How water row unified farmers, pastoralists in Morogoro
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Morogoro. Mselem Kamei still remembers the days when leading his cattle to water meant risking confrontation.
Every morning, the young pastoralist in Mbwade village located at Kilosa District in Morogoro region would take pride in guiding his livestock to the valley fed by the Lami canal, the main water source for both farmers and pastoralists in the area.
The canal, supplied by the Ilonga River, runs through several villages, including Mbwade and Chanzuru.
But during the dry season, the joy of caring for his herd would quickly turn into frustration.
Water levels in the canal would drop, and farmers in Chanzuru would block the flow to irrigate their fields, leaving little or no water for the communities downstream.
The geography of the area made matters worse Mbwade lies lower in the valley, entirely dependent on water from upstream.
When the supply stopped, pastoralists like Mselem had no choice but to drive their cattle into Chanzuru in search of water.
The result was years of tension between the two communities, often spilling into bitter disputes.
“We used to take our livestock and move to those areas, and that’s when the chaos you used to hear about would happen. This was because sometimes the cattle would go for three days without getting water. As soon as they smelled it, they would head straight to cultivated farms and destroy the crops,” Mselem said.
Mselem added that some farmers laid poison along their fields or injured animals that strayed close to their farms. According to Mselem, clashes often turned violent, leaving both farmers and herders wounded.
Women bore the heaviest burden
For women like Daima Oloshuro, the conflict meant waking before dawn and trekking up to five hours to fetch water. “It exhausted us,” she recalls. “We couldn’t participate in other development activities.”
She adds that the disputes were worsened by a lack of education on water resource management.
“The lack of water education made people selfish. Everyone used it however they pleased,” she says.
A new reality
Today, Mselem no longer takes his livestock into Chanzuru. Water from the Lami canal now reaches Mbwade without interruption.
This change has spared him from losses such as animals being injured or killed when they wandered into farms during water searches.
The reduction in conflict came after both groups agreed to sit at the same table, put aside their differences, and seek a lasting solution to the water issue signaling that when communities unite, they can solve even the hardest of challenges.
Mselem says the changes have brought real relief. With water close by, cattle no longer travel long distances, avoiding exhaustion and reducing the losses that once came with migration.
“We don’t move the herds anymore, there’s no need when the water is here,” he says.
Women, too, have felt the difference. Daima Oloshuro, a 29-year-old pastoralist, said the situation in the community is now calm. After receiving education, community members have taken on the role of protecting water resources and now collaborate in safeguarding them.
Gains for Farmers
While Mbwade herders now enjoy steady access to water, Chanzuru’s farmers are seeing their own benefits.
Erimina Ruhanga, a farmer in Chanzuru, confirms that since the start of the year, no livestock from Mbwade have entered her farm, making her crops safe.
“Last year they came, grazed, and we gained nothing at all. This year they haven’t arrived yet, and everything is completely calm. For the first time, I feel confident that my crops will not be trampled by livestock,” she says.
Mohamed Vumba, a Chanzuru elder, says peace has now prevailed between farmers and herders, allowing them to carry out their activities without fear of violent clashes.
However the question remains, what made farmers and herders from Chanzuru and Mbwade finally come together to solve their water crisis, while other areas in Kilosa still battle unresolved conflicts.
Ibrahim Kindeti, a Maasai traditional leader from Mbwade, says the breakthrough came when both communities realised their true adversary was not each other, but water scarcity.
“After sitting together, we realized that many conflicts occur during the dry season when there is a shortage of water. Through the education we received from the non-governmental organization Shahidi wa Maji, we were taught how to conserve water sources, which helps ensure year-round water flow,” he says.
This year alone, the two villages have held at least four joint meetings, agreeing on rules for equitable water sharing.
One key decision was to form mediation committees to monitor use of water from the Ilonga River and address disputes early and fairly.
Backed by Policy
The 2002 Water Policy of Tanzania supports such community-led solutions, calling for collaborative approaches across sectors and the involvement of all stakeholders.
Abel Dugange, Executive Director of Shahidi wa Maji, says studies showed that water literacy was low in both villages, limiting people’s ability to solve the problem.
His organisation chose to strengthen community capacity through participatory methods, enabling both sides to identify the root causes together.
Maintaining peace a priority
Amin Mwamlosa, chairperson of the Chanzuru irrigation scheme, says their current goal is to maintain continuous water supply, protect Ilonga River, and keep irrigation infrastructure clean to prevent unnecessary conflicts.
Beyond reducing conflict, water education has empowered women to speak up about the challenges they face.
Tunu Kilongola, chair of the Chanzuru community savings group Mwangaza, notes that women now actively participate in economic and social life, unlike in the past when they stayed home, burdened by water-fetching duties.
“Now women have a voice, they are part of the solution,” she says.
A shared voice
Yasinta Samwely, the village executive officer of Chanzuru, admits reducing water conflict wasn’t easy but inclusive, participatory efforts helped establish a common voice.
“Not everyone understands, but gradually we continue providing education. A few have already changed, and for those who haven’t, we believe we will eventually reach a common understanding,” Yasinta says.
“The government will continue enforcing laws and guidelines on water use and encouraging citizens to conserve these sources so they can benefit from them in their daily activities. She added.
The Kilosa District Council continues to work with both farmers and herders to prevent the conflict from resurfacing.
Elia Shemtoi, the district’s Head of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, says sustainable solutions require bringing water closer to pastoralists to reduce seasonal migration.
“The government, in collaboration with stakeholders, continues to provide education to farmers and pastoralists to act as one.
Additionally, as a local government, we have received support from other stakeholders who have introduced an inclusive joint plan for optimal land use. This plan includes programs to designate grazing areas in specific locations where water pans and other infrastructure are constructed,” Shemtoi Said.
According to the Ministry of Water, national demand stood at 64 billion cubic meters in 2023 and is projected to reach 80.2 billion cubic meters by 2035.
In his 2025/26 budget speech, Minister Jumaa Aweso said the government will continue to invest in water source conservation, climate adaptation, and efficient usage.
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