The contribution of wetland ecosystem to community livelihoods: the case of Kilombero district, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2011
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This dissertation set out to examine the contribution of Kilombero wetlands ecosystem on
the livelihoods of adjacent communities. Field survey was conducted in three villages,
namely Msolwa Ujamaa, Lungongole and Mkula in the Kilombero district. Statistical
analysis and contingent valuation methods were used determine the importance of the
wetland on social economic life of the communities, community dependence on the
wetland and community action to conserve the wetland. The total sample of 105 heads of
the household was randomly drawn to respond to the household level questionnaire and
selected elders and village leaders participated in the focus group discussions. Major
findings of this dissertation are that, the Kilombero wetland provides substantial benefits
to the adjacent communities. The availability of water, fertile land and good infrastructure
has supported high paying commercial farming activity of rice and sugar cane. Average
income levels are very high compared to other areas in Tanzania. The willingness to pay
to conserve the wetland is also high reaching about 40 000 Tanzanian shillings annually
which imply a high level of valuation. Further findings are that, wetland resources have
significant contribution to the livelihood of the local communities adjacent to the
wetlands. Wetland agriculture is the main livelihood activity for more than 86.7% of the
wetland adjacent communities. However about 83.8% of the people in Kilombero
wetlands acknowledge their income solely depend on wetland resource. The study
concluded that, communities living adjacent to Kilombero wetland value the ecosystem
for their livelihood. Study draw number of recommendations including; the diversification
activity; Need to ensure that there existed community wetland conservation programmes
at the village level; Operational technical advices, through researchers and or ward/ village
agriculture extension officers, should be up-scaled in timely and appropriate manner.
of the community activities in order to reduce the extent of the people engaging in one activity; Need to ensure that there existed community wetland conservation programmes
at the village level; Operational technical advices, through researchers and or ward/ village
agriculture extension officers, should be up-scaled in timely and appropriate manner.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Wetlands ecosystem, Rural livelihoods, Wetland resource utilization