Effectiveness of river basin game in facilitating equitable allocation of water in Mkoji subcatchment of great Ruaha river in Tanzania

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Date

2007

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Volume Title

Publisher

Sokoine University of Agriculture

Abstract

The Great Ruaha River (GRR) basin is one of the four basins in Tanzania that make up the Rufiji river basin, in which Mkoji subcatchment drains. This subcatchment harbors multisectoral water uses that experience inequitable water allocation due to severe water shortage. River Basin Game (RBG), a tool that aids decision-making process, was implemented in order to improve equitable allocation of water (EAW) in the subcatchment. A field study was carried out in two river systems with RBG and two without RBG to assess the effectiveness of RBG in facilitating EAW in Mkoji subcatchment. In order to generate empirical information to address the problem, a questionnaire from a sample size of 130 respondents was adopted, and key informants were interviewed. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Cross tabulation designs and test statistics were used to determine levels of significance. Key findings indicated that communities with RBG had implemented 66.6% of strategy to improve local water management institutions. However, despite significant differences in improving intakes (p<0.01), and reduction in number of Livestock (p=0.04) there was no significant difference in implementing strategies on improving performance of infrastructure and water saving for EAW. It was concluded that RBG was effective in creating awareness and improving local water management institutions. Since local institutions are the core for EAW, it is recommended that the use of RBG should be intensified in communities with RBG. Communities without RBG should be exposed to RBG. There is a need to explore possibilities of promoting RBG for among others promoting local institutions for sustainable management of river water resources in small river basins of Tanzania.

Description

Dissertation

Keywords

Great Ruaha River, River basin, Water basin, Rufiji river basin, Mkoji subcatchment drains

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