International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2016): 79.57 | Impact Factor (2017): 7.296 Contribution of Local Leaders towards Land Conflict Management in Tanzania: A Case of Farming Communities in Monduli District Nsia Humphrey1, Peter A. Kopoka. PHD2 1, 2Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to assess the contribution of local leaders towards land conflict management. The paper is based on a study conducted in MonduliJuu ward in Monduli District in Arusha region. The study aimed at identifying sources of land conflicts, identifying the role of local leaders towards land conflicts management and examining the effectiveness of local leaders towards land conflicts management among farmers and pastoralists in MonduliJuu ward. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative research approaches, the data were collected by using questionnaires and interview. The study employed a descriptive survey research design while the respondents were selected by using purposive sampling techniques and simple random sampling. The study involved 100 respondents which include 10 local leaders, 45 farmers and 45 pastoralists from MonduliJuu ward in Monduli District. The findings revealed that sources of land conflicts among farmers and pastoralists were poor land planning, scarcity of land and scramble for pasture. Furthermore,the findings discovered that local leaders play a leading role in solving land conflicts among farmers and pastoralists communities but during conflicts some of the local leaders favor their owncommunities andeven some of them take bribes when solving herders-farmers conflicts which creates dispute among the communities. Thus, the study recommends that in order to solve land conflicts, local leaders should be at the forefront to control and manage land conflict in time and should avoid taking bribe and put aside theirself-interest. The government should put additional emphasis on implementing village land use plans and should provide education on laws, regulations and procedures governing land ownership. Keywords: land conflict, local leaders, land use plan, Poor education 1. Introduction where land access had traditionally been characterized as relatively egalitarian. Conflict is hereby defined as a The vital importance of land issues to socio-economic difference in preferred outcomes in a bargaining situation. It development in Africa is unquestionable. Land is very is a disagreement between two or more parties in search for crucial in any production within a society whereby equitable a particular interest such as social structural, religious and secure access to land is a critical factor for the sentiments racial or ethnic differences (Goldstein & development. It provides a sense of security in contexts Pevehouse 2006). Again Mpangala (2002) defined conflict where formal employment opportunities and access to as a confrontation that arises from incompatible interests of resources are limited. Land resources continue to have major opposing parties. historical, cultural and spiritual significance (Askew, Maganga, & Odgaard, 2013). In Tanzania, land conflict is not a new phenomenon. Rwechungura (2011) reported that, even though Tanzania In East Africa, land plays a leading role in sustainable remains relatively comfortable with arable tracts estimated economic development whereby large population depends at 44 million hectares for various uses, mostly agricultural on it in industry, urban life and agricultural livelihood. It activities, the country is not free from land related conflicts. remains the fundamental importance to large majority of The country has been experiencing an increasing magnitude people. Land provides the means of existence that is in food of conflict among land-users particularly between cultivators production and without it, man is poor Evans (2013). This is and pastoralists. This argument is supported by William, also true for Tanzania whereby to a large extent, a majority (1999) who argues that, conflicts often erupt between (about 80 per cent) of her population depends on land for pastoralists and farmers over access to land and water agriculture. The remaining 20% of the population use land resources. This situation happens due to the farmers‟ for other activities such as, industries, forestry, pastoralist expansion into marginal lands resulting into competition and fishery (Navuri, 2011). Although a new generation of between livestock and crop production. farmers and pastoralists has emerged, they still seem to favor cash crop cultivation and animal keeping with the main Furthermore, poor distribution of people engaged in farming problem again remaining to be land shortage. has always created problems and sometimes leading to deadly conflicts. In Tanzania, areas such Monduli District, Other land problems that face both farmers and pastoralists Arumeru, Longido district in Arusha region. Other areas include the reality that while population is growing fast, the include: Kilosa and Kilombero districts in Morogoro region; land resource is stagnant and hence creating a situation for Kilindi and Handeni districts in Tanga region, and Mbarali conflict to arise. However, despite the importance of land, it district in Mbeya region. All of these are places that have has posed many challenges and become a source of conflict experienced land conflicts between farmers and pastoralists in Africa. A study done by Yamano (2005) revealed that, in recent years. These conflicts have mostly resulted into land is increasingly becoming a source of conflicts in Africa, loss of lives, destruction of property and the turning the areas into war zones, as they try to clinch the right to use the Volume 7 Issue 6, June 2018 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Paper ID: ART20183221 DOI: 10.21275/ART20183221 592 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2016): 79.57 | Impact Factor (2017): 7.296 land (Chawene, 2012). Land conflicts among agro-pastoral was collected through documentation. Valuable background communities have been major threats to the community and information was collected from published and unpublished a nation at large. This is because land resource is the most literature. These are such as Monduli District Council useful for both crops cultivation and livestock keepers. Reports, books, journals, reports and newspapers and website. A pilot test was carried out at MonduliMjini; a The relationship between peasants versus pastoralists in convenience sample of 10 questionnaires was distributed to Tanzania is one of ambivalence. There are cases of respondents and returned questionnaires enabled a communal warfare, for example Kilosa killings of 2008 and researcher to refine the survey instruments. To improve the peaceful coexistence (Benjaminsen, et al 2009). In Tanzania comprehensibility and clarity of the questionnaire, difficult pastoralists in-migrations toward peasants territory is an words were relieved with simpler words where overriding phenomenon and is unlikely going to be halted possible.Statistical Package for Social Science version 21 (Mattee & Shem, 2006), although the Agriculture and used to process and analyzes data by using descriptive and Livestock Policy of 1997 discourage any movement of inferential statistics. pastoralists with their cattle. The study included 100 respondents from MonduliJuu ward In Tanzania both modern and traditional mechanisms are which composed of 45 farmers, 45 pastoralists and 10 local employed to resolve land conflict. Takashi, (2005) suggests leaders.Thesample sizewas obtained by using the following a combination of both formal methods (village land formula developed by Yamane (1967); committee, village council, police forces and courts) and N informal methods (traditional rulers, elders, groups) n 2 However, previous studies done on resolving land conflict emphasized on modern mechanisms such as negotiation, 1 N(e ) arbitration, mediation, reconciliation, adjudication as pointed by UN Charter chapter six, article 33. For example, 3. Results and Analysis Schellenberg (1996) pointed out that, the approaches of conflict resolution should base upon BATNA (Best 3.1. Sources of land conflicts among farmers and Alternative to Negotiated an Agreement). Schellenberg pastoralists communities identifies five different methodologies practices that can lead to conflict resolution, leaving out the contribution of The study sought to determine how poor land planning, local leaders towards land conflict management, therefore populationincrease and lack of sustainable land use this study intended to assess the contribution of local leaders education are the sources of land conflict among farmer- herder community. The Analysis shows that 71.1 % of both towards land conflicts management amongfarmers and pastoralists in Monduli district in Arusha region. farmers and pastoralists said that poor land planning is the source of land conflict, 88.9 % of both farmers and pastoralist confirmed that population increase is the source 2. Methodology of land conflicts and 40 % of bot farmers and pastoralist argued that lack of sustainable land use education is the 2.1. Study Area sources of land conflicts among farmers and pastoralists. The finding of this study indicated that, population increase The study was conducted in MonduliJuu ward in Monduli contributed to the conflicts among