Land cover change and the role of farmer groups in environmental conservation and livelihood improvement: the case of Mbinga District, Tanzania

Natural environment and socio-economic dimensions are interdependent because people get their basic needs from the environment, and inversely, for the integrity of the environment to be sustained, livelihood practices must become environmental friendly. Deterioration of environment and livelihoods interests in the Matengo highlands in Mbinga district triggered farmer-based initiatives through the facilitation of external based development partners. However, while farmers have organised themselves into groups in attempt to address the experienced livelihood-environment challenges since 2002, scant information exists on the role of farmers’ groups in that regard and hence this is the rationale for the present article. Using satellite images the article first substantiates the contention on deterioration of the natural environment by estimating the change in forest cover. Then, the role of farmers’ groups in improving the livelihood and conserving the environment is unveiled through focus group discussion, key informant interviews, informal interviews and observation methods. Consequently, recommendations are given as a way forward for improving the harmony between livelihood integrity and the sustainability of the natural environment.