The role of information and knowledge in poverty alienation along pastoral communities in Dodoma rural areas, Tanzania

In Tanzania and elsewhere around the developing world, pastoral communities are socially, economically and politically marginalized. This marginalization is a result of inadequate pastoral development policies, inadequate formal education and lack of access to adequate information and knowledge to effectively use the available resources for sustainable livelihood. The objective of this study was to examine the role that information and knowledge can play in alleviating poverty among pastoral communities in Dodoma rural areas of Tanzania. This study adopted the theoretical framework from Roger Harris (2002), which shows that information and knowledge are critical Components of poverty alleviation. The study use both qualitative and quantitative methods. The data was collected through the use of questionnaire, interview and focus group discussions as well as the examination of both primary and secondary sources. The data analysis involved descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The study findings show that most of the pastoralists are of low education and earn below poverty line. Pastoralists lack information on various economic, social, cultural and political issues in their communities, as the result majority suffers from severe poverty. Pastoralists need information for household related needs and livestock production related needs. The study concluded that information in the Study area is considered to be a strategic resource that can potentially contribute to In order to meet the Overall development process such as poverty alleviation. In order to meet the Pastoralist’s needs information must be acquired, processed, stored and retrieved and disseminated according to the pastoralists needs. Multiple sources of information must be used to disseminate information. The study recommended that education and training should be provided to the pastoralists on how to access appropriate information and knowledge. . Also the government must support the information sectors by providing adequate funding for improving information infrastructure. Both government and non-government organizations should work together to ensure that the socio economic environment among pastoral communities is made conducive for effective information systems to operate.