Rural Community Participation in Micro-Projects and Poverty Reduction in Ngara District of Tanzania

ABSTRACT 

This study looked at community participation in micro-enterprise projects as a tool for poverty reduction in the rural Ngara District of 'Tanzania. Although much effort has been put in empowering and financing micro-enterprises to kick start pro-poor growth in rural areas in recent years, the level of pove1ty has remained unacceptably high. This study has identified participation in microenterprises as an important factor in the fight against poverty. Empirical data were collected from Ngara District and analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Data on participation and trends in socioeconomic indicators of poverty were collected from six out of seventeen wards comprising Ngara district. The canvassed wards include Nyamiaga, Kibimba , Rusumo, Keza, Buki1iro and Rulenge. Up to one hundred and thirty respondents were randomly selected and canvassed for information on participation and its effect on poverty and welfare. The findings show that community participation in micro-projects has reduced pove1iy in th~ selected areas of rural Ngara Distric •. The study therefore, , recommends that rural community patiicipation in micro-enterprises should be encouraged and supported through appropriate public policy in order to significantly impact absolute poverty in Ngara District.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Introduction

Declaration ................................................................................................... 'J

Approval for submission ............................................................................... (ii)

Dedication ... ;: .............................................................................................. (iii)

Acknowledgement ....................................................................................... (iv)

Abstract ...................................................................................................... (v)

Acronyms ................................................................................................... (vi)

Table of contents ........................................................................................ (vii)

CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................ 1

1.0 Back ground of the study .............................................................................. 1

1.1 The policy initiatives ...................................................................................... 2

1.2. Challenges to address Poverty Initiatives ................................................... ,.6

1.3. Strategies to address implementation of economic reform constraints., ... .,8

1.4. Categories of small and medium enterprises ............................................. 10

1 5 P rty ·t t· . N d. t . t ' 1 . . ove s1 ua 10n in gara 1s nc .............................................................. .:._

1.6. Statement of the research problem ............................................................ 12

1.7. Purpose of the study......................... .. ................................................... 12 ·

1.8. Specific objectives ....................................................................................... 12

1.9. Research questions ..................................................................................... 12

1.9.1. Hypothesis ................................................................................................... 13

CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................. 14

2.0. Review of related literature ......................................................................... 14

CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................... 20

3.0. Research methodology ............................................................................... 20

3.1. Research design .......................................................................................... 20

3.3. Research approach ...................................................................................... 20

3.4. Area of the study ........................................................................................ 22

3.5. Population of the study ............................................................................... 23

3.6. Sampling Procedure .................................................................................... 23

3.7. Data collection instruments ........................................................................ 24

3.8. Interview ..................................................................................................... 24

3. 9. Field observation ......................................................................................... 25

3.9.1 Review of document. ...................................... ~ ........................................ 25

3.9.2 Validation of the study instruments ........................................................... 25

3.9.2. Ethical and legal consideration ................................................................... 25

3.9.3. Data analysis techniques ............................................................................ 25

3.9.4. Limitations of the study .............................................................................. 26

Chapter Four ......................................................................................................... 28

4.0. Data analysis and presentation of findings ......... ~ ..................................... 28

Chapter Five .......................................................................................................... 51

5.0. Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations ......................................... .51

5.1. Summary ..................................................................................................... 51

5.2. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 52

5.3. Recommendations ...................................................................................... 54

5.4. Suggestion for further research ................................................................. 55

References .............................................................................................................. 56

Appendix ................................................................................................................... .

1.0 Questionnaires ............................................................................................... .

. 2.0. Introduction letter of KIU .............................................................................. .

3.0. The Permit letter to collect data .................................................................... .

4.0. The Tanzanian's map ..................................................................................... .

5.0. The Ngara District map .................................................................................. .