Empowering pastoralists to drive their own development 

Northern Tanzania Pastoralist Project

The Barabaig are one of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in northern Tanzania. As pastoralists, they are traditionally reliant on the land around them to rear livestock to sell for food. However, the Barabaig are facing increasing pressure from commercial and smallholder farmers who also want to use the land.  Without knowledge of land laws or basic advocacy skills they are unable to assert their rights to the land.

The harsh environment and poor infrastructure means that many pastoralists have inadequate access to affordable veterinary care.  By selecting members of the community to train and equip as Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), FARM-Africa is able to change this and improve animal health in the area.

Pastoralist communities are also seeking to diversify their means to earn a living.  A key barrier to this is a lack of available credit which makes it almost impossible for people to access the small loans they need to set up new enterprises.  By helping existing community groups to form household savings groups we are addressing this key issue.

How are communities benefiting?

Using mobile outreach camps, the Northern Tanzania Pastoralist Project is working directly with Barabaig pastoralist communities in Babati, Hanang and Mbulu districts.

• Increased availability of affordable animal healthcare.  FARM-Africa trained Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) are able to offer a simple veterinary service to surrounding villages. This is improving livestock’s health, which means the Barabaig benefit from more nutritious milk and can sell healthy offspring for a good price to raise funds for essentials like medicine and clothing.
• We’re teaching village elders and community groups about land use rights and laws. Working with us, local NGOs, commercial leaders, and communities are able to develop agreed land use plans that resolve conflicts over natural resources. With these plans in place community leaders can go to the government to lobby for rights to resources.
• Small amounts of credit are available to help community members dieversify their income sources and set up new enterprises. With training and basic equipment such a secure lock up box, local groups are setting up savings and credit co-operatives.

Who are we helping?

Our project is benefiting over 21,000 Barabaig households in three districts of the Manyara Region.

Project partners

FARM-Africa is working together with 16 local NGOs like Hadzabe Survival Council in Tanzania (Mbulu branch).  We are also working with local governments from Hanang, Mbulu and Babati District Councils and several Ministries including The Ministry of Land, Housing and Human Settlements, The Ministry of Water, The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and The Ministry of Community Development.

Empowering pastoralists to drive their own development

Northern Tanzania Pastoralist Project

One of the problems facing pastoralist communities in northern Tanzania is a lack of access to credit to invest in setting up small businesses. By providing women's groups with the training and equipment they need to form a savings and credit co-operative this situation is changing. Members can invest a small amount of money each week into the co-operative fund, which then provides loans to community members so that they can develop their enterprises. The community member repays the loan with interest, and the interest goes to contributors to the co-operative in the form of a dividend. The co-operative scheme enables communities to invest in their own development, and reap the rewards of successful new businesses.

Restituta's story

Restituta is a 34-year-old Barabaig woman who lives in northern Tanzania with her husband and three children. She owns ten goats and successfully farms land to grow enough food for her family to eat. She even has surplus she can sell to raise money for essentials like school books and healthcare.

But life has not always been like this for Restituta. Only two years ago she had no livestock of her own, and very little land to grow crops on. Her family was one of many who faced a daily struggle just to feed themselves. With no collateral or access to a bank, Restituta lacked the small amount of credit she needed to invest in livestock or set up a small business.

FARM-Africa provided the training and support Restituta and her fellow community members needed to set up a savings and credit co-operative called a HISA. Hisa is the Swahili word for share. HISA group members pay money into a savings fund by buying shares. The group then loans money out to community members to help them set up small businesses such as shops. At the end of each year, interest earned from all the loans is split between the members according to how many shares they own. This payment is called a dividend.

Restituta’s dividends helped her buy her ten goats, as well as send her children to school and pay for medicine when they get sick. She has been so delighted with the results she has attended more FARM-Africa training courses. She is now sharing her newfound skills with other Barabaig women.

Policy and Research

From Grassroots to Government: Farm Africa’s experiences influencing policy in sub-Saharan Africa
Adobe PDF - 781kb

Working Papers

14. Scaling-up Success - Farm Africa's new strategy for development
Adobe PDF - 444kb