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Mkulima Collection is part of the agricultural information services provided to the general public (farmers in particular) by Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) which is found at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).

The Collection was established in 2016 and comprised of hard copies held in the library building (Edward Moringe Campus) and electronic collection of publications accessed at https://www.lib.sua.ac.tz/mkulima/. The aim of this collection is to cater to the information needs of the farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector within and outside the country.

Part of Mkulima Collection (print collection) held at SNAL building

SNAL has two roles, first, is to serve as a university library thus, serving the academic community information needs which support teaching, learning, research and consultancy. Secondly, is to serve as a national agricultural library by an Act of parliament no. 21 of 1991 which gives the mandate to provide agricultural information services to farmers community in the country.

Documents that form Mkulima Collection highly result from the research projects conducted by SUA researchers and discipline-specific professionals.  The documents are written in a simple and direct language which allows an average literate farmer to access and use the information presented. Mkulima Collection has been an important tool of information to farmers of all types of crops and livestock keepers in the country. Information acquired in this collection is to broaden farmers’ understanding of various agricultural activities, get updated knowledge and direct solutions to the problems encountered in their field of production.

The collection is mainly made up of the documents in the Swahili language; however, there are some publications in the English language. So far, the online collection has almost 600 documents in different agricultural fields which can freely be accessed and downloaded for use by farmers.

Document acquisitions in Mkulima Collection highly depend upon voluntary contribution by researchers and experts.  Therefore, SNAL encourages researchers and experts from and outside SUA to voluntarily deposit their research and project write-ups for effective communication of new innovations and updated information to farmers. The writing should be tailored for use by an average literate farmer, unlike the current trend which mostly favours academic and research activities.

Mkulima Collection (digital collection) accessed on the website

SNAL call upon researchers and experts to leave a legacy in the agricultural sector in the country by voluntarily sharing their professional knowledge through publications deposited in Mkulima Collection. The knowledge shared through publications in Mkulima Collection has a significant contribution to the improved production, quality of the production and increased income of majority farmers in the country.

Mkulima Collection has been participating into various agricultural outreach and exhibitions services such as Nane Nane, Sabasaba, Sokoine Memorial Week and research stations as a means of marketing and creating awareness to the general public and agriculture stakeholders.

SNAL management is also working out to develop a Mobile App for Mkulima Collection in a near future. This is to improve access as farmers can either use the Mobile App or access the collection via Mkulima Collection webpage (as it is right now).

The Consortium of Tanzania University and Research Libraries (COTUL) of which SUA is a member held its Training workshop and Annual General Meeting in Mwanza on 2-4 December 2020. Five staff members [Prof. F.W.Dulle, Dr. W. Mtega, Mr. P. Abiud, Mr V. Inyasi, Mr. S. Chika and Ms L. Kasuke] from SUA attended the event in question. The theme for the workshop was “Discovery and Utilization of E-Resources for Supporting Research, Teaching and Learning”. The training workshop aimed at bringing together researchers, academicians, librarians, and information professionals to learn and share experiences on current trends on the discovery and effective utilization of scholarly content, marketing of e-resources and e-resources usage patterns.

There were also exhibitions from various publishers, of interest to SUA was an exhibition for E-books by Baobab E-book Services. This company provide various options and packages for E-books. The pricing modal for Members of Consortium is very attractive and would suggest SUA consider procurements of E-books in a future purchase. During AGM, among issues of concern, was low usage of E-resources in Tanzania.

It was observed that usage of E-resources was very low to some Institutions. SUA was commended for leading in the usage of E-resources from Emerald. The matter was discussed at length and it was recommended that each COTUL member institution should lay strategies to enhance the usage of E-resources subscribed by COTUL and other partners in order to get value for money. It was resolved that from the coming AGM, COTUL will start awarding certificates of recognition to institutions highly ranked in E-resources usage.

For the year 2020, the Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) experienced changes and encouraging developments in various aspects. These include changes in management; space creation and re-arrangement of shelves; SNAL face-lifting by painting the building and enrolling new graduates.

SNAL has a new Director

The library has a new Director with effect from July 2020 - Prof. Camilius A. Sanga was appointed by the University Council to replace Prof. M.J.F. Lwehabura who completed his tenure of duty as the acting Director. Camilius A. Sanga is a Professor of Informatics since 2017. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. He served as Head of the Department of Informatics (2011-2017). Prof. Sanga is a member of various Management and Professional Boards and Committees within and outside the university.

Following this appointment, SNAL staff members had a welcome meeting where Prof. M. J. F. Lwehabura, the former Ag. Director introduced Prof Sanga to the staff. SNAL staff happily welcomed Prof. Sanga and promised full cooperation in discharging his new duties.

Face-lifting SNAL

Some renovations and re-painting work to the entire library building, both inside and outside as well as thinning and pruning of the surrounding trees have changed the appearance of the place. . Aside from painting, some new furniture for staff and users have been acquired, The library looks more attractive to users and offers its staff a better working environment.

Space creation

SNAL has managed to create space of a total of 400 seats for users. Space was created by reducing as well as moving the shelves from one side to the other for the following collections: the Old journal collection area (Ground floor left side); General book Collection (The first floor – left side) and Special collection on the first floor – right side). Having created this sitting space, users including staff, researchers and students are already experiencing the comfort of a spacious room for academic undertakings

Academic achievement

In 2019/2020 the following SNAL staff have successfully finished their studies:

Doctorate (PhD)

1. Nicholaus Mwalukasa- Former Department of Information Studies

 Bachelor Degree

1. Ester Chisaki – Former Department of Knowledge Management
2. Shabani Chika - Former Department of Reference and Community Information Services

SNAL Director, Prof Camilius Sanga (third from the right) explaining about the services provided at Special Collection section 

Chairman of the Council of the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), retired judge Othmani Chande visited the Sokoine National Agricultural Library on December 16, 2020, where he had an opportunity to witness library renovation activities towards the improvement of information services delivery to academic and farmers community at large. 

SNAL Director, Prof. Camilius Sanga had a privilege to take Chairman to different library sections including Mkulima library that serves farmers community through its printed collection held at SNAL premises and electronic collection that can be accessed at Mkulima repository.