zn availability in the soils of the Mbeya District, DTPA was most suitable. The tentative critical soil-test values below which wheat may respond to Cu and Zn fertilisation were 0.7 ppm Cu and 3.5 ppm zn as extracted by DTPA. Although somewhat inferior, 0.05M EDTA may be considered as an alternative to DTPA with tentative critical soil-test value of 1.0 ppm Cu and 11.0 ppm Zn. Based on the DTPA-extractable Cu and Zn contents, and pattern of distribution of relative yields with respect to soil-test values, three fertility categories were identified as follows:
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    Cotton seed meal as a protein source for pigs
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1982) Kafumu, Muga A. B
    Two experiments were conducted to determine, first, the digestibility coefficients, digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME ) and nitrogen balance by pigs in Ukiriguru variety of cottonseed meal in pig diets containing 0, 6, 12 and 18% cottton seed meal. Secondly, to study the effect of incorporation of Ukiriguru variety cottonseed meal in pig rations on performance and carcass characteristics. In the digestibility study the mean apparent digestability coefficients of cottonseed meal components of organic matter (OM), dry matter (DM), crude protein (C ')v crude fibre (CF), either extract (EE ) and nitrogen free extracts (NEE) were 66.3, 63.4, 73,11 .6, 67.3 and 70.5% respectively. The DE and ME were 2.9101 and 2.7243 Mcal/kg of DM, respectively and nitrogen retained was 50.7% of nitrogen intake. The calculated digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CF, EE and NFE in cottonseed meal alone decreased significantly with increasing, levels of cottonseed meal in diet probably because of the high CF in the test cottonseed meal. DE and ME were similarly affected. In the second study, thirty two is of average live weight of 25 kg were fed to a restricted scale on diets containing 0, 6, 12 and 18 % cottonseed meal at the expense of whole soybean meal. The rates of gain were 0.525, 0.558, 0:535 and 0.546 kg/day and efficiency of feed utilization were 3.82, 3.38.3.64 and 3.37 for 0, 6, 12 and 18% cotton seed meal diets respectively. Rate of gain and efficiency of feed utilization were not significantly affected (P40.05) by the diet treatment groups. The cost of feed per kg live weight and kg of meat produced decreased progressively when cottonseed meal was corporated at graded levels in diet. The carcass quality para meter of baekfat thickness, area of longissiumsdorsi muscle, carcass weight and length, killing out percentage, kidney fat weight were not affected by the level of cottonseed in the diet. Or an weight of kidneys, liver, heart, spleen and Iungs and weights of different meat cuts (ham, loin, chops, shoulder, jowl and belly) were also not influenced by level of cottonseed meal in the diet. From the findings of this study, it is concluded that since Ukiriguru variety cottonseed meal is abundant and cheap, it may be incorporated in pig diets at the level up to 18%.
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    Crossbreeding pigs in Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1982) Komba, Gabriel Luke
    The high demand for animal protein in the developing countries raises the need for making deliberate efforts to improve and expand the livestock production industry. In Tanzania, for example, with a pig population of 80,000 and where pig meat is becoming popular in non-Islamic communities, per capital meat intake can be substantially increased by exploring and improving the pig industry. Crossbreeding is considered the fastest method of improving through breeding most of the economic traits in market pigs. Response to crossbreeding depends on the combining ability of pig breeds. Lack of data to support crossbreeding programmes in the production of market pigs in Tanzania was a major reason for undertaking the study. The experiment was conducted between October 1980 and January 1982. The number of pigs varied with the parameters studied. Three boars and 14 gilts were analysed for fertility traits while 11 litters were used for studies on traits related to litter size. There were 98 pigs for birth weight and 92 pigs for waning weight studies. Other traits studied included growth rate and carcass quality and yield. The progeny belonged to Danish Landrace, Hampshire-Yorkshire and the three-breed reciprocal crosses of the three breeds. All pigs were reared and managed under the same environmental conditions. Crossbreeding had no effects on conception rates. Furrowing percentage was highly significant (p,0.001) for breed of dam and breed of sire. Gestation period ranged from 107-116 days and averaged 113.7 +2.5, 112.2+3.1 and 113+5+1.4 days for the three-breed reciprocal crossbred, Hampshire-Yorkshire and Danish Landrace litters, respectively. The mean litter size of the three-breed reciprocal crosses was lower by 14.2% at weaning than the averages of the parent purebred litters. This showed a negative heterosis for this trait. Crossbreeding significantly increased pig weigh at all ages, average daily gains and slightly improved pig viability. The overall mortality rate was 18.4% and was higher in Danish Landrace than in cross red pigs. Sow crushing and still births were the main causes of piglet mortality while piglet scours and helminthic infestations retarded their growths. Feed conversion ration was slightly improved by crossbreeding. Carcass composition traits were influenced differently by breed and sex. Dressing percentages of Danish Landrace, the three breed reciprocal crosses and Hampshire-Yorkshire pigs were 68.8%, 68.3% and 67.2%, respectively. Crossbreeding had significant effect (p,0.001) on back fat thickness and slight of lean while sex had significant influence (p,0.05) on internal fat deposition. Eye muscle area and hind and fore quarters were slightly affected by breed effects. Hampshire-Yorkshire pigs had significantly heavier head, shoulder and spare ribs-joints than the other two breed types. However, the three-breed reciprocal crossbreds had significantly heavier loin joint than the others. Sex significantly influenced chops meat-joint. Belly and ham meat joints and the internal organs were least affected by breed or sex. Proportions of lean and fat in the 12th rib sample joint were highly influenced (P<0.001) by breed and sex. Bone content was only slightly affected by crossbreeding. Under the conditions of the experiment, the three-breed crosses had higher survival rate and better growth performance than the purebreds and leaner carcasses than the two-breed crosses. The study has shown that the use of crossbred gilts has an advantage over the purebred gilts in the production of the three breed crosscossbred pigs.
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    Cupressus lucitanica miller, growth and yield studies in Kenya
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1977) Mathu, Winston
    This is a growth and yield study of Cupressus lusitanica Miller under the present sawtimber management schedules in Kenya. It is based on 133 permanent sample plots maintained by the Kenya Forest Department. Site, size quality and site indexing systems are discussed and site index curves for C. lusitanica in Kenya constructed, using the periodic dominant height increment method and a reference age of 20 years. The mean diameter of thinning, basal area and basal area development are discussed and the relevant equations derived. Basal area increment for understocked, normal and overstocked stands are also studied. Understocking was found to result in lower basal area increment at early age (up to age 20 years on average site). This indicates that the three first thinnings are probably too heavy. Finally a volume yield table is constructed for the average site index class in Kenya (S.1. 24.1). The volume is calculated using the tree volume equation by H. L. Wright (1999) which has dominant height and diameter at breast height as independent variables. The current and mean annual volume increments are discussed and the biological rotation for the average site in Kenya determined.
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    Diffusion of an agricultural innovation - hybrid maize in Njombe district
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1978) Mgeni, Bernard Christopher
    The problem of this study was the identification of the reasons of acceptance and rejection of the hybrid maize innovation in Njombe and also to test the universality of the diffusion’s model as applied to the area of study. The methodology applied included questionnaire interviews, informal discussions with the officials and peasants, the results being analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively with the Chi-square test and TAU (Kendall's correlation coefficient). A number of socio - economic is and political variables have been considered as to how they influence the innovativeness of farmers. The outcomes show that the diffusion’s model should not be adapted as a piece meal to different social environments and that economic reasons are the principal deterrents to early adoption i.e. innovativeness.
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    An economic assessment of small holder Tobacco village project in Tabora region
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1977) Kange, Sebastian Nziabo
    Tanzania, as in many developing countries, depends on agriculture as a major source of overall income and foreign exchange. Her policies stress vigorously an increased production of food and cash crops for social and economic development. The major export crops in Tanzania for the ten years after independence have been coffee,sisal,and cotton. The need for increased export earnings plus the problem of price fluctuation of the major crops promoted the government to expand other crops that were minor, especially those combining domestics and export demand. Flue-cured tobacco was one of these crops. The world demand for this type continued to rise, especially in the mid -1960’s. The export opportunities for Tanzania tobacco became brighter especially since 1965 when a major producer, Rhodesia, lost its markets due to a unilateral declaration of Independence and subsequent economic sanctions against her. Until then, the Tanzania crop was mainly sold for local cigarette manufacturing. This new Increased export opportunity plus this already exsting domestic demand for cigarettes called for more production of flue cured tobacco, which averaged 1.6 million kg per annul by 1964 and scared to over 10 million by 1970. The development trend of Tanzania tobacco is discussed in chapter I. Further government emphasis on flue-cured tobacco was incorporated in the second five-year plan – 1969/1974. It was envisaged that tobacco output would increase at a growth rate of 25 percent per annual, bringing the annual output to 17.5 million kg flue-cured leaf by the of the plan period. In order to successfully implement this ambitious programmed the government planned to spend over 30 million from internal resources as credits to small holder growers. In addition, the government negotiated a soft loan with the World Bank to finance the tobacco industry. This loan was approved and affected through the International Development Association (IDA). The IDA and the Tanzania government agreed jointly to contribute and undertake the “Tobacco Project” in Western Tanzania, aimed at raising the productivity of small farmers in village communities and increasing export earnings of the country as a whole. It is this project for which the author attempts to make some assessment. The drive to study this project originated through discussion with various people indicating that the project target in the appraisal report is not being realized. The evaluation is not designed to criticize and/or discredit anyone but simply to provide a simultaneous assessment of all aspect (social, economic institutional and managerial) of the on-going project. The main purpose of the study is to point out the shortcoming and the constraints which hinder achieving the target envisaged. The study lays emphasis on the performance of the small holder farmers, especially on the constraints which limit their access to public service like credit, marketing and extension details are elaborated in chapter II. The study is directed mostly to small farmers situated in two tobacco complexes namely Igagala and uyowa in Urambo District in Western Tanzania. The farms were visited once in August/September 1976 to collect data gross margin analysis was the main techniques used to gauge the financial performance of the farmers. The empirical fare results are discussed in chapter V. Although gorse margin analysis is a simple tool, it is an important and widely -used technique in farm management. The analysis has established economic and technical indicators which were useful in throwing light on the performance and potential of the farms and the project as a whole. The major argument in this study is that application of recommended inputs plus proper husbandry practices could result in higher output and subsequently increased family incase. An important finding of the study is that family labor is the key element in these farms and at the peak season cannot be stretched to cover all activities of the farm. Thus, labor tends to be used for subsistence crops which have higher priority for the farmer rather than to meet tobacco targets. On the performance of the project as a whole, costs are higher than anticipated due to inflation. Some construction has been delayed due to lack of funds. It is hoped that when investment in social infrastructures is over the project will generates a profit. This expectation will only be true if the operating expenses are minimized. Also, the administrative bureaucracy should be relayed to re-juvenats the extension worker’ enthusiasts of doing their duties. This study highlights the achievements of the project and sometime emphasizes some of the bottleneck that hamper tobacco hectarage and output expansion. In this way it provides information which could be useful to the government and other interested bodies in undertaking and carrying out similar development projects, especially if they relate to smallholder tobacco production in Tanzania
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    The economic of commercial beef production in Tanzania: a case study of selected ranches
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1983) Mkwama, Peter Klavin W
    This dissertation reports on a commercial livestock sector study in which several economic analysis tools were used to evaluate the economic performance of three alternative types of ranches in Tanzania based on actual d data for 1970-1974 for four ranches considered as representative of these types. Gross margin analysis by years was used to study the four ranches. Optimum plans were then developed for each of the three types by a direct cost-benefit analysis. Tanzania is one of the 25 least-developed countries in the world, all of which depend on agriculture for socio-economic development. In Tanzania, agriculture contributes 85 per cent of the total export earnings. The livestock sector, which is also important in supplying dietary requirements and offering employment opportunities, contributes 5 per cent of the export earnings. Under the current level of management and resource availability, the ranches as now operated tend to be under stocked. Year to year rainfall is highly variable and stocking many reflect carrying capacity in the poorer years. The plans indicate that optimum holdings are 1.1 to 2.3 times as large as actual 1971-1974 average inventories adjusted for land resources as used for the optimum plan. All ranches for which both fixed and variable costs were available were profitable based on a 1972-1974 average, with net returns largest for the two ranches that specialised either in fattening or breading. The direct cost-returns analyses showed highest net returns for the ranch that operated breeding programs only, but they were only slightly higher than for the ranch specialising in fattening only. The prototype ranch carrying out breeding and fattening programmes had a gross margin and net income which were lower than for the other types of ranches, suggesting an advantage in specialisation. However, each type showed substantial profits under the assumed conditions. If one looks at net income as a ratio to total costs, the ranch specialising in breeding shows a ratio of 2.4, the one which both breeds and fattens shows a ratio of 1.0, while the one that specialises in fattening only has a ratio of 0.7.
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    An economic study of sugarcane out grower farms in Kenya: a case study of the Mumias area
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1979) Amukoa, Peter M.
    This investigation was designed to determine (a) farm level factors that influence variability in smallholder sugarcane production in Mumias area and problems that face these cane growers and (b) the nature and extent of diversification on these cane farms, with emphasis on food production, and possible improvements that would better meet farm goals. Data and information were collected from 60 randomly-sampled smallholder sugarcane outgrower farmers who are the major suppliers of contracted cane to the Mumias Sugar Company Ltd. The survey was conducted in 1977/78 and covers farmers who began production between 1871 and 1975. Weeding, done 2 to 7 times for each cane crop, is the most pressing problem in cane production. Research on how best to perform this task is recommended. Expenditures incurred by each farmer to feed salaried company cane harvesters had a statistically significant effect on sugarcane production on individual farms, reflecting a more complete harvest when served adequate food. As regards food production, a typical Mumias farmer does not now produce enough to feed his family, though he has sufficient land for this purpose, but supplements his farm production by purchases. Most money for such purchases comes from casual work he does for neighbours and only to a small extent from his home-grown cane. The extension services of the Ministry of Agriculture appear to be not too effective. Extension services of the company focus on cane production only and have nothing to do with the rest of the farm sector. Sugarcane production should be accompanied by a strong emphasis on farm diversification. Two systems of farming are proposed with and without a cow, using programming techniques. Each takes account of major goals of farmers in that it maximises the total future household net income stream after making sure household subsistence requirements are met, but prefers a regular household income flow over the year to a more erratic one. In each system, half of the cane is planted in the long rains and the other half in the short rains, a procedure not now recommended by the Sugar Company. This ensures that income flow from cane is at intervals of 6 and 12 months. Income from beans groundnuts and maize is received after 3, 5, and 6 months respectively. When a dairy cow is ineluded, income is on a daily basis. Apart from the nutritional advantage derived from milk, leys considered in the rotational pattern and manure contribute to soil fertility. Net cash income is about 10 percent lower with a cow than without one but the other advantages noted may make this a preferred system for many farmers. For sugarcane income to be re-invested on the farm and for more income generation, the Mumias Outgrowers Company Ltd, of which each cane grower is a member, should advance farm input credit for the production of non-cane enterprises, with the farmer's cane acting as a security for such credit. The government policy of self-sufficiency in sugar production is justifiable as domestic production would be cheaper than import buying based on world prices at the time of the study. However, as a potential sugar exporter based on present plans for expansion Kenya should examine the export cost structure and external market prices and the likelihood of import quotas by many importing countries either directly or under a World Sugar Agreement. It might suffice for Kenya to plan for self-sufficiency in relation to her expanding domestic market and attempt to keep domestic demand and supply in balance by adjusting retail sugar prices and returns to producers.