Growing from below : Accumulation and differentiation in publicly supported irrigation schemes in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania

• What model of agricultural transformation is most likely to produce the best possible conditions for inclusive growth and increased productivity in Tanzania’s diverse smallholder sector? A response to this question must rely on studies that examine the outcome of local agricultural investments. We notice that there is limited information and studies that specifically examine the role of small-scale public investments in irrigation infrastructure in the country. To address this gap, we have examined the social differentiation and patterns of accumulation in the context of donor-supported public investments in irrigation schemes at sub-village level in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Participatory wealth ranking and interviews carried out indicate that the investment made in small-scale smallholder irrigation has fuelled a process of accumulation from ‘below’, and we discuss how these investments are more likely to contribute to the policy goals of inclusive growth and improved agricultural productivity than the accumulation from ‘above’ model.

Keyword

Social differentiation

wealth ranking

irrigation

smallholders

capital accumulation

Human Geography

kulturgeografi

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)