Land use and socio-economic implications of pastoralists in migration in Rufiji district, Tanzania

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Date

2016

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Sokoine University Of Agriculture

Abstract

The study on which this thesis is based intended to fill the gap on inadequate research regarding the effects of pastoralists' in-migration on land use and socio-economic effects in Rufiji District by: (i) examining pastoralists' influences of land use changes, (ii) examining consequences of pastoralists in-migration on socio-economic activities among local people, (iii) scrutinizing land use conflict escalations, and (iv) examining effects on livelihoods. Data were collected through a survey covering a sample of 200 respondents, documentary review, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Microsoft Excel were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data were transcribed into text and analysed basing on the content and meaning of the text. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to: establish influence of various factors on land use changes and local people’s participation in new economic activities. Multiple linear regression analysis determined the pastoralists' effects on livelihood outcomes. The findings showed that significant factors for the land use change arc: number of livestock (p < 0.01), pastoralists’ years in the area (p < 0.05) and local people's engagement in livestock keeping (p < 0.05). Four factors influenced local peoples’ engagement in new economic activities significantly: age (p < 0.01), religion (p < 0.001), education (p < 0.05) and sex (p < 0.05). Land use conflicts had been escalating and the actors involved in conflicts had increased. The multiple linear regression analysis results showed that four factors were statistically significant in affecting the livelihood outcomes: new economic activities (p < 0.05), investors (p < 0.05), new agricultural systems (p < 0.001) and land use changes (p < 0.05). It was concluded that pastoralists are still in-migrating into Rufiji District, thus, land use change is inevitable. The in-migration has both negative and positive livelihood effects. It is recommended that, firstly, there is a need for inter-sectoral working teams. Secondly, strengthening the positive effects andiii addressing the negative ones should be done. Thirdly, the local government authorities should ensure that areas for agriculture and for pastoral activities are defined by developing sustainable village land use plans. Fourthly, observing Village Land Act during land allocation should always be done. Fifthly, developing appropriate pastoralists resettling mechanisms and strengthening participatory techniques for conflicts resolution should be done.

Description

Thesis

Keywords

Pastoralists, Agro-pastoralism, Land use, Land use changes, Tanzania

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