Space-Time Analysis to Uncover the Nature and Complexities of Farmer-Herder Conflicts in Kilosa and Mvomero Districts, Tanzania: A Geodatabase Development

Project Background Information

Farmer-herder conflicts have been frequently reported in Tanzania and elsewhere in Africa. These conflicts have resulted in deadly confrontations with socio-economic consequences and put pressure on the utilization of land and wetlands resources. Farmer-herder conflicts occur mainly as a result of natural resource-related competitions; that is competition for access to pasture, water, wetland and fertile farming land (Mbonile & Mwamfupe, 1997; Mbonile, 2006; Mattee & Shem, 2006; Mtenga, 2019; Mussa, Mwamakimbullah & Mahonge, 2019).

Contrary to past research, our approach focuses on space-time analysis to explore how space and temporal dimensions affect the nature and complexities of farmer-herder conflicts over natural resources to create Land-Resources and Conflict incidences geodatabase (LaReCo). LaReCo combines geodatabase, web-based GIS-techniques application and geocoding protocols to create an intuitive and familiar tool that has broader practical and policy implications. Georeferenced conflict data will provide insights into the attributes of conflict incidents and their locations. In this regard, policymakers will get a better understating of the spatial-temporal evolution of conflicts hence, enabling them to devise policy actions or interventions that incorporate broader local context perspectives.

Project Coordinator

 

Dr.Tumaini Allan

 

About the Project

  • Duration of the Project: Two Years

Funding Agency:

Project is funded by Sokoine University of Agriculture Research and Innovation Support (SUARIS)

Research Areas:

Kilosa and Mvomero Districts

 

Research Goal

The overall objective is to conduct a geo-temporal spatial analysis of the nature and complexities of farmer-herder conflicts to generate Land-resources and Conflict incidences geodatabase (LaReCo) in Kilosa and Mvomero districts, Tanzania.

Research Objectives

Specifically, the study aims to:

  1. Identify and characterize the geographical and temporal evolution of conflict hotspot locations
  2. Explore the spatial relationship of conflict locations and their inherent geographical patterns
  • Explore the trends of conflict occurrence both in space and time based on their explicit characteristics

The research project outputs:

  1. Land resources and Conflict incidences geodatabase (LaReCo) for Kilosa and Mvomero districts created
  2. Two papers published in peer-reviewed reputable international journals by December 2022;
  3. Thematic maps of land resources and conflict incidences shared with the district authority in Kilosa and Mvomero Districts
  4. An iterative and adaptive approach to project learning and development embedded (i.e. Mechanisms to support scale-up and sustainability established)

Project Members:

Dr. Edwin Ngowi, Mr. Ng’winamila Kasongi, Prof. Justin. K. Urassa & Prof. John Jeckonia

Contact information

atuma@sua.ac.tz