A comparative analysis of levels of vulnerability of livelihood assets to gas extraction operations: evidence from Mtwara rural district, Tanzania
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Date
2023-05-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Journal that advances the profession and practice of Community Development
Abstract
Extractive investments adversely affect local communities across the
globe. Tanzania experiences new gas extraction operations (GEO) but
with scanty information on how they influence the levels of vulnerability of
livelihood assets among rural communities. As such, there is a need to
empirically understand wplaces are more vulnerable than others so that
livelihood enhancement actions can be performed following gas extraction
operations. This article examined the levels of vulnerability of livelihood
assets among communities residing near and distant villages to gas
extractive fields and processing plants. A cross-sectional research design
was employed, and 260 respondents were sampled proportionally from
village registers. The sample was complemented with 15 key informant
Interviews (KII) and four focus group discussions (FGDs). A comparative
analysis was performed using Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI). The
results revealed that distant villages had the highest level of food
accessibility and water accessibility. Also, neighbouring villages have the
highest level of vulnerability on land ownership. Likewise, nearby villages
had a moderate level of exposure to livelihood strategies and gas
extraction activities. To conclude, distant villages had a higher level of
vulnerability to food access, water access, and socio-demographic profile
components. Whereas nearby villages had the highest level of vulnerability
on land ownership and gas extraction operation components. Therefore, to
lessen the food vulnerability among households, the government and
donors should prioritize income generating and food security programmes
among households.
Description
Article
Keywords
Vulnerability, Livelihood assets, Gas extraction, Mtwara Rural District, Tanzania