Water availability and distribution in Africa: Effects of the IFAD irrigation scheme in Kiru Valley, Tanzania

The case study was made in the area of Kiru Valley, Tanzania, in order to study the conflicts over the water in the river Dodumera, and also to understand how the villages Mawemairo, Matufa and Mapea have been affected by the construction of the IFAD irrigation scheme. The aim was to connect the conflicts in the area with a general view of how water can create such conflicts. The method used in the case study was semi-structured interviews. The results from the interviews made with farmers and officials in Kiru Valley was analysed through general theories about water conflicts and theories about governing common-pool resources, such as Ostrom's eight principles and the theory the Tragedy of the Commons. The analysis was also made through the IFAD poverty reduction strategy programme (PRSP). The IFAD project has been very successful and has contributed to an increase of livelihood and development in the villages. However, the scheme has contributed to a decrease of water availability in the Dodumera River for Mapea. On the other hand, the scheme has helped to reduce the conflicts between the farmers in Mawemairo and Matufa.