Browsing by Author "Shitima, Christina"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    An analysis of the household development strategies and their linkage to river basin resources in Tanzania
    (Mzumbe University, 2018) Shitima, Christina
    More than a decade ago, the Tanzanian government reformed its policy on the governance of water resources from a predominantly centralized system to a more participatory approach. The implementation of the policy required a simultaneous consideration of both the ecological and social cultural context of the basin and involvement of different stakeholders during the planning and management of water resources. The policy implementation was expected to conserve basins resources without negatively affecting livelihoods of people who depend on river basin resources (RBR). Despite the water policy reform, RBR in Tanzania are still degrading. While the factors for the RBR degradation are well articulated in literature, there is still a knowledge gap in terms of individuals’ characteristics that govern their use of RBR in Tanzania. From this vantage point, our study sets out to investigate in more depth the factors that influence the uses of RBR in different socio-economic and cultural contexts to inform policies on the improvement of rural livelihoods while at the same time protecting the river basin natural resource bases. More specifically, we analyze household characteristics that govern decisions regarding RBR use and assess linkages between people’s access to RBR , choices of development strategies and degradation of RBR. The study uses data collected from households residing along Kilombero Basin and Simiyu Basin.Intra-household data were collected from different household members aged 18 and above who carry out different socio-economic activities. A mixed methods research design, the qualitative— quantitative—qualitative approaches, were used in a sequential manner to answer the research questions. Findings show that informal social relation factors influence both practical rights to use RBR and benefits from the use of resources, which further result in diversities in occupational choices. While almost everyone practices seasonal farming to provide food for household consumption, informal social relation factors and access to social and financial capitals, affect participation in activities that are used for income generation. Lastly, yet importantly, gender, participation in multiple activities and environmental awareness are important factors for people to practice pro-environmental behavior The study provides important contributions to the literature on access to resources as well as to the policy settings by showing the importance of distinguishing between practical rights to use resources and benefits derived from their use. Furthermore, the study confirmed intersectionality and intra-household theories by demonstrating that both men and women are heterogeneous groups in societies. The findings that show that access to social and financial capitals are important factors for people to diversify away from non-environmental to environmental friendly activities provide important information to policy makers and other practitioners dealing with conservation. The study also sheds light on the importance of providing people with environmental education and incentives to encourage pro-environmental behavior.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Formalization of sand mining in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
    (Resources Policy, 2023) Shitima, Christina ; Suykens , Bert
    While artisanal and small-scale mining have for decades gained attention of both policy makers and academic researchers, very little is known about the organization and governance of sand extraction. Sand extraction is often related to violence and mafia organization. This article goes beyond criminalization and mafia to interrogate different governance regimes around sand mining. It further the debate of sand governance by looking at the formalization process of artisanal and small-scale sand mining in rivers in the Dar es Salaam Region of Tanzania. Based on the interview with different stakeholders, the paper unpacks the key aspects and rationales of the formalization by looking at the roles of different institutions and their relations, the way the formalization process has been perceived across the sand commodity chain and community and the environmental impacts of sand mining. Given booming sand extraction in many parts of Sub-Sahara Africa, policy makers, both at the national and international level, should take stock of governance efforts for sand mining in the Dar Es Salaam area and the integration of, and even clear focus on artisanal mining formalization in this.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Intersections of gender and age in accessing river basin resources in Tanzania: A comparative analysis of fishing and agro-pastoralist communities in rural areas of Tanzania
    (Africa Focus, 2018) Shitima, Christina
    This paper applies intersectionality theories to investigate how informal social relations factors in terms of age and gender interact to affect people’s access to river basin resources (RBR) in Tanzania. Access to RBR is defined as practical rights to use RBR and benefits that are accrued from the use of RBR. Data were collected from a survey conducted among households living along the Kilombero River in Tanzania. Three villages that differ in cultural backgrounds i.e. a fishing community, an agro-pastoralist community and a village with people from multi-cultural groups were included in the survey. A multivariate probit model is used to determine access in terms of practical rights to use RBR, and a generalized ordered logit model is used to determine access in terms of benefits from the use of RBR. Findings show that both practical rights to use RBR and benefits from the use of resources are highly gendered, though their impact differs according to age groups and cultural groups. One common feature in all cultural groups is that the norms that deny women rights to use RBR result in a gendered distribution of labour, especially when access to RBR leads to income-generating activities. The findings also highlight that women are less likely to benefit from the use of resources. Within a single cultural group, a fishing community, the study found that benefits from the use of RBR vary according to age. In line with intersectionality theories, we conclude that, both men and women are heterogeneous groups in societies. While it is generally perceived that women in rural areas are the victims of norms that deny their development, this is not the case for all women. Findings also reveal the importance of distinguishing between practical rights to use resources and benefits derived from their use
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    The dynamism of communication technology adoption, market information and welfare: evidence from Nile perch (Lates niloticus) fish market, Mwanza, Tanzania
    (Likes & Reservoirs : science, policy and management for suistanable use, 2023) Kitole, Felician ; Lihawa, Robert; Sesabo, Jennifer; Shitima, Christina
    Despite the growing importance of digital technology in modern society, its adoption in some sectors and regions has been slow. One such sector is fishing in developing countries, where the potential benefits of technology have yet to be fully realized. This study examines the adoption of communication technology among Nile perch fishers on Lake Victoria in Mwanza, Tanzania. Using a Probit model and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimations with Robust Standard Errors (OLSR), the study analyzes the impact of technology adoption on fishers' welfare, with a focus on income. The results suggest that the type of mobile phone, fishing experience, and the desire to exploit digital marketing are key factors in technology adoption among fishers. Furthermore, the study finds that technology adoption has a significant positive impact on fishers' welfare, indicating that digitalization can increase market competitiveness, openness, and improve livelihoods. To capitalize on these benefits, the study recommends that the government should support the digitalization of the fishing market and make accurate and timely market information readily available to fishers
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    The dynamism of communication technology adoption, market information and welfare: Evidence from Nile perch (Lates niloticus) fish market, Mwanza, Tanzania
    (Lakes & Reservioirs, 2024) Kitole, Felician; Lihawa, Robert; Sesabo , Jennifer; Shitima, Christina
    Despite the growing importance of digital technology in modern society, its adoption in some sectors and regions has been slow. One such sector is fishing in developing countries, where the potential benefits of technology have yet to be fully realized. This study examines the adoption of communication technology among Nile perch fishers on Lake Victoria in Mwanza, Tanzania. Using a Probit model and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimations with Robust Standard Errors (OLSR), the study analyzes the impact of technology adoption on fishers' welfare, with a focus on income. The results suggest that the type of mobile phone, fishing experience, and the desire to exploit digital marketing are key factors in technology adoption among fishers. Furthermore, the study finds that technology adoption has a significant positive impact on fishers' welfare, indicating that digitalization can increase market competitiveness, openness, and improve livelihoods. To capitalize on these benefits, the study recommends that the government should support the digitalization of the fishing market and make accurate and timely market information readily available to fishers.