Mtwara region,
Mtwara rural district

Land department;

Agriculture department;

CSO partners (UPT, ROSDO):

Village councils (118 councils);

Ward development committees (in 18 wards);

CONCERN:

Community members: those most vulnerable. Some activities are with all, some are with specific target groups (women, youth, leaders, those with HIV)

November 2005, to December 2007

Whole duration of pilot project, but not considering new phase (which started in January 2008)

Fulfilment of the right to adequate standards of living

Enhance the capacity and interaction between holders and bearers... right to adequate food and right to land

Fulfilment of the right to adequate standards of living

Enhance the capacity and interaction between holders and bearers... right to adequate food and right to land

1. Citizens participate demanding services
2. service providers carry out responsibilities
3. Government, CSOs and donors mainstream equality, improving recognition of equal rights
4. Mainstream HIV
5. CONCERN’s competence increased

Political. Administratively Mtwara District Council comprised of 18 administrative Wards with 118 Villages scattered the through the Indian Ocean and Ruvuma estuary, the Makonde Plateau and Lake Kitrere Basin. 99% of the people in Mtwara Rural District are Muslims

Economy and livelihoods. 95% of the people in Mtwara District reside in rural areas and engage in subsistence agriculture and livestock keeping. Poverty is endemic in Mtwara because there is poor agriculture productivity. Cash crops grown include Cashew nuts, Sesame and Ground nuts while food crops are Cassava, Sorghum, Maize and Paddy. Apart from crops; people in Mtwara keep small stocks such as local chicken, goat, sheep and rarely cattle. Small scale fishing is also undertaken through the Indian Ocean, Ruvuma River, Lake Chidya and Kitere.

Small businesses are also undertaken to subsidize funding base. These include small shops, milling machines, processed food stuffs such cassava as well as selling of both cash and food crops mainly cashew nuts, paddy, cow peas and ground nuts.

Infrastructure. The area has been characterized by poor and un tarmac road although all the Villages are reached and connected to the main roads.

Wild animals such as lions threatening people’s lives. Natural resources exists such as forest, ocean, Ruvuma river, natural gas and salt industries

Lack of land ownership in line with the Village Land Act of 1999. Land and boarder conflicts between individuals and neighborhood. Citizens don’t understand their rights. Local Government leaders at Village and Ward level unaware of their roles and responsibilities.

Unreliable market for the cash crops mainly Cashew nuts. Market monopolized by middlemen’s. Unreliable rainfall and weak irrigation activities. Poor agricultural production. Crop and livestock pests and diseases

Lack of information on agriculture and marketing issues. Agriculture inputs sold at higher price and they are not enough also not available on time.

Weak extension services; extension staff unable to reach farmers frequency due to lack of transport. Inadequate livestock especially cattle

Women not attending Village development meetings and whenever they attend they are silent. This is because under Islamic teachings women are not supposed to talk before men and contest for leadership position.

Introduced irrigation agriculture along the valley especially for paddy and horticulture

Formation of Mtwara Region Inputs Trust Fund (MRAITF)

Introduce cattle production farms

Sensitize women to participate in meetings

Sensitization campaigns were done in Villages on HIV and AIDS