Wageningen University - Department of Social Sciences MSc Thesis Chair Group Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Thesis report for Master of Science in Development and Rural Innovation 2014/2015 Title: Smallholders’ access to quality sweet potato vines in the Lake zone, Tanzania: The case of Mwanza. Student: Ngabo Pamba Supervisor: Dr. Ir. Conny Almekinders Thesis code: CPT-80830 August, 2015 Registration number:770719640080 Dedication To my lovely wife and best friend, mother, children, and family as whole for unending spiritual support, I really love you deep from my heart i List of acronyms BMGF Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation CIP International Potato Center CRP-RTB CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas DONATA Dissemination of New Agricultural Technologies in Africa project DVMs Decentralized Vine Multipliers NGOs Non-governmental Organizations OFSP Orange Fleshed Sweet potatoes SASHA Sweet potato Action for Security and Health in Africa SP Sweet potato SPHI Sweet potato for Profit and Health Initiative URT United Republic of Tanzania WUR Wageningen University and Research Centre ii Acknowledgement First and foremost, I am indebted to my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ for the opportunity to study in The Netherlands, and for the good health throughout the course of my study and above all for making everything possible. It is not by mighty nor by power but by the spirit of the living God. Secondly, to my thesis advisor Dr. Ir. Conny Almekinders, I have nothing to pay back for your endless advice, support and commitment in this study than saying thank you very much. You have been very helpful and your guidance and inputs always gave me a direction from the beginning of this study. I am also grateful to Mr. Bela Tekeen, a PhD candidate (Knowledge Technology and Innovation) of WUR and Dr. Claire Daridzu for co-reading my thesis. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Margaret McEwan (CIP- Research Leader, Social and Health Sciences Division, SPHI), and Dr. Simon Jeremiah the country coordinator of the Kinga Marando project based in LZARDI Ukiriguru, Mwanza for granting me an opportunity to undertake a three month internship with Kinga Marando-CRP RTB project under CIP. This internship provided a basis for my research with decentralized vine multipliers and farmers in Sengerema, Geita, Misungwi and Ilemela districts of the Lake Zone, Tanzania. Also to Kwame Ogero, the CIP-research associate and field supervisor, I am owed plenty for his support in transport arrangements during data collection as well as for the sharing of the official documents. He has been more than a brother. I would also like to extend my gratitude to DVMs and farmers from Nyamle, Sumbugu, Misasi, Kayenze, Imalangómbe, Kisomeko, Kabusungu, Mwangika, Chigunga, Nungwe, Busaka, Chikobe and Tunyenye villages for their willingness to participate in this research, and to the local authorities through agricultural extension workers of Misungwi, Ilemela, Sengerema and Geita districts for their support in reaching the DVMs and their clients. Lastly, special thanks go to my wife and family for the moral support and encouragement, and more importantly for prayers. Thanks again my wife for allowing me study for the two years taking care of the children and all family matters. I owe you plenty……. iii List of Tables Table 1: The number of decentralized vine multipliers established under Marando Bora project by implementing partners ........................................................................................................................... 32 Table 2: Characterization of DVMs in the Marando Bora project ........................................................ 33 Table 3: The number of studied decentralized vine multipliers and farmers by districts for the planting seasons October-November 2014 and February-March 2015 ............................................................... 34 Table 4: The number of farmers purchasing vines (N=32) ................................................................... 35 Table 5: Sweet potato varieties bought by first time buyers between 2013 and 2015 (N=16) .............. 35 Table 6: Reasons for farmers purchasing vines for first time (N=16) ................................................... 36 Table 7: Farmers’ reasons for multiple purchase of vines (2nd, 3rd or more purchases) for years from 2012 to 2015 (N=16) ............................................................................................................................. 39 Table 8: Sweet potato varieties bought by multiple time buyers for years from 2012 to April, 2015 (N=16) ................................................................................................................................................... 41 Table 9: The number of farmers sourced vines from DVMs and their clients within the village (N=27) ............................................................................................................................................................... 46 Table 10: The number of farmers sourced vines from DVMs and their clients outside the village (N=24) ................................................................................................................................................... 46 Table 11: Proportion of farmers willing to pay Tsh 5000 for a bundle of vines and their relation with decentralized vine multipliers (N=32) ................................................................................................... 47 Table 12: The number of occurrences of the conditions under which farmers are willing to pay for vines by agro-ecological zones (N=51) ................................................................................................. 48 Table 13: DVMs perspectives on the reasons for farmers purchasing vines by agro-ecology (N=7) ... 48 Table 14: Proportion of studied DVMs by agro-ecologies in the districts (N=18) ............................... 51 Table 15: Current status of DVMs in rainy agro-ecology in relation to vine multiplication (N=10) .... 52 Table 16: Current status of DVMs in dry agro-ecology in relation to vine multiplication (N=10) ...... 58 Table 17: The estimated number of buyers of DVMs material, free and non-cash receivers by districts for the planting seasons October-November 2014 and February-March 2015 ..................................... 59 Table 18: DVMs’ opinion on right time for vine sales (N=7) ............................................................... 60 iv List of Figures Figure 1: The map of Tanzania showing Lake Zone ............................................................................. 15 Figure 2: The schematic representation of the linkages existing between the vine multipliers (DVMs) and the farmers/customers in the Lake zone, Tanzania ......................................................................... 31 Figure 3: Sources of information about the DVM by frequency (N=51) .............................................. 43 Figure 4: Proportion of female and men in this study (N=51) .............................................................. 44 Figure 5: Proportion of female farmers by reasons to source vines from DVMs and their clients (N=33) ................................................................................................................................................... 44 Figure 6: Proportion of male farmers by their reasons to source vines from DVMs and their clients (n=18) .................................................................................................................................................... 45 Figure 7: Farmers perspectives on availability of SP planting material at DVMs and their clients (N=51) ................................................................................................................................................... 47 Figure 8: Farmers acceptance of the vines by % agro-ecological zone ................................................. 50 Figure 9: Fatuma Seleman in her sweet potato farm. (Photo: Ngabo) .................................................. 54 Figure 10: Tunu’s sweet potato vines left in field ................................................................................. 55 Figure 11: Solomon Elifuraha in interview with the author .................................................................. 61 Figure 12: Net tunnels constructed using insect proof nets, wooden sticks and wires/sisal twine at farmers’ fields. ...................................................................................................................................... 63 Figure 13: Proportion of farmers received free vines from DVMs or their clients by type of relationship% (N=19) ............................................................................................................................ 66 Figure 14: Proportion of farmers who bought vines from DVMs by relationship % (N=32) ............... 68 Figure 15: Forms of reciprocal services through which farmers receive vines by number of occurrence (N=19) ................................................................................................................................................... 71 v Table of contents Dedication ................................................................................................................................................ i List of acronyms ......................................................................................................................................