Socio-economic impact of water and land use conflicts between sedentary farmers and nomadic pastoralists: the case of Usangu plains in Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
A study was conducted in Mbarali District (Mbeya region) to investigate the socio
economic impact of water and land use conflicts between pastoralists and farmers in
the Usangu Plains. The study aimed at identifying the major causes of conflicts
between pastoralists and farmers; determining the effects of these conflicts on
agricultural production, quantifying the time and material resources spent in conflict
involvement and providing technical
recommendations related to
conflict
minimization. Using various Participatory Rural Appraisal methods and formal and
informal surveys, data were gathered from six villages namely: Ilongo, Kilambo,
Mhwela, Nsonyanga, Mahongole and Matebete. The collected data were analyzed
using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results showed that water
shortage and size of the owned land were the major factors determining the
involvement of a household in conflicts (p < 0.05) and (p < 0.01) respectively. On
average about seven days were annually spent in these types of conflicts. The
monetary costs resulting from the involvement in conflicts were estimated to average
at TAS 105 162.62 per household per annum - which amounts to an average share of
approximately 11% of the total household income per annum (i.e. TAS 1 661
364.97). The study recommends that: a) the local government should take purposive
measures to ensure that there are effective and coherent land use planning
mechanisms, b) migratory and sedentary pastoralists should be advised and
sensitized to reduce their livestock numbers to match with the carrying capacity of
the available grazing land, c) water and land use conflicts be minimized by exploring
alternative supplies (e.g. ground water resources and rain water harvesting) and
encouraging proper use of the available water and land resources.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Water - land use conflicts, Sedentary farmers, Nomadic pastoralists, Usangu plains, Tanzania