Simanjiro pastoral development

Simanjiro is a remote, semi-arid region in Northern Tanzania, inhabited mainly by the pastoralist Maasai, who depend on livestock for their livelihoods. Maasai life is based around a semi-permanent homestead (called a boma) within reach of permanent water in dry season grazing grounds. In rains, cattle herds are taken to more distant pastures to prevent a build up of parasites and disease organisms at home.

In recent years, the traditional Maasai way of life has come under threat. 45,000 ha of grazing land and traditional water sources have been taken over for National Parks or large-scale farming, which has affected disease control. At the same time, state veterinary services have declined and there has been a resurgence of diseases that had become absent, for example bovine pneumonia.

This project aims to increase food security for 25,000 pastoralists through improved animal health services and greater access to grazing land and water. Income generation schemes, such as leather tanning and bead-work, are also being promoted and participation in local decision-making structures is being encouraged.

Project activities:

• Train community animal health workers (CAHWs) in the most under-served areas of the district.
• Assess the skill level of all existing CAHWs and offer refresher courses as required.
• Assess the effectiveness of selected traditional veterinary treatments – for example those using local plants – and disseminate information on successful treatments.
• Identify and train a private vet to operate in the area.
• Establish veterinary drug pharmacies in the villages.
• Work with villages to develop representative village governments and compile village development plans to submit for funding by district government.
• Form income generation groups with women and provide training and support.
• Provide training to local non-governmental organisations in the management of development projects.

Key achievements of this project to date:

• 64 Community Animal Health Workers have been trained and equipped.
• 3 veterinary drug pharmacies have been set up in local villages.
• 30% drop in calf mortality in the project area.
• Trials have taken place both in the field and in the lab on the effect of the plant Commiphora swynnertoni on animal ticks and fleas. The lab results showed that at 100% concentration the sap from the plant kills 100% of tick larvae and fleas. However, this is not used in the field as at a 100% concentration the sap is very irritable. Further lab tests have shown that at a 3% dilution with water (3% sap: 97% water) there is still a 100% mortality of ticks and fleas. Field tests have confirmed that there are no harmful effects of using the sap at a 3% dilution in water and the use of the sap in the field has increased to such an extent that the village where the trial was carried out have had to enact a bylaw in order to protect the C. swynnertoni trees from over exploitation.
• Almost 500 Maasai women are participating in income generation groups and are selling leather and bead work to markets locally and overseas.
• Village development plans have been finalised for 35 villages and submitted to the district government for funding.