Population dynamics and food security on the slopes of mount Rungwe, Mbeya region, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2005
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Abstract
Out-migration from the slopes of Mount Rungwe in Rungwe District to other districts is
high despite the district having fertile land. Moreover, food security is not satisfactory;
many people of Rungwe buy various food crop products from other districts. Therefore,
this study was conducted with the'specific objectives to: Record population dynamics in
terms of birth, death, in-migration and out-migration rates; Estimate dietary energy
consumption (DEC) per adult equivalent per day; Estimate proportions of households
below the recommended minimum level of DEC (2,280 Kcal); and Determine associations
between the above population dynamics elements and DEC. It was found that the birth rate
was 48 births, the death rate was 35 deaths, the in-migration rate was 18 persons, and the
out-migration rate was 33 persons, all per 1,000 population. The average DEC was 3,407
Kcal, but 29.7% of households were food insecure. T-test results showed no statistically
significant difference (p > 0.05) in DEC between households with a newly born member
and those without such a member, and between households having in-migrants or out-
migrants and those without in-migrants or out-migrants. However, there was statistically
significant difference at the 5% level (p = 0.027) in DEC between households where at
least one member had died and those where there had been no death, and in households
that were living at lower and those that were living at higher altitudes (p = 0.016). The
conclusion is that household food security on the slopes of Mount Rungwe is not much
affected by new births and in- or out-migrations, but it is much affected by death of
household members and living at higher altitudes of the mountain. To increase food
security, it is recommended that, among other things, mortality be checked and people
refrain from living at higher altitudes of the mountain.
Description
Master's Dissertation
Keywords
Population, Food security, Mount Rungwe, Mbeya region, Dynamics