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Mbeya University of Science and Technology Repository (MUST Repository) is an open-access digital platform dedicated to the collection, preservation, management, and dissemination of the University’s official scholarly and institutional resources. Authorized by the University and aligned with national academic and research objectives, the repository ensures that valuable institutional knowledge remains securely preserved and easily accessible to researchers, students, staff, and the wider public.
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Tracking progress toward livestock sector transformation in Tanzania using national and international datasets
(Kadigi Discover Animals, 2026-08-26) Kadigi, Ibrahim L.
Livestock plays a central role in Tanzania’s rural economy, yet productivity remains constrained by low-input production systems, limited genetic improvement, suboptimal management practices, and weak market integration. This study assesses the extent and pace of livestock-sector transformation using a multi-source approach that integrates FAOSTAT time-series data, the National Sample Census of Agriculture (NSCA), and multi-wave household data from the National Panel Survey (NPS). Descriptive statistics and trend analysis were employed to evaluate changes in livestock productivity, adoption of improved breeds, management practices (vaccination coverage and supplementary feeding), and commercialization, as measured by household participation in purchasing and selling large and small ruminants. Results indicate measurable progress toward livestock transformation, particularly within the cattle subsector. Meat, milk, and hides productivity improved steadily over the study period, accompanied by substantial increases in improved beef and dairy cattle populations. Adoption of improved beef cattle increased more than fourteenfold, while improved dairy cattle populations more than doubled between 2002 and 2020. Management practices also improved, with vaccination coverage among large ruminants increasing from 43.6% to 64.8% and the proportion of farmers purchasing supplementary fodder rising from 11.0% to 18.5% across survey waves. Commercialization likewise strengthened, reflected by increasing proportions of households purchasing and selling cattle and small ruminants, although market participation remained relatively low overall. In contrast, transformation among small ruminants was slower, characterized by fluctuating improved goat populations, lower vaccination uptake, limited supplementary feeding, and weaker commercialization. Overall, the findings indicate that Tanzania’s livestock sector is making measurable progress toward transformation, although advances remain uneven across species and production systems. Policy efforts should prioritize inclusive genetic improvement, strengthened feed and animal health systems, and improved livestock market development to accelerate sustainable transformation
Mathematical modelling of the effects of public health educational campaigns on the transmission dynamics of Taenia solium Taeniasis
(Elsevier Ltd, 2026-07-28) Rwabonaa,Gideon Eustace; Degootc,Abdoelneser; Mirau,Silas
Taenia solium Taeniasis is a zoonotic intestinal infection that poses a significant threat to public health and imposes a substantial economic burden on developing regions, particularly in Sub Saharan Africa. This study formulates and rigorously analyses a deterministic mathematical model, comprised of a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations, to investigate the transmission dynamics of the parasite under the influence of public health education campaigns. Using the next-generation matrix method, we derive the effective reproduction number, 𝑒𝑑, as the fundamental threshold for disease persistence. Stability analysis demonstrates that the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable when 𝑒𝑑 < 1, ensuring disease eradication, whereas the infection persists and reaches a stable endemic equilibrium when 𝑒𝑑 > 1. Numerical simulations are provided to validate the analytical findings and to explore the parameter space associated with behavioural modification. The results indicate that public health education is a highly effective control measure, capable of significantly reducing prevalence and potentially eliminating T. solium Taeniasis in endemic settings.
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.