Environmental policy and administrative management

Context: Low and unreliable rainfall is the main problem for farmers and agro-pastoralists at Nyashimo village. Apart from being inadequate, the rains around Nyashimo are also highly unpredictable. For instance, one cannot predict as to how much rain may be expected in any given year. In addition, it is difficult to fore- tell as to which month of the year will the rains fall. Because of this scenario, it is difficult for smallholder farmers to plan production of various crops. As a result, quite often crops fail en masse and this leads to the vicious circle of deterioration of livelihoods. The proposed project would improve supply of water for small scale irrigation and animal watering both of which will improve livelihoods and increase adaptation to climate variabilities. About the proponent; VIFESA was established in 1995 as a CBO. In 2008, it was registered as an NGO. It has successful activities in Magu District. Notable community development activities include training and dissemination of household energy stoves, SACCOs and HIV.AIDS. VIFESA also supports tree planting and conservation of Lake Victoria. Project main Objective: 1. To address drought as a result of climate change variability by establishing a water dam 2. To use water so harvested in the dam for crop irrigation and animal watering 3. To conserve the dam catchment area through three planting and prohibiting human activities.

Tanzania