Changing livelihoods and adaptive capacity of agro-pastoralists evicted from Ihefu in Tanzania
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Date
2014-10-04
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
There are numerous incidences of impoverishment and livelihood change in pastoral
societies following transformation in land use and ownership and their livelihoods. Both in
theory and practice, pastoral production has demonstrated flexibility in adapting to
different risks. This study sought to investigate the changing livelihoods and adaptive
capacity of the agro-pastoralists evicted from Ihefu Basin in Mbarali District, Tanzania.
Specifically, the study sought to: (i) Examine the planning and implementation modalities
of resettling pastoralists; (ii) Assess stakeholders’ perception of and attitudes towards the
eviction process; (iii) Investigate what changes took place in the livelihoods of pastoralists
as a result of resettlement; (iv) Examine the livelihood strategies used by agro-pastoralists
to adapt to resettlement areas; and (v) Analyze the determinants of agro-pastoralists’
adaptive capacity in the resettlement areas. Structured Questionnaires, life histories, key
informant interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data from a sample
of 176 respondents. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS) computer software version 16. Descriptive and inferential analysis (Chisquare, t-test and ANOVAs and F-test) were conducted. Developed indexes were used to
examine livelihood changes and adaptive capacity ofthe resettled pastoralists. The results
indicated that the government and its institutions had insufficient preparation plans to
accomplish pastoralists’ resettlement process. This led to the majority of resettled
pastoralists having a negative attitude to the whole eviction process. The results further
revealed that there were positive changes in the livelihoods majority of resettled agropastoralists. The majority of resettled agro-agro-pastoralists adopted different adaptive
strategies and were able in accessing several livelihood capitals and institutional process.
Such capabilities were considered to be good adaptive capacity. Availability of good
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pastures and water, different skills, culture and traditions, government and institutions
The study recommends that in order to enhance the livelihoods and adaptive capacity of
resettled agro-pastoralists; policy and decision-makers should revisit the planning and
implementation modalities for resettling agro-pastoralists. Infrastructure such as rural
roads, water supply, schools, extension and veterinary services and marketing information
should be improved.
Description
Keywords
Agro-pastoralists, Livelihoods, Ihefu Basin, Adaptive capacity