Browsing by Author "Mashamba, Philipo"

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Effects of Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies on Maize-Common Bean Intercrops Growth and Yield Performances in Smallholder Farmer’s Fields in Semi-Arid Areas, Tanzania
(Scientific Research Publishing Inc, 2025-08-16) Karwani, George; Akida, Meya; Teshale, Mamo; Mashamba, Philipo
Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies (CSATs) offer promising solutions to improve climate resilience and productivity among smallholder farmers. From 2022 to 2024, a study was conducted in semi-arid areas of Tanzania to evaluate selected CSATs, including a drought-tolerant maize variety (DTMV), an early-maturing bean variety (EMBV), and farmyard manure (FYM), com- pared to local varieties under traditional farmer practices (FPs). Using the Tri- adic Comparison of Technology (Tricot) method across 135 farms, treatments were assigned in incomplete randomized sets. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and the Plackett-Luce model. Results indicated that integrating im- proved varieties with FYM significantly boosted yields. The highest combined maize and bean yield was obtained from the T105 + TARI B6 treatment (4.809 ± 1.034 tons/ha), followed by T105 + Selian 13 (4.788 ± 0.991 tons/ha) and T104 + TARI B6 (4.56 ± 0.270 tons/ha). In contrast, traditional practices with- out FYM, such as Msituka + Bjesca (local checks), yielded significantly less (2.866 ± 0.726 and 2.705 ± 0.687 tons/ha). Further, treatments responded sig- nificantly to spacing and FYM (P < 0.001), with wider spacing increasing maize yield to 4.978 tons/ha, while bean yield was slightly higher at 75 × 30 cm (0.5485 tons/ha) than wider spacing (0.5456 tons/ha). The net gain in maize yield compensated for the slight bean difference, resulting in higher overall productivity. These findings emphasize the importance of CSATs, particularly improved crop varieties combined with FYM in enhancing yield and resilience to climate variability. The study recommends the adoption of these practices by smallholder farmers in semi-arid Tanzania as an effective strategy for climate change adaptation.
Sustainable insect pest management for cabbage production in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges, organic alternatives and climate change impacts
(Elsevier, 2025-10) Lekamoi, Upendo; Mashamba, Philipo; Laizer, Hudson; Mpumi, Nelson; Mbega, Ernest
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is an important vegetable crop in Sub-Saharan Africa contributing significantly to household food security and economic stability. Despite this importance, cabbage production has been declining due to several challenges including insect pest infestations which are intensified by climate change. In response, farmers predominantly rely on synthetic insecticides which have raise concerns on environmental degradation and human health risks. As an alternative, organic insecticides derived from animal byproducts, plants and microbes offer a more sustainable approach to insect pest management under changing climatic conditions. These organic insecticides not only mitigate the negative effects of synthetic chemicals but also enhance environmental and human health safety. This review explores the role of organic insecticides in sustainable cabbage production, discussing their efficacy, impact on insect pest life cycles and adaptability to climate change. Additionally, it highlights the top ten cabbage-producing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, major insect pests affecting cabbage, insect pest management strategies and the influence of climate change on the bioactive compounds of organic insecticides. By integrating organic pest control measures, cabbage farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa can enhance resilience against climate-induced pest challenges while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.