Impact of land use change pattern and land tenure system on community livelihood: a case of Naitolia village in Monduli district Tanzania

The study carried out in Naitolia village in Monduli District that represent semi-arid and socioeconomic characteristics. The overall objectives of the study was to establish spatial information on land use cover dynamics and land tenure system for improving community livelihood in Naitolia village. Both probability and non probability sampling approaches were applied. Primary data were collected through focus group discussion, key informant interview, season calendar, direct field observation and household questionnaire survey. Secondary data were collected through literature review. Socio-economic data were analysed using SPSS version 19and MS Excel programme (2010) while GIS analysed data on LUCs. Qualitative data were analysed through theme-content analysis technique. Table, charts, graphs and maps were used to present study results. The results have shown that between 1988 and 2010 the study area have experienced LUCCs as Farming, grazing and settlements have expanded at the expense of other land use cover types. As native vegetation is lost, indigenous plant and animal biodiversity and plant cover are lost. The alterations have affected crops and livestock in a number of ways, resulting in reduced productivity. The agricultural activities are also affected by unfavorable climatic conditions, poor markets and infrastructure services, and unfavorable climatic conditions, poor markets and infrastructure services, and unfavorable physical conditions 9poor soils and land degradation accelerated by deforestation ). Therefore, the provision of village title deed based on gender, improvement of extension services and socioeconomic services , introducing improved cooking stoves and afforestation programmers is crucial to achieving long-term sustainable rural livelihood in the Naitolia village.