Background: Community participation in water resources management is one of the important areas that need emphasis on the implementation of National Water Policy. Despite various initiatives, the situation is still alarming. Objective: This study is intended to assess the factors affecting smallholder water user’s participation and the extent of participation in water resources management in Tanzania. Methodology: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was employed to assess all the selected 397 smallholder water users in Mvomero district (particularly Mlali & Dakawa wards). The study employed the probability sampling through the use of questionnaires to collect data. However, the study used both descriptive and econometric analysis. The researcher employed a double hurdle model to analyze the factors affecting smallholder water user’s participation and the extent of participation in water resources management. Results: The results of the study indicated that the participation in water resources management was influenced by age, marital status, primary occupation, involvement in more than one activity, household size, awareness, water resources management actors and land size, while the extent was influenced by education level, primary occupation, household size, awareness and decision making. Conclusions: The study suggested that the government should emphasize the water resources management by supporting mass education, information provision, proper land distribution system. Additionally, more emphasis should be placed on managing the resources wisely to alleviate poverty.
Cite this paper
Omary, P. S. and Shitima, C. M. (2026). Socio-Economic Analysis of Smallholder Water User’s Participation on Water Resources Management in Tanzania: A Double Hurdle Analysis
. Open Access Library Journal, 13, e13365. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1113365.
Rastogi, M., Kolur, S.M., Burud, A., Sadineni, T., Sekhar, M., Kumar, R., et al. (2024) Advancing Water Conservation Tech-niques in Agriculture for Sustainable Resource Management: A Review. Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Sci-ence International, 28, 41-53. https://doi.org/10.9734/jgeesi/2024/v28i3755
Bera, A. and Das, S. (2021) Water Resource Management in Semi-Arid Purulia District of West Bengal, in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals. In: Shit, P.K., Bhunia, G.S., Adhikary, P.P. and Dash, C.J., Eds., Groundwater and Society, Springer, 501-519. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64136-8_23
Oremo, F., Mulwa, R. and Oguge, N. (2020) Sustainable Water Access and Willingness of Smallholder Irrigators to Pay for On-Farm Water Storage Systems in Tsavo Sub-Catchment, Kenya. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23, 1371-1391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00625-0
UNESCO (2022) The United Nations World Water Development Re-port 2022: Groundwater—Making the Invisible Visible. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000380721
Kanda, E.K. and Lutta, V.O. (2022) The Status and Chal-lenges of a Modern Irrigation System in Kenya: A Systematic Review. Irrigation and Drainage, 71, 27-38.
van Koppen, B., Smits, S. and Butterworth, J. (2022) Inclusive Water Governance for Smallholders: Innovations and Practices in Sub-Saharan Africa. Water International, 47, 243-260.
UNESCO (2023) UN World Water Development Report 2023: Partnerships and Cooperation for Water. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000384659
FAO (2021) Irrigation and Smallholder Farming in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org
Amegnaglo, C.J., Kuwornu, J.K.M. and Amegashie, D.P. (2022) Determinants of Farm-ers’ Participation and Intensity of Participation in Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from a Double Hurdle Model. Journal of Environmental Management, 301, Article ID: 113896.
Mekonnen, D.A., Geremew, B.T. and Woldemariam, A.T. (2021) Smallholder Farmers’ Participation Decision and Intensity of Participation in Water User Associations: Evidence from Ethiopia. Water Policy, 23, 146-162.
Setonga, J. and Omary, P.S. (2024) Analysis of Willingness to Pay for Improved Waste Management among Food Vendors in Mzumbe Ward, Mvomero District. OALib, 11, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1112228
Kimaro, T.R. and Msuya, E.E. (2023) Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Participation in Water Governance in Tanzania: The Role of Age and Social Capital. Journal of Water Policy and Governance, 14, 55-70.
Musoke, D. and Kabonesa, C. (2022) Age Dynamics and Participation in Water User Associa-tions: Evidence from Rural Eastern Uganda. African Journal of Environmental Management, 30, 119-134.
Komba, C.K. and Mbilinyi, B.P. (2023) Socio-Demographic Determinants of Community Participation in Water Governance: Evidence from Morogoro, Tanzania. African Journal of Water Policy, 11, 71-85.
Luyiga, S. and Nabbumba, R. (2022) Marital Status and Civic Engagement in Rural Water Governance: Lessons from Uganda’s Community-Based Water Projects. Journal of Rural Development and Sustainability, 6, 104-118.
Mdemu, M.V., Kimaro, T. and Mahoo, H. (2022) Livelihood De-pendency and Participation in Water Governance: Evidence from Rufiji Basin, Tanzania. Water Inter-national, 47, 823-838.
Komakech, H.C. and van der Zaag, P. (2022) Policy Inclusion without Practice? Fishers’ Participation in Water Governance in East Africa. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 38, 150-167.
Mussa, J. and Kimaro, T. (2023) Occupational Drivers of Smallholder Engagement in Community-Based Water Governance in Semi-Arid Tanzania. Journal of Water Policy and Governance, 15, 44-60.
Chacha, M.A. and Munishi, P.K.T. (2022) Participation without Empowerment? Examining Fisher Communities in Local Water Governance Structures in Lake Zone, Tanzania. Wa-ter Resources and Rural Development, 20, Article ID: 100207.
Mushi, R.M. and Mahoo, H.F. (2023) Livelihood Diver-sification and Participation in Water Governance: Evidence from Rural Communities in Central Tanzania. Water Internation-al, 48, 102-118.
Ncube, M., Zikhali, P. and Sibanda, M. (2022) Multi-Activity Livelihoods and Their Role in Promoting Water Governance among Smallholders in Southern Africa. African Journal of Rural Development, 7, 85-97.
Ngowi, H.P. and Lyimo, J.G. (2023) Household Dynamics and Participation in Community Water Governance in Rufiji Basin, Tanza-nia. Journal of Water and Society Development, 12, 45-61.
Kamugisha, J.E. and Rugumamu, W. (2023) Awareness and Participation in Rural Water Governance: A Paradox in Northern Tanzania. Water Policy, 25, 110-125.
Okello, C. and Njiru, H. (2022) Community Knowledge and Participation in Water Resource Management in Kenya: Gaps between Awareness and Action. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 16, 157-165.
Luhanga, C. and Temba, E. (2022) Effect of Awareness on Community Participation in Water and Sanitation Programs in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Development Studies, 20, 49-63.
Mtei, K., Kashaigili, J. and Mwang’onda, E. (2024) Impact of Environ-mental Education on Community Participation in Watershed Management: Evidence from South-ern Highlands of Tanzania. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 40, 78-95.
Mwakyusa, D.M. and Mwamfupe, D. (2023) Pub-lic Trust and Participation in Rural Water Governance: The Role of State Actors in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Com-munity Development, 18, 33-47.
Kideghesho, J.R., Massawe, B. and Rwehumbiza, D. (2022) Institutional Performance of Water User Associations in Tanzania: Between Promise and Reality. Water Policy, 24, 456-470.
Dlamini, T.S. and Ncube, M. (2022) Enhancing Community Participation through Inclusive Decision-Making in Rural Water Management: Evidence from Eswatini. Journal of African Governance, 8, 27-43.
Mwalukasa, M.A. and Makoye, H.R. (2023) The Role of Household Participation in Decision-Making on the Sustainability of Rural Water Governance in Tanzania. Water Governance Review, 14, 91-106.
Mkonda, M.Y. and Ndalahwa, F.A. (2022) Landholding Size and Smallholder Partic-ipation in Irrigation Management: Evidence from Southern Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Research, 18, 63-77.
Gathagu, G., Agwata, J. and Mulwa, R. (2014) Socio-Economic Factors Hindering the Participation of Women in Water Resources Management: A Case Study of Kajiado County, Kenya. International Journal of Development and Sustaina-bility, 3, 768-779.
