Evaluation of livelihoods and economic benefits of water utilization: the case of great Ruaha river catchment in Tanzania

dc.creatorKadigi, Reuben Mpuya Joseph
dc.date.accessioned2022-10-31T11:35:18Z
dc.date.accessioned2025-08-05T07:42:35Z
dc.date.available2022-10-31T11:35:18Z
dc.date.created2022-10-31T11:35:18Z
dc.date.issued2006
dc.description.abstractA study was conducted in the Great Ruaha River (GRR) catchment from mid 2002 to end of 2004 to evaluate existing livelihoods, values and benefits of water utilisation; the effect of these benefits on poverty alleviation, and the opportunity cost of water transfer from irrigated agriculture to other uses downstream. The findings showed that the values of water for livestock, brick making and domestic uses are the highest, averaging at around one US dollar per m3 of water consumed. For irrigated paddy and dry season irrigated (non paddy) crops, the values were estimated to average at Tsh 38.6 (US S 0.04) and Tsh 182 (US S 0.17) per m3 of consumed water respectively. For hydroelectric power (HEP) generation, the values of water were estimated at Tsh 226 (US $ 0.21) per m3 of water consumed and Tsh 46.66 (US $ 0.04) or Tsh 21.37 (US $ 0.02) per m3 of water consumed for nature conservation (i.e. for the Usangu Eastern Wetland or Ruaha National Park respectively). In terms of total net benefits, HEP generates the highest net benefits (about Tsh 247,332 or US $ 230 Million per annum). Irrigated agriculture generates annual net benefits of about Tsh 23,888 or US $ 22 Millions per annum. For domestic uses, brick making, livestock, fishery, Usangu Eastern Wetland and Ruaha National Park the net benefits were estimated at Million Tsh 1,663; 16; 186,117; 106; 41,518; and 53,297 or Million US $ 1.56; 0.01; 174.92; 0.10; 39.02; and 50.00 respectively. The decomposition analysis of total income showed that irrigated agriculture is an inequality-decreasing source of income. This implies that, ceteris paribus, additional increments of income from irrigated crops will reduce the overall income inequality amongst the agrarian households in the Upper GRR catchment. The study recommends that irrigated agriculture should not be abandoned - rather, efforts need to be directed towards identifying the potential for enhancing its water use efficiency and productivity. Achieving this would however, requires raising awareness among water users; promoting good practices; and ensuring active participation among the local communities in sustainable land and water resources management.
dc.identifierhttp://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/4766
dc.identifier.urihttp://repository.costech.or.tz/handle/20.500.14732/99664
dc.languageen
dc.publisherSokoine University of Agriculture
dc.subjectWater utilization
dc.subjectRuaha river
dc.subjectAgriculture irrigation
dc.subjectAgricultural information
dc.titleEvaluation of livelihoods and economic benefits of water utilization: the case of great Ruaha river catchment in Tanzania
dc.typeThesis

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