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Recent Submissions
OPTIMIZING THE EFFICIENCY OF SUBSIDY FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM; A CASE STUDY OF MBEYA, TANZANIA
(MBITA, OSCAR DAVID, 2025-06-30) MBITA OSCAR DAVID
Agriculture remains the backbone of Tanzania’s economy, employing over 65% of the
population and playing a vital role in food security and rural development. To enhance
agricultural productivity and ensure affordable access to essential inputs, the
Tanzanian government implemented a fertilizer subsidy program targeting
smallholder farmers. Despite its intentions, the current distribution system faces
critical challenges, including inefficiencies, fraud, delayed deliveries, and low user
satisfaction. The primary objective of this study was to optimize the efficiency of the
subsidy fertilizer distribution system. The study examines how blockchain technology
can address existing challenges by providing transparency, traceability, and enhanced
accountability. A mixed-methods approach involving stakeholder interviews and
structured questionnaires revealed weaknesses in the current system, underscoring the
need for innovation. In response, a blockchain-enabled framework was developed,
incorporating a layered e-voucher system built on a hybrid N-tier and microservices
architecture. The framework includes Key features such as smart contracts for
automated eligibility verification and a permissioned ledger to ensure tamper-proof
data integrity. Functional and heuristic testing confirmed the system’s usability,
scalability, and reliability. The proposed solution offers a robust and scalable model
for policymakers and practitioners to modernize fertilizer subsidy programs in
Tanzania, utilizing decentralized technologies.
A FRAMEWORK OF STRATEGIES TO REDUCE ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS’ DELAY IN TANZANIA: A CASE OF TARURA ROAD PROJECTS
(Mbeya University of Science and Technology, 2025-08-30) GABRIEL SEPERATUS
The construction industry is globally recognised as one of the fastest-growing
sectors, contributing directly and indirectly to the development of several other
sectors of the economy. Despite its significant importance, and based on persistent
reasons, the industry has often been overwhelmed with various challenges, including
the inability to finish the road construction projects within a given schedule. This
study aimed to examine the stakeholder’s perception of prevailing best practice
measures to reduce construction project delays in Tanzania. The study adopted the
questionnaire tool and the survey interview to collect the respondent’s opinion from
208 respondents having experience of more than five years obtained through
purposive sampling. The mean scores and the relative importance index (RII) of the
data were computed using the SPSS 24 tool to obtain the descriptive information and
inferential statistics. The findings have revealed ten potential factors for construction
project delays and thirteen best practices that, whenever implemented, can assist in
minimising delays. Moreover, the identified best practice measures were categorised
in clusters to indicate the project participant who plays the significant role in
minimising the delays. Furthermore, the findings acknowledged strategies were
categorised in six clusters, namely effective project management, procurement and
supply, resource adequacy (monetary or financial), design or technical, information
and communication, and external strategies. The current study proposes future
research to focus on identifying the relationship between the strategic cluster
categories in recognising which cluster category correlates highly towards
minimising the construction project delays
A STUDY ON EVALUATION OF HYDROPOWER POTENTIAL OF KAPOLOGWE WATERFALLS IN RUNGWE DISTRICT FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
(Journal of Research and Development, 2025-11-30) MGINA, CHARLES JOACHIM
This study assessed the hydropower potential of the Kapologwe Waterfalls, situated on
the Kala River, a tributary of the Kiwira River in Rungwe District, Mbeya Region, using
an integrated methodology that combined spatial tools, field measurements, and
socioeconomic surveys. Tools such as GPS, current meters, and automatic levels were
used to gather geospatial and hydrological data, while structured questionnaires captured
energy demand profiles from six villages within the catchment. The analysis incorporated
topographic, climatic, land use, soil, and discharge data to characterise the river system.
Diversity factor analysis was employed to estimate village-level energy needs, and Karl
Pearson’s coefficient, along with the Weibull plotting technique, were used to validate
hydrological correlations and construct a flow duration curve for the ungauged Kala River.
Results indicate a hydropower potential of 7.237 MW, which falls short of the estimated
8.641 MW required to meet the aggregated four-year demand of all six villages. However,
the identified potential is sufficient to meet the current demand (7.116 MW) of five
villages, making the site viable for phased electrification. The study concludes that the
Kapologwe Waterfalls offer a technically feasible solution for decentralised power
generation in the Kala catchment. However, to meet long-term and inclusive demand, it
is recommended that this resource be supplemented with additional energy sources, such
as support from the Rural Energy Agency (REA). Furthermore, future research should
focus on optimising turbine design for high-head, low-flow conditions to improve system
efficiency, minimize maintenance needs, and extend equipment lifespan.
A Review of the Impact of Co-Digestion Substrates on the Methane Yield
(iRASD, 2025-06-22) Matwani , J.; Iddphonce, R.
This review highlights the impact of anaerobic co-digestion (ACD) on improving energy recovery from biogas production systems. Various factors from selected papers were reviewed to figure out their influence on ACD performance. Such factors include Carbon/Nitrogen (C/N) ratio, biodegradability of feedstock, microbial diversity, activity, buffering capacity, and trace element concentrations. Findings show ACD significantly enhances process stability and increases methane yield by 20% to 65% compared to mono-digestion. The process shares more insights on mechanisms for addressing environmental pollution challenges as it offers alternative approaches for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite promising achievements in ACD systems, several limitations of the process still exist, requiring the attention of future studies to explore the full potential of technology. Specific areas include optimizing the mixing ratio of substrates to prevent acidification and ammonia toxicity risks that may occur during the process, hence affecting the system efficiency. Research should focus on process design and proper feedstock selection, considering innovative approaches such as bioaugmentation, supplementation with carbon compounds and nanoparticles, to improve microbial activity, process efficiency, and stability. Also, there is a need to develop predictive models that will accurately incorporate C/N ratio effects on digestion kinetics and nutrient transformation. Current models are complex, which hinders their scalability; thus, the use of machine learning could enhance model accuracy.
Transforming Food Systems: A Review of Sustainable Approaches to Minimize Food Loss and Waste.
(WILEY, 2025-10-24) Kilemile, W.; Vulla, K. E.; Mihafu, F.; Chandrasekaran, V.
Food loss and waste are significant global issues that have a profound impact on food security, the environment, and the economy. This review examines the magnitude, origins, and consequences of food loss and waste within the food system, emphasizing both technical and socio-political dimensions. Evidence suggests that losses occur at multiple stages, including production, post-harvest handling, retail, and consumption. The causes include inadequate infrastructure, poor handling practices, ineffective supply chains, consumer behaviors, and weak regulatory frameworks. High-income nations generate more waste during consumption, whereas developing regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa experience significant waste post-harvest and throughout distribution. Existing interventions, including the expansion of the cold chain, utilization of digital platforms, and implementation of awareness campaigns, have proven to be inadequately scalable, particularly in resource-constrained environments. Moreover, inadequacies persist in data quality, behavioral research, policy enforcement, and the incorporation of circular economy methodologies. This review is distinctive in that it examines the collective impacts on the environment, health, and economy, correlating them with governance and cultural influences, particularly in developing nations. The findings underscore the need for policies that are transparent, evidence-based, and integrate food loss and waste reduction with national strategies for food security, climate change mitigation, and public health. To achieve SDG 12.3 and enhance the sustainability of food systems, it is crucial to strengthen data systems, promote private sector engagement, and foster innovations in the circular economy.