Sustainable Rural Livelihoods for Farmers through Popular Education in Bukoba Location, Tanzania
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Date
2001-04
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
In most developing countries, rural inhabitants using locally available materials are
able to provide for their own livelihood. The present study brings together studies of
experiences with rural human settlements in Bukabuye, Bukoba location, in Tanzania. The
case study highlights four fundamental issues in rural human settlements, development, and
management; first, the need for decentralized participatory frameworks of rural development.
Secondly, the potential of an enabling approach to rural development; thirdly, the importance
of integrating projects within wider programs aimed at enhancing the income-generating
capacity of the rural poor; and fourthly, the importance of appropriate technology in rural
shelter programs.
In spite of Africa having a sizeable population and many specialists who still lives in
a culture which do not appreciate fully its own resources. Therefore, the immediate aim of
the study is to disseminate information on the above experience, from which both positive
and negative lessons may be learned. In the long run, it is hoped that this study will
contribute to the formulation of coherent rural human settlement development and
management policies. How should we use our minds so that all the resources, which we
have, are used in a meaningful manner? We have resources such as human talents labour,
land, rivers, swamps, birds, animals and rainwater which is wasted.
If China has managed by using the same resources, why not Africa? "In 1949,
hunger was still a constant threat to the vast majority of the Chinese people. Since then the
Chinese have channeled rivers and streams, drained swamps, terraced the land and
cultivated it and laid irrigation systems''. Perhaps the greatest achievement is that they
relied on peasants. Ecologically it remained very sound since it used mostly human and
animal excrement as fertilizers. All these resources are not difficult to find in Africa places,
but are left to slip away. The good example we have is rainwater. Over the last few months
we had very heavy rains in Nairobi after a long period of drought, to a point where cars were
wading in flooded roads, while the taps was dry back home. At the same time power
problems continue due to lack of sufficient water in the dams.
It is the researcher's hope that this study will shed some light in helping Africans,
specifically Tanzanians, realize the importance of using effectively African resources, and by doing so, we can make agriculture the basis of our economy here in Africa. This does not
mean that we agree with the forceful means used by China on family planning.
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Keywords
Agricultural, Crops, Educational services delivery