IN SEARCH OF THE SOLUTION TO FARMER–PASTORALIST CONFLICTS IN TANZANIA

This research paper examines the causes and resolution of land-use conflicts between farmers and pastoralists in Tanzania, specifically focusing on the Pawaga division. It argues that these conflicts are driven by historical evictions, 'green grabbing' for conservation, large-scale agricultural investments, and a formal land dispute settlement system that is biased against pastoralists. The author proposes a community-based coalition model, piloted by the Tanzania Natural Resource Forum (TNRF), as a more effective alternative to formal judicial and administrative mechanisms.

• Farmer–pastoralist conflicts in Tanzania are deeply rooted in historical injustices, specifically evictions occurring from the colonial period through the early 1990s to create protected areas and large-scale agricultural farms.
• Tanzania's formal land dispute settlement machinery is inadequate for resolving these conflicts because it relies on a rigid distinction between civil and criminal cases, often leaving the primary cause—land—unaddressed while focusing on criminal acts.
• There is a systemic bias against pastoralists within the Tanzanian government and judiciary. National policies and laws, such as the National Land Policy of 1995 and the Grazing-Land and Animal Feed Resources Act of 2010, discourage pastoralism in favor of sedentary livestock keeping.
• In the Pawaga division, conflicts are driven by external factors rather than the farmers and pastoralists themselves. These include 'green grabbing' for conservation (e.g., Ruaha National Park), government irrigation schemes under the Kilimo Kwanza initiative, and the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT).
• Local governance and security apparatuses often exacerbate conflicts. Some village leaders and police officers are accused of instigating hostilities to extract bribes from pastoralists, who are perceived to have easier access to money.
• A pilot initiative by the Tanzania Natural Resource Forum (TNRF) in Pawaga division established a loose coalition of farmers and pastoralists. This forum has led to a drastic drop in violence and the creation of mutually beneficial agreements, such as allowing livestock to graze on rice husks for a fee.

APA

MASSAY, G. E. (2017). IN SEARCH OF THE SOLUTION TO FARMER–PASTORALIST CONFLICTS IN TANZANIA. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Occasional-Paper-257.pdf

Chicago

MASSAY, GODFREY ELISEUS. IN SEARCH OF THE SOLUTION TO FARMER–PASTORALIST CONFLICTS IN TANZANIA. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2017. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Occasional-Paper-257.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=MASSAY |first1=GODFREY ELISEUS |title=IN SEARCH OF THE SOLUTION TO FARMER–PASTORALIST CONFLICTS IN TANZANIA |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=May 2017 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Occasional-Paper-257.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{massay2017search, author = {MASSAY, GODFREY ELISEUS}, title = {{IN SEARCH OF THE SOLUTION TO FARMER–PASTORALIST CONFLICTS IN TANZANIA}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2017}, month = may, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Occasional-Paper-257.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }