Evaluation of livelihoods and economic benefits of water utilization: the case of great Ruaha river catchment in Tanzania
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Date
2006
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
A study was conducted in the Great Ruaha River (GRR) catchment from mid 2002 to
end of 2004 to evaluate existing livelihoods, values and benefits of water utilisation;
the effect of these benefits on poverty alleviation, and the opportunity cost of water
transfer from irrigated agriculture to other uses downstream. The findings showed
that the values of water for livestock, brick making and domestic uses are the
highest, averaging at around one US dollar per m3 of water consumed. For irrigated
paddy and dry season irrigated (non paddy) crops, the values were estimated to
average at Tsh 38.6 (US S 0.04) and Tsh 182 (US S 0.17) per m3 of consumed water
respectively. For hydroelectric power (HEP) generation, the values of water were
estimated at Tsh 226 (US $ 0.21) per m3 of water consumed and Tsh 46.66 (US $
0.04) or Tsh 21.37 (US $ 0.02) per m3 of water consumed for nature conservation
(i.e. for the Usangu Eastern Wetland or Ruaha National Park respectively). In terms
of total net benefits, HEP generates the highest net benefits (about Tsh 247,332 or
US $ 230 Million per annum). Irrigated agriculture generates annual net benefits of
about Tsh 23,888 or US $ 22 Millions per annum. For domestic uses, brick making,
livestock, fishery, Usangu Eastern Wetland and Ruaha National Park the net benefits
were estimated at Million Tsh 1,663; 16; 186,117; 106; 41,518; and 53,297 or
Million US $ 1.56; 0.01; 174.92; 0.10; 39.02; and 50.00 respectively. The
decomposition analysis of total income showed that irrigated agriculture is an
inequality-decreasing source of income. This implies that, ceteris paribus, additional increments of income from irrigated crops will reduce the overall income inequality
amongst the agrarian households in the Upper GRR catchment. The study recommends that irrigated agriculture should not be abandoned - rather, efforts need
to be directed towards identifying the potential for enhancing its water use efficiency
and productivity. Achieving this would however, requires raising awareness among
water users; promoting good practices; and ensuring active participation among the
local communities in sustainable land and water resources management.
Description
PhD-Thesis
Keywords
Water utilization, Ruaha river, Agriculture irrigation, Agricultural information