Institutional Factors that Influence the Survival of Traditional Irrigation Schemes in Nyandira: A Case of Mvomero District, Morogoro, Tanzania

Many studies on irrigation institutions in Tanzania have not focused on the survival of the traditional irrigation schemes. Therefore this study aimed to fill that knowledge gap. The main objective of this study was to assess institutional factors that influence survival of traditional irrigation schemes in Mvomero District, Tanzania. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and data was collected from a sample of 200 respondents through household questionnaire survey. Additionally, focus group discussions and key informant interview methods were used in collecting the data. Multistage, purposive and simple random sampling methods were used. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis and quantitative data by Statistical package for social science. The results show that enforcement on water payment fees (β = +0.796), water committee (β = +0.159) and users conformity to rules and regulations (β = +0.060) are statistically significant at p < 0.001 while rules on water distribution (β = +0.0125) and land ownership (β = +0.096) are statistically significant at p < 0.01. Also, 57% of respondents had a positive attitude towards the importance of water permits. Furthermore, Gender relations are similar on access to (95%) and control (94%) over resources thus it was practiced jointly. Based on these results it is concluded that water user associations should be registered and apply for water permits to get public funds. This will strengthen the survival of traditional irrigation schemes in Tanzania. Keywords: Institutional factors, Water permits and Gender Relations

A Multicriteria Analysis of Groundwater Development Pathways in Three River Basins in Sub-Saharan Africa

Reliance on groundwater in Sub-Saharan Africa is growing and expected to rise as surface water resource variability increases under climate change. Major questions remain about how groundwater will be used, and who informs these decisions. We represent different visions of groundwater use by ‘pathways’: politically and environmentally embedded socio-technological regimes for governing and managing groundwater systems. We presented policy actors (9 sets), development and research stakeholders (4 sets), and water users (6 sets) in three river basins in Ethiopia, Niger and Tanzania with information on the social and environmental impacts of six ‘Groundwater Development Pathways’, before gathering their opinions on each, through Multicriteria Mapping (MCM). Participants preferred pathways of low-intensity use, incorporating multiple agricultural, pastoral and domestic purposes, to high-intensity single-use pathways. Water availability and environmental sustainability, including water quality, were central concerns. Participants recognised that all groundwater uses potentially impinge upon one another affecting both the quantity and quality of abstracted water. Across participant groups there was ambiguity about what the most important water use was; each expressed demands for more detailed, certain modelling data. Water users preferred community or municipal-scale management regimes, perceiving that water quality was more likely to be safeguarded by institutions at these levels, whereas policy and development actors preferred individual-scale management, viewed as more efficient in terms of operation and maintenance. We conclude that MCM, combined with more detailed modelling, can provide an effective framework for policy actors to understand other stakeholders’ perspectives on groundwater development futures, enabling equitable, inclusive decision-making and governance

Root zone soil moisture redistribution in maize (Zea mays L.) under different water application regimes

8pSoil moisture availability to plant roots is very important for crop growth. When soil moisture is not available in the root zone, plants wilt and yield is reduced. Adequate knowledge of the distribution of soil moisture within crop’s root zone and its linkage to the amount of water ap- plied is very important as it assists in optimising the efficient use of water and reducing yield loss- es. The study aimed at evaluating the spatial redistribution of soil moisture within maize roots zone under different irrigation water application regimes. The study was conducted during two irrigatation seasons of 2012 at Nkango Irrigation Scheme, Malawi. The trials consisted of factorial arrangement in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD). The factors were water and ni- trogen and both were at four levels. The Triscan Sensor was used to measure volumetric soil mo- isture contents at different vertical and lateral points. The study inferred that the degree of soil moisture loss depends on the amount of water present in the soil. The rate of soil moisture loss in 100% of full water requirement regime (100% FWRR) treatment was higher than that in 40% FWRR treatment. This was particularly noticed when maize leaves were dry. In 100% FWRR treatment, the attraction between water and the surfaces of soil particles was not tight and as such “free” water was lost through evaporation and deep percolation, while in 40% FWRR, water was strongly attracted to and held on the soil particles surfaces and as such its potential of losing water was reduced

Root zone soil moisture redistribution in maize (Zea mays L.) under different water application regimes

8pSoil moisture availability to plant roots is very important for crop growth. When soil moisture is not available in the root zone, plants wilt and yield is reduced. Adequate knowledge of the distribution of soil moisture within crop’s root zone and its linkage to the amount of water ap- plied is very important as it assists in optimising the efficient use of water and reducing yield loss- es. The study aimed at evaluating the spatial redistribution of soil moisture within maize roots zone under different irrigation water application regimes. The study was conducted during two irrigatation seasons of 2012 at Nkango Irrigation Scheme, Malawi. The trials consisted of factorial arrangement in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD). The factors were water and ni- trogen and both were at four levels. The Triscan Sensor was used to measure volumetric soil mo- isture contents at different vertical and lateral points. The study inferred that the degree of soil moisture loss depends on the amount of water present in the soil. The rate of soil moisture loss in 100% of full water requirement regime (100% FWRR) treatment was higher than that in 40% FWRR treatment. This was particularly noticed when maize leaves were dry. In 100% FWRR treatment, the attraction between water and the surfaces of soil particles was not tight and as such “free” water was lost through evaporation and deep percolation, while in 40% FWRR, water was strongly attracted to and held on the soil particles surfaces and as such its potential of losing water was reduced