Impacts of urban agriculture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Urban agriculturalists keeping mainly cross-bred dairy cattle in four different density areas in the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania were investigated as to whether they had information about the damaging effects of their animals on the environment. They responded to questions related to five issues of animal activity that damaged the urban environment. The findings revealed that, on average, all four socioeconomic groups possessed information about the damaging effects which their animals caused. Moreover, the people of the highest and quasi-medium socioeconomic status, who in turn kept the most cattle, were the most aware. Most agriculturalists keeping cattle, therefore, lived with the contradiction that they recognized the damaging effects of the animals. Using a conceptual model, several reasons are given as to why people persist in keeping the cattle. These reasons reside at four levels: government, ministry, city council and the individuals who keep cattle. After examining the reasons for keeping dairy cattle in the city, the author proposes changes at all four levels to reduce the serious urban environmental damage.