Contribution of Wetlands to Household Income and Food Security in the Nyumba Ya Mungu Wetland System, Northern Tanzania

Abstract

Wetlands ecosystems are diverse and have diverse ecological, environmental, socioeconomic and cultural values that have not been fully quantified in Tanzania. This study was conducted to quantify the  contribution of wetlands to socio-economic well being of the local communities adjacent to the ‘Nyumba ya Mungu’ wetland system in Kilimanjaro region Tanzania. Specifically the study assessed the contribution of wetland system to household income and food security and problems associated with the utilization of the wetland. Both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected by use of structured questionnaire administered to different households whose income and  food depend mainly on this wetland system. Secondary data were obtained from published and unpublished reports from various sources. Participant observation was used to supplement information from questionnaires. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results indicate that about 92% and 95% of the households derive their income and food from the wetland resources respectively. Main products of socio-economic values at the ‘Nyumba ya Mungu’ wetlands are fish (71%), water (19%), roofing materials (6%) and vegetables (4%). Activities related to the presence of the wetland are fishing (52%), fish gutting (10%), fish business (29%), boat hiring (3%) and farming (6%). On average about 94% of the local community around ‘Nyumba ya Mungu’ wetland depend entirely on the dam for their income and food. Absence or degradation of the wetland may imply high costs to the society/government in providing the products and/or services that would be foregone. Environmental costs associated with alternative options that would be practiced by the community in sourcing out the missing products and services would also be high. With increasing population around the wetlands there is a need to design alternative income generating activities to reduce overexploitation and degradation of the wetland. Integrated approach in designing wise use/wetland friendly activities can be useful in sustainable management of the wetlands.

Key words: Wetlands, household, income, food security, fishing.