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Modeling the role of fertilizers and improved seeds on rice productivity in Tanzania using a stochastic simulation approach
(PLOS One, 2026-08-26) Kadigi, Ibrahim L; Lazaro Kagata,; Sieber, Ibrahim L
Modeling the role of fertilizers and improved seeds on rice productivity in Tanzania using a stochastic simulation approach. Climate change poses a significant threat to food production in Tanzania, particularly for smallholder farmers who rely on rain-fed agriculture. This study examines the role of improved seeds and fertilizers as climate adaptation strategies to boost rice pro-ductivity and food security. Using data from the 2019/20 National Sample Census of Agriculture (NSCA), the study analyzed 6,025 rice farms from Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. A Stochastic Simulation model was used to account for yield variability anduncertainty. Farms were classified by seed type (local or improved) and fertilizer use (organic, inorganic, or none). Findings show that using improved seeds with inorganic fertilizers significantly enhances productivity, with a 16% chance of achieving yieldsabove 4.5 t/ha. This combination also reduced the risk of falling below food securitythresholds. In contrast, farms using local seeds, even with fertilizers, had only a 10%chance of reaching that yield level. The impact was more notable in Mainland Tan-zania (25%) than in Zanzibar (6%). While organic fertilizers improve soil health, they offer limited short-term yield gains. The study concludes that promoting access to improved seeds and inorganic fertilizers is crucial for enhancing rice productivity and achieving the SDG 2 goal of Zero Hunger in Tanzania.
Untargeted GC–Orbitrap-HRMS fingerprinting reveals tree age-dependent changes in flavor-related metabolites of Musang King durian
(SCI, 2026-04-20) Sospeter, Eliwanzita; Ding, Phebe
Tree age is an important preharvest factor that can influence the chemical composition and flavor attributes of fruit, yet its effect on Musang King durian (MKD) quality remains poorly understood. In this study, an untargeted metabolomicsapproach using gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC–Orbitrap-HRMS) was employed to comprehen-sively profile both volatile and non-volatile metabolites in MKD fruits harvested from young (5–9 years), middle-aged (10–15 years), and old (>16 years) trees.
Multivariate analysis revealed age-dependent flavor metabolite differentiation, with principal component analysis showing distinct clustering among tree age groups, and confirmed by partial least squares discriminant analysis. Key discrim-inant metabolites included palatinose, ⊍-L-galactofuranoside, levoglucosan, L-(+)-rhamnopyranose, pyroglutamic acid, galac-taric acid, 8-methylnonanoic acid, d-gluconic acid, s-isopentyl propanethioate, propane-1-thiol, and propyl-1-(propylthio)ethyl disulfide. Integrative analysis further showed that fruits from old trees contained the highest total sugars, middle-aged treeshad the highest total organic acids, fatty acids, and amino acids, while young trees produced fruits rich in volatiles such sulfurcompounds, esters, aldehydes, and alcohols.
These findings highlight that tree age influences the metabolite composition of MKD fruits. These metabolic dif-ferences demonstrate the potential of metabolite fingerprinting for distinguishing MKD fruits from different tree ages and sup-porting strategies for quality authentication.
© 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
Feasibility Assessment of a 5 MW Run-of-River Mini-Hydropower Plant on the Luswisi River at Bwenda Village, Ileje District, Tanzania
(EASO, 2026-08-26) Bigambo, James; Mbwiga, Joel; Kamoleka, Masoud
This study assesses the technical and screening-level economic feasibility ofa 5 MW high-head run-of-river mini-hydropower plant on the Luswisi Riverat Bwenda Village, Ileje District, Tanzania. The revised paper integrates thetopographic survey, HOMER Pro model configuration and outputs, andMATLAB/Simulink dynamic-simulation results that were omitted from the earlier manuscript. The site is located at approximately 9°20.1′S and 33°29.4′E. GIS-based catchment delineation and RTK-GNSS/total-stationsurvey data identify the intake, waterway and powerhouse corridor andestablish a gross head of 153 m; a preliminary 5% hydraulic-loss allowancegives a net head of 145.35 m. Corrected monthly discharge ranges from 3.70 to 7.10 m³/s. At 90% combined efficiency, 5 MW requires approximately 3.70m³/s at gross head and 3.90 m³/s at the preliminary net head. The HOMER Prohydro-grid model uses the corrected monthly flow vector, a 5 MW hydro unit,local AC demand, grid backup/export, a 25-year project life, an 8% discountrate, TZS 18 billion capital cost, TZS 2 billion lifetime operation and maintenance cost, and TZS 168/kWh electricity value. The correctedscreening analysis gives 41,062 MWh/year saleable energy, an LCOE of about TZS 43.0/kWh, NPV of TZS 54.8 billion, IRR of 37.9%, and simplepayback of 2.6 years. MATLAB/Simulink results show damped transientbehaviour: frequency returns to approximately 50 Hz, rotor speed convergestoward 1.0 pu, torque and active/reactive power remain bounded, balancedthree-phase voltages are maintained, the local load is supplied, and surplus active power is transferred to the grid interface. These results supportfeasibility-level development of two 2.5 MW Pelton units, subject to multi-year gauging, detailed hydraulic and geotechnical design, environmental-flowallocation, manufacturer data and utility interconnection approval.
Improved maize seeds and farm profitability in Tanzania: Evidence from the National Sample Census of Agriculture 2019/20
(CABI, 2026-08-18)
Background: Maize plays a critical role in ensuring food security and supporting rural livelihoods in Tanzania. However, smallholder maize farmers continue to face persistent profitability challenges driven by low productivity, high input costs, and market inefficiencies. Although the government has prioritized promoting improved seed varieties across various agricultural development initiatives, evidence of their actual economic benefits in smallholder farming conditions remains limited. Understanding how different seed types affect farm profitability across agroecological zones is essential for informing sustainable agricultural policy and investment decisions. Methods: This study used a non-parametric stochastic simulation approach with nationally representative data from the 2019/20 National Sample Census of Agriculture (NSCA). The analysis estimated income distributions for three seed types (local, improved, and recycled) while accounting for yield variability, maize prices, and production costs. Profitability was assessed using two income thresholds: a minimum threshold of TZS 0.6 million/ha and an optimal benchmark of TZS 1.2 million/ha. Simulations were disaggregated by agroecological zone to capture spatial differences in cost structures, productivity, and market dynamics. Results: The findings indicate that improved seeds modestly increase the probability of achieving profitable outcomes but, on their own, are insufficient to lift most farmers above the optimal income threshold. Nationally, 64% of improved seed users earned below the minimum profitability level, compared with 67% of local seed users and 77% of recycled seed users. Only 14% of improved seed users exceeded the profitability benchmark. Regional variations were substantial: the Lake and Southern Zones recorded relatively better profitability due to lower input costs and favorable maize prices, while the Eastern and Western Zones remained largely unprofitable across all seed categories. Conclusion: Although improved seeds are essential for enhancing maize productivity, they do not guarantee profitability in the absence of complementary inputs and supportive market conditions. Multiple interacting factors, including production costs, yield variability, and market access, shape profit outcomes. The study recommends integrated, zone-specific interventions, including bundled input support, targeted subsidies, and investment in rural infrastructure, to improve farm-level returns. These insights contribute to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 12(Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting more resilient and inclusive agricultural systems in Tanzania.
Challenges Facing the Adoption of Online Banking Services in Tanzania
(Aditum, 2026-08-12) Mwidege, Asheri; Chuwa, Gasper
Time is a fragile resource and a central variable to economic activities. Thus,
Banks in Tanzania adopted online banking services so as to save time and
energy. However, little information was available on the challenges facing
customers on the online adoption of online banking services. A qualitative
research design and stratified sampling technique were used to select a
sample of 80 customers using a questionnaire in cross-sectional data
collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics from the SPSS
program. Results showed that customers’ adoption was due to awareness,
accessibility and ease of use. Though, failure to adoption was due to online
cybercrime and transaction cost. Thus, it was concluded that awareness,
accessibility and ease of use influenced online banking while cybercrime and
transaction cost influenced the dis-adoption. Therefore, the study
recommended that banks should use the free trial and reduce costs for first-
time customers.