Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and the Ministry of Water are collaborating on a three-year climate change resilience project in Dodoma Region to address water scarcity. The project aims to identify underground water availability and minimize the impact of climate change in the region, which heavily relies on underground water sources in the Makutupora valley. With research focusing on areas receiving less than 500 millimetres of rain annually, the project seeks to understand the entire underground water system and consumption activities to develop sustainable water use plans. Implemented through a change laboratory method, the project addresses the increasing demand for water in residential and commercial areas.
Prof. Japhet Kashaigili, SUA’s Director of Postgraduate Studies, Research, Technology Transfer, and Consultancy, emphasized the importance of studying underground water to combat water scarcity in Dodoma. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Maulid Mwatawala highlighted the region’s water challenges and the necessity of exploring underground water resources. The initiative comes in response to the effects of climate change, such as diminishing water sources across the country. Stakeholders have identified issues contributing to water source depletion, such as excessive livestock grazing and unregulated sand mining permits.
The project’s focus on sustainable water management in Dodoma Region signifies a crucial step towards enhancing water availability in a region prone to water scarcity. By investigating underground water resources and implementing effective conservation strategies, the collaboration between SUA and the Ministry of Water aims to secure water access and build resilience against climate change impacts in Dodoma.
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