Browsing by Author "Mbwana, H."

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Comparing stakeholder views for mutual acceptable food value chain upgrading strategies in Tanzania
(Academic Journals) Mwinuka, L.; Schneider, I.; Maeda, C.; Mutabazi, K. D.; Makindara, J.; Graef, S.; Swai, E.; Mbwana, H.; Swamila, M.
Comparing stakeholder views for mutual acceptable food value chain upgrading strategies in Tanzania
(Academic Journals, 2015) Mwinuka, L.; Schneider, I.; Maeda, C.; Mutabazi, K. D.; Makindara, J.; Graef, S.; Swai, E.; Mbwana, H.; Swamila, M.
The number of rural poor has been reported to rise in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) while per capita food consumption in the region is on the decline and food insecurity has been much embedded. Thus, knowing upgrading strategies (UPS) to be used in making a living and would have great chance of benefiting majority hence provide solutions to poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition. This paper assesses and compares the views of local stakeholders and agricultural experts in terms of prioritizing food securing UPS along food value chains (FVC). Data and information have been collected in a highly participatory process so as to develop an approach and experience in Tanzania regions to support poor people in rural areas to upgrade their position in viable FVC. Local stakeholders’ definition of food security rely on food availability component, hence this paper centers on two major FVC components such as natural resources and crop production for maize and millet subsectors in Morogoro and Dodoma regions of Tanzania, respectively. Given natural resources, agricultural experts favor soil improving upgrading strategies in Morogoro and water management in Dodoma, whereby, local stakeholders in both regions prefer farm inputs related UPS for improving soil fertility (seed varieties improvement and fertilizer use). There is no significant mismatch of views for production component apart from differences on ranks. Stakeholders in both regions prefer use of improved crop varieties, pests and diseases control and new livestock management including having village land use planning. It is recommended that satisfactory participation of local stakeholders should be considered during testing stage of FVC upgrading strategies, including packing these innovations to suit local conditions and finally empower all potential actors for successful dissemination and outreach.
Consumption intensity and production constraints of indigenous vegetables: a step in African food and nutrition security
(Margraf Publishers GmbH, Weikersheim Kanalstrasse 21, 97990Weikersheim) Mbwana, H.; Kinabo, J.; Stuetz, W.; Rybak, C.; Mutabazi, K. D.; Sieber, S.; Konrad, H.; Ski, B.
Consumption intensity and production constraints of indigenous vegetables: a step in African food and nutrition security
(Margraf Publishers GmbH, Weikersheim Kanalstrasse 21, 97990Weikersheim, 2018) Mbwana, H.; Kinabo, J.; Stuetz, W.; Rybak, C.; Mutabazi, K. D.; Sieber, S.; Konrad, H.; Ski, B.
Food and nutrition insecurity has been a major challenge in Africa. Farmers need to diversify food production in order to alleviate food and nutrition insecurity. With climate change at hand, indigenous vegetables can provide prospects to diversify production systems and improve food, nutrition and income security in many countries. Regardless of their potential, the extent of consumption and diversity of indigenous vegetables in lessening food, nutrition and economic insecurity are not fully exploited in Tanzania. Estimation of consumption intensity of these vegetables is important to understand how their utilisation can be enhanced at the household level. The study evaluated consumption intensity and production constraints of indigenous vegetables. The study was carried out on 600 farm households from four villages in Dodoma and Morogoro, Tanzania. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select districts, villages and households. Districts were selected purposively based on their different agro-ecological characteristics and data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The mean consumption of indigenous vegetables was high in 74% of households, but the quantities were below 80% the recommended daily intake (RDI) in 72–96% of households. The mean intakes of vegetables were significantly (p < 0.001) different among the two agro ecological zones. Age of household head, household size and distance to a water source influenced consumption intensity of indigenous vegetables. Identified production constraints were lack of knowledge on the vegetables for example; production practices, cooking methods, utilisation and preservation methods; lack of seeds, low yields and competition with some exotic. The diets of rural community were somehow deficient in terms of different vegetables and amount consumed thus contributing to high prevalence of undernutrition and micronutrient malnutrition. Therefore, strategies that could promote consumption intensity of indigenous vegetables such as health and nutrition education and involving young and male decision makers, extension services and production of these vegetables in home gardens should be employed.
Consumption of dark green leafy vegetables predicts vitamin a and iron intake and status among female small-scale farmers in Tanzania
(Nutrients/ MDPI) Stuetz, W.; Gowele, V.; Kinabo, J.; Bundala, N.; Mbwana, H.; Rybak, C.; Eleraky, L.; Lambert, C.; Biesalski, H. K.
Determinants of stunting and severe stunting among under-fives in Tanzania: evidence from the 2010 cross-sectional household survey
(BMC Pediatrics/ CrossMark) Chirande, L.; Charwe, D.; Mbwana, H.; Victor, R.; Kimboka, S.; Issaka, A. I.; Baines, S. K.; Dibley, M. J.; Agho, K. E.
Rural agriculture for improved nutrition: stakeholder insights from different sectors in Tanzania
(CUVILLIER VERLAG) Mbwana, H.; Kinabo, J.; Reif, C.; Stuetz, W.; Sieber, S.; Mutabazi, K. D.; Biesalski, H. K.
Rural agriculture for improved nutrition: stakeholder insights from different sectors in Tanzania
(CUVILLIER VERLAG, 2017-09) Mbwana, H.; Kinabo, J.; Reif, C.; Stuetz, W.; Sieber, S.; Mutabazi, K. D.; Biesalski, H. K.
Nutrition sensitive pathways and approaches involving agriculture are being recognised as essential to guarantee nutrition security and lessen undernutrition. In Tanzania, the majority of the population lives in the rural areas and 80% depend on agriculture as the main source of livelihood. Although agriculture can play a big role in alleviating undernutrition, its role in tackling malnutrition needs to be dealt with based on policies to the actual implementation. This study aimed to investigate perspectives of stakeholders on links between rural agriculture and nutrition, opportunities and challenges, evidences and policy inferences. Methodology: Open ended interviews were conducted with 11 stakeholders identified for the Scale-N project in Tanzania who contribute in one way or another to the nutrition sector. Two focus group discussions with 20 farmers from Mzula and Tindiga villages in Dodoma and Kilosa were conducted. Stakeholders acknowledged obstacles to better achievement of undernutrition reduction which included absence of clear cut motivations in the agriculture sector regarding enhancing nutrition, concentrating on cash crops, lack of accountability for agriculture matters for improving nutrition, policies exist but putting them into action is hindered, limited competence in the available human resources, absence of coordination between sectors, lack of proof that agriculture works for nutrition and economic constraints to support agriculture. Possible measures mentioned to be taken to improve rural agriculture for better nutrition including home gardening with different crops, nutrition training, better access to markets and labour saving technologies to women. From the farmers’ side, 13 mentioned lack of extension services, 17 mentioned lack of access to agricultural productive resources, lack of knowledge about nutritious and safe food and the majority mentioned increased occurrences of natural disasters such as floods and serious drought. Numerous possibilities are present to strengthen the role of agriculture on nutrition in Tanzania, however, there is need to strengthen the structure and making of policies which will in turn need proper implementation for the desired success.
Tackling food and nutrition insecurity in Tanzania: farmers perspectives on kitchen gardening as a sustainable approach
(DITSL GmbH, Witzenhausen, German, Tropentag Conference) Mbwana, H.; Lambert, C.; Kinabo, J.; Konrad, H.
Tackling food and nutrition insecurity in Tanzania: farmers perspectives on kitchen gardening as a sustainable approach
(DITSL GmbH, Witzenhausen, German, Tropentag Conference, 2015-09) Mbwana, H.; Lambert, C.; Kinabo, J.; Konrad, H.
Under nutrition and food insecurity are major problems faced by most of the developing countries including Tanzania. Foods with high nutrient content are difficult to find in the poorer rural areas where most people are dependent on staple foods with little diversity. Kitchen gardens play an important role in fulfiling dietary and nutritional needs. This study sought to investigate the perceptions and practices by farmers on how kitchen gardening can be transformed into a sustainable nutrition and livelihood strategy in order to come up with information not only on socio-economic sustainability but also on the environmental sustainability of kitchen gardens in rural Tanzania. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, field observations and secondary sources of data were used. The researcher used observation guide to identify some of the issues that could not come out clearly during focus group discussions. The study was undertaken in Idifu village, Chamwino district in Dodoma. A total of 28 farmers were involved. Only 18% of households practised kitchen gardening. It was regarded as the activity of women. About 80% of the respondents did not have indicted budget to buy seeds and inputs for kitchen gardening. About 85% of farmers indicated it has a potential to be a secondary source of income. Water was a limiting factor in 78% of the participants. About 80% of farmers did not posses radios, and 20% possessed radios but sometimes they lacked money to buy batteries. This constraints the spread of kitchen gardening information through media. This study confirms that kitchen gardening can be changed into a sustainable nutrition and livelihood strategy in Chwamino district and other similar environments if the farmers have access to training on the sustainable use of natural resources such as water and land and can afford adequate access to resources.