Participatory Irrigation Management And Food Security in Semi Arid Areas of Tanzania

Abstract

Since 1980, scholars have increased their attention on participation and development following paradigm shift from top-down to participatory development. However, little attention is still given to contribution of participatory irrigation management (PIM) on household food security of the rural people. This study was conducted in three districts of Igunga, Nzega and Babati where the concept of participation was used to implement participatory irrigation development programme (PIDP). The general objective of the study was to determine the contribution of PIM on household income and food security in semi-arid areas of Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed to establish the extent of participation of farmers in developing irrigation schemes, and determine the effect of PIM on income and household food security. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design. In addition to covering the PIDP programme, non-PIDP schemes and small-scale development programme in marginal areas (SDPMA) were also covered for comparison. Data were collected using qualitative tools and questionnaires, in which sample sizes of 240 households were randomly selected from six schemes. The study found that participation of respondents was higher under PIDP than other schemes. In addition, the PIM approach had greater contribution to household income and food security under PIDP schemes. The study recommends training of stakeholders on participatory approach before introducing development projects to increase their success.

Keywords: participatory irrigation management, participation, food security, semiarid areas, participatory irrigation programmes, Tanzania