Factors For Persistence Of Land Use Conflicts: A Case Of Kilombero District, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This study investigated factors for persistence of land use conflicts in Kilombero

District, Tanzania. The study focused on identifying groups involved, types and

impacts of land use conflicts and examining strategies used in addressing land use

conflicts in the study areas. The study covered three villages namely Mbingu,

Mwaya and Idete within the Kilombero District. A total of 100 head of households

and 30 key informants were involved in the study. Data was collected through

Questionnaires, Focused group Discussion and Observation. Descriptive and Cross

tabulation were used to analyze data. Cross tabulation was used to compare

categories of respondents between the villages. The mean was used to establish

values while frequencies and percentages established the proportions. The results

indicate that major land use stakeholders include are farmers (94%) and pastoralists

(91%). Most groups involved in land use conflicts are pastoralists against farmers

and farmers against institutions. Results also revealed that land ownership (73%) and

boundaries (62%) were the major types of land use conflicts. Poor leadership was a

major cause of land use conflicts accounting for high frequencies (91%) of all land

use conflicts. The results also revealed that migration of people was a major impact

of land use conflicts. The results also indicate that community participation (43.3%),

rules and regulations (80%) and establishment of institutions to enforce rules and

regulations are major strategies used to address land use conflicts. The study

recommends that the government should establish land use plans in most parts of the

rural areas in order to avoid misuse of land, promote good governance and formulate

appropriate rules and regulations governing land uses for all parts of the country.