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This study investigates the impact of rising fuel prices on the transportation of agricultural crops in Iringa District, Tanzania from 2021 to 2023. It examines how fuel price fluctuations have influenced transportation costs, market accessibility, and overall agricultural productivity. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from smallholder farmers, transporters, and market traders through surveys and interviews. The findings indicate that the continuous increase in fuel prices has significantly escalated transportation costs, limiting farmers’ access to distant markets and reducing their profit margins Additionally, higher transportation expenses have contributed to increased food prices, negatively affecting consumers and overall market efficiency. The study further highlights challenges such as supply chain disruptions, decreased competitiveness of local agricultural products, and financial constraints for transport service providers. To mitigate these impacts, policy recommendations include the introduction of targeted fuel subsidies, investment in alternative transportation solutions improvements in rural infrastructure, and strengthening agricultural market linkages. Implementing these measures could help stabilize transportation costs, enhance market access, and support the resilience of smallholder farmers in Iringa District, Tanzania.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices of privately owned mining companies have been argued to create benefits to communities’ wellbeing in areas of their operation. However, little is known on the CSR of partly owned government mining companies. Therefore, this paper ought to: examined the contribution of CSR practices of the North Mara Gold Mine in Tanzania to the wellbeing of communities living around the mine. Specifically, it examined and compared levels of household wellbeing before and after the implementation of CSR practices. The study used cross sectional research design and involved 358 households which were selected using systematic random sampling method. The wellbeing index was used to measure levels of wellbeing. Besides, the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to compare wellbeing levels before and after the implementation of the CSR practices. The results revealed that the CSR practices of the North Mara Gold Mine company enabled people to own improved quality housing and valuable assets. Also, the household wellbeing index score was significantly higher after the implementation of the CSR practices. There was a significant difference in wellbeing levels (p<0.001) before and after the implementation of CSR practices. It is recommended that CSR plans to be integrated into company business operations and carefully monitored, evaluated and strictly audited regularly for effective community development.

The study, using a comparative case study design, explored the attitude of local direct beneficiaries concerning the cessation of resources for two donor-funded agriculture-related projects in Tanzania from a Social Cognitive Theory perspective. Using a 5-point Likert Scale, data from 274 respondents were collected and analysed. Before data analysis, validity and reliability tests were performed and determined to be good. Descriptive statistics including percentages and frequencies were done. Additionally, a chi-square test was done to establish the association between variables. The findings show that local beneficiaries with higher self-efficacy and wider outcome expectancies had a positive attitude as opposed to their counterparts. Also, a positive significant relationship existed between self-efficacy and attitude (P<0.01) and between outcome expectancies and attitudes (P<0.05). Equipping local beneficiaries with the competencies needed to solve problems on their own and the continued functioning of VBAAs can aid local beneficiaries in maintaining a positive attitude post-project resources withdrawal. The study recommends that a transition phase is critical for project implementers to solidify benefits and benefit-enhancing behaviours. Also promoting community-based extension services by institutionalising VBAAs within the LGAs should be given a priority for enhancing sustainability.