Transaction costs in management of common pool resources in RWH Systems in WPLL and Maswa district.
Abstract
Wide adoption of RWH in Tanzania is leading to changes in tenure, access and management of runoff and related Common Pool Resources (CPR). Management of RWH system entails transaction costs. When transaction costs become high or are perceived to be high, they limit participation of some socio-economic groups in the management of the system and hence limit them from accessing the resource. The overall objective of this research was to assess transaction costs in the management of RWH systems and their effects on the poor.
The research was conducted in two target sites, representing semi-arid areas of Tanzania. The research employed a combination of participatory and non-participatory methods for data collection. Results indicated that transaction costs of managing RWH system included costs of planning for runoff use, runoff allocation, maintenance of the RWH systems, enforcement of regulations and conflict management. The highest transaction costs of managing RWH systems were in system maintenance. It was learnt that rich people put more cash in RWH system maintenance than other groups. Women's transaction costs were less in planning for runoff use and allocation indicating that they are not normally involved in those transaction costs activities. The general trend indicated that women spent more time than cash. The poor farmers spent more time in conflict management than any other group, indicating their vulnerability.
Citation
Soil-Water Management Research Group (SWMRG). Transaction costs in management of common pool resources in RWH Systems in WPLL and Maswa district. (2005) 26 pp.
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