Browsing by Author "Walingo, Mary K."

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    Livelihood diversification and implications on poverty and environment in the Lake Victoria Basin
    (Academic Journals, 2008-10-31) Kangalawe, Richard Y. M.; Liwenga, Emma T.; Kabumbuli, Robert; Walingo, Mary K.
    This paper on livelihood diversification is based on an ongoing study under VicRes programme being undertaken in the Lake Victoria Basin, in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. We examine how changing socio-economic and environmental conditions contribute to livelihood diversification, land-use changes, poverty reduction strategies and environmental conservation in the Lake Victoria Basin. The study was undertaken using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative methods included focused group discussions, key informant interviews and direct observations. Quantitative data were collected using a structured household questionnaire. Qualitative were analysed with the villagers by triangulation, while quantitative data were analysed using standard statistical methods. Findings from the study indicate that while agricultural production is prominent in the highland areas, the major activity in the lowland villages is fishing. Factors such as population increase, drought, and changes in macro and micro socio-economic conditions have resulted into livelihood diversification and land use changes in the Lake Victoria basin. Some of the livelihood activities influence the socio-economic dynamics, natural resource management, and the environment, leading to increased land degradation, low agricultural productivity, water pollution, food insecurity and poverty. The study also established decreasing trends in land availability over time attributed mainly to increasing population pressure and livelihood diversification.
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    Perceived impact of land use changes and livelihood diversification strategies of communities in the Lake Victoria Basin of Kenya
    (Academic Journals, 2009) Walingo, Mary K.; Liwenga, Emma T.; Kangalawe, Richard Y. M.; Madulu, Ndalhwa F.; Kabumbuli, Robert
    The changing environment and levels of resource endowment in the Lake Victoria Basin have necessitated increased human activities as a survival technique, in an attempt to reduce poverty levels and ensure food security at the household level. This study examined the dynamics in human activities of the local communities of the Lake Victoria Basin of Kenya. Participatory Research techniques were used to gather information from the respondents in the community on selected variables. It is apparent that the major constraints that have encouraged changes in the land use patterns and livelihood diversification were low education, poor agricultural technology and knowledge, environmental, economic, cultural and social factors. There were constraints such as decreased food crop yields [maize, beans, sweet potatoes] and low production levels, decreased food crop variety and diversity, reduced food and nutrient diversity, unsustainable changes in food consumption patterns, reduced sources of water and decreased water volume. There is a strong link between the traditional systems in natural resource management, besides re-afforestation, education on wetland use and management.