Abstract
An assessment of staffing and training needs for effective delivery of extension services in mainstreaming sustainable land management (SLM) practices in Kilimanjaro Region was conducted in June/July 2013. Data collection methods included discussions with key informants at the regional and district levels, consultations with village level stakeholders and potential collaborators, review of human resources data both at regional, district and ward levels and collection of individual staff bio-data including capacity deficiencies. The staffing situation at the regional and district levels was considered to be adequate for effective mainstreaming of SLM interventions in the region. Staffing at ward and village levels was very poor and largely inadequate for sustainable execution of extension services. It is optimistically estimated that on average the staffing at ward level needs to be increased by at least 50%. In some districts the deficiency of extension staff at ward level was as high as 80%. Training needs exist at all levels from the region down to community level. At the regional and district levels both long and short term training programs were required. At the community level required training is more practical and purely focused in mainstreaming SLM interventions at individual households and community lands. Potential collaborators with local government were identified in four main categories namely, NGOs/CBOs, private sector, government departments and faith-based organizations. The study recommends a capacity building program on specific knowledge gaps identified at regional, district, ward and village levels. The study further recommends that immediate measures need to be taken by the district authorities to address the staffing problem at ward level including recruitment of volunteers and developing collaboration framework with identified potential partners.
Highlights
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) through UNDP has committed US $2.63 million over a period of 4 years to contribute to reducing land degradation on the highlands of Kilimanjaro through implementation of actions targeting removal of barriers for Sustainable Land Management (SLM) in a multi-level approach
For purposes of providing extension services at the district, ward and village level as well as coordination at regional level, staffing is perceived as a management function of the regional and district authorities within the Local Government system in Tanzania
The existing staffing situation at the regional and district levels is considered to be adequate for effective delivery of extension services
Summary
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) through UNDP has committed US $2.63 million over a period of 4 years to contribute to reducing land degradation on the highlands of Kilimanjaro through implementation of actions targeting removal of barriers for Sustainable Land Management (SLM) in a multi-level approach. The project goal is to ensure “Sustainable Land Management provides the basis for economic development, food security and sustainable livelihoods while restoring the ecological integrity of the Kilimanjaro Region’s ecosystems”. The Kilimanjaro ecosystem is experiencing an extensive process of degradation and deforestation, with serious consequences on its ability to continue providing ecosystem services and declining land productivity [1]-[3]. Degradation is driven by a set of complex and interrelated factors, such as rapid increase of a population largely dependent on natural resources, land use change, poor land management practices, unsustainable harvesting of natural resources, declining commodity prices and climate change. Among the documented shocks [4] for example include climate change causing crop failure, economic hardships, health related shocks causing diseases and deaths, land use conflicts as well as policy related challenges
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