Abstract:
This study was carried out in four villages of Gairo division, Kilosa district,
Morogoro Region to assess participation of rural communities in the national poverty
reduction strategies. Focus group discussion and structured questionnaire were used
to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used to obtain general characteristics of the
study population. Bivariate and partial correlations of variables were used to describe
the relationship between variables. Chi- square statistic testing was used to compare
populations from more and less accessible villages. Results indicated that majority of
rural community members participated in poverty reduction activities/programs
through agriculture. However, the income of respondents increased with an increase
of the number of income generating activities. Thus, the hypothesis that the annual
income at household level has an association with the number of income generating
activities undertaken was accepted. Poverty reduction opportunities listed in the
document of the National Poverty Eradication strategy (1998) were relatively more
known to rural communities in villages which were more accessible than in less
accessible villages. Therefore, the hypothesis that accessibility of an area affects
recognition of poverty reduction opportunities by the residents was accepted. Chisquare
statistic test showed that there were statistical differences in awareness at P <
0.01. At household level, at least 80% of respondents reported to involve family
members in household poverty reduction activities. Also, participation of the rural
community members in poverty reduction activities was being affected by factors
such as age of household head and household size. Hence, the hypothesis that
participation of rural communities in poverty reduction strategies is influenced by
some of household demographic factors was true. Recommendations: rural
communities should diversify their economic activities; availability of working
capital and involvement of rural community members in community development
activities should be improved. Also, community awareness on poverty reduction
opportunities should be raised.
