Disparity of Attitudes and Practices on a Concept of Productivity of Water in Agriculture in the Great Ruaha River Sub-basin

Abstract

"A study was conducted in the Ruaha River Sub-basin of the Rufiji basin to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of measuring productivity among stakeholders. Literature review, Participatory Rural Appraisals and structured questionnaire study was used to collect data from the study area. There is lack of general understanding and a wide disparity on the practices related to the concept of productivity of water. The concepts of productivity of water are poorly understood, with inconsistent and incomplete monitoring, reporting and auditing among stakeholders. Policy makers emphasize on water conservation incentives, development projects work to improving supply management. Engineers’ practices combine both water supply and demand management in the irrigation schemes with little consideration on productivity of water. The researchers put emphasis on modeling water allocation based on water demand. Smallholder farmers apply own definitions, and descriptions while assessing productivity using relative terms and proxies. Most other stakeholders fix absolute values of productivity of water. This results to lack of realistic analyses of water requirements and water values in various water sectors for fostering and implementing strategies for improved water allocation. Necessary components in the estimation of productivity of water are measured with spatial and temporal inconsistence. Furthermore, the nature of disparity of attitudes and practices calls for considerable efforts to initiate dialogue among stakeholders so as to reach a consensus and to develop the practice further."

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Keywords

efficiency, water resources, allocation rules, agriculture, productivity, social behavior, stakeholders, river basins

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