The Role of Social Networks as Survival Strategies in Agro-Pastoral Communities in Arid And Semi-Arid Lands in Tanzania

Abstract

Article HistoryAgro-pastoral communities in semi-arid areas of Tanzania are among the most food insecure groups in the country. In the absence of precisely stipulated mitigation measures from the government the agro-pastoralists have, all across their history relied on social networks for their survival. This paper seeks to examine in detail the role of social networks as survival strategies in coping up with food insecurity among agropastoral communities in Arid and semi-arid areas of Tanzania. Based on data and information that was collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews in three villages of Sejeli, Mtumba and Makoja it is reported that social networks have been significant in sustaining livelihoods of vulnerable households. These traditional social networks are based on mutual trust and organized on consanguine and kinship ties and through these networks wealth and riches are shared by the agro-pastoral communities. The findings further reveal that these traditional social networks do better than the externally induced initiatives. It has also been revealed that, despite facing a myriad of challenges such as competition for labor, lack of entrepreneurial skills and negative impacts of commercialization of livelihoods on food security the traditional social networks are surviving albeit with hitches. It is recommended that policy interventions that seek to construct resilience of the vulnerable households need to consider traditional systems of social networking. Contribution/ Originality:The study contributes in the existing literature of Economic sociology by unveiling that social networks have been significant in sustaining livelihoods of vulnerable households. And that, policy interventions that seek to construct sustainable resilience of the vulnerable households need to consider traditional systems of social networking.

Determinants of supply chain operational performance

“…Meanwhile, competition has increasingly become stiff in the global business environments (Chan et al, 2003). Hence, it is crucial that textile and apparel firms to make consensus to enjoy a common goals just like quality enhance, minimize stock holding cost, improved flexibility, timely respond according to market situation (Agami et al, 2012), take those measures which lead to enhance profitability of organization, customer satisfaction (Leng & Zailani, 2012;Rusomyo et al, 2017), otherwise, the company can lose its market position (Thomas & Griffin, 1996).…”

Workplace ethics as an instrument to expedite supply chain management in Bahrain

“…Organization culture has been extensively studied by various researchers, however, still, it is gaining the attention (Adler & Jelinek, 1986;Hussain & Yousaf, 2011;Golparvar & Rafizadeh, 2014;Iqbal & Yilmaz, 2014;Hazrat, 2015;Bradbury & Hutchinson, 2015;Ater et al, 2016;Mirzajani et al, 2016;Okoli, 2017;Rusomyo et al, 2017;Ipole et al, 2018). It is gaining attention because of extensive development occurred in the industries where the ethics are more important.…”

How the Currency Crisis Effects the Relationship Between Financial Inflows and Economic Growth in Asean Country

“…Foreign direct investment (FDI) are perceived as a factor of EG, a complement to domestic investment and a source of financing of the current account deficit. FDI contribute the host country in the form of technological externalities, the formation of human capital or have access to foreign markets which lead to long-term EG (Iwasaki & Tokunaga, 2016;Rusomyo, Junlin & Mangare, 2017). FDI also resulted a reduction in unemployment by creating more employment opportunities in host economy (Jouini, 2015).…”