Assessing the Effects of Land Disputes between Farmers and Pastoralists

Abstract

An assessment was conducted at Rufiji district to ascertain the effects of land dispute between farmers and pastoralists, the main objective of the study was to assess the impact of land disputes between farmers and pastoralists in Tanzania. Specifically, the study focused on the extent to which land disputes between farmers and pastoralists effect social, economic and security aspects in Tanzania. Data was collected from 90 respondents from Rufiji district who were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was analyzed using Partial Least Square- Structure Equation Models (PLS-SEM). Findings established that Land Disputes between farmers and pastoralists have a significant relationship with Economic Effects in Tanzania. Findings imply that a unit increase in Land Disputes between farmers and pastoralists will lead to a coinciding increase in Economic Effects by 49 percent. Likewise, results derived from PLS-SEM in table 4.5 indicate that Land Disputes between farmers and pastoralists have a significant relationship with Security Effects in Tanzania. Subsequently, a unit increase in Land Disputes between farmers and pastoralists will lead to a coinciding increase in Security Effects by 55 percent. Conversely, Likewise, results indicate that Land Disputes between farmers and pastoralists have a significant relationship with Social Effects in Tanzania. Consequently, a unit increase in Land Disputes between farmers and pastoralists will lead to a coinciding increase in Social Effects by 55 percent. Therefore, the study recommended that there should be an enhanced dispute resolution mechanisms to ensure that land tensions are solved promptly and reduce escalations that may lead to negative economic and social implications; the government needs to empower knowledge and tools to local communities, mostly the poor and marginalized, so as to assert their land rights; Public education campaigns and the use of community level paralegals can bridge the gap in legal literacy; ensuring that all individuals have access to information on land rights and legal recourse.