Abstract
Knowledge on users’ and regulators’ views regarding obstacles on the use of low quality water forms the basis for the improvement of water reuse in food crops irrigation. A qualitative study was conducted to assess the obstacles to the use of low quality water for irrigation of food crops in urban and peri-urban areas in Tanzania. The study considered Morogoro urban and peri-urban areas as a case study due to the existence of paddy and vegetable production using the effluent from the waste stabilisation ponds. Both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews with 22 key informants, and 4 focus group discussions with farmers. Content analysis was used in this study. Findings show that domestic wastewater was poorly disposed, waste stabilisation ponds as treatment facilities had limited management, and quality monitoring of effluent from the waste stabilisation ponds was limited to permit safe use of the effluent in food crops irrigation. The government officials were of the view that the effluent from the waste stabilisation ponds should not be used for leafy vegetables irrigation while farmers viewed vegetables farming as a quick source of income and livelihood strategy for many years. The study therefore suggests that the relevant agencies should improve the treatment of wastewater and quality monitoring of the effluent for safe use of low quality water for food crops irrigation in urban and peri-urban areas.
Highlights
Agriculture is the single largest user of fresh water in the world, accounting for nearly 70% of all extractions (FAO, 2002; Kalavrouziotis et al, 2011)
The government officials were of the view that the effluent from the waste stabilisation ponds should not be used for leafy vegetables irrigation while farmers viewed vegetables farming as a quick source of income and livelihood strategy for many years
Limited collection of wastewater has resulted into limited low quality water (LQW) generated from the waste stabilisation ponds (WSPs); farmers grow food crops in small plots and sometimes water is not enough to meet irrigation demands
Summary
Agriculture is the single largest user of fresh water in the world, accounting for nearly 70% of all extractions (FAO, 2002; Kalavrouziotis et al, 2011). Agricultural water management contributes significantly to the reduction of poverty (Valipour, 2016 a, b). Urban and peri-urban agriculture has significant contribution to the poverty reduction by serving as a source of locally available produce and employing a substantial number of people (Keraita et al, 2012, Valipour, 2016 a,b). According to Qadir et al (2010), farmers in urban and peri-urban areas who are in need of water for irrigation have often no other alternative than using low quality water (LQW). It is in these areas where wastewater is generated the most (World Bank, 2010). As such, improved management of this potential source of water could reduce irrigation water scarcity in these areas
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