Swai, Sophia Faustin2023-11-302023-11-302008http://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/5870ThesisA study was conducted in Mbarali District (Mbeya region) to investigate the socio­ economic impact of water and land use conflicts between pastoralists and farmers in the Usangu Plains. The study aimed at identifying the major causes of conflicts between pastoralists and farmers; determining the effects of these conflicts on agricultural production, quantifying the time and material resources spent in conflict involvement and providing technical recommendations related to conflict minimization. Using various Participatory Rural Appraisal methods and formal and informal surveys, data were gathered from six villages namely: Ilongo, Kilambo, Mhwela, Nsonyanga, Mahongole and Matebete. The collected data were analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results showed that water shortage and size of the owned land were the major factors determining the involvement of a household in conflicts (p < 0.05) and (p < 0.01) respectively. On average about seven days were annually spent in these types of conflicts. The monetary costs resulting from the involvement in conflicts were estimated to average at TAS 105 162.62 per household per annum - which amounts to an average share of approximately 11% of the total household income per annum (i.e. TAS 1 661 364.97). The study recommends that: a) the local government should take purposive measures to ensure that there are effective and coherent land use planning mechanisms, b) migratory and sedentary pastoralists should be advised and sensitized to reduce their livestock numbers to match with the carrying capacity of the available grazing land, c) water and land use conflicts be minimized by exploring alternative supplies (e.g. ground water resources and rain water harvesting) and encouraging proper use of the available water and land resources.enWater - land use conflictsSedentary farmersNomadic pastoralistsUsangu plainsTanzaniaThesis