Social capital refers to networks and associations within communities and between households tied through social relation. Various networks and associations exist in the study
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villages premised under the relationship of trust and order. NGOs social network has emerged among other networks to be common in the household processes. Family network, church networks and so on are the types of network found in the villages. I will present socio- economic factor based on social capital through household total income, location, wealth groups and by type of agriculture.
5.6.1. Social capital by total household income
NGOs social network by total household income: The proportions of 48% of the total sample are indicated to have NGOs social networks. Households are organizing themselves based on trust derived from social relationship to build coherent organizations. Over 20 social organizations have been found in the study villages.
These organizations represent small scale farmers in various dimensions and most of them are voluntary based. The following are NGOs social networks found in the study villages; MUCGA UKWELI GROUP, UDZUNGWA SACCOSS, MUCGA ITEFA GROUP, JIPE MOYO, MUCGA NYALUBUNGO GROUP, KCGA BEGA KWA BEGA GROUP , MUCGA UMOJA GROUP and UCHUMI MSOLWA UJAMAA.
Others are UCHUMI KILIMO, KAMBARAGE GROUP, SHEIK, BLOCK MU3, POWER TILLER GROUP, ELNINO GROUP, UWAMKU, KIMBYOKO GROUP, VIKOBA GROUP, CARE GROUP, UVUMILIVU and UZALISHAJI MBEGU. These networks maintain common interests of the participants.
Ethnicity by total household income: More than 26 tribes were found in the study area. The study has grouped the tribes in to six different groups according to their population number in the villages. The first two groups contain the indigenous of Kilombero District (Ndamba, Ndwewe, Pogoro and others) the third group contains Hehe from Iringa Rural District which bordered with Kilombero District. Ngoni is the fourth group (people from South Tanzania). Next group is Bena and Safwa originally from Mbeya Region and the last group comprises other tribes from different locations in the country (Figure 5-4.).
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Figure 5-4: Ethnic groups by total household income in the study villages at Kilombero District, Tanzania, 2012
Ndamba and Pogoro are indicated to have higher income than other tribes. This can be linked to the accessibility of strategic land including irrigated land. Bena and Safwa are reported to be employed in sugarcane production as wage labor.
5.6.2. Social capital by location
NGOs social network by location: At Mkula village a higher proportional household (54%) are engaged in such organizations compared to Msolwa A village which is 44%. The differences can be explained by the fact that irrigation activities have distinguished independent organizations apart from other organizations from cane out growers at Mkula village. This makes Mkula village to have more households engaged in NGOs social network compared to Msolwa A village.
Examples of organizations that are based on sugarcane production which is practiced in both villages that includes MKUCGA GROUP, MUCGA UKWELI GROUP, KCGA BEGA KWA BEGA GROUP and others. Specific organizations for irrigation activities include UWAMKU, KIMBYOKO GROUP, and others. VIKOBA GROUP and CARE GROUP are kind of organizations serve as financial institution. These groups are organizing basket funds where organization members can keep and borrow cash.
Mean(HOUSEHOLD NET INCOME IN TZS) vs. Ethnic GP
H O U S E H O L D N ET I N C O M E I N TZ S 2000000 2500000 3000000 3500000 Mean: 2940887
Pogoro Ndamba Hehe Ngoni Bena/Safwa Others Ethnic GP
Mean (HOUSEHOLD NET INCOME IN TZS)
Ho use hol d net i n come i n TZS
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Ethnicity by location: Msolwa village indicate higher number of indigenous and Hehe people compare to other groups. The variations show that at Msolwa have more emigrants compared to Mkula village (Table 5-13).
Table 5-13: Ethnic groups by location in the study villages at Kilombero District, Tanzania, 2012
Description Pogoro Ndamba Hehe Ngoni Bena/Safwa Others
Mkula Village 18.42% 39.47% 10.53% 10.53% 2.63% 18.42%
Msolwa Village 28.87% 4.29% 28.57% 8.57% 17.14% 12.86%
5.6.3. Social capital by households’ wealth group
NGOs Social Network by Households’ Wealth Group: Higher income groups indicate higher proportions (64%) of engagement in NGOs social networks followed by middle income group (44%) and lastly lower income group (33%). The variation can be explained by that individuals of higher economic status will be more attracted to organizational size.
Ethnic groups by households’ wealth groups: Generally the variations are not much to suggest significance in households’ wealth groups. Ngoni people indicate lower number in the higher income group compared to other ethnic groups (Table 5-14).
Table 5-14: Ethnicity groups by households’ wealth group in the study villages at Kilombero District, Tanzania, 2012
Description Pogoro Ndamba Hehe Ngoni Bena/Safwa Others
Higher Income Group 19.44% 19.44% 19.44% 8.33% 11.11% 22.22%
Middle Income Group 33.33% 11.11% 27.78% 13.89% 8.33% 5.56%
Lower Income Group 22.22% 19.44% 19.44% 5.56% 16.67% 16.67%
5.6.4. Social capital by type of agriculture
NGOs social networks by type of agriculture: Improved irrigation farmers show higher a share (59%) in NGOs social network followed by rain-fed agriculture (43%) and lastly traditional irrigation (38%). The situation can be elaborated by that higher income households are more involved in NGOs social networks this can be linked to improved irrigation because it provides more economic support to the household total income than other
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types of agriculture. The difference between rain-fed agriculture and traditional irrigation can be explained by that rain-fed agriculture practiced a range of socio-economic activities which include rice, sugarcane, maize, cassava and so on while in traditional irrigation sugarcane is limited. Sugarcane is not practiced in traditional irrigation so it reduces number of social organizations.
Ethnic groups by type of agriculture: Ndamba people are more active in improved irrigation compared to other groups (Table 5-15). The difference can be explained by that indigenous are majority in the irrigation activities. Hehe people have higher number in rain-fed agriculture which is linked to sugarcane production.
Table 5-15: Ethnic groups by type of agriculture in the study villages at Kilombero District, Tanzania, 2012
Description Pogoro Ndamba Hehe Ngoni Bena/Safwa Others
Improved Irrigation 22.58% 35.48% 9.68% 12.90% 0% 19.35%
Traditional Irrigation
23.08% 15.38% 46.15% 0% 15.38% 0%
Rain-fed Agriculture 26.98% 6.35% 23.81% 9.52% 17.46% 15.87%
5.6.5. Summary of social capital
Social networks are crucial factors in maintaining relationship within the community and between households. In the villages NGOs social networks are proving many effects in socio- economic life of households. The engagement and involvement of people in the networks reflect the degree of necessities of social organization to maintain human well being.
Indigenous people are more active in improved irrigation compare to other ethnic groups while migrants have concentrated more on the rain-fed agriculture.
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