An Analysis of Institutional Arrangements in Governance of Agrarian Systems: A Case Study of Muleba and Missenyi Districts

Rwetembula, Burchard Mpaka Bernardo (2019) An Analysis of Institutional Arrangements in Governance of Agrarian Systems: A Case Study of Muleba and Missenyi Districts. ["eprint_fieldopt_thesis_type_phd" not defined] thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

A study was conducted in six villages in Muleba and Missenyi districts, Kagera region, to analyze types and roles of institutions governing land in the agrarian system. A questionnaire survey, observation and Focus Group Discussion methods were employed in data collection. The main land uses and related economic activities in the study area were small holding farming (56%), pastoralism (4.5%), small-hold gardening (3.6%) and agro-forest (7.5%). The main live-hood support systems were predominantly agrarian basing on agriculture activities. The area was facing serious land shortage (98.5%) where the majority of respondents owned between 1 and 2 acres of land (38.5%); mainly held under customary institutions (34.3%). The land was accessed through inheritance (42.4%) and purchases (30.3%). Tenure security of land for most rural communities was guaranteed through customary institutions. There was reported increasing land commercialization. The area was also facing increasing land-use conflicts (93%). Main conflict types were: farmers’ vs pastoralists in Mleba district; and farmers’ vs state agencies in Missenyi district. The local customary mechanisms were rated the most efficient in resolving land-use conflicts. While, formal institutions were employed to ex-appropriate land from local communities. A new customary institution “emiteko” has evolved in the study area to organize collective labour of production and safe guard tenure security of land. This is in response to increased commercialization of the agrarian system. It was recommended to integrate the local customary conflict resolution mechanism in resolving land-use disputes at district level.

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