Two Sides of the Coin: Farmer-Herder Conflict

Two sides of the coin
Conflict between pastoralists and farmers are common in northern Tanzania, where land and water grow in scarcity and the population continues to expand. Here we share the stories of two neighbours, farmer Rose and pastoralist Hanot.

Being a farmer in the traditional Datoga sense means that Rose understands both agricultural and livestock needs of the land in Hanang District.

“Here the farmers don’t use machinery, we use animals to sow, care and harvest our crops” she says.

As a member of the Mulbada w village community, at 45 years old Rose has seen an entire generation of conflict between farmers and pastoralists as both a growing local population and reduced land access compromised everyone’s economic wellbeing.

“Producing maze and beans has financially supported my family for as long as we can remember. But in the 20 years that I have been the primary farmer for my family, I have seen a large increase in the number of pastoralists and livestock passing through my farm.”

One morning a few years ago Rose awoke to find all of her crops destroyed by livestock that had passed over her land in the night.

“My farm provides for the food, education and everyday needs for my family” says the mother of five. "Having our livelihoods destroyed can't help but cause conflict, even when the pastoralists are our neighbours." Rose also credits recent positive changes in Mulbada w to UCRT’s intervention.

“UCRT helped the situation by separating and protecting pastoralist and farming areas with by-laws. Our new land use plans mean everyone has the access to the farming and grazing areas they need to provide for their families”