The Impact of Equitable Payment for Watershed Services Scheme on Livelihoods in Tanzania
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Date
2013
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
ISDS LLC
Abstract
Care International and WWF initiated Equitable Payments for Watershed Services (EPWS) scheme. The Scheme
aimed at modifying unsustainable land use practices to conserve watershed areas in the Uluguru Mountains and
improving the livelihoods of the communities. This study investigates the outcome of the project and this study is a
response to this. A total of 120 households were selected randomly from 3 villages under the Scheme. There was also
a consultation with focus groups and key informants. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to
collect information and analysed using Chi-square and Choice Model techniques. Findings revealed a significant
improvement in social capital and land productivity (p=0.05) while access to non-timber forest products and wildlife
resources were reported to have deteriorated. Also livelihood capital of financial, human and physical did not
improve among the EPWS participating respondents. The most preferred incentive package by the respondents was
mentioned to be sustainable land use, access to forest goods and services, improved extension services, access to
inputs and agricultural commodity markets. For sustainability of the EPWS programmes, incentives packages should
reflect the opportunity cost of abandoning the ongoing land use practices by the communities. The package should
also take into account people’s choice and preferences.
Description
Keywords
Conservation, Payment for environmental services, Livelihoods, Tanzania, Africa
Citation
Mussa, K.R. and Mwakaje, A.G. (2013), “The impact of equitable payment for watershed services scheme on livelihoods in Tanzania: The case of Uluguru Mountains”, International Journal of Development and Sustainability, Vol. 2 No. 2, pp. 1031-1051.