Dissertation Submitted in Partial/fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award
of the Masters of Science in Development Policy (MSc. DP) of Mzumbe University
This study investigated the impact of migrant livestock keepers on the natives and natural
resources of Kilombero valley. Both descriptive and exploratory designs involving the use
of various data collection methods such as questionnaires and interviews were used to
collect data. The study also used documentary review to collect secondary data from
various report concerning migrant livestock keepers. Data were analysed by Microsoft
excel and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16.
The study revealed that migration of livestock keepers to the study area had both positive
and negative impacts. As the results of migrant livestock keepers, agricultural activities,
trade and animal keeping have increased in the area. On the other hand, activities such as
fishing and hunting activities have decreased. The study revealed that migrant livestock
keepers have caused small changes in cultural elements of the natives. It was established
that migrants have brought a great changes in natives’ ways of perfuming works, marriage
matters as well as food and eating behaviour. Other cultural elements were found not to be
affected much. The study further showed that migrant livestock keepers used natural
resources of the study area to large extent. Resources such as water, wetland, natural
vegetation and land/space for carrying out human development activities were reported to
decrease. The findings showed that natives have used land use plans, eviction, use of
village security guards “sungu sungu”, and use of by - laws among other strategies to
protect natives culture and natural resources from being engulfed by the migrant livestock
keepers. But strategies used were reported to have done little work compared to the
expectations.
The study concluded that natural resources were mostly affected by migrant livestock
keepers activities compared to the native activities and culture. It was recommended that
co - existence approach between agriculturalist and pastoralist and cooperation between
different government departments, local authorities and the general local community need
be adopted for the sustainable management of the natural resources in Kilombero valley.