Participation of rural communities in the national poverty reduction strategies: a case of Gairo division in Kilosa District

This study was carried out in four villages of Gairo division, Kilosa district, Morogoro Region to assess participation of rural communities in the national poverty reduction strategies. Focus group discussion and structured questionnaire were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used to obtain general characteristics of the study population. Bivariate and partial correlations of variables were used to describe the relationship between variables. Chi- square statistic testing was used to compare populations from more and less accessible villages. Results indicated that majority of rural community members participated in poverty reduction activities/programs through agriculture. However, the income of respondents increased with an increase of the number of income generating activities. Thus, the hypothesis that the annual income at household level has an association with the number of income generating activities undertaken was accepted. Poverty reduction opportunities listed in the document of the National Poverty Eradication strategy (1998) were relatively more known to rural communities in villages which were more accessible than in less accessible villages. Therefore, the hypothesis that accessibility of an area affects recognition of poverty reduction opportunities by the residents was accepted. Chisquare statistic test showed that there were statistical differences in awareness at P < 0.01. At household level, at least 80% of respondents reported to involve family members in household poverty reduction activities. Also, participation of the rural community members in poverty reduction activities was being affected by factors such as age of household head and household size. Hence, the hypothesis that participation of rural communities in poverty reduction strategies is influenced by some of household demographic factors was true. Recommendations: rural communities should diversify their economic activities; availability of working capital and involvement of rural community members in community development activities should be improved. Also, community awareness on poverty reduction opportunities should be raised.Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst e. V. (EED)- (Ecomenical Scholarships Programme