The relationship between rural-urban migration and the growth of intermediate towns in Tanzania
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Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between rural-urban migration and the growth of intermediate towns in Tanzania, drawing experiences from Babati. The study is guided by four objectives: The first objective is to examine the determinants of rural-urban migration in Babati town; second objective is to examine the linkages between migrants in Babati town and their place of origin. The third objective is to examine the socio-economic outcome of rural-urban in Babati town and the fourth objective is to investigate the intervention measures of rural-urban migration to Babati town. The study used both qualitative and quantitative research approach in data collection and analysis. The study used simple random sampling in the selection of wards, villages, streets, and snowball sampling in selection of respondents. Purposive sampling was employed in the selection of key informants based on their merits and the roles they play in the study area. Data analysis and presentation was done through the use of frequency table, charts, graphs and Chi-squire for statistical test and inductive thematic approach was employed in the analysis of qualitative data. The study shows that rural hardship is the major determinant of rural urban migration in the study area while others include accompanying parents/guardians and spouses, employment, business, market, family conflict and marriage. Moreover, rural-urban migration was observed to be the main component in the growth of Babati Town. The study also indicated that remittance sending, visitation and phone communication to be the common rural-urban linkages in the study area. Apart from that the study revealed that rural-urban migration contribute to the positive effects in the place of origin which include reduced food insecurity, helps in receiving services like education and health, improvement of agricultural production, and search for market for agricultural produce as well as reduced dependence on families in the origin. Additionally, the negative effects include reduced labour power, decline in agricultural production, and separation of families, increased marriage problems and increased family costs. Moreover, the study revealed that rural-urban migration results in positive effects to migrants in the place of destination in terms of improved access and provision of services, increased employment opportunities, improved per capital income, acquisition of new skills, and ability to establish own businesses. Negative effects are unemployment, inadequate services like health, electricity and provision of clean water. Furthermore the study shows that promotion of alternative income generating activities, improvement of social services provision, promotion and improvement of agricultural activities, development and access to credit facilities in rural areas are the possible intervention measures to rural-urban migration in Babati town. However, the study recommends improvement of agriculture on commercial bases as it is the major economic activity especially for rural people so that they can move out of poverty, which is the main determinant of rural-urban migration in Tanzania.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF 1955.T34L384)
Keywords
relationship, growth
Citation
Lawi, J (2019) The relationship between rural-urban migration and the growth of intermediate towns in Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.