Wetland contributions to livelihoods in Tanzania and Zambia

In many places in Africa, the usual pattern of rainfall means that, for much of the year, water is scarce. For this reason, the capacity of wetlands to retain moisture for long periods, and sometimes throughout the year, makes them a valuable agricultural resource (Plate 1). Consequently in many places they are inextricably linked to cropping and livestock management systems. Rising population, in conjunction with efforts to increase food security, is increasing pressure to expand the agricultural utilization of African wetlands. However, past experience has shown that, although wetland agriculture can bring significant benefits, ill-considered development often results in environmental degradation and harmful consequences for peoples’ livelihoods. Currently, the basis for making decisions about the extent and manner in which wetlands can be safely utilized for agriculture is weak. Greater understanding of the relationships between wetland utilization, biophysical characteristics and socio-economic factors is essential for a full understanding of the causes and dynamics of wetland change.

Plate 1:Examples of wetland agriculture: vegetable production in wetland in Eastern Zambia and women weeding paddy fields a wetland, Tanzania 

The study

This joint project between FAO, IUCN and IWMI investigated the contributions that wetlands make to rural communities. Four case studies were undertaken in Tanzania and four in Zambia. A generic approach was used to enable comparison between case studies. Methods of participatory assessment, in conjunction with a detailed household questionnaire, were used to obtain information relating to the biophysical and socio-economic factors that influence community use, management and access to wetlands. It is believed that the study was one of the first to compare wetlands to other sources of economic value (e.g., dryland farming and wage income) and to investigate the links between wetland utilization and differences in the socio-economic status of households.

Findings

The study confirmed that wetlands make an appreciable contribution to rural livelihoods in terms of both direct cash income and contributions to food security (Figure 1). However, both absolute and relative contributions are site-specific. In one village (in Zambia) the poorest households were obtaining 90% of their cash income from the sale of produce grown in the wetland. By comparison in another village (in Tanzania) the poorest households generated only 6% of their income from the wetland. The study also found that: i) the nature of household resource dependence and hence demands on wetland resources alters as their relative wealth of a household changes; ii) many households (irrespective of their wealth) utilize wetlands in coping strategies during times of food scarcity; iii) in recent years, significant changes in local patterns of use have been driven by immigration, arising in part because of the perceived agricultural opportunities provided by wetlands; iv) communities identify a wide range of biophysical and socio-economic constraints to the use of wetlands for agriculture, but generally negative environmental impacts are not amongst them.     


Figure 1:Example of differences in resource use between different wealth-classes (in Bumbwisudi wetland, Tanzania)  

These findings reveal that the nature of household dependence and hence demands on wetland resources are highly site-specific and vary as socio-economic status changes. Consequently, incentives to manage wetland resources will differ markedly not only from one location to another, but also across socio-economic groups within the same community. This complexity emphasizes the need for critical analysis of the social and economic factors that underpin the dynamics of wetland resource use. Without detailed understanding it will be impossible to develop effective policies and achieve management strategies that simultaneously minimize conflict and ensure both environmental conservation and poverty reduction.

Publications

McCartney, M.P. and Van Koppen, B. 2004. Wetland contributions to livelihoods in United Republic of Tanzania. FAO Netherlands Partnership Program: Sustainable Development and Management of Wetlands 42 pp.

Masiyandima, M., McCartney, M.P. and Van Koppen, B. 2004. Wetland contributions to livelihoods in Zambia. FAO Netherlands Partnership Program: Sustainable Development and Management of Wetlands 50 pp.

Contact
For further information contact Matthew McCartney (email: m.mccartney@cgiar.org) or Mutsa Masiyandima (email:.masiyandima@cgiar.org).