Effects of pastoralists’ in-migration on socio-economic activities of the natives in rufiji district, Tanzania

This study examined the socio-economic changes of the natives as a result of pastoralists’ in-migration to Rufiji District. Household survey, focus group discussions and interviews were applied in the process of data collection. Content analysis was used in qualitative data analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the impact factors for participation in new economic activities. Ranking technique established the priority of the mentioned economic activities before and after the arrival of pastoralists. The findings show that there were socio-economic changes experienced by the local people which are attributed to the arrival of pastoralists in the study area. The changes included: adoption of new economic activities and sources of income, increased host communities’ adoption of livestock keeping, intermarriages, dietary change habits, and change of religious practices. The significant factors responsible for the adoption of new economic activities were sex (p < 0.05), age (p < 0.01), religion (p < 0.001) and education level (p < 0.05). The study concluded that the pastoralists’ arrival in the study area had more socio-economic and cultural advantages than the disadvantages and gives recommendations and policy implications especially on preparing suitable policies which accommodate the socio-economic and intercultural interactions among the two communities.