Training on Reduction of Postharvest Losses in Leafy Vegetables: a Case Study of Nzasa

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TRAINING ON IMPROVED LEAFY VEGETABLES PROCESSING TECHNIQUES: A CASE STUDY OF NZASA WOMEN AGRO-FOOD PROCESSORS GROUP- DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

SAMSON MUGANYIZI MUSA

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (MCED) OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA

2013

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CERTIFICATION

The undersigned certifies that he has read and hereby recommended for acceptance by The Open University of Tanzania, a dissertation entitled: Training on leafy vegetables processing by solar drying. A case study of Nzasa Women Food Processors group of Charambe Ward Temeke Municipality Dar es salaam Tanzania in a partial fulfilment of requirement for the award of the degree of Master of Community Economic Development of The Open University of Tanzania.

……………………………………

Dr. Jumanne D. Kalwani

(Supervisor)

……......................................

Date

COPYRIGTH

No part of this dissertation may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanical, photocopying recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the author or The Open University of Tanzania in that behalf.

DECLARATION

I, Samson Muganyizi Musa, declare that this dissertation is my own original work and that it has not been presented to any other University for similar or any other degree award.

……………………………..

Samson Muganyizi Musa

Date: ................................................

DEDICATION

The work is dedicated to my beloved spouse Mrs. Asiimwe Rwetoijela who encouraged me all the time in my carries, also my lovely children Gloria, Kelvin, Ajuna and Joshua; who tolerated my absence at home during this course.

I also dedicate this work to my mother Clementina Kokulengya Isaya, who without her it could not possible to be one of the successful human beings on earth. Last, I cannot forget my younger brother Emmanuel and my younger sisters Lilian, Savelina and Yasinta.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The outcome of this dissertation is owed first to almighty God for keeping me healthy during my entire time of studies. Thanks to The Open University of Tanzania for imparting me with skills and intellect deserving me to qualify for a Master of Community Economic Development. I hearty thank my employer, the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives for sponsoring my studies, my special thanks goes to the Director of Crop Development Mr Geoffrey I. Kilenga for his assistance and encouragement. Also I am indebted to my supervisor Dr. Jumanne D. Kalwani for his guidance and facilitation which resulted into this work. Special thanks should also go to all lecturers of various subjects of 2012 CED for their various academic contributions during my studies.

I thank the Charambe local government leaders; specifically ward: Agricultural Extension officers, Education Coordinator, Community Development Officer and not to forget sub ward (Mitaa) leaders for their assistance during my research work. I extend my special thanks to members of the project hosting group, Nzasa Women Group, for according me their cooperation throughout the project phases. Finally, my deepest gratitude should go to Mrs Pendo Isack Bigambo for her assistance and moral support and my family, for their patience and support especially for their understanding throughout the period of my studies as sometimes they missed my love and care. Indeed, I owe much to number of all parties involved in this study whom will find the dissertation as an outcome of their contributions. However, whatever shortcomings attributed to this report remains the sole responsibility of author.

ABSTRACT

One of the major problems in horticultural sector is value addition of raw products by processing as horticultural crops are perishables. On average less than one percent of vegetables produced are processed as most of the processing takes place by the traditional method and for the traditional use as results vegetables are processed at the very small scale. The goal of the project is to improve livelihood opportunities through vegetable processing. The objectives of the project was value addition in fresh leafy vegetables by processing through solar drying method; upgrade the technical knowledge and skills of improved vegetables processing techniques, and increasing food security in the community. The researcher used multiple research methods and techniques including Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methodology with various research tools such as conducting interviews with key informants, organizing Focused Group Discussion (FGD), observation, questionnaires and interviews in data collection, secondary data in form of published and unpublished documents for each of four assessments i.e. Community, Socioeconomic, Environmental and Health. The findings include the fact that leafy vegetables losses is very high as majority of community members lack knowledge and technical skills in food processing, lack of market for processed vegetables and inadequate capital for investment. However, the income generating activity identified to improve livelihoods was leafy vegetables processing by solar dryer method. Vegetable processors group implemented the project which was designed based on the specified objectives. Participatory monitoring and evaluation realized project output at 86.4% for the enhancing knowledge of vegetables processing techniques. Then project report recommended the importance of using participatory approach in building the sense of ownership of the project paralleled by the use of Logical Framework Approach as an essential for project planning tool.

TABLE OF CONTENT

CERTIFICATION ii

COPYRIGTH iii

DECLARATION iv

DEDICATION v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vi

ABSTRACT vii

LIST OF TABLES xiii

LIST OF FIGURES xv

LIST OF APPENDECIES xvi

CHAPTER ONE 1

1.0 PARTICIPATORY NEED ASSESSMENT 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Community Profile Charambe Ward 1

1.2.1 Location 1

1.2.2 Description of study Area 3

1.2.3 Climate and Precipitation 3

1.2.4 Topography and Vegetation 3

1.2.5 Population 4

1.2.6 Administrative set-up of Local Government 5

1.2.7 Industries 6

1.28 Transport and Communication Network 6

1.2.9 Social Services Available in Charambe Ward 7

1.2.10 Other Institutions 8

1.2.11 Water Supply 8

1.2.12 Energy and Minerals 9

1.2.13 Employment 9

1.2.14 Livestock keeping 9

1.2.15 Economic activities 9

1.2.16 Fishing 10

1.2.17 Agriculture 10

1.2.18 Estimated Production and Loss of Major Vegetables 11

1.2.19 Income 12

1.2.20 Ethnicity and Religion 12

1.2.21 Security Status 12

1.2.22 Markets 14

1.2.23 Financial Services 14

1.2.24 Community Needs Assessment 14

1.3 Overall Needs Assessment Objective 15

1.3.1 Specific Objectives 15

1.3.2 Research Questions 15

1.3.3 Research Methodology 15

1.3.4 Research Design 16

1.3.5 Sampling Techniques and Sampling Size 17

1.3.6 Data Collection Methods/Tools 18

1.3.7 Data Analysis Methods and Presentation 21

1.3.8 Community Needs Assessment Findings 21

1.3.9 The Validity and Reliability of Data 38

1.3.10 Identified Community Problems 38

1.3.11 Source of Problems 40

1.3.12 Identified Assets 41

1.4 Summary 43

1.4.1 Community Needs Prioritization 44

1.4.2 Chapter –Conclusion 46

CHAPTER TWO 47

2.0 PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION 47

2.1 Background to Research Problem 47

2.2 Problem Statement 48

2.3 Project Description 50

2.3.2 Stakeholders analysis 51

2.3.1 The Target Community 52

2.3.2 Project Goal (Overall Objective) 53

2.4 Host Organization 53

2.4.1 The name of the Group 53

2.4.2 Location 54

2.4.3 Membership 54

2.4.4 The Group Vision 54

2.4.5 The Group Mission 54

2.4.6 Group Activities 55

2.4.7 The Group Values Statement 55

2.4.8 Membership 56

2.4.9 Group Challenges 56

CHAPTER THREE 60

3.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 60

3.1 Introduction 60

3.2 Theoretical review 60

3.2.1 The Livelihoods System Framework 60

3.2.2 The Sustainable Livelihoods Systems Framework 61

3.3 Empirical Literature 66

3.3.1 Increasing Food Availability by Reducing Post harvest Losses of Fresh Produce 67

3.4 Policy Review 72

3.4.1 Community Development Policy 72

3.4.2 Agricultural Policy 72

3.4.3 National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty 76

3.5 Literature Review Summary 76

CHAPTER FOUR 78

4.0 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION 78

4.1 Introduction 78

4.2 Products and Output 79

4.3 Project Planning 80

4.3.1 Project Implementation Planning 80

4.3.2 Goal 80

4.3.3 Objectives 80

4.3.4 Outputs 81

4.3.5 Project Implementation 81

4.3.6 Implementation Plan – Logical Framework Matrix (LFM) 83

4.3.7 Inputs Requirements for Project Implementation Plan 84

4.3.10 Project Budget 85

4.3.7 Project Inputs 86

4.3.10 Project Implementation Report 86

4.3.9 Staffing Pattern 87

4.4 Summary 97

CHAPTER FIVE 99

5.0 PROJECT PARTICIPATORY MONITORING, EVALUATION AND SUSTAINABILITY 99

5.1 Introduction 99

5.2 Participatory Monitoring 99

5.2.1 Monitoring Information System 101

5.2.2 Participatory Monitoring Methods Used 101

5.2.3 Participatory Monitoring Plan 102

5.3 Participatory Evaluation 104

5.3.1 Performance Indicators 105

5.3.2 Participatory Evaluation Methods 105

5.4 Project Evaluation Summary 106

5.5 Project Sustainability 106

5.5.1 Economic Sustainability 106

5.5.2 Social Sustainability 107

5.5.3 Environmental Sustainability 107

5.5.4 Sustainable Development 108

5.5.5 Strategic Planning and Management 108

5.6 Sustainability Indicators 108

5.6.1 Project Achievement: The Percentage of Vegetables Processors Enhanced Knowledge on vegetables processing Techniques 108

5.6.2 The link with Municipal council Technical Officials 109

CHAPTER SIX 110

6.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 110

6.1 Introduction 110

6.2 Conclusion 110

6.3 Recommendations 112

REFERENCES 114

APPENDICES 123

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Temperature and Rainfall at Temeke Municipal 4

Table 2: Population in Temeke District 5

Table 3: Number of Pupils by Schools 2012 7

Table 4: Production of Major Vegetables, 1978 (Thousands of Tons) 13

Table 5: Reported Production and Loss Figures in Less Developed Countries 13

Table 6: Composition of Respondents in Sampled Study Area 18

Table 7: Demographic Characteristics of Sampled Population 21

Table 8: Age of Respondents 22

Table 9: Respondent Marital Status 23

Table 10: Size of Households 24

Table 11: Respondents’ Opinions on the Status of Security in the Community 24

Table 12: Respondents’ opinion on the Status of Accessibility and Availability of Clean and Safe Water in Charambe Ward 25

Table 13: Respondent’s Opinion on Community Members Efforts Towards Poverty Alleviation Through Income Generating Activities. 27

Table 14: Respondents’ Views on Whether or not Level of Income Met their Expectations to Buy Basic Needs 28

Table 15: Respondents’ opinions on Problems Affecting Vegetable Processing in their Community 29

Table 16: Respondents opinions on Knowledge of Vegetables processing 32

Table 17: Respondents’ Opinions on Preference of Vegetables Processing as Income Generating Activity 32

Table 18: Availability of Leafy Vegetables for Processing in the Community 33

Table 19: Respondents’ Opinions on the Status of Availability and Accessibility of Financial Services 34

Table 20: Respondents’ Opinions on what they Need in Order to Enhance their Businesses 35

Table 21: Respondents Opinions on Community Participation in Environmental Management 38

Table 22: Needs Ranking-Organizational Development Tool 45

Table 23: Stakeholders analysis 51

Table 24: Demographic Characteristics of Nzasa Women Group 54

Table 25: Assessment of Nzasa Women Group using the (SWOC) Analysis 57

Table 26: Logical Frame Work Matrix 83

Table 27: Training Inputs 86

Table 28: Project Staffing 87

Table 29: Actual Monitoring Summary Table 103

Table 30: Planned Versus Actual Budget 103

Table 31: Project Evaluation 106

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Map Showing the Study Area, Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam 2

Figure 2: Temperature and Rainfalll 4

Figure 3: Administrative Structure of local Government at Ward Level 6

Figure 4: Organization Structure of Nzasa Women Group 56

Figure 5: Project Planning 82

Figure 6: Nzasa Women Group (NWG), Members Taking Notes During Class Training 89

Figure 8: CED Student and Facilitator in Deep Discussion on the Collected and Selected Vegetables Samples. 90

Figure 9: Vegetables Washing During Practical Training 91

Figure 10: Nzasa Group Member Sorting Vegetables before Processing. 92

Figure11: Preparation of Vegetables for Blanching 93

Figure 12: NWG member Pressed Cotton Bag Containing Vegetables in Aluminium Pot with Boiling Water Mixed with Table Salt 93

Figure 13: Group Member take out Cotton Cloth Bag Filled with Blanched Vegetables from Boiling Water Mixed with Table Salts 94

Figure 14: Group Members Placing and Spreading Blanched Vegetables in the solar Drier Under Close Supervision of Trainer. 95

Figure 15: Processed Vegetables Placed in Solar Drier Trays for Solar Drying. 95

Figure 16: The Facilitator and Nzasa Group Members Inspecting the Dried Vegetables before Continuing Packing. 96

Figure 18: The Facilitator Inspecting the Properly Packed and Labelled Products. 97

Figure 19: Ghantt Chart 98

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Questionnaire 123

Appendix 2: Training Project Budget 131

Appendix 3: Training Manual on Small Scale Leafy Vegetable Processing and Products: Methods, Equipment and Quality Assurance Practices. 132

Annex 4: Checklist of Tools for Participatory Community Assessment 147

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CHAPTER ONE

1.0 PARTICIPATORY NEED ASSESSMENT

1.1 Introduction

The researcher conducted the Participatory Needs Assessment (CAN) with the community of Charambe Ward in Mbagala Division within Temeke Municipality in Dar es Salaam region. Charambe Ward is located in the central zone of Mbagala area of Temeke Municipality where urban agriculture especially vegetables and fruits growing is not common, unlike along Mzinga river valley and neighbouring markets.

The findings from the Community Needs Assessment showed that, there were limited livelihood opportunities due to various factors such as inadequate land for vegetables production and processing, inadequate security; and the few available industries to provide limited employment to community members. Other challenges included insufficient capital for business investment, market limitations, little knowledge in vegetable processing and lack of skills in entrepreneurship management. This resulted in low income of the majority of residents to meet their basic needs which negatively effected their contribution to economic development at individual, community and national levels.

1.2 Community Profile Charambe Ward

1.2.1 Location

Charambe Ward is one of the eight wards of Mbagala Division, Temeke Municipality which is one of the three Municipalities of Dar es Salaam City besides Ilala and Kinondoni. Charambe ward constitutes seven Sub-wards called ‘Mitaa’ namely: Rangitatu, Majimatitu, Nzasa A, Nzasa B, Kilungule, Kwazomoko and Kurasini Mji mpya. Charambe ward with an area of 6.4Km² is located south of Dar es Salaam City along Kilwa road (DSM-Kibiti road).With respect to ecological zones, the ward is located in the middle of Mbagala Division sharing borders with Mianzini Ward in the South, Kiburugwa Ward in the North, Mbagala kuu Ward in the East and Chamazi Ward in the West. Its geographical location lies between 39º12' - 39º33' east and 6º48' -7º33' south. It is characterised by sand soil, low water holding capacity, high water table and poor soil fertility. (Temeke Municipality Profile, 2012).

Figure 1: Map showing the Study Area, Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam

Source: Research study, 2013

1.2.2 Description of Study Area

Temeke municipality is located in the south of Dar es Salaam City. It is bound by Coast region in the South; Ilala municipality in the North; and it runs parallel to the coast line of the Indian Ocean in the East. Temeke Municipality is the largest of the three municipalities of Dar es Salaam City. It covers an area of 656 Km² with a coastal line of 70 km length; and it lies between 39º12' - 39º33' East and 6º48' -7º33' South.

1.2.3 Climate and Precipitation

Charambe Ward is part of the Tropical coastal belt of Tanzania, with dual and erratic conventional rains, short rains start from October to December while long rain season is between March and May. The average rainfall is 1000 mm the lowest being 930 mm and highest 1200mm. Humidity is around 96% in the mornings and 67% in the afternoons. High temperature prevails throughout the year ranging from 250C during the period of June to August up to 350C in the period of October to March. Generally climate is also influenced by Seasonal Trade Winds (Monsoon winds) blowing from the Indian Ocean. Monsoon winds that is the South-Westerly Monsoon winds from April to October and North-Easterly Monsoon winds from November to March. (Temeke Municipality, Profile 2012)