Evolution of water management, institutions and livelihood adaptation on Usangu Plains of Tanzania

Abstract

Development of water resources for irrigation has been a major thrust in increasing food security in Tanzania, but it has also increased competition and conflicts over resources. The purpose of this research was to study evolution of water management in Usangu Plains and evaluate irrigation schemes using Ostrom‟s design principles for long-enduring CRP, and also to analyse its influence on farmers‟ livelihood. Traditionally, deforestation and pastoralists have been used as scapegoat to explain the drying up of perennial rivers, but the more recent perception is that irrigators are the largest consumers of water, and it has significantly increased after several irrigation scheme development interventions. It is found that over time, policy and institutions are evolved in uncoordinated and contradicting manners. The results of participatory rural appraisals and a survey using both qualitative and quantitative approaches reveal that household incomes are largely based on agriculture (90% income share) and severely constrained by the availability of irrigation water, cultivated land and other inputs. Lack of capital, extension services, and inputs are also limiting factors. Although a dominant present the coping strategy such as cultivating land in more than one scheme can provide income security to the households, it also has negative consequences on the schemes, as farmers are unable to provide enough attention to all. Incomes are linked to the robustness of the management institutions in the schemes. An improved management depends on schemes ability to organise, willingness to change, evolve and craft institutions according to their needs. Farmers‟ perceptions of new formalised institutional such as boundaries, participation, equal rights are positive, but when it come to practice, they are still relying on their traditional way of organisation. We still see this as an evolutionary process where altered perceptions may be the first step in changing practises over time. Adoption to improved irrigation system is low due to the quick hand-over of the schemes to farmers. So a better way for future development intervention would be to have a third party operating the schemes in the beginning and arrange a smooth hand-over at later stage.