Household Land Fragmentation and Adaptation Strategies in Moshi District Council in Tanzania

Abstract

Increased population in the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro has created pressure on existing land resources. This study examines the implications of land fragmentation on household agricultural practices in high population density areas in Moshi District Council, and how households adjust themselves to these implications. It used an explanatory sequential mixed method approach that combines household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The quantitative data were collected from 400 respondents randomly selected from households across three villages. The findings revealed that Moshi District was experiencing an increase in population, which led to household land fragmentation. Such fragmentation has resulted into the decline in farm size, household income, and food shortage in households. To combat these adverse effects, households have adopted various strategies to cope with the impacts to sustain theirlivelihoods. These strategies include agricultural intensification and diversification, investing in children’s education, engaging in non-agricultural activities, hiring land from other places, and doing casual labour. The observed widespread adaptation of these households strategies indicate that households are not mere passive victims of land fragmentation, but are also active participants adopting to the effects of land fragmentation. It is recommended that national policies and land development programmes should support community initiatives to strengthen their adaptation strategies to sustain households’ best livelihood practices at the local and national levels.