IringaRegionalProfile 2013 For Unicef

The United Republic of Tanzania
IRINGA REGION
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE, 2013
October, 2013
The United Republic of Tanzania
IRINGA REGION
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE, 2013
Jointly prepared
Ministry of Finance,
National Bureau of Statistics
and
Iringa Regional Secretariat
National Bureau of Statistics

Dar es Salaam
October, 2013
Iringa Region Socio-Economic Profile, 2013
Foreword
The goals of Tanzania‟s Development Vision 2025 are in line with United
Nation‟s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and are pursued
through the National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty
(NSGRP) or MKUKUTA II. The major goals are to achieve a high-quality
livelihood for the people, attain good governance through the rule of law
T
and develop a strong and competitive economy. To monitor the progress
in achieving these goals, there is need for timely, accurate data and information at all
levels.
Problems especially in rural areas are many and demanding. Social and economic
services require sustainable improvement. The high primary school enrolment rates
recently attained have to be maintained and so is the policy of making sure that all
pupils who pass standard seven examinations join Form One. The food situation is still
precarious; infant and maternal mortality rates continue are high and unemployment
triggers mass migration of youths from rural areas to the already overcrowded urban
centres.
Added to the above problems, is the menace posed by HIV/AIDS, the prevalence of
which hinders efforts to advance into the 21st century of science and technology. The
pandemic has been quite severe among the economically active population leaving in its
wake an increasing number of orphans, broken families and much suffering. AIDS
together with environmental deterioration are the new problems which cannot be
ignored.
Our efforts to meet both the new and old challenges are hampered by many factors
including ill prepared rural development programs followed by weak implementation,
monitoring and their supervision. The shortcomings in policy formulation, project
identification, design and implementation due to the lack of reliable and adequate data
and information on the rural development process have to be addressed. The availability
of reliable, adequate and relevant qualitative and quantitative data and information at
i
regional level is a prerequisite for the success of the formulating, planning,

implementation, monitoring and evaluation of districts‟ development programs.
The publication of the Iringa Regional Socio-Economic Profile series by the Prime
Minister Office, Regional Administration and Local Government Authority (PMO-
RALG) in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics and Regional
Administration Management Team should be viewed as a modest attempt towards
finding a solution to the existing problem of data and information gap at regional level.
The Regional Profile covers a wide range of statistics and information on geography,
population, social-economic parameters, social services, economic infrastructure,
productive sectors and cross cutting issues. Such data are vital to many policy makers,
planners, researchers, donors and functional managers.
This Iringa Regional Socio Economic Profile has taken advantage of the experience
gained in the production of other Regional and District Socio Economic Profiles in and
outside the Region. It provides valuable information to our clients. Constructive views
and criticisms are invited from readers to make a profile like this a better tool in the
implementation of the country‟s policies.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge with thanks, UNICEF for their
financial support, contribution made by the Iringa Regional Administrative Secretary‟s
Office, National Bureau of Statistics and other staff of Iringa Regional Office who
devoted their time to ensure the successful completion of this assignment.
Ayubu W.D
Ag.Regional Administrative Secretary
October, 2013
ii
Foreword ................................................................................................................... i
List of Tables .................................................................................................................. x
List Figure ................................................................................................................ xx
List of Map ............................................................................................................. xxiii
Acronyms ............................................................................................................. xxiv
CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................. 1

Land, Climate, Agro-Ecological Zones and People ..................................................... 1
1.0 An Overview ............................................................................................ 1
1.1 Geographical Location ............................................................................. 2
1.2 Land Area, Land Use Pattern and Administrative Units .......................... 3
1.3 Climate, Soil and Topography ................................................................. 6
1.3.1 Climate ..................................................................................................... 6
1.3.2 Soil ........................................................................................................... 7
1.3.3 Topography .............................................................................................. 8
1.4 Vegetation: ............................................................................................... 9
1.5 Agro – Ecological zones (AEZ) ............................................................... 9
1.5.1 The Highlands Zone ................................................................................. 9
1.5.3 The Lowlands Zone ................................................................................ 11
1.6 Drainage System .................................................................................... 11
1.7 Population............................................................................................... 12
1.7.1 Ethnic Groups ......................................................................................... 12
1.7.2 Population Size and Growth ................................................................... 13
1.7.3 Population Density ................................................................................. 19
1.7.4 Population Change ................................................................................. 22
1.7.5 Dependency Ratio .................................................................................. 23
1.7.6 Population Distribution by Sex and Age ................................................ 24
1.7.7 Households and Household Size ............................................................ 25
1.7.8 Rural and Urban population ................................................................... 26
iii
1.7.9 Migration ................................................................................................ 27
CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................... 30

The Regional Economy ................................................................................................ 30
2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................ 30
2.1 Regional Gross Domestic Product ......................................................... 31
2.2 Regional Per Capita GDP ....................................................................... 32
2.3 Poverty Indicators................................................................................... 35
2.3.1 Income Poverty Rate, Poverty Gap and Gini Coefficient ...................... 35
2.3.2 Main Source of Cash Income ................................................................. 37
2.3.3 Literacy Rate and Level of Education .................................................... 38
2.3.4 Food Security and Food Consumption Patterns ..................................... 40
2.3.5 Access to Drinking Clean Water ............................................................ 43
2.3.6 Types of Toilets ...................................................................................... 45
2.3.7 Roofing Materials ................................................................................... 46
2.3.8 Source of Lighting Energy ..................................................................... 47
2.3.9 Source of Energy for Cooking................................................................ 49
2.3.10 Land Development ................................................................................. 49
2.3.10.1 Village Land use Planning. .................................................................... 50
CHAPTER THREE ..................................................................................................... 51

Production Sectors ....................................................................................................... 51
3.0 Overview ................................................................................................ 51
3.1 Agriculture.............................................................................................. 51
3.1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 51
3.1.2 Distribution of Arable Land ................................................................... 52
3.1.3 Contribution of the Region to the National Main Staple Food Crops
Production .............................................................................................. 54
3.1.4 Land under Cultivation ........................................................................... 56
3.1.4.1 Area under Major Food Crops Cultivation............................................. 56
iv
3.1.4.2 Area under Major Cash Crops Cultivation ............................................. 59

3.1.5 Crop Production ..................................................................................... 63
3.1.5.1 Major Food Crops Production ................................................................ 63
3.1.5.2 Food Satisfaction/Adequacy .................................................................. 68
3.1.5.3 Major Cash Crops Production ................................................................ 69
3.1.5.3.1 Production per Hectare of Major Cash Crops ........................................ 72
3.1.5.3.2 Large Scale Farming of Food and Cash crops ....................................... 73
3.1.6 Agricultural Inputs ................................................................................. 76
3.1.6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 76
3.1.6.2 Chemical/Inorganic Fertilizers ............................................................... 76
3.1.6.3 Fungicides, Pesticide and Herbicides ..................................................... 77
3.1.6.4 Improved Seeds ...................................................................................... 78
3.1.6.5 Agro- Mechanisation .............................................................................. 78
3.1.7 Crop Extension Services ........................................................................ 79
3.1.8 Irrigation ................................................................................................. 79
3.1.9 Crop Marketing ...................................................................................... 81
3.1.10 Policy Implication in Agriculture ........................................................... 81
3.1.11 Investment Opportunities in Agriculture sector ..................................... 82
3.2 Livestock ................................................................................................ 83
3.2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 83
3.2.2 Livestock Population .............................................................................. 83
3.2.3 Cattle Population .................................................................................... 84
3.2.4 Goat population ...................................................................................... 85
3.2.5 Pig Production ........................................................................................ 86
3.2.6 Poultry farming ...................................................................................... 87
3.2.7 Grazing Land Area ................................................................................. 88
3.2.8 Livestock Infrastructure ......................................................................... 89
3.2.9 Marketing Livestock and their Products ................................................ 91
3.2.10 Milk Production...................................................................................... 93
v
3.2.11 Major Livestock Diseases ...................................................................... 93

3.2.11.1 Cattle Diseases ....................................................................................... 94
3.2.11.2 Goat Diseases ......................................................................................... 96
3.2.11.3 Sheep Diseases ....................................................................................... 98
3.2.11.4 Poultry Diseases ..................................................................................... 99
3.2.12 Investment Opportunities in Livestock Sub Sector .............................. 101
3.3.4 Natural Resources Products.................................................................. 101
3.3.4.1 Forestry................................................................................................. 103
3.3.4.2 Beekeeping ........................................................................................... 106
3.3.4.3 Fishery .................................................................................................. 109
3.3.4.4 Wildlife................................................................................................. 111
3.3.4.5 Tourism ................................................................................................ 112
3.3.4.5.1 Wildlife Tourism .................................................................................. 112
3.3.4.5.2 Historical Site viewing Tourism........................................................... 114
3.3.4.5.3 Eco Tourism ......................................................................................... 120
3.3.6 Investment Opportunities in Natural Resources ................................... 121
3. 4 Mining Sector ....................................................................................... 123
3.5 Industrial Sector ................................................................................... 123
3.6 Investment Opportunities in Trade and Industries ............................... 125
CHAPTER FOUR ...................................................................................................... 127

Economic Infrastructure ........................................................................................... 127
4.0 Introduction .......................................................................................... 127
4.1 Road network ....................................................................................... 127
4.1.1 Road network classification ................................................................. 128
4.2 Railway Transport ................................................................................ 129
4.3 Air Transport facilities ......................................................................... 130
4.4 Telecommunication Services ............................................................... 130
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CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................ 133

Social Services ............................................................................................................. 133
HEALTH SECTOR…………………………………………………………………133
5.0 Introduction .......................................................................................... 133
5.1.1 Health Facilities.................................................................................... 134
5.1.2 Population per Health Facility.............................................................. 137
5.1.3 Population per Doctor Ratio ................................................................. 138
5.1.4 Population per Hospital Bed Ratio ....................................................... 139
5.1.4 Status of Health Personnel ................................................................... 139
5.1.5 Morbidity .............................................................................................. 141
5.1.5.1 Out-patients .......................................................................................... 141
5.1.5.2 In-patients ............................................................................................. 142
5.1.6 Mortality ............................................................................................... 143
5.1.7 HIV/AIDS Infections ........................................................................... 145
5.1.7.1 The Impact of HIV/AIDS ..................................................................... 150
5.1.8 Malaria Prevalence ............................................................................... 154
5.1.9 Tuberculosis Prevalence ....................................................................... 155
5.1.10 Reportable Communicable Diseases .................................................... 156
5.1.11 Mother and Child Health Care ............................................................. 157
5.1.11.1 Child Nutrition ..................................................................................... 158
5.1.11.2 Immunisation Coverage ....................................................................... 160
5.1.12 Policy Implication on Health Sector .................................................... 163
5.1.13 Investment Opportunities for Health Sub-Sector ................................. 163
EDUCATION SECTOR ............................................................................................ 164

5.2.0 An Overview ........................................................................................ 164
5.2.1 Pre-Primary Education ......................................................................... 164
5.2.2 Enrolment in Pre-Primary Schools ....................................................... 166
5.2.3 Primary Education ................................................................................ 168
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5.2.4 Coverage of Primary School Education System .................................. 169

5. 2.4.1 Standard One Enrolment ...................................................................... 171
5. 2.4.2 Standard One Enrolment by Age Group .............................................. 173
5. 2.4.3 Standard (I-VII) Enrolment .................................................................. 175
5. 2.3.4 Primary School Completion Rate ......................................................... 177
5.2.4.5 Primary School Dropout Rate .............................................................. 181
5.2.4.6 Pass Rate in Primary Schools ............................................................... 184
5.2.4.7 Transition to Secondary Education ...................................................... 185
5.2.4.8 Primary School Facilities ..................................................................... 186
5.2.5 Secondary Education ............................................................................ 192
5.2.5.1 Secondary School Enrolment ............................................................... 196
5.2.5.1.2 Form IV Completion Rate .................................................................... 199
5.2.5.1.3 Form (V-VI) Enrolment ....................................................................... 201
5.2.5.1.4 Form VI Completion Rate .................................................................... 203
5.2.5.2 Quantity and State of School Facilities ................................................ 205
5.2.6 Higher Learning Education .................................................................. 211
5.2.6.1 Universities ........................................................................................... 212
5.2.6.2 Colleges and Institutes.......................................................................... 215
5.2.6.3 Vocational Education ........................................................................... 216
5.2.6.4 Special Education ................................................................................. 218
5.2.6.5 Adult Education .................................................................................... 219
5.2.6.6 Literacy Rate ........................................................................................ 220
5.2.6.7 Policy Implication on Education sector................................................ 224
5.2.7 Investment Opportunities in Education ................................................ 225
5.3 WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION .......................................... 225

5.3.1 Urban water supply .............................................................................. 226
5.3.2 Rural Water Supply .............................................................................. 229
5.3.3 Policy Implication on Water Sector ..................................................... 234
5.3.4 Investment Opportunities in Water Supply .......................................... 234
viii
CHAPTER SIX ........................................................................................................... 235

Other Development Issues ......................................................................................... 235
6.0 Introduction .......................................................................................... 235
6.1 Gender Empowerment .......................................................................... 235
6.1.1 Day Care Centers ................................................................................. 235
6.1.2 Women Groups .................................................................................... 236
6.2 Youth Economic Groups ...................................................................... 240
6.3 Vulnerability......................................................................................... 241
6.4 Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) ........................ 243
6.5 Financial Institutions ............................................................................ 244
6.6 Crime statistics ..................................................................................... 245
6.6.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 245
6.6.2 Crime Cases.......................................................................................... 245
6.6.3 Accidents .............................................................................................. 246
6.6.4 Theft Cases ........................................................................................... 247
References .............................................................................................................. 249
ix
List of Tables
Table 1. 1: Distribution of Surface Area, Land Area and Water Area by

Council, Iringa Region, 2012 .................................................................... 4
Table 1.2: Land Area and Administrative Units by Council, Iringa Region,
2012 ........................................................................................................... 5
Table 1.3: Distribution of Land Area and Population among Wards and
Villages by Council, Iringa Region, 2012 ................................................. 6
Table 1.4: Number of Major Ethnicity Groups by Council, Iringa Region,

2012 ......................................................................................................... 13
Table 1.5. Distribution of Population and Growth Rates by Region; 2002 and
2012 ......................................................................................................... 14
Table 1.6: Average Annual Rates of Population Increase for the Inter-censal
Periods 1978-1988, 1988-2002 and 2002-2012, by Region,
Tanzania Mainland. ................................................................................. 15
Table 1.7: Population Size and Growth by Council, Iringa Region, 2002 and
2012 Census ............................................................................................ 17
Table 1.8: Annual Population Growth Rates by Council, Iringa Region,

1967/78 to 2002/2012.............................................................................. 17
Table 1.9: Population Distribution by Council, Iringa Region, 1988, 2002 and
2012 Censuses ......................................................................................... 18
Table 1.10: Percentage Share of Regional Population by District Council,

Iringa Region, 1988, 2002, and 2012. ..................................................... 18
Table 1.11: Iringa Region‟s Percentage Share of Tanzania Mainland

Population in 1967, 1978, 1988, 2002 and 2012 ..................................... 19
Table 1. 12: Population Density by Region and Ranking, Tanzania Mainland,

1978, 1988, 2002 and 2012 Censuses. .................................................... 21
Table 1.13: Population Density by Council, Iringa Region, 1988, 2002 and
2012 ......................................................................................................... 22
Table 1.14: Population Trend by Council, Iringa Region, 2002 and 2012................. 23
x
Table 1.15 : The Dependency Ratios by Council, Iringa Region, 1988 and 2002 ...... 24
Table 1. 16 : Population Distribution by Sex and Sex Ratio by District council,

Iringa Region, 2002 and 2012 ................................................................. 24
Table 1. 17: Population distribution by broad age group and by sex, Iringa
region, 2002 ............................................................................................. 25
Table 1.18: Distribution of Households and Average Households Size by

Council, Iringa Region, 2002 and 2012. ................................................. 26
Table 1.19: Distribution of Urban Population and Percentage by Council,

Iringa Region, 2002 and 2012 Census .................................................... 27
Table 1.20: Migration Status and Net migration by Region, Tanzania

Mainland, 1988 and 2002 ........................................................................ 29
Table 2. 1: GDP and Per Capita GDP at Current Prices, Iringa Region ; 2000 –
2011 ......................................................................................................... 32
Table 2. 2: Regional GDP at Current Prices, Percentage and Ranking among

the Regions at Current Prices, Tanzania Mainland, 2010 ....................... 33
Table 2.3: Regional Per Capita Income and their Ranking among the Regions
at Current Prices, Tanzania Mainland, 2002 and 2010 ........................... 34
Table 2.4 : Selected Poverty Indicators by District Council, Iringa Region,

2005 ......................................................................................................... 36
Table 2. 5: Number of Households by Number of Meals Consumed per Day

and Council, Iringa Region, 2007/08 ...................................................... 42
Table 2.6 : Villages Surveyed and Land Use Planning by Council, Iringa
Region, 2012 ........................................................................................... 50
Table 3.1: Distribution of Total Arable Land by Council, Iringa Region; 2012 ...... 53
Table 3.2: Region‟s Contribution to the National Production of Major Staple

Food Crops during 2002/03 and 2007/08 Agriculture Censuses ............ 55
Table 3.3: Estimated Area (ha) under Major Food Crops; Iringa Region;
2009/10 – 2011/12 ................................................................................... 57
xi
Table 3. 4: Estimated Area (ha) Under Major Cash Crops, Iringa Region;
2009/10 – 2011/12 ................................................................................... 60
Table 3.5: Estimated Production in Tonnes of Major Food Crops, Iringa

Region; 2009/10 – 2011/12 ..................................................................... 64
Table 3. 6: Production per Hectare of Major Food Crops, Iringa Region;

2009/10 – 2011/12 ................................................................................... 67
Table 3.7: Number of Agricultural Households by Whether They Experienced

Food Shortage during 2007/08 Agricultural Year by Council,
Iringa Region ........................................................................................... 69
Table 3. 8: Estimated Production in Tonnes of Major Cash Crops, Iringa

Region; 2009/10 – 2011/12 ..................................................................... 70
Table 3. 9 : Production per Hectare of Major Cash Crops, Iringa Region;

2009/10 – 2011/12 ................................................................................... 73
Table 3.10: Large scale farmers: Farmers with over 50 hectares, Iringa Region;
2012 ......................................................................................................... 74
Table 3.11: Irrigation Prospects by Council, Iringa Region; 2011/12........................ 81
Table 3.12 : Estimated Population of Livestock by Type and Council, Iringa

Region; 2011/12 ...................................................................................... 83
Table 3.13: Distribution of Cattle Population by Type and Council; Iringa

Region; 2012 ........................................................................................... 84
Table 3.14: Estimated Area for Grazing by Council, Iringa Region; 2012 ................ 89
Table 3.15 : Distribution of Livestock Infrastructure by Council, Iringa Region;

2012 ......................................................................................................... 91
Table 3.16: Marketed Livestock by Type (Official Markets) and Revenue

Earned; Iringa region; 2011and 2012 ...................................................... 92
Table 3.17: Number of Litres of Milk Marketed and Value by Council, Iringa
Region; 2011 and 2012............................................................................ 93
Table 3.18: Five Major Cattle Diseases which Caused Morbidity and Mortality
by Council, Iringa Region; 2010 to2012 ............................................... 94
xii
Table 3.19: Three Major Goat Diseases which Caused Morbidity and Mortality
by Councils; Iringa Region; 2010-2012 .................................................. 96
Table 3.20: Two Major Sheep Diseases which Caused Morbidity and
Mortality; Iringa Region; 2010/11 to 2011/12 ........................................ 98
Table 3.21: Three Major Poultry Diseases which Caused Morbidity and
Mortality, Iringa Region; 2012................................................................ 99
Table 3. 22: Availability of Natural Resource Staff by Sex and by Council,

Iringa Region; 2012 ............................................................................... 102
Table 3.23: Status of Forest Reserves and Percentage of Encroachment by

Council, Iringa Region; 2012 ................................................................ 104
Table 3.24: Number of Tree Seedlings Raised by Council, Iringa Region;

2009/10 – 2011/2012 ............................................................................. 104
Table 3. 25: Revenue Collected from Timber and Chacoal by Council, Iringa
Region, 2012 ......................................................................................... 106
Table 3. 26: Number of Traditional and Modern Beehives by Council; Iringa

Region; 2011 and 2012 ......................................................................... 107
Table 3.27 : Trend of Beekeeping Products and Revenue Received (TShs),

Iringa Region; 2010 – 2012 ................................................................... 108
Table 3.28 : Beekeeping Products (Honey and Bee-Wax) by Council, Iringa

Region; 2010 – 2012 ............................................................................. 109
Table 3. 29: Fishery Resources and Production by Council, Iringa Region, 2012 ... 110
Table 3.30: Historical Sites Potential for Tourism in Iringa Region, 2012 .............. 116
Table 3. 31: Distribution of Mineral Deposits and Scale of Mining at Kilolo

District, Iringa Region, 2012 ................................................................. 123
Table 3.32 : Number of Small Scale Industries by Council and Type of Industry
- Iringa Region; 2012 ......................................................................... 124
Table 3. 33: Number of Medium Scale Industries by Council and Type, Iringa
Region, 2012 ......................................................................................... 124
Table 4.1 : Road Network by Types and by Council, Iringa Region, 2012 ............ 128
xiii
Table 4.2 : Road Network Surface condition by Council, Iringa Region, 2012 ..... 129
Table 4. 3: Air Services by Council, Iringa Region, 2012 ...................................... 130
Table 4. 4: Electricity Demand and Supply by Zone, Iringa Region; 2011 and
2012. ...................................................................................................... 132
Table 5.1: Growth Status and Distribution of Health Facilities by Council,

Iringa Region, 2002, 2008 and 2012 ..................................................... 134
Table 5.2: Availability of Health Facilities by Ownership and by Council,

Iringa Region, 2012 ............................................................................... 136
Table 5.3: Distribution of Complementary Rural Health Facilities by Council,

Iringa Region, 2012 ............................................................................... 136
Table 5.4: Relating Health Facilities to the Population by Council, Iringa

Region, 2012 ......................................................................................... 137
Table 5.5: The Number of Persons per Doctor by Council, Iringa Region,
2002 and 2012 ....................................................................................... 138
Table 5.6: The Number of persons per Hospital Bed by Council, Iringa
Region, 2002 and 2012 .......................................................................... 139
Table 5.7 : Number of Medical Personnel by Type and Sex, Iringa Region,
2012 ....................................................................................................... 140
Table 5. 8: List of the Ten Most Commonly Reported Causes of Morbidity

(Out Patients Only), Iringa Region, 2010 and 2012 .............................. 142
Table 5.9 : List of the Ten Most Commonly Reported Causes of Morbidity (In-
Patients Only), Iringa Region, 2010 and 2012 ...................................... 143
Table 5. 10: List of the Ten Most Commonly Reported Causes of Mortality in
Iringa Region (In Patients Only), 2010 and 2012 ................................. 144
Table 5.11: HIV Infections Among Family Blood Donors, Iringa Region,
2009-2011 .............................................................................................. 146
Table 5.12 : Expectant Mothers who Participated in the PMTCT Service by

Council, Iringa Region, 2012 ................................................................ 148
xiv
Table 5.13 : Group of VCT Volunteers Who were Screened for HIV by Sex and
by Council, Iringa Region, 2012 ........................................................... 148
Table 5.14 : Percentage of Persons with HIV Positive and Those Receiving
ARV by Council, Iringa Region, 2012 .................................................. 149
Table 5. 15: Total Population 10 Years and Above by Marital Status and Sex,
Iringa Region, 2002 ............................................................................... 151
Table 5. 16 : Distributions of New Tuberculosis Relapse Cases by Sex in Iringa

Region, 2009 - 2012 .............................................................................. 156
Table 5. 17: Number of Reported Cases of Reportable Communicable Diseases

in Iringa Region, 2005 and 2008 ........................................................... 156
Table 5. 18: Trends of Infant Mortality Rates by Council, Iringa Region, 1988
and 2002 ................................................................................................ 157
Table 5 19: Percentage of Severe Malnutrition for Children under One Year by
Council, Iringa Region, 2008, 2010 and 2012 ...................................... 159
Table 5 20: Percentage of Children Under One Year Vaccinated TT2 by

Table 5. 21: Percentage of Children under One Year Vaccinated BCG by

Table 5.22: Percentage of Children Under One Year Vaccinated DPT3 by

Table 5. 23: Percentage of Children under One Year Vaccinated Measles by

Table 5. 24: Number of Pre-Primary School Classrooms by Ownership and

Council, Iringa Region; 2010-2012 ....................................................... 166
Table 5.25 : Pre-Primary Schools Enrolment by Ownership and Council, Iringa

Region; 2010 – 2012 ............................................................................. 167
Table 5.26: Number of Primary Schools by Ownership and by Council, Iringa

Region; 2010-2012 ................................................................................ 169
Table 5.26 a : Distribution of Primary Schools by Council and Its Accessibility at

Village Level, Iringa Region; 2012 ....................................................... 170
xv
Table 5.26 b : Coverage of Primary Schools by Land Area, Population and

Table 5.27: Standard I Enrolment in Primary Primary Schools by Council,

Iringa Region; 2010 – 2012 .................................................................. 173
Table 5.28: Standard I Enrolment by Age Group, Iringa Region; 2012 .................. 174
Table 5.29: Total (Std I - VII) Enrolment in Public Primary Schools by Sex and
Table 5.29 a: Distribution of Std I - VII Pupils Among Primary Schools by

Table 5. 30 : Number of Pupils Enrolled in Std I in 2005 and Completed Std VII
in 2011 by Council, Iringa Region ........................................................ 178
Table 5.30 a: Number of Pupils Enrolled in Std I in 2006 and Completed Std VII
in 2012 ................................................................................................... 180
Table 5.31: Pupils Drop Outs by Reasons, Iringa Region; 2010 – 2012 .................. 183
Table 5.32: Number of Pupils Who Sat and Passed STD VII Examinations in
Public Primary Schools, Iringa Region; 2012 ....................................... 184
Table 5. 33: Number of Pupils Who were Selected and Joined Form I in Public
Secondary Schools, Iringa Region; 2012 .............................................. 185
Table 5. 34: Availability of Classrooms in Public Primary Schools by Council,

Iringa Region; 2012 ............................................................................... 187
Table 5. 35: Availability of Pit Latrines in Public Primary Schools by Council,

Iringa Region; 2012 ............................................................................... 188
Table 5. 36: Availability of Public Primary School Teachers' Houses by

Table 5. 37: Availability of Desks in Public Primary Schools by Council, Iringa

Region; 2012 ......................................................................................... 190
Table 5.38: Availability of Public Primary School‟s Teachers (Grade A, B,

Diploma and Degree) by Council, Irnga Region; 2012......................... 192
xvi
Table 5.39: Number of Secondary Schools by Ownership and by Council,

Iringa Region; 2010 – 2012 ................................................................... 194
Table 5.39 a: Average number of Primary school per Secondary Schools by

Council, Iringa Region; 2010 – 2012 .................................................... 195
Table 5.39 b: Distribution of Secondary schools among Wards, by Council, Iringa

Region; 2012 196
Table 5.40: Total Form (1-IV) Enrolment in Public and Private Secondary
Schools by Sex and Council, Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012. ............... 198
Table 5.41 : Students Completed Form IV in Public and Private Secondary

Schools by Sex, Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012 .................................... 200
Table 5.42: Total Form (V-VI) Enrolment in Public Secondary Schools by Sex
and Council, Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012 ......................................... 202
Table 5.43: Number of Students, Who Completed High Level Education in

Public Secondary Schools by Sex and by Council, Iringa Region;
2011 and 2012 ....................................................................................... 204
Table 5.44: Distribution of Teachers among Public Secondary Schools, by

Table 5.45: Availability of Teachers Houses in Public Secondary Schools, by

Table 5.46: Availability of Classrooms in Public Secondary Schools, by

Table 5.47 : Availability of Toilet holes in Public Secondary Schools, by

Table 5.48: Availability of Dormitories/Hostels in Public Secondary Schools,

by Council; Iringa Region; 2012 ........................................................... 209
Table 5.49: Availability of Libraries in Public Secondary Schools by Council,

Iringa Region; 2012 ............................................................................... 210
Table 5. 50: Availability of Desks/Tables in Public Secondary Schools by

xvii
Table 5.51: Availability of Laboratories in Public Secondary Schools by

Table 5.52: Total Number of Students in Public and Private University

Colleges and Institutes by Sex, Iringa Region, 2011/12 and
2012/13 .................................................................................................. 215
Table 5.53 : Total Number of Students in Other Institutions/Colleges by Sex,

Iringa Region, 2011 and 2012 ............................................................... 216
Table 5.54 : List of Vocational Public and Private Training Schools/Centres,

Iringa Region; 2012 ............................................................................... 217
Table 5.55: Number of Pupils Enrolled in Primary schools, by Type of

Impairment; Iringa Region; 2012 .......................................................... 219
Table 5.56: Number of Adult Education Centers and Enrolments by Council,

Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012 ............................................................... 220
Table 5.57: Percentage literate of the Population Aged 10 Years and above by
Region, Tanzania Mainland .................................................................. 221
Table 5.57 a: Distribution of Population by Age Group, Literacy and Sex, Iringa
Region; 2002 222
Table 5.57 b: Distribution of Literacy by Age Group, Sex and Location, Iringa
Region; 2002 ......................................................................................... 223
Table 5. 58: Number and Type of Urban Water Source by Council, Iringa
Region; 2012 ......................................................................................... 227
Table 5.59 : Number of Water Schemes by Type of Technology by Council,

Iringa Region 2012 ................................................................................ 228
Table 5.60 : Number and Type of Rural Water Sources by Council, Iringa
Region; 2012 ......................................................................................... 230
Table 5.61: Number and Type of Technology Used in Rural Water Schemes by
Table 5. 62 : Percentage of Rural Population Served with Clean Water by

xviii
Table 5.63: Number of Village Water Committees, Committee members by sex

and value of Village Water Funds by District, Iringa Region; as at
31.12 2012 ............................................................................................. 233
Table 6.1 : Number of Day Care Centers and pupils by Council, Iringa Region; 2011
and 2012................................................................................................. 236
Table 6. 2: Women Economic Groups by Council, Iringa Region, 2012 ................ 238
Table 6. 3: Youth Economic Groups and Total Money Loaned by Council, Iringa
Region, 2012 .......................................................................................... 241
Table 6. 4: Most Vulnerable Children by Council, Iringa Region; 2012 ................ 243
Table 6. 5: Active SACCOS by Council, Iringa Region; 2012 ............................... 244
Table 6. 6: List of Financial Institutions, Iringa Region; 2010 – 2012 .................... 244
Table 6. 7: Total Number of Crimes Reported in Region Police Station and Number
of People Jailed, Iringa Region, 2010- 2012. ........................................ 245
Table 6. 8 : Number of Accidents Reported in the Regional Police Station and

Number of People Injured/ Died by Type of Accident, Iringa Region,
2010-2012. ............................................................................................. 247
Table 6 9 : Number of Theft Cases Reported at the Regional Police Station and
Number of People Jailed, Iringa Region 2010-2012 ............................. 248
xix
List Figure
Figure 1: Percentage Distribution of Total Area by Council, Iringa, 2012 .............. 4
Figure 2: Percentage Distribution of the Number of Households by Main

Source of Income..................................................................................... 38
Figure 3: Percentage Literacy Rate by District Council, Iringa Region,

2007/08 .................................................................................................... 39
Figure 4: Percentage Distribution of Heads of Households by Education

Attainment, Iringa Region, 2007/08 ........................................................ 40
Figure 5: Percentage of Households Reporting Experienced Food problems,

Iringa Region 2007/08 ............................................................................. 41
Figure 6: Percentage of Households by Number of Meals the Household

Consumed per Day, Iringa Region, 2007/08 ........................................... 42
Figure 7: Percentage of Households by Type of Water Source during Wet

and Dry Seasons, Iringa Region, 2007/08 ............................................... 44
Figure 8: Percentage of Households by Type of Toilet Facility, Iringa Region

2007/08 .................................................................................................... 46
Figure 9: Percentage of Households by Type of Roofing Materials, Iringa

Region, 2007/08 ...................................................................................... 47
Figure 10: Percentage of Households by Main Source of Energy Used for

Lighting, Iringa Region, 2007/08 ............................................................ 48
Figure 11: Percentage Proportion of Arable Land by Council, Iringa Region;

2012 ......................................................................................................... 53
Figure 12: Percentage contribution of the Region‟s production of Maize and

Paddy to the Country; 2002/03 and 2007/08 Agriculture Sample
Census Years ........................................................................................... 55
Figure 13: Trend of Area (ha) under Major Food Crops, Iringa Region;
2009/10-2011/12 ..................................................................................... 56
Figure 14: Trend of Area (ha) under Major Cash Crops Cultivation, Iringa
Region; 2009/10-2011/12 ........................................................................ 59
xx
Figure 15: Production Trend (in Tonnes) of Major Food Crops, Iringa Region;
2009/10- .................................................................................................. 63
Figure 16: Proportion in Percentage of Food Satisfaction Problems for

Agricultural ............................................................................................. 69
Figure 17: Production Trend (in Tonnes) of Major Cash Crops, Iringa Region; 2009/10-2011/12 70
Figure 18: Percentage Distribution of Goats by Council, Iringa region, 2012 ......... 85
Figure 19: Percentage Distribution of Pigs by Council, Iringa Region; 2012 .......... 86
Figure 20: Percentage Distribution of Poultry by Council , Iringa Region;

2012 ......................................................................................................... 88
Figure 21 : Percentage Revenue Earned from Marketed Livestock by Council

(Official Markets); Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012 ................................ 92
Figure 22: Goats Diseases, Morbidity and Mortality Cases Reported, Iringa
Region; 2010-2012 .................................................................................. 97
Figure 23: Poultry diseases with morbidity and mortality cases reported in
Iringa Region; 2011-2012 ..................................................................... 100
Figure 24: Number of Poachers caught in Iringa Region; 2008 -2012 ................... 112
Figure 25 : Number of Tourists who Visited Ruaha National Park; 2008-2012 ..... 113
Figure 26: HIV Prevalence Rates by Sex for Iringa and Neighbouring Region;
2008 and 2012 ....................................................................................... 146
Figure 27: Percentage of Persons with HIV Positive Against Those Receiving
ARV by Council, Iringa Region, 2012 .................................................. 149
Figure 28: The Percentage of Widowed by Sex, Region Region Region, 2002 ..... 151
Figure 29: Percentage Distribution of Child Orphan by Sex, Iringa Region,

2002 ....................................................................................................... 153
Figure 30: Distributions of New Tuberculosis Cases by Sex, Iringa Region,

2009-2011.............................................................................................. 155
Figure 31: Number of Pre-Primary School Classrooms by Ownership, Iringa

Region; 2010-2012 ................................................................................ 165
xxi
Figure 32: Trend of Pupils Enrolment in Public and Private Pre-primary

Schools, Iringa Region; 2010-2012 ....................................................... 167
Figure 33: Standard I Enrolment by Age Group and by Sex, Iringa Region;
2012 ....................................................................................................... 174
Figure 34: Std ( I-VII) Enrolment in Public Primary Schools by Sex, Iringa
Region; 2010- 2012 ............................................................................... 175
Figure 35: Rates of Completion of Primary Education by Sex, Iringa Region,

2011 and 2012 ....................................................................................... 180
Figure 36: Dropouts of Pupils in Public Primary Schools, Iringa Region;

2010-2012 .............................................................................................. 182
Figure 37: Number of Secondary Schools by Council, Iringa Region; 2010-

2012 ....................................................................................................... 194
Figure 38: Form (I-IV) Enrolment in Public and Private Secondary Schools,
Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012 ............................................................... 197
Figure 39: Number of students Completed Form IV in Public and Private

Secondary Schools by Sex and Council, Iringa Region; 2011 and
2012 ....................................................................................................... 201
Figure 40: Percentage of Form (V-VI) Students Enrolled in Public Secondary

Schools, Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012 ................................................ 203
Figure 41 : Percentage of Form VI Students who Completed High Level

Education in Public Secondary Schools, by Sex, Iringa Region;
2011 and 2012 ....................................................................................... 205
Figure 42: Number of Village Water Committee Members by Sex, Iringa

Region; 2012 ......................................................................................... 233
Figure 43: Percentage of Women Economic Groups who Received Loans by

Council, ................................................................................................. 237
Figure 44: Participation in Managerial, Political, Professional and Technical....... 240
xxii
List of Map
Map 1 : Map of Tanzania showing location of Iringa Region; 2012 ...................... 2
Map 2 : Map of Iringa Region showing Councils Boundaries; 2012 ..................... 5
Map 3 : Map of Iringa Region showing Population Distribution by

Councils; 2012 Census ............................................................................ 16
Map 4: Map of Iringa Region showing Distribution of Livestock Services

by Councils; 2012.................................................................................... 90
Map 5: Map of Iringa Region showing Distribution of the Selected Health

Facilities by Council; 2012 ................................................................... 135
Map 6: Map of Iringa Region showing number of Screened Expectant

Mothers and Those Tested HIV positive by Council; 2012 .................. 147
Map 7: Map of Iringa Region showing Status of Malnutrition for Chidren

under One Year by Council; 2012......................................................... 159
Map 8: Map of Iringa Region showing Total Standard One Enrolment by

Council; 2012 ........................................................................................ 172
xxiii
Acronyms
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
ARI Acute Respiratory Infections
BCG Bacillus Calmest Guerin (TB Vaccine)
CBO Community Based Organization
CBPP Contagious Bovine Plural Pneumonia
CFR Crude Fertility Rate
CPR Classroom Pupil Ratio
DPR Desk Pupil Ratio
DPT3/HB3 Diptheria Pertusis Tetanus 3 rd doze/ Haemoglobin Level
ECF East Cost Fiver
RVF Rift Valley Fever
Govt. Government
HIV Human Immune Virus
IGAs Income Generating Activities
IMR Infant Mortality Rate
MMR Maternal Mortality Rate
NCD New Castle Disease
OPV3 Oral Polio Vaccine 3rd Doze
PLHA People Living with HIV/AIDS
PMTCT Prevention Mother to Child Transmission
PR Pass Rate
SACCOS Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies
Sq. Km. Square Kilometre
STD VII Standard Seven
TB Tuberculosis
TBAs Traditional Birth Attendants
TPR Toilet Pupil Ratio /Teacher Pupil Ratio
xxiv
TT2 Tetanus Toxoid 2 nd doze

U5MR Under Five Mortality Rate
VCT Voluntary Counselling and Testing
VHC Village Health Committee
VHWs Village Health Workers
VWC Village Water Committee
VWF Village Water Fund
WWF World Wildlife Foundation
WUG Water User Group
xxv
CHAPTER ONE
Land, Climate, Agro-Ecological Zones and People
1.0 An Overview
This chapter gives information about the geographical location, land area,
administrative units, climate and agro-ecological zones of Iringa Region.
Moreover, information about ethinic groups, migration, population distribution,
size and other demographic characteristics are also given in this chapter.
The impact of the monsoonal type of winds is on moisture losses and hence desertification.
Geographically Iringa is in the southern highlands of Tanzania Mainland. It

boarders five regions namely Morogoro Region in the East, Njombe Region in
the South, Dodoma and Singida Regions in the North and Mbeya Region in the
West. It is accessible from Northern and Lake Zone regions like Mwanza and
Arusha through Dodoma Region; Dar es salaam through Morogoro, Mbeya and
Ruvuma through Njombe Region. These connections are passable throughout
the year. Consequently Iringa region can look forward to a rosy future.
1
1.1 Geographical Location

Iringa Region is located in the southern highlands zone of Tanzania, below the
equator and between latitudes 60 55‟ and 90 00‟. Longitudinally the region is
situated between 330 45‟ and 360 55‟ east of Greenwich. To the north, it shares
borders with Singida and Dodoma Regions; Morogoro Region to the east,
Mbeya Region to the west while Njombe Region lies on the south as indicated in
the map below.
Map 1 : Map of Tanzania showing location of Iringa Region; 2012
Source: National Bureau of Statistics, GIS unit, 2013
2
1.2 Land Area, Land Use Pattern and Administrative Units
Livestock keeping is practiced by many residents of Iringa region
Iringa Region has a total surface area of 35,743 sq. kms out of which 2,704.2
sq.kms or 7.6 percent is covered by water bodies of Mtera Dam, the Little and
Greater Ruaha Rivers. The remaining 33,038.8 sq.km is land area. Iringa Region
is deemed to be neither a small nor a big region. It is the 13th largest region
occupying about 4.1 percent of Tanzania Mainland‟s total area of 881,289sq.km.
Table 1.1 and Fgure 1 show that distribution of the region‟s area among the
districts is largely in favour of Iringa District Council which covers 57.1 percent
of total area of the region followed by Kilolo (22.0 percent), and Mufindi (20.0
percent). Iringa Municipal has the smallest area and account for only 0.9 percent
of the total area.
3
Table 1. 1: Distribution of Surface Area, Land Area and Water Area by Council, Iringa
Region, 2012
Land Area Water Area Total Area

Council
Sq. Km Percent Sq. Km. Percent Sq. Kms. Percent
Iringa DC 19,735.48 59.7 678.50 25.1 20,413.98 57.1
Mufindi 6,177.00 18.7 946.00 35 7,123.00 20
Iringa MC 329.7 1.0 1.70 0.1 331.40 0.9
Kilolo 6,796.62 20.6 1,078.00 39.9 7,874.62 22
Total 33,038.80 100 2,704.20 100 35,743.00 100 0
Source: Iringa Regional Commissioner‟s Office, 2013
Figure 1: Percentage Distribution of Total Surface Area by Council, Iringa

Region, 2012
Kilolo
22%
Iringa MC
1%
Iringa DC
57%
Mufindi
20%
Source: Iringa Regional Commissioner‟s Office, Land Natural Resources and

Environment Department, 2013
Administratively, Iringa region is divided into 3 districts namely: Iringa,

Mufindi, and Kilolo with 4 Councils namely: Iringa District Council, Mufindi
District Council, Kilolo District Council and Iringa Municipal Council.
Moreover, Iringa Region is further sub divided into divisions, wards,
villages/hamlets and streets. Table 1.2 shows that though the number of
divisions and wards among councils differ slightly, the number of villages and
4
hamlets differ very significantly, ranging from 7 to 125 for villages and 31 to
608 for hamlets.
Map 2 : Map of Iringa Region showing Councils Boundaries; 2012
Source: National Bureau of Statistics, GIS unut, 2013
Table 1.2: Area and Administrative Units by Council, Iringa Region, 2012
Council Area Sq. Kms. Divisions Wards Villages Hamlets Streets
Iringa DC 20,413.98 6 25 123 718 0

Mufindi 7,123.00 5 28 125 608 0
Iringa Municipal 331.40 1 16 7 31 149
Kilolo 7,874.62 3 22 106 555 0
Total 35,743.00 15 91 361 1,912 149
Source: Iringa Regional Commissioner‟s Office, 2013
5
Table 1.3 shows that the average area per ward in Iringa Region is 384.3 sq.
kms, ranging from 20.7 sq kms per ward in Iringa Municipal to 816.9 sq. kms in
Iringa District Council. At village level, the average area per village in Iringa
Region is 99.0 sq kms, but varying from 57.0 sq. kms per village in Mufindi to
166.0 sq. kms per village in Iringa District Council for rural councils only.
In Iringa Region, the average population per ward was 10,343 persons. The
average population per ward varied from 9,459 in Iringa Municipal to 10,951
persons in Mufindi District Council. At regional level, the average population
was 2,601 persons ranging from 2,058 people per village in Kilolo District to
2,542 people per village in Mufindi District Council for the rural district
councils.
Table 1.3: Distribution of Area and Population among Wards and Villages by Council, Iringa
Region, 2012
Wards Villages
Area Total Average Average

Council Average Average
(sq. kms) Population area per area per
Number Population Number Population
ward village
per ward per village
(sq.kms.) (sq.kms.)
Iringa DC 20,413.98 254,032 25 816.6 10,161 123 166.0 2,065
Mufindi 7,123.00 317,731 30 237.4 10,591 125 57.0 2,542
Iringa MC 331.4 0 151,345 16 20.7 9,459 7 47.3 21,621
Kilolo 7,874.62 218,130 22 357.9 9,915 106 74.7 2,058
Total 35,743.00 941,238 93 384.3 10,121 361 99.0 2,607
Source: Iringa Regional Commissioner‟s Office, and the 2012 Population and Housing Census, Vol. I
Population Distribution by Administrative Units, 2013
1.3 Climate, Soil and Topography

1.3.1 Climate
Temperature and rainfall are two key features that show the climate of Iringa
Region. The region along with Njombe and Mbeya regions form what is called
6
the Southern Highlands as distinct from the Northern Highlands of Kilimanjaro

and Arusha regions in the far north of Tanzania. The Southern Highlands
experience long rainfall and short dry seasons which more often are cool with
fairly moderate winds. Total rainfall ranges from500mm to 1,600mm per annum
with high geographical, seasonal and annual variation. There is one rather well
defined rainy season starting from November to May followed by a dry and cold
season which lasts from June to September.
Altitude, topography and vegetation influence the climate greatly, resulting in

micro climate in specific areas and macro climate in larger areas. The climate in
Iringa is influenced by several factors resulting in the formation of three
distinctive climatic zones. These are the Highlands Zone, the Midlands Zone and
the Lowlands Zone.
The temperatures in the region vary according to altitude but generally range
from about 10o C in May/June to 25o C during the month of October. Moreover,
temperature differences can be observed between day and night and may be high
with hot afternoons going up to 28o C and chilly evenings and nights going down
to 10o C.
Winds follow a monsoonal pattern being north-easterly during the months of

May to October and south-easterly for the rest of the year. In May to October,
the winds are usually dry and sometimes dusty.
1.3.2 Soil
In Iringa region, two major superficial geological deposits are identified. These
are the red/yellow, well drained and highly weathered and the leached clay soils
in the high altitude areas. Intermediate clay soils which are characterized by
7
being moderately drained and leached are found in the midlands while the
lowlands are occupied by red brown loams which are highly fertile. Most of the
farmlands are on sandy loams with some black cotton soils which
characteristically host Acacia woodland.
The central parts of these alluvial deposits commonly have a surface layer of black soil or
“mbuga”.
1.3.3 Topography
Iringa Region occupies the northern part of the southern plateau of Tanzania
which has elevations ranging from 900m to 2,300m above sea level.
Surrounding the region on all side is a major scarp of up to 800 meters high
which is the eastern part of the Great Rift Valley. A prominent feature of the
land escarpment in Iringa District Council/Municipal and Kilolo District is the
massive outcrops or rocky peaks (tors) of granite and metamorphic rocks. These
outcrops, alternatively known as inselbergs, are remnants of ancient land
surfaces which in the adjacent areas have been eroded to form an extensive
gently undulating pen plain. The region is generally dominated by the
Udzungwa Mountains separating Iringa and Morogoro regions in the east. The
8
northern parts of the region are relatively flat, high plains cut by the eastern arm
of the Great Rift Valley in which the Great Ruaha River flows. The region is
further characterized by the presence of a big plateau portion which forms the
common landform of the region. The only permanent rivers in the region are the
Little and Great Ruaha and Lukosi.
1.4 Vegetation:
The vegetation of Iringa region varies from miombo woodlands, savanna and
mountain forest. The western slopes are woodland, giving way to grassland
patches at 2200 m and moist forest on the wetter eastern slopes and rivers
draining eastwards into the Ruaha. The forest is upper montane at high altitudes
with montane forest below. There are large areas of secondary forest following
logging and extensive areas of rock outcrops which are covered in lithophytic
lichens and orchids. Buffalo occur and occasionally elephants.
1.5 Agro – Ecological zones (AEZ)

Climatic conditions as well as geological features have been the base of
identifying different agro-ecological zones in Iringa Region. Basically the
Region has three distinctive agro-ecological zones.
1.5.1 The Highlands Zone

The zone is characterized by moderately high rainfall with annual mean
precipitation ranging from 1,000mm to 1,600mm falling in single season from
November through April or sometimes May. The dry and cold season occurs
after the rainy season and lasts from June to September. The zone is generally
mountainous with plains dissected by many seasonal streams. The zone covers
the eastern parts of Iringa District Council, Kilolo and Mufindi district councils.
9
The soils are red/yellow, well drained and highly weathered and leached clay
soils. Crops grown are mainly maize, bananas, peas, tea, wheat, sweet and Irish
potatoes, temperate fruits and beans. Livestock keeping is largely includes dairy
cattle, pigs and sheep. Fishing activities are confined to Mtera Dam.
Livestock keeping is largely practiced and oxenization is generally very

popular.
1.5.2 The Midlands Zone

This zone lies at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,600 meters above sea level. The
temperatures range from 150 C to 200 C. The zone enjoys moderate rainfall with
annual precipitation from 600mm to 1,000mm. The area is characterized by a
gently undulating plateau with isolated hills, rock outcrops and dissected by
many streams in the central parts of Iringa Region covering Mufindi District,
Iringa District Council and Kilolo District. The Midlands areas are occupied by
intermediate clay soils, which are characteristically are moderately drained and
leached. Crops grown here are mainly maize, cowpeas, sweet potatoes, beans,
and fruits. Livestock keeping includes cattle and dairy farming, sheep, pigs and
goats.
10
1.5.3 The Lowlands Zone

The zone is predominantly undulating, flat and broken by occasional small hills
and rock outcrops and has a fair rainfall regime ranging between 500mm and
600mm annually. It has an altitude of 900 meters to 1,200 above sea level. This
zone covers the low lying northern parts of the Iringa District Council along the
Ruaha River. The temperatures vary between 200 C and 250 C. The Lowlands are
dominated by red/brown loams which are highly fertile. There is considerable
soil erosion. The zone is suitable for growing drought resistant crops like
sorghum, millet and cassava; groundnuts, paddy, bananas, vegetables and fruits.
The zone is free from tsetse flies and hence livestock keeping (cattle, goats,
sheep and donkeys) is practiced.
The zone is predominantly undulating, flat and broken by occasional small

hills and rock outcrops.
1.6 Drainage System

Iringa Region is generally dominated by the Udzungwa Mountains which
separate Iringa and Morogoro regions in the east. The northern parts of the
region are relatively flat. These high plains are cut by the eastern arm of the
Great Rift Valley, through which the Great Ruaha River runs. The region is
further characterized by the presence of a big plateau portion, which forms the
11
common landform. Iringa Region forms part of the Indian Ocean drainage zone.
The Great and Little Ruaha rivers join the Rufiji River outside the region to form
part of the Rufiji River Basin. The central plateau of the region divides the
catchment into northern drainage and southern drainage. The rivers draining
north all merge into the Great Ruaha and those draining south join the Rufiji and
the Kilombero rivers.
1.7 Population
1.7.1 Ethnic Groups
The main indigenous ethnic group is the Hehe. Others who form significant
minorities are the Bena, Kinga, Barbaig, Pangwa, Chaga, Nyakyusa, Gogo,
Ngoni, Maasai, Wanji, Sukuma, Safwa and the Sagala (Table 1.4). The Hehe,
Bena and Kinga are the majority in all the councils while the Pangwa, Chaga,
Nyakyusa and Ngoni are mainly in Iringa Municipal Council where they mostly
do business. The Barbaig and Maasai on the other hand are in Iringa Municipal,
Iringa District Council and Kilolo District and are predominantly herders though
to some extent they engage farming.
The Barbaig are one of the ethnic groups in Iringa region
12
Table 1.4: Number of Major Ethnicity Groups by Council, Iringa Region, 2012
Number of
Council Major Ethnicity Groups
Ethnicity Group
Iringa DC 9 Hehe, Bena, Kinga, Pangwa, Barbaig and Maasai.

Mufindi 3 Hehe, Bena and Kinga.
Iringa MC 9 Hehe, Bena, Kinga, Pangwa,
Kilolo 7 Hehe, Bena, Kinga, Maasai, and Sagala.
Source: Regional Commissioner‟s Office, Iringa, 2013
1.7.2 Population Size and Growth

Like most regions in Tanzania mainland, the population of Iringa region has
experienced a significant growth. Table1.5 shows that the region had 941,238
people in 2012 compared to 840,404 inhabitants counted in the 2002 Population
Census, resulting in a significant increase of 100,834 people (12.0 percent)
during the intercensal period. The region accounts for 2.2 percent of the total
population of Tanzania Mainland.
When compared with other regions in the Mainland, Iringa Region comes out as
the 4th least populous region followed by Lindi, Njombe and Katavi at the
bottom as can be seen in Table 1.5.
13
Table 1.5. Distribution of Population and Growth Rates by Region; 2002 and 2012
Population Increase 2002 – 2012
Region Rate Average annual
2002 2012 Increase
(percent) rate (percent)
Iringa 837,847 941,238 103,391 12.3 1.1
Dodoma 1,692,025 2,083,588 391,563 23.1 2.1
Arusha 1,288,088 1,694,310 406,222 31.5 2.7
Kilimanjaro 1,376,702 1,640,087 263,385 19.1 1.8
Tanga 1,636,280 2,045,205 408,925 25 2.2
Morogoro 1,753,362 2,218,492 465,130 26.5 2.4
Pwani 885,017 1,098,668 213,651 24.1 2.2
Dar es salaam 2,487,288 4,364,541 1,877,253 75.5 5.6
Lindi 787,624 864,652 77,028 9.8 0.9
Mtwara 1,124,481 1,270,854 146,373 13 1.2
Ruvuma 1,113,715 1,376,891 263,176 23.6 2.1
Mbeya 2,063,328 2,707,410 644,082 31.2 2.7
Singida 1,086,748 1,370,637 283,889 26.1 2.3
Tabora 1,710,465 2,291,623 581,158 34 2.9
Rukwa 729,060 1,004,539 275,479 37.8 3.2
Kigoma 1,674,047 2,127,930 453,883 27.1 2.4
Shinyanga 1,249,226 1,534,808 285,582 22.9 2.1
Kagera 1,791,451 2,458,023 666,572 37.2 3.2
Mwanza 2,058,866 2,772,509 713,643 34.7 3
Mara 1,363,397 1,743,830 380,433 27.9 2.5
Manyara 1,037,605 1,425,131 387,526 37.3 3.2
Njombe 648,464 702,097 53,633 8.3 0.8
Katavi 408,609 564,604 155,995 38.2 3.2
Simiyu 1,317,879 1,584,157 266,278 20.2 1.8
Geita 1,337,718 1,739,530 401,812 30 2.6
Tanzania
33,461,849 43,625,354 10,163,505 30.4 2.7
Mainland
Source: The United Republic of Tanzania Population and Housing Census, 2012 Vol. 1
Table 1.6 shows that Iringa Region is among the regions with a low growth rate.
Other regions are Njombe and Lindi. Iringa Region has maintained a lower
growth rate than the Mainland over the period 1978 - 2012, for example, in the
inter – censal period 1988 - 2002 the growth rate for Iringa Region was 1.6
percent as compared to 2.8 percent for the Mainland. Iringa Region has the third
lowest growth rate of 1.1 percent after Lindi (0.9 percet) and Njombe (0.8
percent).
14
Table 1.6: Average Annual Rates of Population Increase for the Inter-censal Periods 1978-
1988, 1988-2002 and 2002-2012, by Region, Tanzania Mainland.
Difference in Annual
Average Annual Growth Rate (Percent)
Rates
Region
1978-1988 1988-2002 2002-2012 -1 -2
Iringa 2.5 1.6 1.1 -0.9 -0.5

Dodoma 2.4 2.2 2.1 -0.2 -0.1
Arusha 3.8 3.9 2.7 0.1 -1.2
Kilimanjaro 2.0 1.6 1.8 -0.4 0.2
Tanga 2.1 1.8 2.2 -0.3 0.4
Morogoro 2.6 2.6 2.4 0 -0.2
Pwani 2.1 2.4 2.2 0.3 -0.2
Dar es salaam 4.8 4.3 5.6 -0.5 1.3
Lindi 2.0 1.4 0.9 -0.6 -0.5
Mtwara 1.4 1.7 1.2 0.3 -0.5
Ruvuma 3.3 2.5 2.1 -0.8 -0.4
Mbeya 3.1 2.4 2.7 -0.7 0.3
Singida 2.6 2.3 2.3 -0.3 0
Tabora 2.4 3.6 2.9 1.2 -0.7
Rukwa 4.4 3.5 3.2 -0.9 -0.3
Kigoma 2.8 4.8 2.4 2.0 -2.4
Shinyanga 2.9 3.3 2.1 0.4 -1.2
Kagera 2.6 3.1 3.2 0.5 0.1
Mwanza 2.6 3.2 3.0 0.6 -0.2
Mara 2.7 2.6 2.5 -0.1 -0.1
Manyara n.a 3.9 3.2 n.a -0.7
Njombe n.a n.a 0.8 n.a n.a
Katavi n.a n.a 3.2 n.a n.a
Simiyu n.a n.a 1.8 n.a n.a
Geita n.a n.a 2.6 n.a n.a
Tanzania Mainland 2.8 2.8 2.7 0 -0.1
(1) Is difference in growth rates from the period 1988-2002 and that of 1978-1988.
(2) Is difference in growth rates from the period 2002-2012 and that of 1988-2002.
Source: Computed from the Tanzania Population and Housing Census 1988, 2002 and 2012
Population and Housing Census, Population Distribution by Administrative Units
Volume 1
15
Table 1.7 shows population size and growth of Iringa Region by council
according to the 1988, 2002 and 2012 censuses. It may be observed from the two
past censuses data that the population is uneven distributed among the councils
in the region. Mufindi is the most populous council throughout this period
followed by the Iringa District Council. Iringa Municipal was the least populous
council followed by Kilolo.
Map 3 : Map of Iringa Region showing Population Distribution by Councils; 2012 Census
Source: National Bureau of Statistics, GIS unut, 2013
16
Table 1.7: Population Size and Growth by Council, Iringa Region, 2002 and 2012 Census
2002 Pop. Census 2012 Pop. Census Growth Rate
Land Area 1988 - 2002 -
Council (sq. kms.) Number Percent Number Percent 2002 2012
Iringa DC 19,735.48 245,033 29.2 254,032 27.0 1.6 1.1
Mufindi 6,177.00 282,071 33.7 317,731 33.8 1.5 0.9
Iringa Urban 329.70 106,371 12.7 151,345 16.1 1.7 1.5
Kilolo 6,796.62 204,372 24.4 218,130 23.2 n.a 1.1
Total 33,038.80 837,847 100.0 941,238 100.0 1.6 1.1
Source: National Bureau of Statistics, Computed Data from 1988, 2002 and 2012 Population Census
Reports.
Iringa Region‟s population grew at an average of 1.6 percent per annum between
1988 and 2002. From 2002 and the year 2012 the growth rate decreased to an
average of 1.1 percent per annum. Although the regional growth rate for the
period 1988-2002 was 1.6 percent, it varied at district level. Iringa Municipald
had the fastest rate followed by Iringa District Council and Mufindi District
Council. Data for Kilolo District Council is not available as at that time it was
part of Iringa District Council. The district growth rates data for 2002 and 2012
are not out yet but the projected rates can be seen in the Tables 1.7 and 1.8.
Table 1.8: Annual Population Growth Rates by Council, Iringa Region, 1967/78 to
2002/2012.
Percentage intercensal annual population growth

Council
1967-78 1978-88 1988-2002 2002-2012***
Iringa DC 2.3 2.2 1.6 1.1
Mufindi 3.5 2.8 1.5 0.9
Iringa Municipal 7 4 1.7 1.5
Kilolo n.a n.a n.a 1.1
Total 2.7 2.6 1.6 1.1
Source: Compiled from 1967 to 2002 population census reports
17
Table 1.9 shows that the population of Iringa Region has reached 941,238 in
2012 from 837,847 in 2002. This is an increase of about 12.3 percent in ten
years. Mufindi continues to lead followed by Iringa District Council while Iringa
Municipal remains the least populous council throughout the 2002 to 2012
period.
Table 1.9: Population Distribution by Council, Iringa Region, 1988, 2002 and 2012
Censuses
Council 1988 2002 2012
Iringa DC 362,137 245,033 254,032
Mufindi 229,259 282,071 317,731
Iringa Municipal 84,860 106,371 151,345
Kilolo * 204,372 218,130
Total 676,256 837,847 941,238
*Kilolo was part of Iringa district council
Source: compiled from 1988, 2002 and 2012 Censuses.
Table 1.10 shows that Iringa Municipal‟s share of the regional population, like
other urban councils, has been on the increase from 12.5 percent in 1988 to 16.1
percent in 2012. While Mufindi has remained almost constant at 34 percent, the
share of Iringa and Kilolo district councils decreased and reached about 27 and
23 percent respectively in 2012.
Table 1.10: Percentage Share of Regional Population by District Council, Iringa Region,
1988, 2002, and 2012.
Percentage share of regional population
Council
1988 2002 2005 2007 2008 2012
Iringa DC 53.6 29.2 28.8 28.4 28.3 27
Mufindi 33.9 33.7 33.5 33.3 33.2 33.8
Iringa Municipal 12.5 12.7 13.9 14.6 14.9 16.1
Kilolo * 24.4 23.9 23.7 23.6 23.2
Total 100 100 100 100 100 100
Source: Compiled from Table 1.10
18
Compared to other regions of Tanzania Mainland, Iringa Region is neither the

biggest nor smallest in terms of either land area or population according to the
2002 Census results. In fact it was one of the five least populous regions of
Tanzania Mainland. However, according to the 2012 Population and Housing
Census, Iringa region was among the four least populous regions in the country
and contributed only 2.2 percent of the Mainland population. Between 2002 and
2012 the region was the 23rd in average annual rate of increase and had an
average annual growth rate of 1.1 percent compared to the mainland growth rate
of 2.7 percent. Nevertheless, Table 1.11 shows that the share of the region has
been on the decline and has reached at about 2.2 percent in the year 2012 while
in comparison; Iringa region occupies 3.7 percent of total area of Tanzania
Mainland.
Table 1.11: Iringa Region’s Percentage Share of Tanzania Mainland Population in 1967,
1978, 1988, 2002 and 2012
Total population
Year
1967 1978 1988 2002 2012
Mainland 11,958,654 17,036,499 22,455,207 33,461,849 43,625,354
Iringa 371,094 521,443 676,256 840,404 941,238
Percent Share 3.1 3.1 3 2.5 2.2
Source: Compiled from the 1967, 1978, 1988, 2002 and 2012 Census Data.
1.7.3 Population Density

Iringa region, with an average population density of 23 persons per sq. km in
2002 is considered to be a moderate densely populated region compared to other
regions of Tanzania Mainland. In 2012 Iringa Region has a total population of
about 941,238 and therefore a density of 26 people per square kilometer. The
region does not reflect any sort of land pressure compared to regions like
Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam.
19
The Mainland population density in 2002 was 38 people per sq. km. Iringa
Region was placed at number 14 in terms of population density among other
Mainland regions. Dar es Salaam led with 1,786 people per sq. km followed by
Mwanza 150 and Kilimanjaro (103). The least densely populated regions were
Lindi (12), Rukwa (17) and Ruvuma (18 people per sq. km.).
The national average population densities as presented in Table 1.12 were 1978
(19), 1988 (26), and 2002 (38) and 2012 (50). The table also compares the
Mainland regions‟ population densities. Iringa region‟s population density is low
compared to many of the other regions. In 2012, Iringa Region ranked 18 out of
the former 21 regions of Tanzania Mainland and in 2012 it ranked fourteenth.
20
Table 1. 12: Population Density by Region and Ranking, Tanzania Mainland, 1978, 1988,
2002 and 2012 Censuses.
Land Density (Persons per Sq. Kms. Rank
Region Area Sq.
kms. 1978 1988 2002 2012 2002 2012
Iringa 33,039 16 21 26 26 14 18
Dodoma 41,311 24 30 41 50 10 9
Arusha 34,516 13 20 35 49 11 10
Kilimanjaro 13,309 68 83 103 123 3 3
Tanga 26,808 39 48 61 76 7 6
Morogoro 70,799 13 17 25 31 15 13
Pwani 32,407 16 20 27 34 13 12
Dar es salaam 1,393 605 977 1786 3133 1 1
Lindi 66,046 8 10 12 13 21 21
Mtwara 16,707 46 53 67 76 6 7
Ruvuma 63,498 9 12 18 22 19 19
Mbeya 60,350 18 24 34 45 12 11
Singida 49,341 12 16 22 28 18 17
Tabora 76,151 7 14 22 30 20 16
Rukwa 68,635 11 10 17 15 16 20
Kigoma 37,037 18 23 45 57 9 8
Shinyanga 50,781 26 35 55 30 8 15
Kagera 28,388 36 46 71 87 4 5
Mwanza 19,592 74 96 150 142 2 2
Mara 19,566 37 48 70 89 5 4
Manyara 45,820 11 13 23 31 16 14
Njombe n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a
Katavi n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a
Simiyu n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a
Geita n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a
Total Mainland 881,289 19 26 38 50
Source: 2002 Population and Housing Census General Report and Population Projections
21
Table 1.13 gives the population density at the district council level for the census
years of 1988, 2002 and 2012. For the rural district councils, in 1988 Mufindi
district council with a population density of 32 persons per sq. km was the most
densely populated district council, followed by Iringa district council accounting
to 18 persons per sq. km.
In 2002, Mufindi was the most densely populated rural district (46 persons per
sq.km.) while Iringa District Council was the least (12 persons per sq. km.)
densely populated council in the region (Table 1.13). In 2012, Mufindi with
population density of 51 persons per sq. km was again the most densely
populated council followed by Kilolo with a population density of 32 persons.
Table 1.13: Population Density by Council, Iringa Region, 1988, 2002 and 2012
Population Density
Land Area 1988 2002 2012 (Persons per Sq. Km.)
Council
(sq. kms). population Population Population
1988 2002 2012
Iringa DC 19,735.48 362,137 245,033 254,032 18 12 12
Mufindi 6,177.00 229,259 282,071 317,731 32 40 45
Iringa MC 329.7 84,860 106,371 151,345 255 319 454
Kilolo 6,796.62 * 204,372 218,130 * 26 28
Total 33,038.80 676,256 837,847 941,238 19 23 26
Source: National Bureau of Statistics, Computed Data from 1988, 2002 and 2012 Population
Censuses Reports.
1.7.4 Population Change

Table 1.14 shows that from 2002 to 2012 the region‟s population increased
slightly from 837,847 in 2002 to 941,238 in 2012. However, at the council level
there were significant differences in the nature and level of population change
with one council registering population increase of more than 40 percent while
in another the population increase was only 3.7 percent. No council showed a
decline in the population.
22
Table 1.14: Population by Council, Iringa Region, 2002 and 2012

Population Increase:
Land Area Population
Council 2002 to 2012
(sq. km)
2002 2012 Number Percentage
Iringa DC 19,735.48 245,033 254,032 8,999 3.7
Mufindi 6,177.00 282,071 317,731 35,660 12.6
Iringa MC 329.7 106,371 151,345 44,974 42.3
Kilolo 6,796.62 204,372 218,130 13,758 6.7
Total 33,038.80 837,847 941,238 103,391 12.3
Source: Computed Data from 2002 and 2012 Population Censuses Reports.
1.7.5 Dependency Ratio

The Dependency Ratio is a measure which shows the load the economically
active population has in supporting the young and the old populations who are
termed as dependants. The Age Dependency Ratio therefore gives the number of
persons aged 0 – 14 years and those aged 65 years and above who are the
dependants to every 100 persons aged 15 – 64 years. Table 1.15 shows that, the
number of dependants in Iringa Region increased from 406,413 in 2002 to
440,616 in 2012. In 2012, the dependency ratio was highest in Iringa District
Council where it was 97.2 dependants per 100 of the active population and
lowest in Iringa Municipal with 59 dependants per 100 active persons.
Nevertheless, Iringa and Mufindi district councils have still a long way to go
since their dependency ratios are above the regional average of 88 persons and
national average of 93 persons.
23
Table 1.15 : The Dependency Ratios by Council, Iringa Region, 1988 and 2002
2002 Population 2012 Population
Number of Number of
Council Dependency Dependency
Economically Ratio Economically Ratio
Dependants Dependants
Active Active
Iringa DC 121,489 123,544 98 125,207 128,825 97
Mufindi 139,893 142,177 98 153,074 164,657 93
Iringa MC 42,710 63,661 67 56,302 95,043 59
Kilolo 102,321 102,051 100 106,033 112,097 95
Total 406,413 431,433 94 440,616 500,622 88
1.7.6 Population Distribution by Sex and Age

The 2002 and 2012 population censuses showed that females were more than
males in Iringa region and all its districts. At regional level, in 2002 and 2012,
for every 100 females there were 92 males (Table 1.16). In 2002, the districts
with the highest sex ratio of 95 males for every 100 females were Iringa District
Council and Kilolo. In 2012 the same districts had the highest sex ratio but this
time the ratio was 94 males for every 100 females. Mufindi and Iringa Municipal
had the lowest ratios in both 2002 and 2012 (Table 1.16).
Table 1. 16 : Population Distribution by Sex and Sex Ratio by District council, Iringa Region, 2002
and 2012
2002 2012
Council Sex Sex
Males Females Total Males Females Total
ratio Ratio
Iringa DC 119,082 125,951 245,033 95 123,243 130,789 254,032 94
Mufindi 133,150 148,921 282,071 89 151,021 166,710 317,731 91
Iringa MC 49,719 56,652 106,371 88 71,932 79,413 151,345 91
Kilolo 99,756 104,616 204,372 95 105,856 112,274 218,130 94
Total 401,707 436,140 837,847 92 452,052 489,186 941,238 92
Source: Calculations based on data from the 2002 and 2012 Censuses
24
Furthermore, the 2012 population of Iringa region as depicted by Table 1.17, is

considered as young population, made up of children under 18 years who were
455,631 (228,202 males and 227,429 females) or 48.4 percent of the total
population, followed by the young population aged between 18 – 29 years
accounted for 193,648 persons (91,480 males and 102,168 females) or 20.6
percent of total population. Persons aged 61 years and above were 50,669
(21,395 males and 29,274 females) or 5.4 percent of the total population. Table
1.17 also shows the 2012 population of Iringa Region distributed by broad age
groups.
Table 1. 17: Population distribution by broad age group and by sex, Iringa region, 2002
Sex Percent
Age Group
Male Percent Female Percent Total of Total
0 – 17 228,202 50.1 227,429 49.9 455,631 48.4
18 – 29 91,480 47.2 102,168 52.8 193,648 20.6
30 – 44 72,027 46.8 81,793 53.2 153,820 16.3
45 – 60 38,948 44.5 48,522 55.5 87,470 9.3
61+ 21,395 42.2 29,274 57.8 50,669 5.4
Total 452,052 48.0 489,186 52.0 941,238 100.0
Source: 2002 Population and Housing Census Report
1.7.7 Households and Household Size

Kilolo was the second district council to have the smallest number of households
perhaps due to its geographical characteristic and population size, with a
population of 204,372 given in the 2002 census, there were 45,710 private
households, equivalent to 23.6 percent of the total 193,329 private households of
Iringa Region.
25
In 2012, three out of four districts had an average household size of 4.2 persons.
Only Kilolo District had a slightly higher household size of 4.3 persons per
household. Table 1.18 shows that during the intercensal period, there was a
decrease in average household size in three of the districts.
Table 1.18 also gives the distribution of households by district based on the 2002
and 2012 census data. In 2012 Mufindi District had the largest number of
households (75,650) followed by Iringa District (60,484) and Kilolo (50,728).
The 2002 data give us a similar picture, that Mufindi District was the first, Iringa
District Council the second followed by Kilolo District while Iringa Municipal
had the smallest number of household (24,601).
Table 1.18: Distribution of Households and Average Households Size by Council, Iringa
Region, 2002 and 2012
2002 Census 2012 Census
Total Number of Total Number of
Household Household
Population Households Population Households
Size Size
Iringa DC 245,033 56,355 4.3 254,032 60,484 4.2
Mufindi 282,071 66,663 4.2 317,731 75,650 4.2
Iringa MC 106,371 24,601 4.3 151,345 36,035 4.2
Kilolo 204,372 45,710 4.5 218,130 50,728 4.3
Region 837,847 193,329 4.3 941,238 222,897 4.2
1.7.8 Rural and Urban population

According to Table 1.19, urbanization has been depicted as an increasing
problem in all councils of Iringa region for the 2002 to 2012 Censuses.
According to the Table, urban population of Iringa region increased from 18.9
percent of 2002 census to 21.7 percent of 2012. At council level, the Table
shows that urbanization is more significant in Iringa Municipal in which 93.8
26
percent of its population was urbanized in 2002, followed by Mufindi (12.1

percent), Kilolo (8.3 percent) and iringa DC (2.9 percent). However, in 2012 all
population (100 percent) of the people in Iringa Municipal was urbanized as
compared to 93.8 percent in 2002. Moreover, Table 1.19 further shows that
urban population in Iringa DC, Mufindi and Kilolo District Councils counted
during 2012 census were lower that of 2002 census. For Iringa DC decreased
from 2.9 percent of 2002 to 6.8 percent in 2012 census, Mufindi (dropped from
12.1 percent of 2002 to 7.6 percent in 2012 census) and for Kilolo District
Council decreased from 8.3 percent of 2002 to 5.4 percent in 2012 census.
Table 1.19: Distribution of Urban Population and Percentage by Council, Iringa Region, 2002 and
2012 Census
2002 2012
Council Total Urban Percent Total Urban Percent

population population urbanization population population urbanization
Iringa DC 245,033 7,196 2.9 254,032 17,155 6.8

Mufindi 282,071 34,144 12.1 317,731 24,159 7.6
Iringa MC 106,371 99,723 93.8 151,345 151,345 100.0
Kilolo 204,372 17,065 8.3 218,130 11,787 5.4
Total 837,847 158,128 18.9 941,238 204,446 21.7
Source: National Bureau of Statistics Population Census data 1988 and 2002
1.7.9 Migration
Factors affecting change in the population of an area are births, deaths and
migration. Migration is one of the most complex the demographic variables.
Like deaths it occurs at any time. Migration can affect the growth of population
directly, and by influencing fertility and mortality of the area of origin and
destination. The measurement and analysis of migration are important in the
27
preparation of population estimates and projections of a region. Furthermore, it

is of particular significance for manpower and regional planning.
Table 1.20 shows that Iringa is one of the regions in the country that experience
persistent negative net migration. Other regions are Dodoma, Kilimanjaro,
Tanga, Pwani, Lindi, Mtwara, Ruvuma, Singida, Kigoma, Mwanza and Mara.
There are several reasons that make negative net migration to these regions.
Among them are lack of strong industrial and commercial base, large scale
plantations and looking for greener pastures.
The 1988 and 2002 population censuses revel among many things that Iringa
Region had the second highest negative net life time migration of -120,198 and -
223,266 respectevly. This means that the number of people who came to live in
Iringa Region were less than those who left the Region. The high negative net
migration figure is a testimony to the fact that more people out-migrated.
28
Table 1.20: Migration Status and Net migration by Region, Tanzania Mainland, 1988 and
2002
1988 2002
Region
In Out Net In Out Net
migration migration migration migration migration migration
Iringa 49,282 169,480 -120,198 80,129 303,395 -223,266
Dodoma 89,900 190,985 -101,085 139,978 324,088 -184,110
Arusha 218,427 76,703 141,724 267,747 184,014 83,733
Kilimanjaro 93,040 217,423 -124,383 148,016 416,038 -268,022
Tanga 98,747 150,915 -52,168 131,961 299,142 -167,181
Morogoro 172,393 141,956 30,437 288,492 212,553 75,939
Pwani 103,804 207,716 -103,912 189,286 239,190 -49,904
Dar es salaam 651,246 150,625 500,621 1,229,839 238,423 991,416
Lindi 95,200 145,031 -49,831 100,545 177,785 -77,240
Mtwara 46,299 144,988 -98,689 53,727 189,172 -135,445
Ruvuma 66,442 81,661 -15,219 86,637 138,794 -52,157
Mbeya 160,377 113,378 46,999 238,624 173,247 65,377
Singida 86,651 130,531 -43,880 104,699 256,643 -151,944
Tabora 241,729 175,359 66,370 351,712 244,767 106,945
Rukwa 87,599 49,294 38,305 114,210 74,938 39,272
Kigoma 26,795 129,718 -102,923 84,721 239,344 -154,623
Shinyanga 288,210 281,447 6,763 449,512 64,966 384,546
Kagera 103,713 109,693 -5,980 203,623 177,014 26,609
Mwanza 270,142 303,646 -33,504 420,113 437,666 -17,553
Mara 75,982 115,865 -39,883 108,531 301,583 -193,052
Manyara * * * 276,222 55,872 220,350
Total Mainland 3,025,978 3,086,414 -60,436 5,068,324 4,748,634 319,690
Source: 2002 Population and Housing Census, Tanzania National Profile Volume V (A)
29
CHAPTER TWO
The Regional Economy
2.0 Introduction
This Chapter describes the economy of Iringa Region. The economic indicators
used include Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Per Capita Gross Domestic
Product and main source of income for the residents. The non-income poverty
indicators cover demographic characteristics, health, and education status,
access to drinking water, food security and housing condition.
Iringa Region‟s economy continues to be dominated by the agriculture sector.

Both commercial and peasantry farming are carried out, with the latter
dominating. According to the results of the 2007/08 Iringa Region Agriculture
Sample Census Report, the crop and livestock sub-sectors engaged about 98
percent of the economically active population in the region. Agriculture
contributes most of the Region‟s cash income mainly from tea, beans, maize,
ground nuts, Irish potatoes, paddy and sunflower production. It accounts close
to 85 percent of the region‟s GDP. Generally the crop sub-sector‟s performance
has been adequate to ensure good food security. Poor performance of this sub-
sector in some years has been attributed to the heavy dependence on variable
climatic conditions in the form of rainfall. Thus, the relatively high growth rates
in some years reflect the availability of favourable rainfall in those years.
Trade and repairs is the second most important economic area after agriculture,
contributing about 7.1 percent of the Region‟s GDP. The livestock sub-sector
comes third in economic contribution to the Region‟s GDP. It is estimated that
the livestock sub-sector contributes roughly 4.5 percent of the GDP. The large
30
cattle population in the region disappointingly matches poorly with its low share
of the region‟s economy. Transport, manufacturing and other sectors account for
well over 1 and 2 percent respectively. The relatively poor performance of the
manufacturing sector results from a combination of factors. These include
increased competition from imported manufactured goods (e.g. cooking oil) in
wake of trade liberalization and inefficiency of import substitution, inadequate
working capital and high production costs.
2.1 Regional Gross Domestic Product

Iringa Region‟s economic performance from 2000 to 2010 is shown in Table
2.1. The Iringa RegionRegion‟s GDP stood at TShs 1,340,065 million at current
prices in 2008. The regional economy grew by 19.3 percent between 2007 and
2008 but the growth rate dropped to 9.7 percent in 2009 before increasing to
15.8 percent in the year 2010. In 2010 Iringa RegionRegion‟s share of the
national GDP was 5.3 percent which is equivalent to TShs. 1,702,430 million
(Table 2.1). With this percentage contribution/share to the national Gross
Domestic Product ranks Iringa Region at rank fifth among Mainland regions
(Table 2.2).
31
Table 2. 1: GDP and Per Capita GDP at Current Prices, Iringa Region ; 2000 – 2011
Per Capita GDP at Current Prices in
Percent TShs. and USD
GDP at Average
change Exchange Rate
Current Percent
of GDP Percent
Year Prices in Contribution
over the Change USD
(Tshs to National TShs. TShs. to
Previous of over
million) GDP 1 USD
Year Previous
year
2000 437,360 ... 5.4 263,852 808 ... 327
2001 506,779 15.9 5.6 296,583 876 8.4 338
2002 583,569 15.2 5.6 390,261 979 11.8 399
2003 669,390 14.7 5.5 443,007 1050 7.2 422
2004 748,910 11.9 5.4 488,254 1101 4.9 443
2005 867,482 15.8 5.4 558,444 1139 3.4 490
2006 953,806 10 5.3 589,607 1252 9.9 471
2007 1,123,318 17.8 5.4 681,130 1233 -1.5 552
2008 1,340,065 19.3 5.4 797,739 1196 -3 667
2009 1,469,720 9.7 5.2 859,875 1320 10.4 651
2010r 1,702,430 15.8 5.3 979,882 1409 6.7 695
2011p 1,985,708 16.6 5.3 1,125,503 1557 10.5 723
r= revised, p= provisional
Source: National Accounts of Tanzania 2000- 2011, Statistical Abstract 2011and Tanzania in
Figures 2012 National Bureau of Statistics, Dar es Salaam.
2.2 Regional Per Capita GDP

The Per capita income of the residents of Iringa Region was TShs. 979,882
(equivalent to US $ 695) in 2010. This amount is greater than that of Tanzania
Mainland which was estimated at Tshs. 770,464 (equivalent to US$ 547) in
2010. The average annual per capita income of the residents of Iringa Region
increased slightly from TShs 797,739 in 2008 to TShs 979,882 in 2010. This is
an increase of 22.8 percent. However, in terms of US Dollars the increase was
from US$ 667 in 2008 to US$ 695 in 2010 an increase of 4.2 per cent (Table
2.1).
32
Table 2.2 shows that Iringa Regionranked fifth among regions in the
contribution to the National GDP in 2010. In 2010, Iringa‟s contribution to the
national GDP was 5.3 percent just below Shinyanga, Mbeya, Mwanza and Dar
es Salaam regions and above the remaining 16 regions of Tanzania Mainland.
Table 2. 2: Regional GDP at Current Prices, Percentage and Ranking among the Regions
at Current Prices, Tanzania Mainland, 2010
GDP (Tshs
Region million) Percentage Rank
Iringa 1,702,430 5.3 5
Dodoma 1,024,651 3.2 16
Arusha 1,573,945 4.9 7
Kilimanjaro 1,438,637 4.5 9
Tanga 1,501,150 4.6 8
Morogoro 1,574,261 4.9 6
Pwani 608,288 1.9 21
Dar es Salaam 5,428,503 16.8 1
Lindi 621,676 1.9 20
Mtwara 927,074 2.9 17
Ruvuma 1,191,028 3.7 12
Mbeya 2,376,978 7.4 3
Singida 661,753 2 19
Tabora 1,242,423 3.8 11
Rukwa 1,092,300 3.4 14
Kigoma 906,042 2.8 18
Shinyanga 1,959,401 6.1 4
Kagera 1,260,688 3.9 10
Mwanza 2,958,739 9.2 2
Mara 1,171,243 3.6 13
Manyara 1,072,269 3.3 15
Total Mainland 32,293,479 100
Source: National Accounts of Tanzania, National Bureau of Statistics, Dar es Salaam
33
Table 2.3 shows that in 2010 Iringa had the second largest per capita income.
The first region was Dar es Salaam.
Table 2.3: Regional Per Capita Income and their Ranking among the Regions at Current
Prices, Tanzania Mainland, 2002 and 2010
2002 2010
Per
Region Per Capita
Capita
Income Rank
Income Rank
(TShs)
(TShs)
Iringa 390,260 2 979,882 2
Dodoma 214,743 18 485,211 20
Arusha 364,950 3 945,437 3
Kilimanjaro 306,222 7 879,432 5
Tanga 279,363 13 763,203 9
Morogoro 282,353 12 744,234 10
Pwani 235,023 17 572,466 15
Dar es Salaam 708,046 1 1,740,947 1
Lindi 270,559 14 673,096 13
Mtwara 354,934 4 700,436 12
Ruvuma 294,210 9 866,191 6
Mbeya 290,861 10 892,877 4
Singida 247,783 16 483,922 21
Tabora 207,270 19 528,832 16
Rukwa 295,299 8 726,658 11
Kigoma 152,248 21 499,428 18
Shinyanga 289,934 11 510,023 17
Kagera 193,400 20 491,713 19
Mwanza 345,714 5 829,647 7
Mara 253,501 15 642,528 14
Manyara 319,682 6 772,364 8
Tanzania Mainland 310,991 770,464
Source: National Accounts of Tanzania, National Bureau of Statistics, Dar es Salaam
34
Table 2.4 shows the GDP estimates by district in Iringa Region. It can be
observed that Mufindi district contributed about half the region‟s GDP in 2006.
The trend remained the same for the three years consecutive. On the other hand,
Iringa Municipal‟s share in the GDP was very little in all the three years.
2.3 Poverty Indicators

As stated earlier, besides GDP and per capita GDP, there are a number of
indicators that indicate poverty levels in the region. These indicators include gini
coefficient, poverty gap, and percent of households below basic needs poverty
line, main source of cash income, food security, food consumption patterns, net
enrolment, adult literacy rate, health indicators, and access to drinking safe
water. They also include housing conditions in terms of type of toilet, roofing
material, and source of energy for lighting as well as for cooking.
2.3.1 Income Poverty Rate, Poverty Gap and Gini Coefficient

According to the 2005 Poverty and Human Development Report, the number of
poor per square kilometer in Iringa Urban is the highest (132) among districts of
Iringa Region. The report indicates that the number of poor per square kilometer
in Iringa District Councilwas only 4 while it was 7 in Kilolo District Council.
Looking at the poverty line, the report shows that Mufindi District Council was
highest with 32 percent of the households living below the basic needs poverty
line. The best district in the region was Iringa Municipal where only 18 percent
of the households lived below the poverty line followed by Kilolo District
Council (29 percent) and Iringa District Council (31 percent) as shown in Table
2.4.
With respect to rate of poverty gap, Table 2.4 shows that Mufindi again with 9
percent was the worst district council in Iringa Region followed by Iringa
35
District Council (8 percent), Kilolo District Council (7 per cent) and Iringa
Municipal (5 percent).
Regarding the Gini Coefficient Rate, the results portray that two districts in
Iringa Region had almost the same level. At 35 percent, Iringa Municipal and
Mufindi District Council were leading on uneven distribution of wealth followed
closely by Iringa District Council with 32 percent and then Kilolo District
Council with 31 percent.
Table 2.4 : Selected Poverty Indicators by District Council, Iringa Region, 2005
Percentage of
Number
Households Percentage Gini
of Poor
Council below Basic of Poverty Coefficient
per Sq.
Needs Poverty Gap Rate
Km
Line
Iringa DC 31 8 32 4
Mufindi 32.3 9 35 11
Iringa Municipal 18.2 5 35 132
Kilolo 29 7 31 7
Source: Poverty and Human Development Report, 2005
Table 2.5 shows the selected health indicators by district council in Iringa
Region. The orphanage rate according to the 2002 Census is 2.58 percent. Iringa
municipality has the highest rate of 3.81percent followed by Mufindi District
Council (2.8 percent) while Kilolo District Council has the least rate of 1.82
percent. As for the infant mortality rate, Iringa municipal has the smallest rate of
83 percent. This is not surprising as there are more health facilities in the
Municipal than in other councils.
36
Table 2.5: Selected Health Indicators by District Council, Iringa Region, 2002
Iringa Iringa Regional
Indicator Mufindi Kilolo
DC Municipal Average
Orphaned Rate (percent) (Census 2002) 2.23 2.8 3.81 1.82 2.58
Widowed Rate (percent) (Census 2002) 7.01 6.2 5.3 5.6 6.5
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) (Census 2002) 114 98 83 103 102
Children Under Five Mortality Rate (U5MR)
191 160 133 170 166
(Census 2002)
HIV/AIDS Prevalence Rate (percent) (THMIS
9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1
2011/12 )
Doctor/Population Ratio 21,169 15,887 4,324 18,178 11,914
Hospital Bed/Population Ratio 1,660 1,199 294 2,272 916
Source: NBS, Population Census Reports, 2002, District Socio-Economic Profiles.
2.3.2 Main Source of Cash Income

The 2007/08 National Sample Census of Agriculture Report shows that the main
source of cash income for the households in Iringa Region was the sale of food
crops (64 percent of small holder households) followed by cash earnings (11
percent), business income (7 percent), sales of cash crops (5 percent), and wages
(4 percent).
Moreover, less than ten percent of smallholder households reported cash

remittance, sales of forest products, sales of livestock and livestock products,
fishing and others as their main source of income (Fgure 2).
37
Figure 2: Percentage Distribution of the Number of Households by Main Source of

Income, 2007/08
Others, 9%
Wages, 4%
Sales of cash
crops, 5%
Sales of food
crops, 64%
Business
income, 7%
Cash
earnings, 11%
Source: National Sample Census of Agriculture 2007/08 Volume Vn: Regional Report Iringa
Region
2.3.3 Literacy Rate and Level of Education

According to the National sample Census of Agriculture 2007/08, Iringa Region
had a total literacy rate of 79.5 percent. The highest literacy rate was found in
Iringa Municipal (84 percent), followed by Mufindi District Council (82
percent), Kilolo District Council (80 percent) and Iringa District Council (76
percent). The literacy was 85 percent for males and 53 percent for females.
The 2002 Population and Housing Census show that 72 percent of all persons
aged five years and above were literate. It further shows that, literacy rate was
higher among males (77 percent) than females (68 percent).
38
The extent of literacy was much higher in urban areas (84 percent) than in the
rural areas (70 percent). Comparison between 1988 and 2002 results show that,
the status of literacy has improved quite substantially from 58 percent to the
current one (72 percent) and again literacy rates among males and among
females have also increased from 66 percent to 77 percent for males and from 50
percent to 68 percent for females.
Figure 3: Percentage Literacy Rate by District Council, Iringa Region, 2007/08

Iringa
Rural, 76% Iringa
Urban, 84%
Kilolo, 80%
Mufindi, 82%
Source: National Sample Census of Agriculture 2007/08 Volume Vn: Regional Report:
Iringa Region
The National Sample Census of Agriculture 2007/08 collected information from

individual agricultural households. The results show that 41 percent of the
regional population aged 5 years and above had completed different levels of
education and 38 percent were still attending school. Those who have never
attended school were 21 percent.
Agricultural households in Kilolo District Council had the highest percentage

(46.2 percent) of population aged 5 years and above who had completed
different levels of education. This was followed by Iringa District Council (43.2
39
percent) then Iringa Urban (41.9 percent) and the least proportion was in
Mufindi District Council (40.2 percent).
The number of heads of agricultural households with formal education in Iringa

Region was 513,563 (97.9 percent), those without formal education were 1,152
(0.2 percent) and those with only adult education were 9,935 (1.9 percent). The
majority of heads of agricultural households (92 percent) had primary level
education five percent had post primary education; about two percent had adult
education whereas only 0.8 percent had post- secondary and tertiary education.
Figure 4: Percentage Distribution of Heads of Households by Education Attainment,

Iringa Region, 2007/08
Post- secondary
Adult
and tertiary
education, 2%
education, 0.80
%
Post- primary
and secondary
school, 5%
Under std one

and primary
education, 92%
Source: National Sample Census of Agriculture 2007/08 Volume Vn: Regional Report:
Iringa Region
.
2.3.4 Food Security and Food Consumption Patterns

Food security and level of food consumption is also an indicator of poverty level
of the household. The number of meals consumed in a day and the frequencies
of protein intake per week particularly meat and fish are most superior in
measuring poverty levels of the households in the country.
40
2.3.4.1 Food Security

According to the 2007/08 National Sample Census of Agriculture, in Iringa
Region, 193,176 households (63 percent of the total agricultural households in
the region) said they have never been satisfied with the food situation. However,
22 percent said they seldom get satisfied, seven percent said they sometimes get
satisfied and five percent often. About 3 percent of the agricultural households
said they did not experience any food sufficiency problems.
Figure 5: Percentage of Households Reporting Experienced Food problems, Iringa Region

2007/08
Often Always
satisfied, 5% satisfied, 3%
Sometimes
satisfied, 7%
Seldom
Never
satisfied, 22%
satisfied, 63%
Source: NBS, National Sample Census of Agriculture, Iringa Region, 2007/08.
2.3.4.2 Number of Meals per Day

The National Sample Census of Agriculture 2007/08 reveals that the majority of
rural agricultural households in Iringa Region normally had 2 meals per day (53
percent). This was followed by 3 meals per day (46 percent) and 1 meal per day
(one percent). None of the households have 4 meals per day.
41
Kilolo District had the largest percentage of households eating one meal per day
whilst Mufindi district had the highest percentage of households eating 3 meals
per day as indicated in Table 2.5 below.
Table 2. 5: Number of Households by Number of Meals Consumed per Day and Council,
Iringa Region, 2007/08
One Two Three
Council Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Total
Iringa DC 278 11.9 29,888 33.9 26,134 34.6 56,300
Mufindi 477 20.4 29,898 33.9 33,873 44.8 64,248
Iringa Urban 47 2 713 0.8 636 0.8 1,396
Kilolo 1,531 65.6 27,770 31.5 14,978 19.8 44,279
Total 2,333 100 88,269 100 75,621 100 166,223
Figure 6: Percentage of Households by Number of Meals the Household Consumed

per Day, Iringa Region, 2007/08
One
1%
Three Two
46% 53%
Source: NBS, National Sample Census of Agriculture, Iringa Region, 2007/08
42
2.3.4.3 Protein (Meat and Fish) Consumption Frequencies

The National Sample Census of Agriculture 2007/08 further reveals that the
number of agricultural households that consumed meat during the week
preceding the census. The frequency of eating meat was as follows: once a week
(45 percent of the households, twice a week (24 percent) and three or more times
a week (7 percent). The household that did not eat meat were 24 percent.
The observation was different regarding fish consumption and the frequencies
were as follows; once a week (42 percent of the households, twice a week (16
percent), three times a week (6 percent) and four or more times a week (2
percent). However, 34 percent of the households did eat fish at all during the
week.
2.3.5 Access to Drinking Clean Water

According to the National Sample Census of Agriculture 2007/08 results, the
main source of drinking water for rural agricultural households in Iringa Region
was piped water. About 37 percent of households use this source in both seasons
followed by unprotected well (22 percent). About 17 percent of the households
use surface water while 12 percent use unprotected spring. Protected wells are
used by had eight percent of the households whereas three percent use
protected/covered spring.
The results of the 2002 Population and Housing Census at the district level show
that the main source of drinking water in Iringa District Council, Iringa
Municipal and Kilolo District Council was piped water while in Mufindi District
Council it was unprotected well. In the rural areas of Mufindi District Council,
unprotected wells were used by 31 percent of the households while in urban
areas they were used by 15 percent of all households.
43
In Iringa District Council unprotected wells were used by 29 percent of the

households in the rural areas while in the urban areas they used by 21 percent. In
Kilolo District Council, unprotected wells were the main source of drinking
water for 19 percent of the households in the rural areas while in the urban areas
it was the main source for 3 percent of the households. Iringa Municipal,
unprotected wells were used by 36 percent of the households in the rural areas
while in the urban areas the situation was better as only 3 percent of the
households used unprotected well as the main source of drinking water.
About 83 percent of the rural agricultural households in Iringa Region obtained

drinking water within a distance of less than one kilometer during wet season
compared to 74 percent of the households during the dry season. However, 16
percent of the agricultural households obtained drinking water from a distance of
one or two kilometers during wet season compared to 23 percent of households
in the dry season. About 10 percent obtained water more than two kilometers
away.
Figure 7: Percentage of Households by Type of Water Source during Wet and Dry
Seasons, Iringa Region, 2007/08
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5% Dry season
0%
Wet season
Source: NBS, National Sample Census of Agriculture Arusha Region, 2007/08
44
2.3.6 Types of Toilets

With respect to availability of toilets, the 2007/08 National Sample Census of
Agriculture show that a large number of rural agricultural households (284,343
households, 93 percent of all households) use traditional pit latrines followed by
improved pit latrine (16,858 households, 5 percent) and flush toilets (3,698
households, 1.2 percent). About 1,730 households (one percent of the
households) had no toilet facilities.
The distribution of the households without toilets within the region indicates
that 58 percent of them were found in Mufindi District Council followed by
Kilolo District Council (30 percent), Iringa Municipal (12 percent) and Iringa
District Council (zero percent).
At the District Council level according to the 2002 Population and Housing
Census, the picture is almost the same. The results show that in the districts the
most common toilet facility was the traditional pit latrine which was used as
follows: Kilolo District Council (99 percent of the households), Mufindi District
Council (98 percent), Iringa District Council (96 percent) and Iringa Municipal
(76 percent). About one percent of the total households in Iringa District Council
had no toilet facility while Iringa Municipal, Kilolo and Mufindi District
Councils, households without toilet facility were less than one percent.
45
Figure 8: Percentage of Households by Type of Toilet Facility, Iringa Region 2007/08
Improved Pit
No Toilets, 1%
Latrine, 5%
Flush
Toilets, 1.20%
Traditional Pit
Latrine, 93%
2.3.7 Roofing Materials

The National Sample Census of Agriculture 2007/08 showed that grass and
leaves are the most common roofing materials in rural areas in the country.
However, the situation is different in Iringa Region where the most common
roofing material for the main dwelling are iron sheets which are used by 59
percent of the rural agricultural households. These are followed by grass and
leaves (34 percent), grass and mud (five percent), asbestos (one percent) and
tiles (one percent) (Figure 9).
46
Figure 9: Percentage of Households by Type of Roofing Materials, Iringa Region,

2007/08
Grass and Tiles, 1%
mud, 5% Asbestos, 1%
Grass/leaves, 3
4%
Iron
sheets, 59%
Looking at the district level, Mufindi District Council had the highest percentage
of households with iron sheets roofing (38 percent) and was followed by Iringa
District Council district (36 percent), Kilolo District Council (25 percent) and
Iringa Municipal (one percent). The 2002 Population and Housing Census shows
that grass was the most popular roofing material in Mufindi, Iringa District
Council and Kilolo District Council while in Iringa Municipal iron sheets were
the most popular roofing material accounting for 95 percent of the households.
2.3.8 Source of Lighting Energy

According to the 2007/08 Agriculture Sample Census, hurricane lamp was the
most common source of lighting energy in the Region with 54 percent of the
rural households using this source of energy, followed by wick lamp (39
percent), electricity (two percent), pressure lamp (two percent), solar and
firewood one percent each.
47
According to the 2002 Population and Housing Census the main source of
lighting was wick lamp with a share of 51 percent of the total private
households. In urban areas, the main source was hurricane lamp (45 percent)
followed by electricity (33 percent) and wick lamp (18 percent). In rural areas,
the main source was wick lamp (58 percent) followed by hurricane lamp (34
percent) and firewood (5 percent).
At the district level, the report shows that wick lamp was the main source of
lighting in Mufindi District Council (58 percent), Iringa District Council (56
percent), Kilolo District Council (57 percent) and Iringa Municipal (47 percent).
Looking at the urban areas, the main source of lighting in all districts except
Iringa Urban (electricity) was hurricane lamps while for the rural areas it was
wick lamp in all the districts.
Figure 10: Percentage of Households by Main Source of Energy Used for Lighting, Iringa Region,
2007/08
Pressure Solar, 1%
lamp, 2% Firewood, 1%
Electricty, 2%
Wick lamp, 39% Hurricane

lamp, 54%
48
2.3.9 Source of Energy for Cooking

The 2002 population and housing census results show that for the most of the
private households, the main source of energy for cooking was firewood (88
percent). While in urban areas charcoal was the most used source (47 percent),
in the rural areas the main source was firewood (98 percent) followed by
charcoal (one percent).
At the district level the main source of energy for cooking was firewood for all
districts with the exception of Iringa municipal which used charcoal as the main
source of energy for cooking. In the urban areas the main source for cooking in
Kilolo, Iringa District Council and Mufindi District Councils was firewood
while for Iringa municipal it was charcoal.
On the other hand, the National Sample Census of Agriculture 2007/08 results
revealed that the most prevalent source of energy for cooking was firewood,
which was used by 97 percent of rural agricultural households in Iringa Region.
This is followed by charcoal (one percent). The rest of energy sources accounted
for two percent. These were solar energy, mains electricity, paraffin/kerosene,
bottled gas, crop residuals and livestock dung.
2.3.10 Land Development

The demand for surveyed land plots has been great in recent times. Land use
planning is a key aspect of development in both urban and rural areas of every
region. The land needs in urban areas are dominated by the demand for building
plots for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial purposes. In rural
areas agricultural and other production activities are the major needs for land.
49
2.3.10.1 Village Land use Planning.

In the planning of farms, grazing areas and human settlements in rural areas,
village is the first step. Table 2.6 shows that out of 361 villages in Iringa Region,
about 91.7 percent have been surveyed and demarcated. Mufindi district is
leading with 99.2 percent of its villages surveyed and demarcated. It is followed
by Kilolo (91.5 percent) and Iringa District Council (89.4 percent).
Table 2.6 : Villages Surveyed and Land Use Planning by Council, Iringa Region, 2012
Percent of
Number Villages Percentage
Total Village
Number of of Already of village
Council Number of with land
Wards Villages Surveyed with land
Villages use plan
Surveyed and use plan
demarcated
Iringa DC 25 123 110 89.4 54 43.9
Mufindi 30 125 124 99.2 36 28.8
Iringa Municipal 16 7 0 0.0 0 0
Kilolo 22 106 97 91.5 26 24.5
Total 93 361 331 91.7 116 32.1
Source: District Executive Directors Offices –Land, Natural Resources and Environment
Department, 2013
50
CHAPTER THREE
Productive Sectors
3.0 Overview
Chapter three explains the performance of productive sectors in the district.
These sectors include agriculture, livestock, natural resources, mining, industrial
development and the land sector development.
3.1 Agriculture
3.1.1 Introduction
Iringa region in 2012 had a total of 941,238 people with 80 percent of the
economically active population in the region dependant on agriculture and
livestock for subsistence and income. The agricultural sector generates much of
the region‟s GDP. However, this sector has been declining in its performance in
the region due to several factors such as frequent use of inferior agricultural
implements, the application of out-dated agricultural methods, pest problems,
soil exhaustion (e.g. Isimani and Pawaga divisions, etc), and sometimes, low
purchasing power of the people tends to discourage the use of modern
agricultural inputs or implements. In addition, marketing arrangements for most
crops are inadequate coupled with poor transport system and lack of credit
facilities for peasant farmers.
In the period between the agricultural sample censuses of 2002/03 and 2007/08,
the number of agricultural households in Iringa Region increased by 16,031
(10.7 percent) from 150,191 in 2002/03 to 166,222 in 2007/08. In both censuses,
Mufindi had the largest number of such households. It had 56,766 in 2002/03
and 64,248 in 2007/08. The second was Iringa DC 52,714 and 56,300, Kilolo the
51
third at 39,549 and 44,279 as well as Iringa municipal had the lowest number of
1,162 and 1,395 households. Since arable land in the Region was the same at
1,557,465 hectares in 2002/03 and 2007/08, the average arable land per
household involved in agriculture was 10.4 hectares in 2002/03 which decreased
to reach 9.4 hectares in 2007/08. Moreover, the lower average arable land per
agriculture household observed in 2007/08 was a consequence of increasing
population in Iringa Region.
3.1.2 Distribution of Arable Land

Of the total hectares highlited in Table 3.1, 1,556,465 ha (47.1 percent of total
area) are suitable for agricultural production and livestock rearing. But the land
currently under cultivation is only 577,235 ha, being just 37.1 percent of the
arable land in the whole region.. The remaining arable land of 979,231 ha or
62.9 percent of the regional total arable land is still idle or used for other
activities such as human settlements, natural forests, etc. Moreover, by utilizing
less than half (37.1 percent) of its total arable, agriculture land in the region is
not under pressure and still there is adequate arable land for crops farming.
Table 3.1 further shows that Mufindi district council had the largest share of
region‟s total arable land at 41.9 percent, followed by Iringa DC (30.8 percent),
Kilolo (26.9 percent) and Iringa Municipal had the least portion only at 0.4
percent. In terms of arable land already put under crops cultivation, Mufindi had
the biggest share (45.7 percent of the Region‟s total arable land under
cultivation). Next was Iringa DC (32.0 percent), Kilolo district council (22.2
percent) and the last was Iringa Municipal (0.2 percent). On the other hand,
Iringa Municipal due to its urban characteristics, arable land for crops cultivation
is so scarce.
52
Figure 11: Percentage Proportion of Arable Land by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
26.9% 30.8%
Kilolo Iringa DC
0.4%
Iringa
Municipal
41.9%
Mufindi
Source: Iringa Region, Compiled Data from Districts Councils (Agriculture
Departments), 2013
Table 3.1: Distribution of Total Arable Land by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Total land Arable

Council Land under cultivation
Percentage
Area (ha) Area (ha)
Area (ha) Percent
Iringa DC 1,973,548 479,158 24.3 184,465 32.0
Mufindi 617,100 652,630 105.8 263,552 45.7
Iringa Municipal 32,970 6,500 19.7 1,328.5 0.2
Kilolo 679,662 418,177 61.5 127,889 22.2
Regional Total 3,303,280 1,556,465 47.1 577,235 100.0
Percentage
of Regional Land 47.1 17.5
Area
Source: Iringa Region, Compiled Data from Districts Councils (Agriculture Departments), 2013
53
3.1.3 Contribution of the Region to the National Main Staple Food Crops
Production
Maize and paddy are the main cereal crops and regarded as the country‟s staple
food. Since these crops are also main staple food of the Iringa Region, Table 3.2
shows the extent to which the Region contributes to their total production.
According to the Table, contribution of the region to the national staple food
decreased dramatically from 13.3 percent in 2002/03 to 0.1 percent in 2007/08
for maize. Likewise, contribution decreased from 1.6 percent in 2002/03 to 0.1
percent in 2007/08 for paddy. By taking cumulative numbers, the regional total
contribution of maize and paddy to national decreased from 10.9 percent in
2002/03 to 0.1 percent in 2007/08 respectively. However, the Regional
Authority should regard this as a challenge and find out why this happened.
54
Figure 12: Percentage contribution of the Region’s production of Maize and Paddy to the
Country; 2002/03 and 2007/08 Agriculture Sample Census Years
14 13.3
12
10
Perce 8
6 Maize
4 Paddy
1.6
2
0.1 0.1
0
2002/03 2007/08
Years of Agriculture Census
Source: NBS, National Agriculture Sample Censuses Reports, 2002/03 and 2007/08
Table 3.2: Region’s Contribution to the National Production of Major Staple Food Crops during
2002/03 and 2007/08 Agriculture Censuses
National Percentage Contribution
Iringa Regional
Production of the Region to the
Crop Production (tonnes)
(tonnes) National Production
2002/03 2007/08 2002/03 2007/08 2002/03 2007/08
Maize 2,002,450 1,033,934 265,946 1,238 13.3 0.1
Paddy 503,525 330,995 8,098 222 1.6 0.1
Total 2,505,975 1,364,929 274,044 1,460 10.9 0.1

Source: NBS, National Agriculture Sample Censuses Reports, 2002/03 and 2007/08
55
3.1.4 Land under Cultivation

3.1.4.1 Area under Major Food Crops Cultivation
Table 3.3 shows major food crops grown in Iringa Region.Over the three year,
areas planted with major food crops fluctuated. The total area decreased by 6.5
percent (22,607 ha) from 348,467 in 2009/10 to 325,860 ha in 2010/11 and then
increased by 11.7 percent (38,225 ha) from 325,860 in 2010/11 to 364,085 ha in
2011/12. Nevertheless, area planted with food crops averaged annually at
346,137.4 ha. By being planted in an annual average area of 244,933.7 ha (70.8
percent) maize was the predominant food crop, followed by beans (55,722 ha,
16.1 percent) and paddy (14,009.7 ha, 4 percent). The list of other food crops
with their average annual planted areas is as shown in Table 3.3. Figure 13
shows trend of Area under major food crops cultivation on which 2011/12 had
the lowest planted area.
Figure 13: Trend of Area (ha) under Major Food Crops, Iringa Region; 2009/10-2011/12
370,000
364,085
360,000
350,000 348,467
340,000
330,000
320,000 325,860
310,000
300,000
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12
56
Table 3.3: Estimated Area (ha) under Major Food Crops; Iringa Region; 2009/10 –
2011/12
Yearly
Crop 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Percent Rank
Average
Maize 247,363 232,105 255,333 244,933.7 70.8 1
Paddy 12,192 13,636 16,201 14,009.7 4.0 3
Irish potatoes 6,491 6,479 7,632 6,867 2.0 5
Sweetpotaotes 2,013 2,088 2,092 2,064.3 0.6 8
Beans 53,831 52,897 60,438 55,722.0 16.1 2
Wheat 4,897 6,204 6,295 5,798.7 1.7 7
Sorghum 11,052 3,109 5,753 6,638.0 1.9 6
Finger millet 674 470 306 483.3 0.1 10
Cassava 1,473 942 1,371 1262.0 0.4 9
Sunflower 8,481 7,930 8,664 8358.3 2.4 4
Regional Total 348,467 325,860 364,085 346,137.3 100.0
Maize
Is both a major food staple and the most important marketed crop in the Region
(in volume terms). Thus, maize is of vital importance to the Region and also an
important determinant of the national maize surplus. According to Table 3.3
above, from 2009/10 –2011/12 maize planted on the average area of 244,933.7
ha annually. This was equivalent to 70.8 percent of the average annual area
planted with major food crops. The best year was 2011/12 which had largest
area of 255,333 ha whilst the worst year was 2010/11 when 232,105 ha were
planted. Although, it is possible to cultivate maize in all areas of the Region,
some parts are better than others due to varying climatic conditions.
Beans
Have a long tradition in the region both as cash and food crop. In terms of
planted area, beans is the second dominant food crop after maize (Table 3.3).
Over the period, 2009/10-2011/12, the average planted area per year was 55,722
57
ha or 16.1 percent of the average hectares planted with major food crops in the
Region. The crop is grown in all councils but Iringa Municipal Council due to its
urban characterists has least area planted with beans.
Paddy
Is the second staple food after maize but is also sold as cash crop. It is dependent
on rain fed floods and hence it is grown entirely in low lying mbuga lands
commonly known as „Majaruba‟. Also it is a labour intensive crop and which
needs high moisture regime during the entire growth period. The crop is
normally transplanted in December and March.According to Table 3.3, paddy is
the third major food crop in terms of area planted. The crop accounted for four
percent of the region‟s average annual area of 346,137.3 ha under major food
crops. The principal paddy growing areas are the Ruaha plains in Iringa DC and
Sadani in Mufindi district council.
Sunflower
It is an oil seed crop which serves both as food and cash crop. It is grown in all
four councils of the Region though with big variation in regard to planted area.
Table 3.3 shows that from 2009/10-2011/12 sunflower was planted on an annual
average area of 8,358.3 ha (2.4 percent) and was the fourth major food crop in
the Region.
Irish Potatoes
Is another important crop in the Region. The crop is also grown for food and
cash earning. Over the period under consideration, the lowest planted area was
6,479 ha in 2010/11 but its annual average planted area was 6,867.3 ha (2
percent of the area planted with major food crops). In terms of the land size
planted with Irish potatoes, the crop ranked fifth among major food crops in the
58
Region. Table 3.3 also shows other major food crops grown in the Region with
their respective planted area and rank.
3.1.4.2 Area under Major Cash Crops Cultivation

In Iringa Region the main cash crops grown are tobacco, tea, pyrethrum,
sunflower, groundnuts, onion, tomatoes and coffee. Table 3.4 shows the average
area planted with cash crops per year was 56,869.6 ha. This average area is
equivalent to 3.6 percent of the Region‟s total arable land of 1,557,465 ha and
also equivalent to 9.8 percent of the Region‟s total arable land of 577,235 ha
already put under both food and cash crops cultivation. In addition, Table 3.3
further reveals that the season of 2011/12 was the best year as the region had the
laggest area of 63,396 ha planted with all major cash crops whilst 2010/11 was
the worst as it had the lowest planted area of 51,792 ha.
Figure 14: Trend of Area (ha) under Major Cash Crops Cultivation, Iringa Region;
2009/10-2011/12
70,000
63,396
60,000 55,421
50,000
51,792
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12
59
Table 3. 4: Estimated Area (ha) Under Major Cash Crops, Iringa Region; 2009/10 – 2011/12
Yearly
Crop 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Percent Rank
Average
Tobacco 1,739 2,240 2,466 2,148.3 3.8 5
Tea 5,997 5,756 6,065 5,939.5 10.4 2
Pyrethrum 137 100 178 138.3 0.2 8
Sunflower 39,499 34,367 45,918 39,927.8 70.2 1
Groundnuts 1,909 2,486 2,637 2,344 4.1 4
Onion 677 1,231 1,376 1,094.7 1.9 6
Tomatoes 5,065 5,207 4,402 4,891.3 8.6 3
Coffee 398 405 354 385.7 0.7 7
Regional Total 55,421 51,792 63,396 56,869.6 100
Sunflower
This is both food and cash crop. In terms of area planted with cash crops (Table
3.4), it is the leading cash crop. From 2009/10-2011/12 the average area planted
per year was 39,927.8 ha which was equivalent to 70.2 percent of the region‟s
average annual area of 56,869.6 ha put under cash crops. In 2011/12 sunflower
covered the laggest area of 45,918 ha and the lowest land size under sunflower
cultivation was 34,367 ha in 2010/11. The crop is grown in all four councils of
the Region but with varying planted areas.However, Iringa Municipal Council
because it is urban, usually has the smallest area under sunflower cultivation.
Tea
In terms of planted area, tea is the second important cash crop. The crop
accounted for 10.4 percent of the Region‟s annual average area of 56,869.6 ha
under cash crops (Table 3.4). The smallest land area of 5,756 ha in 2010/11 was
below the crop annual average area by 183.5 ha (3.1 percent) and the highest
planted area of 6,065 ha in 2011/12 was above the annual average area by 125.5
60
ha or 2.1 percent. Tea is grown in only two councils, Mufindi where it isgrown
in large scale and Kilolo under small scale farming.
Tomatoes
It is the most cultivated vegetable crop in the Region and ranked third in terms
of planted area (Table 3.4). According to Tanzania National Agriculture Sample
Cencus of 2007/08, the crop occupied 6,036 hectares which represented 37
percent of the area under fruits and vegetables in Iringa Region. According to
Table 3.4, over the period of 2009/10-2011/12 the area under tomatoes
cultivation was 4,891.4 ha on average per year which represents 8.6 percent of
the whole Region‟s annual average area put under cash crops farming.
Moreover, the crop is planted in all four councils led by Kilolo followed by
Mufindi, Iringa DC and Iringa Municipal Council (Tanzania National
Agriculture Sample Cencus of 2007/08).
Groundnuts
It is an oil bearing crop. Table 3.4 shows an increasing trend of the area planted
with groundnuts annually. It increased by 728 ha or 38.1 percent from 1,909 ha
in 2009/10 to 2,637 ha in 2011/12. By accounting for 4.1 percent of the Region‟s
annual average area planted with cash crops, groundnuts ranked fourth. Kilolo is
leading in groundnuts cultivation followed by Mufindi, Iringa DC and the last is
Iringa Municipal Council.
Tobacco
This is an annual crop and the fifth important crop in terms planted area over the
2009/10-2011/12 period. The bigger increase of 501 ha (28.8 percent) was
between the crop season of 2009/10 and 2010/11 and the lowest increase of 266
61
ha (10.1 percent) was observed between 2010/11 and 2011/12 (Table 3.4).
Tobacco is mainly grown in Iringa DC and Mufindi.
Onion
Is another vegetable crop for both food and cash Table 3.4 shows that the crop
accounted for 1.9 percent of the Region‟s annual average area of 56,869.6 ha
under cash crops. It was ranked sixth in terms of planted area. Its planted area
increased from 677 ha in 2009/10 to 1,231 ha in 2010/11 then reached 1,376 ha
in 2011/12.
Coffee
It is another cash crop grown in the Region though in small quantities compared
to what is produced in Kagera, Kilimanjaro and Mbeya regions. Table 3.4
indicates that coffee had an average annual planted area of 385.7 ha or 0.7
percent of the region‟s annual average area under cash crops. Over the period
under consideration, coffee was planted in the largest area of 405 ha in 2010/11
and in the smallest area of 354 ha in 2011/12. The geographical location and
climate of Mufindi has made it the only council in the Region growing coffee.
Pyrethrum
Among the cash crops listed in Table 3.4, pyrethrum had the smallest yearly
average planted area of 138.3 ha equivalent to 0.2 percent of the region‟s
average annual area under cash crops. Topography and soil texture of Mufindi
and Kilolo favor the growth of pyrethrum and make them the only two councils
growing the crop.
62
3.1.5 Crop Production

3.1.5.1 Major Food Crops Production
For three years, 2009/10-2011/12, the region produced a total of 2,221,493
tonnes of major food crops (Table 3.5). The average annual tonnage was
740,497.6. Production increased from 698,977 tonnes in 2009/10 to 740,634 in
2010/11 and then reached 781,882 in 2011/12. The highest production of
781,882 tonnes attained in 2011/12 was above the Regional average annual
production of 740,497.6 tonnes by 41,384 tonnes or 5.6 percent. However,
maize dominated production by accounting for 68.4 percent of the average total
tonnage produced while fingermillet made the least contribution of 0.5 percent.
Figure 15: Production Trend (in Tonnes) of Major Food Crops, Iringa Region; 2009/10-
2011/12
800,000
780,000
760,000
740,000
720,000
700,000
680,000
660,000
640,000
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12
63
Table 3.5: Estimated Production in Tonnes of Major Food Crops, Iringa Region; 2009/10 –
2011/12
Yearly
Crop 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Total Percent Rank
Average
Maize 473,379 522,444 522,843 1,518,666 506222.0 68.4 1
Paddy 30,567 29,074 50,730 110,371 36790.3 5.0 4
Irish potatoes 70,836 57,262 80,713 208,811 69603.7 9.4 3
Sweetpotaotes 19,655 18,730 19,655 58,040 19346.7 2.6 5
Beans 70,616 77,105 79,061 226,782 75594.0 10.2 2
Sorghum 11,043 9,668 4,209 24,920 8306.7 1.1 8
Finger millet 3,414 4,662 2,169 10,245 3415.0 0.5 9
Cassava 9,130 7,235 10,354 26,719 8906.3 1.2 7
Sunflower 10,337 14,455 12,147 36,939 12313.0 1.7 6
Regional Total 698,977 740,634 781,882 2,221,493 740497.6 100.0
Percent 31.5 33.3 35.2 100.0
Maize
Maize is the dominant cereal crop in the region due to producing more tonnage
than any other food crop. According to Table 3.5, over the 2009/10-2011/12
period, the Region produced 1,518,666 tonnes of maize which averaged
annually to 506,222 tonnes. However, the contribution of maize to the regional
production of major food crops was at 68.4 percent and the highest. Iringa DC
was leading in maize production followed by Mufindi, Kilolo and Iringa
Municipal Council.
Beans
Beans dominate the production of pulse crops in the region. In terms of
production, beans ranked second in the Region accounting for 10.2 percent of
the Region‟s average annual production of major food crops (Table 3.5). The
lowest production of 70,616 tonnes observed in 2009/10 and the highest
64
production of 79,061 tonnes was recorded in 2011/12. Beans are produced in all
four councils with Mufindi leading.
Irish potatoes
It is another important food root tuber crop in the Region and ranked thirdin
terms of quantity produced (Table 3.5). The highest production of Irish potatoes
was in 2011/12 at 80,713 tonnes and the lowest (57,262 tonnes) in 2010/11. The
crop is maily produced in Mufindi, Iringa DC and Kilolo district councils.
Paddy
Is the second dominant cereal after maize in the Region and is mainly grown in
low land areas along Ruaha plains. Table 3.5 shows that over the period of three
years, 2009/10-2011/12, a total of 110,371 tonnes of paddy were harvested in
the region. The highest production of paddy was in 2011/12 at 50,730 tonnes
which was above its average annual production by 13,939.7 tonnes or 37.9
percent. Iringa DC is leading in paddy production in the Region followed by
Mufindi, Kilolo and Iringa Municipal.
Sweetpotatoes
A root tuber crop whose share of the Region‟s total tonnage of major food crops
was 2.6 percent and ranked fifth in terms of production (Table 3.5). In three
seasons 2009/10-2011/12, sweetpotatoes produced a total of 58,040 tonnes. It is
produced in all four councils though in different quantities.
Sunflower
Is among the source of income for pesant farmers. Table 3.5 shows production
of sunflower hit the pick at 14,455 tonnes in 2010/11 and production was the
65
lowest at 10,337 tonnes in 2009/10. Moreover, sunflower is grown in all

councils in Iringa Region.
Cassava
Is another root and tuber crop grown in some parts of the region especially in
dry areas. In the three years given in Table 3.5, the Region produced a total of
26,719 tonnes of cassava with an average production of 8,906.3 tonnes per year.
The Table also shows that 2011/12 had the highest production of cassava at
10,354 tonnes while the lowest quantity of 7,235 tonnes was harvested in
2009/10.
Sorghum
Like cassava, sorghum is another drought resistant crop which according to
Table 3.5, its share of the regional total production was 1.1 percent. The crop
ranked eigth in terms of quantity producted. The Region‟s sorghum production
over the period given in Table 3.5 shows a decreasing trend. The production
decreased from 11,043 tonnes in 2009/10 to 9,668 in 2010/11 and decreased
futher to4, 209 tonnes in 2011/12.
Finger millet
Is a cereal crop with the longest tradition in the region and is grown as a food
and cash crop. Based on Table 3.5, its annual production averaged at 3,415
tonnes equivalent to 0.5 percent of the region‟s total production of major food
crops over the given period. Moreover, the crop is labour intensive and demands
a good soil fertility level. It is grown during rainy season especially in Iringa
DC.
66
3.1.5.1.1 Production per Hectare of Major Food Crops

Table 3.6 gives production per hectare of major food crops in the region.
However, the use of inferior agricultural inputs associated with poor extension
services contributed to the low yield per hectare of the most of major food crops.
Irish potatoes was leading in yield in 2009/10 and 2011/12 at 10.9 and 10.6
tonnes/ha respectively while finger millet had the highest yield of 9.9 tonnes/ha
in 2010/11. In addition the region experienced the lowest yield of one tonne per
hectare in 2009/10 for sorghum, 1.5 tonnes/ha in 2010/11 for beans and sorghum
again in 2011/12 with a yield of 0.7 tonnes/ha. Moreover, maize and paddy
which are important staple food in the Region had yieldwhich below the
required standard of 6.5 tonnes/ha for maize and 8 tonnes/ha for paddy.
Therefore, the regional authority should take this as a challenge and find a way
to improve the yield.
Table 3. 6: Production per Hectare of Major Food Crops, Iringa Region; 2009/10 – 2011/12
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12
Crop Yield
Planted Yield Planted Yield Planted
Production Production Production (ton/
Area (t/Ha) Area (t/Ha) Area
(tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes) Ha)
(ha) (ha) (ha)
Maize 247,363 473,379 1.9 232,105 522,444 2.3 255,333 522,843 2.0
Paddy 12,192 30,567 2.5 13,636 29,074 2.1 16,201 50,730 3.1
Irish potatoes 6,491 70,836 10.9 6,479 57,262 8.8 7,632.30 80,713 10.6
Sweetpotaotes 2,013 19,655 9.8 2,088 18,730 9.0 2,092.00 19,655 9.4
Beans 53,831 70,616 1.3 52,897 77,105 1.5 60,438.00 79,061 1.3
Sorghum 11,052 11,043 1.0 3,109 9,668 3.1 5,753 4,209 0.7
Finger millet 674 3,414 5.1 470 4,662 9.9 306 2,169 7.1
Cassava 1,473 9,130 6.2 942 7,235 7.7 1,371 10,354 7.6
Sunflower 8,481 10,337 1.2 7,930 14,455 1.8 8,664 12,147 1.4
Regional Total 343,570 698,977 2.0 319,656 740,634 2.3 357,790 781,882 2.2
67
3.1.5.2 Food Satisfaction/Adequacy

Majority of the population in Iringa region depends largely on grains for their
staple food. Grains account for about 85 percent of starch foods available for
consumption. Root crops mainly Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes and cassava take
the remaining 15 percent. Food crops are also sold as cash crops in different
proportions. Food adequacy according to FAO means access to sufficient food
(both in terms of quantity and quality) for all people at all times to support an
active and healthy life. Undernourishment significantly lowers physical ability,
cognitive developmet and learning achievement, resulting in lower productivity.
Unfortunately, Table 3.7 just indicates food satisfaction status quantitatively
without considering nutrients aspects.
According to the Iringa Regional Agricultural Report of the 2007/08, Table 3.7,
a total of 166,223 households (55 percent of the agricultural households in Iringa
Region) reported to have never experienced problems in satisfying their
households with food, followed by those who experienced the problem seldomly
(44,284 households, 27 percent), sometimes (12,783 households, 8 percent),
often (11,053 households, 7 percent) and always (6,933 households, 4 percent).
However, through Table 3.7 food satisfaction status for each council in the
Region can also be known.
68
Figure 16: Proportion in Percentage of Food Satisfaction Problems for Agricultural

Households in Iringa Region; 2007/08
70
60
50
Iringa Rural
40
Mufindi
30
Iringa Urban
20
Kilolo
10
0
Never Seldom Sometimes Often Always
Source: NBS, Iringa Region Agriculture Census Report, 2007/08
Table 3.7: Number of Agricultural Households by Whether They Experienced Food Shortage
during 2007/08 Agricultural Year by Council, Iringa Region
Never Seldom Sometimes Often Always Total
Council
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
Iringa DC 29,054 52 15,847 28 4,726 8 4,309 8 2,363 4 56,300 100

Mufindi 40,394 63 13,836 22 4,294 7 4,294 7 1,431 2 64,248 100
Iringa 512 37 388 28 155 11 264 19 78 6 1,395 100
Urban
Kilolo 21,210 48 14,213 32 3,608 8 2,187 5 3,061 7 44,279 100
Total 91,169 55 44,284 27 12,783 8 11,053 7 6,933 4 166,223 100
Source: NBS, Iringa Region Agriculture Census Report, 20007/08
3.1.5.3 Major Cash Crops Production

Table 3.8 gives production in tonnes of major cash crops over a three years
period from 2009/10 to2011/12. A total of 384,599 tonnes were produced at an
average of 128,199.8 tonnes per year. Because most agricultural activities in the
region are carried out by pesants farmers using outdated farm implements,
inadequate inputs and are dependent on rain fed agriculture; the quantitities
harvested are not proportional to input costs and also show a big variation
69
among the years.Moreover, Table 3.8 shows that from 2010/11 the tonnage of
major cash crops decreased by 781 tonnes (0.6 percent).
Figure 17: Production Trend (in Tonnes) of Major Cash Crops, Iringa Region; 2009/10-
2011/12
130,000
129,000 129,713
128,932
128,000
127,000
126,000 125,954
125,000
124,000
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12

Departments), 2013
Table 3. 8: Estimated Production in Tonnes of Major Cash Crops, Iringa Region; 2009/10 –
2011/12
Yearly
Crop 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Total Percent Rank
Average
Tobacco 1,542 1,739 1,322 4,603 1,534.3 1.3 5
Tea 18,112 18,215 18,225 54,552 18,184.0 9.9 3
Coffee 204.4 108 237 549.4 183.1 0.1 6
Pyrethrum 4,079 2820 307.96 7,207 2,402.3 2 4
Tomatoes 83,375 86,467 79,760 249,602 83,200.7 68.1 1
Sunflower 18,642 20,364 29,080 68,086 22,695.3 18.6 2
Regional Total 125,954 129,713 128,932 384,599 128,199.8 100
Percent 32.7 33.7 33.5 100.0
Departments), 2013
70
Tomatoes
This crop is in the fruits and vegetable group. In terms of production, it is the
leading cash crop in the Region. From 2009/10 to 2011/12, 249,603 tonnes of
tomatoes were harvested giving an average production of 83,200.7 tonnes per
year.With the exception of 2011/12 when the production was 3,441 tonnes
below the annual average, production of tomatoes for the remaining two years
was above the annual average by 174 tonnes in 2009/10 and 3,266 tonnes in
2010/11. Tomatoes are produced in all four councils of the Region.
Sunflower
Is an oil seed crop which ranked second in terms of production in the Region
(Table 3.8). From 2009/10 to2011/12, 68,086 tonnes of sunflowers were
harvested at a yearly average of 22,695.2 tonnes. The best year for production
was 2011/12 when 29,080 tonnes produced were above the average annual
production by 6,385 tonnes (28.1 percent). The worst year was 2009/10 when
the lowest production of 18,642 tonnes was below the average annual production
by 4,053 tonnes (17.8 percent). Sunflower is produced in all four councils in the
Region but Iringa Municipal had the least production.
Tea
Tea is among the crops which make a significant contribution to the regional
economy. It is mainly grown on large farms owned mostly by foreign investors
in Mufindi District Council. Table 3.8 shows that a total of 54,522 tonnes were
produced over a three year period at an average annual production of 18,184
tonnes. Tea ranked third among cash crops in terms of production. Mufindi is
the only council producing tea in Iringa Region.
71
Pyrethrum
Two percent of the Region‟s total tonnage of cash crops was from pyrethrum
(Table 3.8). It is ranked fourth and its total tonnage in three years was 7,207 with
an average annual production of 2,402.3 tonnes. Pyrethrum is produced in
Mufindi and Kilolo district councils with Mufindi leading.
Tobacco
In tems of production, the crop ranked fifth in the Region (Table 3.8). A total of
4,603 tonnes of tobacco were harvested in the region over the 2009/10 to
2011/12 period. The crop had an average production of 1,534.3 tonnes. Its best
production of 1,739 tonnes was in 2010/11 and the worst at 1,322 tonnes in
2011/12. Tobacco is produced in Mufindi and Iringa District Councils in the
Region.
Coffee
Coffee ranked sixth and was the last crop in terms of production in the region
(Table 3.8). Its production was 0.1 percent of the region‟s total tonnage of cash
crops produced. In three crop seasons from 2009/10 to 2011/12 the Region
produced 549.4 tonnes of coffee at an average of 183.1 tonnes per year. In the
Region, Mufindi is the main producer of coffee.
3.1.5.3.1 Production per Hectare of Major Cash Crops

Table 3.9 shows yield per hectare of major cash crops in the region. The highest
yield per hectare attained was 29.8 tonnes/hectare in 2009/10 and 28.2
tonnes/hectare in 2010/11 for pyrethrum and of 18.1 tonnes/hectare for tomatoes
in 2011/12. On the other hand, the lowest yields were 0.5 tonnes/hectare for
coffee in 2009/10, 0.3 tonnes/hectare for coffee in 2010/11 and 0.5
tonnes/hectare for tobacco in 2011/12.
72
Table 3. 9 : Production per Hectare of Major Cash Crops, Iringa Region; 2009/10 – 2011/12
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12
Crop Planted Planted Planted

Production Yield Production Yield Production Yield
Area Area Area
(ton/
(ha) (tonnes) (ton/ha) (ha) (tonnes) (ton/ha) (ha) (tonnes)
ha)
Tobacco 1,739 1,542 0.9 2,240 1,739 0.8 2,466 1,322 0.5
Tea 5997 18,112 3 5,756.4 18215 3.2 6,065 18,225 3
Coffee 398 204.4 0.5 405 108 0.3 354 237 0.7
Pyrethrum 137 4,079 29.8 100 2820 28.2 178 307.96 1.7
Tomatoes 5,065 83,375 16.5 5,207 86,467 16.6 4,402 79,760 18.1
Sunflower 39,499 18,642 0.5 34,366.50 20,364 0.6 45,918 29,080 0.6
Regional
52,835 125,955 2.4 48,075 129,713 2.7 59,383 128,932 2.2
Total
3.1.5.3.2 Large Scale Farming of Food and Cash crops

Iringa Region endowment of large arable land suitable for cultivating different
food and cash crops has attracted both local and foreign investors to establish
large scale farms. The large scale farming to a large extent help the region
maintains food security and also have surplus. The surplus food sold together
with the cash crops significantly contribute to the regional GDP. Also it helps in
reducing income poverty of the residents of Iringa Region as well as improves
their social wellfare.
Table 3.10 highlights large scale farms available in the Region. Unfortunately,
Iringa DC and Mufindi were the only councils in the Region which have
significant numbers of Iarge scale farms. Table 3.10 shows that by the end of
2012 Iringa DC and Mufindi cumulatively had a total of 11,081 ha for large
scale farming. Of this, 6,380 hectares were in Iringa DC and 4,071 ha were in
Mufindi. In Iringa DC, George Fliakos Farm at 744 hectares dominated other
farms. Msungulika farm of 53 hectares owned by a local investor, Mr. Joseph
73
Mungai had the smallest size. Moreover, Pawaga Prison with 344 hectares was
the only large scale farm managed by the government. Large scale farms owned
by Christian institutions possessed a total of 1,017 hectares (15.9 percent of
combined total hectares of large scale farms in Iringa DC). Investors of foreign
origin occupied a total of 2,155 hectares (33.8 percent of large farms in Iringa
DC). Local investors possessed largest portion of the land put under large scale
farms shown in Table 3.10. They cumulatively owned a total of 3,208 hectare
equivalent to 50.3 percent of total hectares. Likewise, soil texture and favorable
weather for tea growing has made Mufindi District council be the only district in
the Region having large scale farms of tea. In this district, Unilever Tanzania
Limited has largest farm of tea (Table 3.10).
Table 3. 10: Large scale farmers: Farmers with over 50 hectares, Iringa Region; 2012
Distance
Area
S/N. Farm name Crop cultivated Location from Iringa Propriator
(Hactor)
town (Km.)
Iringa DC
Maize,Barly, Mark Myatt
1. Selous Farming Ltd Ifunda 612 39
Beans Taylor
Tobbaco and
2. Kikongoma farm Mangalali 278 25 George Emanuel
Tomato
Tobbaco and
3. John Rosous Farm Nzihi 135 28 John Rosous
Tomato
Tobbaco and
4. George Fliakos Farm Kidamali 744 33 George Fliakos
Tomato
Tobbaco and
5. K.T. Kalogeres Farm Nyamihuu 196 38 K.T. Kalogeres
Tomato
Tobbaco and
6. Steria paplos Farm Nzihi 252 28 Steria Paplos
Tomato
Vasilikakis castor Tobbaco and
7. Magubike 216 41 Vasikakis
Farm Tomato
Maize and
8. Charles Mungai Farm Muwimbi 180 44 Charles Mungai
Coffee
Maize and Consolatha
9. Ulete parish Farm Muwimbi 126 42
Beans sisters.
Maize Beans
10. Kisolanza Farm Flowers and Kibena 100 48 Mrs. Ghau
Vegetables
11. Ihemi youth centre Maize and Ihemi 278 35 UVCCM
74
Distance
Area
S/N. Farm name Crop cultivated Location from Iringa Propriator
(Hactor)
town (Km.)
Beans
Maize and
12. Kibebe Dairy Farm Wangama 479 11 Phillips
Beans
Maize and Consolatha
13. Consolatha F.Farm Mgongo 140 14
Beans Sisters.
Maize and
14. Asas Dairy Farm Igingilanyi 480 18 ASAS
Bananas
Maize and
15. Materu Farm Mfukulembe 78 59 Mr. Materu
Beans
Maize and
16. Msungulika Farm Muwimbi 53 47 Joseph Mungai
Beans
Maize and
17. Idete Dayosisi Farm Tosamaganga 58 16 Tosa Parish
Beans
Consolatha Fathers Maize and
18. Ihemi 99 36 Consolatha Fr.
Farm Beans
African brothers Maize and
19. Ihemi 248 16 African brothers
Farm Beans
Maize and
20. Mhekwa Farm Mfukulembe 108 59 Mhekwa Efrahim
Beans
FAMARI Dairy Maize and
21. Igingilanyi 580 19 F.M. Abri
Farm Beans
Paddy, Cassava
22. Pawaga Prison Farm Itunundu 344 87 Magereza
and Bananas
Consolatha sisters Maize and
24. Makombe 86 64 Consolatha sisters
Farm Beans
Diocese of Iringa Maize and
25. Igangidungu‟ 260 72 Bishop
Farm Beans
Maize and
25. Salehe Farm Ihemi 250 36 Salehe Malipula
Beans
Sub- Total 6,380
Mufindi District
26 MTC Tea Ifwagi 901 120 MTC
Unilever Tanzania Unilever Tanzania
27 Tea Mtwango 3620 130
Ltd Ltd
28 Malenda farm Tea Kasanga 180 130 Ng‟umbi Family
29
Sub-Togtal 4,701
Grand-Total 11,081
Source: District Executive Director‟s Office (Agriculture Department), Iringa DC and Mufindi District,
2013
75
3.1.6 Agricultural Inputs

3.1.6.1 Introduction
Reducing rural poverty by delivering appropriate agricultural inputs and
improving output markets for Tanzanian farmers are among the objectives of
"Kilimo Kwanza" (Agriculture First) policy in Tanzania. In Kilimo Kwanza,
priority is given to transforming traditional agriculture which depends on hand
hoe to mechanised agriculture and improving agriculture extension services
through employing more extension officers. Moreover, distribution of chemical
fertilizers including establishing credit facilities for farmers, and setting up
storage through a warehouse receipt system were introduced to reinforce crops
production.
Since there is no tangible evidence (statistical data) that show the impact of
„Kilimo Kwanza‟ policy in improving availability of agricultural
inputs/implements and increasing food and cash crops yield in the Region,
hypothetically, „Kilimo Kwanza‟ policy adds significantly on the availability of
agricultural inputs/implements in the Region. Moreover, opportunity is available
for researchers to investigate the extent to which the said policy has improved
inputs/implements availability and also how far the yield has increased.
3.1.6.2 Chemical/Inorganic Fertilizers

Soil infertility, plant pests and diseases are among factors which limit
agricultural production in Iringa Region. TheRegion‟s soils have for many years
depended on application of chemical fertilizers for optimum crop harvests. Crop
such as maize demand the use of chemical fertilizers for optimum harvests.
Likewise, horticultural crops such as tomatoes require the use of pesticides for
control of insect infestation and plant diseases. According to Agriculture Sample
Census of 2007/08, Mufindi district had the highest number of agricultural
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households who used chemical fertilizers during long rainy season at 64,089
equivalents to 38.8 percent of the region‟s total agricultural households
(165,148) using chemical fertilizers. It was followed by Iringa DC (55,744
households, 33.8 percent), Kilolo district (43,951 households, 26.6 percent) and
Iringa Municipal had the lowest number (1,364 households, 0.8 percent). The
agricultural households mostly purchase fertilizers from local markets/trade
stores. UREA, CAN and DAP are the mostly used chemical fertilizers in the
region.
3.1.6.3 Fungicides, Pesticide and Herbicides

Fungicides prevent crops from fungus. Pesticides are chemicals used for
controlling insects and diseases, while herbicides are used to control weeds.
Fungicides: Of the 11,688 agricultural households who were using fungicides in

the Region during 2007/08, 39.5 percent were in Mufindi which was the leading
district council. The second district council was Kilolo (37.4 percent) followed
by Iringa DC (22.6 percent) and Iringa Municipal Council had the smallest
percentage (0.5 percent). Redomil, Bravo and sumithon were the common used
fungicides in the Region.
Pesticides: Based on Agricultural Sample Census of 2007/08, the Iringa Region

(excluding districts in new Njombe Region) had 74,948 agricultural households
who were using pesticides.Of these, Mufindi District Council had the highest
percentage (60.5 percent).It was followed by Kilolo (22.2 percent), Iringa DC
(17.2 percent) and Iringa municipal (0.1 percent). Moreover, Actellic,
Dicisosulv, Dursban and Thionex were the most common pesticides.
77
Herbicides: In the Region (excluding districts in new Njombe Region), there

were 1,864 agricultural households who were using herbicides during long rainy
crop farming season (Agricultural Sample Census of 2007/08). Mufindi District
had the highest proportion of users at 68.2 percent.The next district council was
Kilolo (23.4 percent), Iringa DC (7.5 percent) and Iringa Municipal (0.9).
3.1.6.4 Improved Seeds

The use of improved seeds has contributed to the increased production of food
and cash crops in the region. There were 37,939 agriclutural households using
improved seed in the Region in 2007/08. Of theses, Mufindi had 45.7 percent of
the total households and was leading. It was followed by Iringa DC (31.9
percent), Kilolo (21.9 percent) and Iringa Municipal was the last at 0.5 percent.
On the other hand, Agricultural Sample Census Report of 2007/08 (Iringa
Region) indicated that 34,683 hectares (exluding hectares in new Njombe
region) were planted with improved seeds of which Mufindi had the largest area
(12,396 ha, 35.7 percent). It was followed by Iringa DC (11,898 ha, 34.3
percent), Kilolo (10,235 ha, 29.5 percent) and Iringa Municipal had the smallest
area of 154 ha (0.4 percent). Improved seeds with the highest demand are those
of maize followed by paddy.
3.1.6.5 Agro- Mechanisation

Agricultural implements are necessary for efficient production. According to the
Agricultural Sample Census Report of 2007/08 (Iringa Regional Report), basic
agricultural tools remain the hand held hoe and panga as few families own oxen,
tractors or ploughs in Iringa Region (including new Njombe Region). Thus, the
use of these modern implement in Iringa Region is very minimal. Only 2.6
percent of he household had ox-cart. The proportions of households owning
other implements were as follows; tractor (0.2 percent), harrow ( 0.9 percent)
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thresher (0.2 percent) power tillers (0.2 percent) and rigger (0.4 percent). The
hand hoe was the most used equipment. It was used by 44 percet of all
households followed by swords (43 percent), oxploughs (6 percent),
Handsprayers (6 percent), grater, chipper, oil press and oil mill (1 percent).
3.1.7 Crop Extension Services

Government was the main provider of crops extension services through
extension officers working in different wards in the Region. Spaccing followed
by the use of inorganic fertilizer and improved seeds were the top most three
extension advices provided by the government. Mufindi district was leading on
the proportion of households receiving extension services from the government
at 42 percent.It was followed by Iringa DC (30 percent), Kilolo (27 percent) and
Iringa Municipal (1 percent).
3.1.8 Irrigation
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Based on 2007/08 National Agricultre Sample Census Report, the most common
source of water for irrigation in the country is the river which was used by an
estimated 53 percent of households that applied irrigation in the country. Iringa
being endowed with many rivers, the river was the main source of water for
irrigation in the Region. Dams are also used for irrigation in some parts of the
region (e.g Iringa DC). Of the 441,974 households using irrigation in the country
in 2007/08, 7.4 percent were in Iringa Region. The Region ranked third in terms
of the number of households using irrigation in the country. The first was
Kilimanjaro region (17.1 percent of total households) and Mbeya (10.8 percent)
was the second.
Table 3.11 shows that at the end of 2011/12 agricultural year the Region had an
estimated 54,446 ha that were suitable for irrigation. Out of these, 25,575 ha (47
percent) were already under irrigation leaving the remaining 28,871 ha or 53
percent of estimated potential area unutilized. Iringa DC had the biggest
unutilized area at 20,800 ha equivalent to 47.6 percent of its potential area and72
percent of the Region‟s total unutilized area of 28,871 ha. It was followed by
Kilolo (3,839 ha, 13.3 percent) and Mufindi (3,770 ha, 13.1 percent). Due to its
urban characteristics dominated by human settlement and off farm economic
activities Iringa Municipal had the smallest unutilized area for irrigation of 462
ha (1.6 percent). Since the region still has vast unutilized irrigable land and also
keeping in mind that even the already irrigated area is under utilized due to
dominance of traditional irrigation, it is an opportunity for the large investors to
make use.
80
Table 3. 11: Irrigation Prospects by Council, Iringa Region; 2011/12

Unutilized Potential
Potential Area Irrigated Area Irrigated Area
Council Potential
Percentage (Percentage) Percentage
(ha) (ha) (ha)
share share
Iringa DC 43,700 80.3 22,900 89.5 52.4 20,800 72.0
Mufindi 4,570 8.4 800 3.1 17.5 3,770 13.1
Iringa 527 1.0 65 0.3 12.3 462 1.6
Municipal
Kilolo 5,649 10.4 1,810 7.1 32.0 3,839 13.3
Regional 54,446 100.0 25,575 100.0 47.0 28,871 100.0
Total
3.1.9 Crop Marketing

Apart from cash crops, food crops are also sold in significant quantities. Cereal
crops especially maize and paddy are the leading food crops sold. In addition to
that fruits and vegetables like tomatoes and beans together with Irish and sweet
potatoes add significantly to the income of the people of Iringa Region.
Agricultural Sample Census Report of 2007/08-Iringa Regional Report shows
that Mufindi District Council was leading in having the largest number of crops
growing households selling crops followed by Kilolo, Iringa DC and Iringa
Municipal.
3.1.10 Policy Implication in Agriculture

Agriculture sector performance in terms of food crops production does not
indicate a bright future on the status of food security of the region. This is
because contribution of the region to the country‟s major staple food crops
(maize and paddy) decreased from 10.9 percent in 2002/03 to 0.1 percent in
2007/08. Likewise, yield of 2 tonnes/ha for maize and 3.1 tonnes/ha for paddy
observed during the crop season of 2011/12 are far below the expected yield.
81
Limited access to agricultural inputs especially for peasant farmers, low price of
agricultural produces against production costs, poor agricultural practices as well
as adverse weather condition are other factors attributes to the poor performance
of agriculture sector in the region. To revive the sector, the region needs to stick
on Kilimo Kwanza policy and guidelines on improving extension services and
ensure reliable supply of agricultural inputs through improving implementation
procedures of National Agricultural Input Voutcher Scheme (NAIVS) policy in
the region. Nevertheless, the region can improve its food production through
making effective use of the available 54,446 hectares for irrigation. Improving
irrigation will reduce dependence on rain fed agriculture.
3.1.11 Investment Opportunities in Agriculture sector

With about 979,231 ha (Table 3.1) of arable land that is unutilized including
nearly 29,000 ha (Table 3.11) that are suitable for irrigation but unused, the
region has a big opportunity of investing large scale food and cash crops
production. With the exception of Iringa Municipal which has limited land area
for large scale farming, the remaining three district councils, Iringa DC, Mufindi
and Kilolo have adeuquate land for large scale farming. Moreover, further
investment is needed in development and use of existing irrigation capacity that
could increase crop production and reduce rural income poverty through the sale
of produce. Supply of agriculture inputs such as chemical fertilizers,
insecticides, improved seeds, farm implements (i.e power tillers and tractors) at
affordable prices as well as increasing number of storage facilities for
agriculture products during and after harvests are other investment opportunities.
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3.2 Livestock
3.2.1 Introduction
Livestock are important for subsistence by providing meat and milk to enrich
diet. Livestock keeping is one of the two major economic activities in Iringa
Region. The other is crop production. According to the 2007/08 Agriculture
Sample Census, the total number of cattle in the Region was 475,031 and it
ranked fifteenth in the Mainland and had 2.2 percent of the total cattle
population. The number of indigenous cattle in Iringa Region was 459,275
(96.7% of the total number of cattle in the Region), improved dairy cattle
(14,258 cattle, 3%) and beef cattle (1,498 cattle, 0.3%).
3.2.2 Livestock Population

Table 3.12 gives estimated livestock population by district in Iringa Region in
2012. Of the big livestock, cattle at 311,954 were dominant livestock followed
by goats (156,042) and pigs (100,955). Sheep (52,362) and donkeys (5,346) had
the least numbers. Iringa DC had the largest number of each type of livestock
highlited in Table 3.12 while Iringa Municipal had the smallest number.
Table 3.12 : Estimated Population of Livestock by Type and Council, Iringa Region;
2011/12
Council Cattle Goats Sheep Donkeys Pigs Poultry
Iringa DC 152,441 103,429 36,760 2,796 36,159 573,648

Mufindi 89,401 15,306 4,942 325 26,418 494,996
Iringa Urban 6,245 3,263 1,015 88 4,031 82,896
Kilolo 63,867 34,044 9,645 2,137 34,347 365,872
Total 311,954 156,042 52,362 5,346 100,955 1,517,412
Source: Director‟s Office, (Livestock Department), , 2013
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3.2.3 Cattle Population
Table 3.13 shows that indigenous, improved dairy cattle and improved beef
cattle were the type of cattle found in Iringa Region in 2012. The district with
the largest number of cattle was Iringa DC. It accounted for 48.9 percent of total
cattle population in the Region. Mufindi was the second at 28.7 percent followed
by Kilolo (20.5 percent) and Iringa Municipal at 2 percent had the lowest
proportion of cattle.
Table 3. 13: Distribution of Cattle Population by Type and Council; Iringa Region; 2012
Improved Improved
Indigenous Total
Council Dairy Beef Percent
Cattle cattle
Cattle Cattle
Iringa DC 144,609 6,579 1,253 152,441 48.9
Mufindi 80,971 7,794 636 89,401 28.7
Iringa Urban 2,876 3,369 0 6,245 2.0
Kilolo 61,191 2,076 600 63,867 20.5
Total 289,647 19,818 2,489 311,954 100.0
Percentage by Type 92.8 6.4 0.8 100.0
Source: District Executive Directors Offices, (Livestock Department), Iringa region, 2013
84
3.2.4 Goat population

Goat rearing was the second most important livestock keeping activity in Iringa
Region. Table 3.12 above shows that, the council with the largest number of
goats was Iringa DC which had about 66.3 percent of the total goats in the
Region. This was followed by Kilolo district council (21.8 percent) and Mufindi
(9.8 percent). Iringa Urban was the last with only 2.1 percent (Figure 18 and
Table 3.12).
The 2007/08 Agricultural Sample Census results shows that, goat husbandry in
the Municipal was dominated by the indigenous breeds which constituted 97.2
percent of the surveyed total goats in the Region, while Improved dairy goats
accounted for 2.8 percent.
Figure 18: Percentage Distribution of Goats by Council, Iringa region, 2012

120,000
103,429
N
100,000
o
.
80,000
o
f
60,000
g Goats
o 40,000 34,044
a
t 20,000 15,306
s 3,263
0
Iringa Rural Mufindi Iringa Urban Kilolo
85
3.2.5 Pig Production

Pigs were the third most important livestock in the Iringa Region after cattle and
goats. The council with the largest number of pigs was Iringa DC with 35.8
percent of the total pigs population in the region, followed by Kilolo 34.0
percent, Mufindi 26.2 percent, and Iringa Urban with 4.0 percent (Table 3.12
above and Figure 19).
Figure 19: Percentage Distribution of Pigs by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
Pigs
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Source: Director‟s Office, (Livestock Department), Iringa Municipal, 2013
86
3.2.6 Poultry farming
Poultry is by far the largest livestock group and they are estimated to be about 14
000 million, consisting mainly of chickens, ducks and turkeys in the world
(FAO 1999). In total, poultry products (eggs and meat) constitute 30 percent of
all animal protein consumed worldwide. Within the last 10 years, this proportion
has increased from 20 percent to 30 percent of all animal protein and is predicted
to increase to 40 percen before the year 2015 (IFPRI 2000).
Poultry farming plays a significant role in rural and urban people‟s life and
contributes significantly to poverty alleviation and improvement of food security
with high nutrition. In Iringa region, poultry farming is an emerging industry and
hygienic poultry production can pave way to better income and sustainable
development. Moreover, growth of this industry involves a lot of women and thus
provides a strong base for women empowerment in this area. Due to poverty,
high population density and many landless people, special effort is required to
reach the poor and landless. Simple changes in the management of villages,
chickens can significantly improve production and the living conditions of many
rural families in terms of enhanced nutrition and income generation through the
87
sale of surplus chickens or eggs. The poultry sector in Iringa Region was
dominated by chicken production.
In 2011/12, the district with largest number of chicken was Iringa DC with
573,648 chickens (37.8 percent of the total chicken in the Region) followed by
Mufindi District Council (494,996 chicken, or 32.6 percent), Kilolo District
Council (365,872 chickens, or 24.1 percent) and Iringa Urban (82,896 chicken, or
5.5 percent) as shown (Table 3.12 above and figure 20).
Figure 20: Percentage Distribution of Poultry by Council , Iringa Region; 2012

700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000 Poultry
200,000
100,000
0
3.2.7 Grazing Land Area

Grazing land is defined as the land that is available for the grazing needs of
livestock. It excludes all tsetse fly infested areas, all wildlife and forest reserves
also tree plantations, but it includes game controlled areas. In many cases it
overlaps arable land and areas for „other use‟. Iringa Region has a total of
279,790 hectares of land suitable for grazing. Out of this 255,019 hectares (91.1
percent) were in use. Due to its urban characteristic, Iringa Municipal has is a
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serious shortage of grazing land and hence zero grazing is the only way of
keeping livestock. In the remaining three councils, grazing land is also under
pressure as all of them utilized 80 percent or more of their grazing land and
Mufindi utilizes all the grazing land (Table 3.14).
Table 3.14: Estimated Area for Grazing by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Land Used Proportion of Tsetse Fly

Land Fit for
Council for Grazing Grazing land used Infected
Grazing (ha)
(ha) (Percent) Area (ha)
Iringa DC 99,172 97,200 98.0 64,800

Mufindi 66,224 66,224 100.0 0
Iringa Urban 0 0 0.0 0
Kilolo 114,394 91,595 80.1 0
Total 279,790 255,019 91.1 64,800
Source: District Executive Directors Offices (Livestock Development), Iringa, 2013
3.2.8 Livestock Infrastructure
Improvement of Livestock quality is limited due to difficulties in accessing

facilities capable of controlling or preventing animal diseases. Diseases affect
animal health and reduce both meat and milk production in terms of quality and
quantity and in some cases causes death to the animals affected. Delivery of
89
livestock health services depends on facilities such as dips, veterinary health

centres and water sources. Table 3.15 shows livestock infrastructure in Iringa
Region in 2012. Dips were the most common infrastructure available in the
region with Iringa DC having the largest number (56) and Iringa Urban the
smallest number (12).
Map 4: Map of Iringa Region showing Distribution of Livestock Services by Councils; 2012
Source: National Bureau of Statistics, GIS Unit, 2013
90
Table 3.15 : Distribution of Livestock Infrastructure by Council, Iringa Region; 2012

Livestock
Total Working Hides/Skins Slaughter
Council Crushes Abattoirs Development
Dips Dips Sheds Houses
Centres
Iringa DC 56 44 0 5 0 1 4
Mufindi 52 40 1 1 1 3 4
Iringa Urban 12 6 3 3 1 5 0
Kilolo 37 29 0 3 0 2 2
Total 157 119 4 12 2 11 10
Source: Director‟s Office, (Livestock Department), 2012
3.2.9 Marketing Livestock and their Products

Increased private sector participation in marketing of livestock and their
products in recent years has increased marketing channels for the livestock sub-
sector. Due to high demand and good transportation infrastructure, urban areas
provide reliable marketing place for livestock and their products than rural areas.
Table 3.16 and Figure 21 gives number and value of livestock marketed in the
Region in 2011 and 2012. The Region earned a total of TShs. 46,800 million
from selling of cattle, goats, pigs and poultry in the period of two years, 2011 to
2012. Highest earnings were from Iringa Urban at TShs. 17,949 million which
was equivalent to 38.4 percent of total revenue earned from selling of livestock
in the Region. It was followed by Iringa DC (Tshs. 12,798 million or 27.3
percent) and Mufindi (TShs. 9,189 million or 19.6 percent). Kilolo earned the
least amount of money which wasTShs. 6,864 million or 14.7 percent.
Moreover, during the same period one dairy cattle was sold at an average price
of TShs. 1,018,925 in Iringa Urban while in Iringa DC it was TShs 850,000 and
in Mufindi it was TShs 700,000. A goat was sold at TShs. 86,010 in Iringa
Urban, it fetched TShs. 38,500 in Iringa DC, TShs. 50,000 in Kilolo and TShs.
70,000 in Mufindi. The price for a pig was Tshs. 250,000 in Iringa Urban, TShs.
91
125,000 in Iringa DC, TShs. 75,000 in Kilolo while it fetched TShs. 100,000 in
Mufindi. The price of sheep was TShs 85,825 in Iringa Urban, TShs. 60,000 in
Iringa DC, TShs. 50,000 in Kilolo while in Mufindi the price was TShs.
100,000.
Table 3.16: Marketed Livestock by Type (Official Markets) and Revenue Earned; Iringa region;
2011and 2012
Total Number of livestock
Revenue Collected in T. Shs. Million
Council Marketed Percentage
2010/11 2011/12 2010/11 2011/12 Total
Iringa DC 20,019 14,025 4,381 8,417 12,798 27.3
Mufindi 324,646 358,729 6,375 2,814 9,189 19.6
Iringa Urban 66,429 109,811 6,456 11,493, 17,949 38.4
Kilolo 35,520 33,940 3,166 3,698 6,864 14.7
TOTAL 446,614 516,505 20,378 26,422 46,800 100.0
Source: Director‟s Office, (Livestock Department), Iringa Municipal, 2013
Figure 21 : Percentage Revenue Earned from Marketed Livestock by Council (Official Markets);
Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012
14.7%
Kilolo 27.3%
Iringa DC
Iringa DC
Mufindi
Iringa Urban
38.4%
Kilolo
Iringa Urban
19.6%
Mufindi
0
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3.2.10 Milk Production

Milk is an important livestock product which contributes significantly to the
income of both urban and rural population. It is by knowing the contribution of
milk to health improvement and reduction of poverty, that the Government of
Tanzania always emphasizes the keeping of dairy cattle for increased milk
production. According to Table 3.17, Iringa DC was the major producer of milk
than the other councils in the region. The production of milk in Iringa DC was
74.1 and 66.8 percent of the regional production in 2011 and 2012. The table
also reveals that milk production stood at 23,070,014 litres in 2011 and
increased to 27,020,519litres in 2012. Revenue collected in 2012 increased by
23.6 percent from Tshs. 15,463,507,386n 2011 to 19,116,691,405 in 2012. Price
per litre averaged at Tshs. 670.3 in 2011 and reached Tshs. 707.5 in 2012 with
Iringa Municipal having the highest price per litre in each year.
Table 3.17: Number of Litres of Milk Marketed and Value by Council, Iringa Region; 2011 and
2012
2011 2012
Total Average Total Average
Council Total Total
Revenue in Price per Revenue in Price per
Number of Number of
T. Shs. Liter TShs. Liter
Litres Litres
(Million) (TShs) (Million) (TShs)
Iringa DC 17,104,210 10,905 638 18,060,339 11,836 655
Mufindi 3,218,633 2,575 800 4,885,763 3,909 800
Iringa Urban 674,556 631 935 1,885,822 1,886 1000
Kilolo 2,072,642 1,353 653 2,188,595 1,486 679
TOTAL 23,070,041 15,464 670 27,020,519 19,117 708
Source: District Executive Directors Office, (Livestock Department), Iringa region, 2013
3.2.11 Major Livestock Diseases

The livestock industry is extremely important to the economy of Iringa Region
and includes not only commercial producers of meat or milk, but also purebred
93
breeders and small producers with a few animals. The success of any type of
livestock operation is closely related to the disease level of the animals.
3.2.11.1 Cattle Diseases

Table 3.18 shows that, East Coast Fever (ECF), Anaplasmosis, Foot Mouth
Diseases (FMD), Helminths and Black quarter (BQ) were the main sources of
cattle illnesses and deaths in the Region. According to the Table 3.18, 55,158
morbidity cases reported caused death to 10,475 cattle which was equivalent to
19 percent of the reported morbidity cases. . Morbidity and mortality cases
reported picked at 22,761 and 3,994 respectively in 2010. Due to various
intervetions taken by the councils in controlling cattle illnesses in 2012,
morbidity and mortality cases were at their lowestthen at 15,416 and 3,030 cases
respectively. Data in Table 3.18 also shows that in Iringa DC, East Coast Fever
(ECF) was the main source of cattle illnesses and deaths. Helmithiass and East
Coast Fever were the causes of cattle illnesses and deaths in Mufindi and Iringa
Urban. In Kilolo, Helmiathiasis happened to be the main source of cattle
illinesses while tryponosomiasis was the main killer disease for cattle.
Table 3.18: Five Major Cattle Diseases which Caused Morbidity and Mortality by Council, Iringa
Region; 2010 to2012
Council/Disease Morbidity Reported Mortality Reported
2010 2011 2012 Total 2010 2011 2012 Total
Iringa DC
East Coast Fever (ECF) 2,813 2,619 1,917 7,349 2,081 1,862 1,567 5,510
Anaplasmosis 1,873 1,663 1,616 5,152 874 778 719 2371
Foot and Mouth Disease 755 764 744 2,263 269 255 187 711
(FMD)
Lumpy skin disease 357 277 218 852 98 73 51 222
Black quarter (BQ) 2,118 1,872 1,813 5,803 379 274 268 921
Sub-Total 7,916 7,195 6,308 21,419 3,701 3,242 2,792 9,735
94
Council/Disease Morbidity Reported Mortality Reported

2010 2011 2012 Total 2010 2011 2012 Total
Mufindi
East Coast Fever (ECF) 2739 1872 872 5483 174 98 43 315
Anaplasmosis 1937 909 807 3653 18 11 12 41

Foot and Mouth Disease 67 75 32 174 11 9 0 20
(FMD)
Helminths 4532 2544 1030 8106 0 0 0 0
Black quarter (BQ) 42 45 22 109 7 3 0 10
Sub-Total 9317 5445 2763 17525 210 121 55 386
Iringa Urban
Anaplasmosis 145 152 122 419 2 9 8 19
Foot and Mouth Disease 40 32 75 147 6 4 3 13

(FMD)
Mastitis 31 28 32 91 0 0 0 0
Helminths 1,335 1,055 1,242 3,632 0 15 0 15
Sub-Total 1,722 1,421 1,529 4,672 30 52 23 105
Kilolo
Anaplasmosis 972 611 1359 2942 13 17 56 86

Tryponosomiasis 741 507 987 2,235 31 11 63 105
Helminths 1394 955 1415 3764 0 0 0 0
Black quarter (BQ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sub-Total 3806 2920 4816 11,542 53 36 160 249

Regional Total 22,761 16,981 15,416 55,158 3,994 3,451 3,030 10,475
Source: District Executive Directors‟ Offices, (Livestock Department), Iringa Region, 2013
95
3.2.11.2 Goat Diseases

With reference to Table 3.19 Caprine Contagious Preuropneumonia (CCP),
Pneumonia and Footrot contributed a lot to poor health and even deaths of goats
in the entire Region. A total of 35,572 morbidity and 6,670 mortality cases
pertaining to goats were reported. Ratio of total mortality and morbidity cases
indicates that on average, one goat died in every five morbidity cases reported in
the three year period. By causing illness to 11,122 goats and deaths to 4,118
goats, CCP was the most dangerous goat disease during the period under review.
At the district level, Iringa DC had more cases of morbidity as well as mortality
cases. Other councils and Iringa urban had the least number of goat‟s morbidity
and mortality cases. Iringa DC should take serious measures to control goats
diseases and deaths.
Table 3.19: Three Major Goat Diseases which Caused Morbidity and Mortality by
Councils; Iringa Region; 2010-2012
Morbidity Reported Mortality Reported
Council/Disease
2010 2011 2012 Total 2010 2011 2012 Total
Iringa DC
Footrot 268 256 235 759 79 83 71 233
Caprine Contagious 2,931 2,918 2,834 8,683 1,477 1,379 1,228 4,084
Preuropneumonia
Pneumonia 1,557 1,468 1,379 4,404 761 774 753 2,288
Sub-Total 4,756 4,642 4,448 13,846 2,317 2,236 2,052 6,605
Mufindi
Heart Water 57 79 102 238 3 10 11 24
Helmenthisis 775 685 392 1852 5 0 0 5
Preuropneumonia
Pneumonia 42 12 18 72 0 0 0 0
Sub-Total 874 776 512 2162 8 10 11 29
Iringa urban
Footrot 0 10 8 18 0 0 0 0
96

Council/Disease
2010 2011 2012 Total 2010 2011 2012 Total
Caprine Contagious 0 4 0 4 0 4 0 4
Preuropneumonia
Helminths 0 96 514 610 0 2 0 2
Sub-Total 0 110 522 632 0 6 0 6
Kilolo
Mange 1,139 8,84 4,555 5,694 0 0 0 0
Caprine Contagious 1,189 535 711 2,435 2 7 21 30
Preuropneumonia
Helminths 1354 1,716 7,733 10,803 0 0 0 0
Sub-Total 3,682 2,251 12,999 18,932 2 7 21 30
Regional Total 9,312 7,779 18,481 35,572 2,327 2,259 2,084 6,670
Figure 22: Goats Diseases, Morbidity and Mortality Cases Reported, Iringa Region; 2010-
2012
12000
N
o 10000
.
o 8000
f
6000 Morbidity
c Mortality
4000
a
s
2000
e
s 0
Foot rot CCP Pneumonia
97
3.2.11.3 Sheep Diseases

Table 3.20 shows that CCP, Pneumonia and Helminthiasis are the common
diseases for sheep in Iringa Region. The Table further reveals that morbidity
cases which amounted to 4,003 caused deaths to 430 sheep in three year period
(2010 – 2012). Most of the sheep illnesses were due to CCP but mortality were
due to Pneumonia in the whole period of three years. At council level, although
morbidity was highest in Kilolo District Council (2,211 cases) mortality was
highest in Iringa DC (370 cases). Initiatives taken by the Livestock Department
in Kilolo District managed to reduce sheep mortality to zero but morbidity was
the highest.
Table 3.20: Two Major Sheep Diseases which Caused Morbidity and Mortality; Iringa
Region; 2010/11 to 2011/12
Council/Disease
2010 2011 2012 Total 2010 2011 2012 Total
Iringa DC
Pneumonia 524 497 487 1508 98 118 154 370
CCP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Helminthiasis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sub-Total 524 497 487 1508 98 118 154 370
Mufindi
Pneumonia 4 14 9 27 11 7 1 19
Heart Water 45 36 11 92 5 10 0 15
Helminthiasis 12 22 42 76 9 8 3 20
Sub-Total 61 72 62 195 25 25 4 54
Iringa urban
Foorot 0 8 5 13 0 0 0 0
Helminthiasis 0 40 36 76 0 6 0 6
Sub-Total 0 48 41 89 0 6 0 6
Kilolo
CCP 374 867 642 1,883 0 0 0 0
98

Council/Disease
2010 2011 2012 Total 2010 2011 2012 Total
Helminthiasis 137 119 72 328 0 0 0 0
Sub-Total 511 986 714 2,211 0 0 0 0
Regional Total 1,096 1,603 1,304 4,003 123 149 158 430
3.2.11.4 Poultry Diseases

Development and sustainability of poultry industry in Iringa Region is under
threat due to a number of reasons. Of these, diseases are leading. Based on Table
3.21, New castle, Salmonellosis, Coccidiosis, Fowl Typhoid and Infectious
Coryza were the five poultry diseases identified in the four councils of Iringa
Region. In the period from 2010--2012 about 207,697 and 89,068 poultry
morbidity and mortality cases respectively were reported in the whole Region.
New Castle disease by causing morbidity to 185,760 poultry and mortality to
83,034 poultry was the most dangerous poultry disease followed by Fowl
Typhoid and Infectious Coryza, Coccidiosis and Salmonellosis. Figure 23 also
portrays poultry diseases in the Region.
Table 3.21: Three Major Poultry Diseases which Caused Morbidity and Mortality, Iringa Region;
2012
Council/Disease
2010 2011 2012 Total 2010 2011 2012 Total
Iringa DC
New castle 24,713 21,875 18,881 65,469 22,845 19,778 16,187 58,810
Fowl typhoid 1,512 1,583 1,445 4,540 723 685 679 2,087
Infectious Coryza 2,174 2,317 2,263 6,754 1,229 918 1,224 3,371
Sub-Total 28,399 25,775 22,589 76,763 24,797 21,381 18,090 64,268
Mufindi
New Castle 95 42 6 143 15 17 5 37
Infectious Coryza 11 9 15 35 24 11 0 35
99

Council/Disease
2010 2011 2012 Total 2010 2011 2012 Total
Coccidiosis 123 147 234 504 37 26 18 81
Sub-Total 229 198 255 682 76 54 23 153
Iringa Urban
New castle n.a 114 81 195 n.a 114 81 195
Coccidiosis n.a 1,213 1,021 2,234 n.a 60 40 100
Salmonellosis n.a 552 723 1275 n.a 51 51 102
Sub-Total na 1,879 1,825 3,704 na 225 172 397
Kilolo
New castle 72,142 47,811 Na 119,953 14,429 9,563 Na 23,992
Fowl typhoid 1,148 4,267 433 5,848 188 47 Na 235
Coccidiosis Na Na 747 747 Na Na 23 23
Sub-Total 73,290 52,078 1180 126,548 14,617 9,610 23 24,250
Regional Total 101,918 79,930 25,849 207,697 39,490 31,270 18,308 89,068
Figure 23: Poultry diseases with morbidity and mortality cases reported in Iringa Region; 2011-
2012
200,000
180,000
N c 160,000
140,000
o a 120,000
. s 100,000
80,000
o e
60,000 Morbidity
f s 40,000
20,000 Mortality
0
100
Initiatives taken by the livestock department in the respective districts managed to

reduce chicken morbidity by 29.6 percent between 2010 and 2011 and also by 67.7
percent between 2011 and 2012. Mortality was reduced by 20.8 percent between 2010
and 2011 while between 2011 and 2012 it was 41.5 percent.
3.2.12 Investment Opportunities in Livestock Sub Sector

Investment in this sub sector can focus on dairy farming and livestock
processing industries such as milk processing, leather tanning and meat canning.
Precisely, the region needs to look at the following possibilities:
1. Meat processing: The Region needs to have modern abattoirs in its districts.
The abattoirs can be used for slaughtering and meat processing. They can also
act as local markets for livestock keepers.
2. Animal feeds: Supplement feeds can be manufactured and sold to farmers.

Fodder can also be grown on the land that is lying idle and the selling of hay
or seeds that can improve range land in whole Region.
3. Animal services and pharmaceuticals: Animal veterinary shops and

veterinary centres where qualified veterinary and livestock officers can offer
consultancy services especially in sub-urban areas of the Region.
3.3 Natural Resources Products

Land and forest resources are the main natural endowments of Iringa Region
hence economic activities comprise of forestry, hunting, beekeeping, fishing,
minerals and wildlife. Among others, forestry sub sector plays an important role
in maintaining ecological balance, protect soils from erosion and conserve water
and wildlife. Forests are also a source of domestic energy and industrial raw
101
materials and provide useful non-wood products mainly honey and bee-wax.
Unfortunately, though the government has imposed protection measures against
forest depletion, the Region is suffers from illegal harvesting of wood trees and
encroachment due to land demand for agricultural activities. Concerted and
determined efforts at afforestation are the only way to save these forests, lives of
wildlife species and ensure sustainable supply of fuel wood.
As regards the allocation of natural resource staff within the Region, in 2012, the
Region had a total of 45 staffs of whom 22 were forest personnel located at
Mufindi (10 staff), Kilolo (6 staff), Iringa DC (5 staff) and Iringa Urban (one
staff) as shown in Table 3.22.Beekeeping sub-sector had 6 staff unevenly
located to Mufindi (2 staff), Iringa DC (3staff), Kilolo (onestaff) and Iringa
Urban had no staff. A total of six fisheries staff were llocated at Mufindi (3
staff), Iringa DC (3 staff) while Kilolo and Iringa Urban had no staff. Wildlife
sub-sectors had 11 staff llocated at Mufindi (2 staff), Iringa DC (9 staff) and
Iringa Urban and Kilolo had no staff. Table 3.22 also reveals that of the 45 staff
available, 34 were males and 11were females.
Table 3. 22: Availability of Natural Resource Staff by Sex and by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Forest Beekeeping Fisheries Wildlife
Council Total
Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
Iringa DC 3 2 3 0 3 0 4 5 20
Mufindi 8 2 2 0 2 1 2 0 17
Iringa Urban 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Kilolo 6 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 7
Total 18 4 5 1 5 1 6 5 45
Source: Compiled Data from District Socio-economic Profiles of Iringa Region, 2013
102
3.3.1 Forestry
Tree seedlings raising has reduced deforestation in Iringa Region
Iringa Region is one of the best forest cover in the country though there is at
great risk of forest depletion due to the demand for fuel wood and other human
activities as the population increases. As a percentage it occupies 15.5 percent of
the total land area. Until 2012, out of 3,303,280 hectares of the Regional land
area, about 363,828 hectares is covered by 98 forest reserves owned by the
district councils and villages (Table 3.23). However, percentage of
encroachment was severe in Mufindi and fair in Kilolo District Council. Forest
cover is more significant in Iringa DC (45.4 percent of the region‟s total land
area covered with forests) followed by Kilolo (37.3 percent) and Mufindi (17.3
percent). Forest cover for Iringa Urban is insignificant since is an urban council.
103
Table 3. 23 : Status of Forest Reserves and Percentage of Encroachment by Council, Iringa Region;
2012
Land No. of Area Percentage Status of Size of Percent
Council Area (ha) Forest (Ha) Of Area Illegal Encroached Encroached
Reserves Harvesting Area (Ha)
Iringa DC 1,973,548 22 165,184 45.4 Fair 0 0
Mufindi 617,700 60 62,878 17.3 Insignificant 1,607 93.0
Iringa Urban 32,970 1 233 0.1 n.a n.a na
Kilolo 679,662 15 135,533 37.3 Severe 121 7.0
Total 3,303,280 98 363,828 100.0 1,728 100
Source: Compiled Data from District Socio-economic Profile of Iringa Region, 2013
Apart from natural forests, the Region is also covered with forest plantations.
The people of Iringa Region have developed a habit of planting trees where by
various groups have been involved in raising and planting trees. These groups
include the Central Government, the district council, village governments,
individuals, schools, defence forces, Non-Government Organisations and local
and international forest companies. The Region raised about 113,717,141tree
seedlings between 2009/10 and 2011/2012 of which 18,442,000 seedlings were
raised in 2009/2010, 39,582,189 in 2010/11 and 55,692,952 in 2011/12 (Table
3.24). Most of the seedlings (66.4 percent) were raised by Mufindi District
Council followed by Kilolo (31.5 percent) and Iringa DC (1.2 percent). Iringa
Urban had the lowest percentage of seedlings (0.8 percent).
Table 3.24 : Number of Tree Seedlings Raised by Council, Iringa Region; 2009/10 –
2011/2012
Council 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Total Percent
Iringa DC n.a 716,776 694,714 1,411,490 1.2
Mufindi 18,370,000 25,426,000 31,754,500 75,550,500 66.4
Iringa Urban 72,000 580,418 251,200 903,618 0.8
Kilolo n.a 12,858,995 22,992,538 35,851,533 31.5
Total 18,442,000 39,582,189 55,692,952 113,717,141 100.0
104
(i) Forest Products
Timber is a main forest product in Iringa Region
Iringa is one of the few regions in Tanzania producing most of the forest
products including timber, wood logs and wood fuels such as fire wood and
charcoal. Unfortunately, the district authorities fail to get reliable data on the
production of forest products and their values due to the ban on tree cutting in
the from natural forests which results in not reporting the production done
illegally.
Table 3.25 gives indicative figures of the quantity of timber and charcoal sold
and their values in 2012. A total of 87,103 cubic metres of timbers were sold and
fetched about Tshs 27.6 billion with the highest sale being in Mufindi district
council followed by Kilolo and Iringa DC. Table 3.25 also indicates that Kilolo
district was the major producer of charcoal in the Region. Out of 63,285 bags
produced in 2012, 56,600 bags were produced by Kilolo District followed by
Mufindi (6,333 bags) and Iringa DC (352 bags). Due to scarcity of heavy
forests, Iringa Urban does not earn revenue from timber and charcoal. Of the
revenue from all forest products, revenue from charcoal is the only one that
benefits the councils.
105
Table 3. 25: Revenue Collected from Timber and Chacoal by Council, Iringa Region, 2012
Volume of Total Values Number of

Total Value@
Council Timber Sold @350,000 Charcoal
3500 Tshs
(Cubic metre) Tshs Bags Sold
Iringa DC n.a n.a 352 1,232,000
Mufindi 78,376 27,431,600,000 6,333 22,165,500
Iringa Urban n.a n.a n.a n.a
Kilolo 8,727 204,442,500 56,600 198, 100,000
Total 87,103 27,636,042,500 63,285 221,497,500
3.3.2 Beekeeping
The use of modern beehives was among contributing factors for the increase of
beekeeping products in the Region
Though the region is endowed with planted and natural forestry, little has been
done so far to adequately exploit this resource through bee-keeping. Inadequate
knowledge, lack of motivation towards beekeeping, use of traditional methods
and unreliable markets are among the factors contributing to the poor
performance of this sub-sector in the Region. However, production of honey and
wax has increased in the last two years due to mass campaigns done by
government and private sectors on the importance of beekeeping in the Region
106
and country as whole, usage of modern bee hives and community awareness
towards beekeeping as also a potential economic venture for their livelihood.
Table 3.26 shows an improvement in bee-keeping for all districts of Iringa

Region. The number of traditional beehives increased from 15,263 in 2010 to
19,676 (equivalent to 28.9 percent) in 2012. With a total of 14,257 beehives
Iringa DC was leading in traditional beehives in 2012 followed by Kilolo (3,539
beehives) and Mufindi (1,876 beehives). Iringa Urban had the least number of
traditional beehives (4). Number of modern beehives also increased from 4,028
in 2010 to 6,174 (equivalent to 53.3 percent) in 2012. Again Iringa DC had
largest number of modern beehives (2,649) in the Region followed by Kilolo
(2,145) and Mufindi (1,156), while Iringa Urban had the smallest number (224)
of modern beehives in 2012.
Table 3. 26: Number of Traditional and Modern Beehives by Council; Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012
Traditional Modern
Council Percentage Percentage
2010 2012 2010 2012
Increase Increase
Iringa DC 10,724 14,257 32.9 1,242 2,649 113.3
Mufindi 1,791 1,876 4.7 977 1,156 18.3
Iringa Urban 0 4 na 132 224 69.7
Kilolo 2,748 3,539 28.8 1,677 2,145 27.9
Total 15,263 19,676 28.9 4,028 6,174 53.3
Table 3.27 indicates that over a three year period, beekeeping sub sector
produced a total of 138,220 litres of honey and 10,530 kgs of bee-wax, valued at
a total of TShs 680,982,000. Data given in the Table is evidence that bee-
keeping industry could contribute significantly to the regional economy if
initiatives are taken to promote this subsector. Moreover, bee-keeping
107
production levels could be raised if bee-keepers are given assistance to enable

them move from traditional to modern beehives through provision of micro-
credits as seed money and extension services.
Table 3.27 : Trend of Beekeeping Products and Revenue Received (TShs), Iringa Region; 2010 –
2012
Honey Bee-wax
Total
Year Collected
Percentage Percent Revenue
Litre T.Shs. Increase Kg T.Shs. Increase
(Litre) (Kg)
2010 40,679 158,036,000 3,072 9,029,000 167,065,000
2011 55,504 272,310,000 36.4 3,470 10,326,500 13.0 282,636,500
2012 42,037 217,014,000 -24.3 3,990 14,267,000 15.0 231,281,000
Total 138,220 647,360,000 10,532 33,622,500 680,982,500
Table 3.28 shows that most of honey and bee-wax were produced in Iringa DC
and Mufindi districts due to the presence of both natural and planted forestry.
Out of 440,679 litres of honey produced in 2010, about 34,000 litres were
produced in Iringa DC and 6,012 litres in Mufindi, while Iringa Urban produced
no honey. Similar trends were observed in other years under review. Again
Iringa DC and Mufindi were major producers of bee-wax in the reference
period. While Iringa Urban district was the least producer of bee-wax as in the
case of honey (Table 3.28).
108
Table 3.28 : Beekeeping Products (Honey and Bee-Wax) by Council, Iringa Region; 2010 – 2012
Honey (Litres) Bee-Wax (Kg) Total
Council
Honey Bee-Wax
2010 2011 2012 2010 2011 2012
(litres) (kg)
Iringa DC 34,000 48,216 32,250 2,770 3,130 3,550 114,466 9,450
Mufindi 6,012 5,078 5,062 185 191 216 16,152 592
Iringa Urban 0 802 1,017 0 6 15 1,819 21
Kilolo 667 1,408 3,708 115 143 209 5,783 467
Total 40,676 55,504 42,037 3,070 3,470 3,990 138,220 10,530
3.3.3 Fishery
Pond in Igowole ward is used for different purposes including fishing
Fishing is not a big economic activity in Iringa Region due to the limited number
of water bodies. Most of the fish consumed in the Region are imported from Dar
es Salaam, Mwanza, Ifakara and Ludewa. Small scale fishing is carried out at
Migoli, Kitwiru, Igowole, Ukwega, Idete and Ruahambuyuni wards in
waterbodies of Mtera dam, the Great Ruaha, Little Ruaha and fish ponds.
109
Dropping of water level of Mtera dam which started in 2008/09, to large extent
affected fishing industry as well as revenue of the region.
Table 3.29 gives indications of the magnitude of the fishing industry in the
region, of which a total of 9 wards are officially identified and have 1,305
registered fishermen using 970 fishing licenses and 1,020 vessels. It was
estimated that, in 2012 a total of 1,803,891kgs of fish valued at
TShs.5,391,046,000 were harvested and sold at an average price of TSHs 2,986
per kg. District wise, Migoli Ward in Iringa DC is the major fishing site in the
Region, at which 1,781,590 kgs (98.8 percent of all fish) were harvested in 2012.
Other fishing centres harvested 1.2 percent of the fish (Table 3.29).
Table 3. 29: Fishery Resources and Production by Council, Iringa Region, 2012
No. of
No. of Fish Harvested
Fishing Site No. of Registered
Council Fishing
(Ward) Fishermen Fishing
Licenses Wight Value (TShs)
Vessels
(kg)
Iringa DC Migoli 975 925 975 1,781,590 5,344,770,000
Mufindi Igowole 123 45 45 14,345 46,276,000
Iringa Urban Kitwilu 19 0 0 240 n.a.
Ukwega,
Mahenge,
Kilolo Mtitu, Idete, 188 n.a n.a 7,716 n.a.
Ruahambuyuni
and Dabaga
Total 9 1,305 970 1,020 1,803,891 5,391,046,000
110
3.3.4 Wildlife
Iringa is the luckiest region in the country by being endowed with many and
fairly large wildlife conservation areas that support a diversity of wildlife
species. Ruaha National Park, Runda Mkwambi Game Controlled Area and
forest reserves are the home of a wide range of wildlife species in the Region.
Apart from elephant, buffalo and lions, KUDU happens to be the most unique
wildlife animal found only in Ruaha National Park. Photographic tourism,
researching and camping are permitted activities in these national parks. While
hunting is only permitted in game controlled and reserve areas outside national
parks.
Poaching is a major problem for the sustainability of wildlife resources in these

areas since they kill minority wildlife species especially elephant for trophies,
giraffe and kudu. Figure 24 gives the number of poachers caught in the last five
years. A total of 407 poachers were caught in the Region between 2008 and
2012. The highest percentage (30.0 percent) of poachers was caught in 2009 and
the least (12.5 percent) in 2012.
111
Figure 24: Number of Poachers caught in Iringa Region; 2008 -2012
140 122
120
100 87
74 73
80
60 51
40
20
0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Poachers
3.3.5 Tourism
3.3.5.1 Wildlife Tourism
Ruaha National Park is also a home of various birds
Iringa Region has a national park namely Ruaha National Park, the largest
national park in Africa, covering an area of about 22,000 sq. km. It is located in
the middle of Tanzania about 130 km from the centre of Iringa Municipality.
The park is part of a more extensive ecosystem which includes Rungwa Game
112
Reserve, Usangu Game Reserve and several other protected areas. The park is
very famous for its large population of 10,000 elephants roaming in the park, a
true birdwatchers paradise with 436 identified species of birds. The different
species are Hornbills, Kingfishers and Sunbirds together many migrants like the
White Stork. Other special animals in Ruaha include kudu, lion, buffalo, the
African wild dog and Sable Antelope. The best time to visit for predators and
large mammals is during the dry season (May–December) and for birds and
flowers, the wet season (January–April).
Figure 25 shows the number of tourists both local and foreign who visited the
Ruaha National Park between 2008 and 2012.From 2008 to 2012 a total of
107,319 tourists visited the Park. Number of tourists fluctuated with the largest
number of tourists at 23,671 visiting in 2012 and the lowest number (19,079) in
2010.
Figure 25 : Number of Tourists who Visited Ruaha National Park; 2008-2012
25,000
22,753 23,671
22,035
20,000 19,781 19,079
15,000 13,953 13,950
12,885
11,630 11,040
10,000 9,868 9,721
8,082 8,151 8,039
5,000
0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Local Foreign Total
Source: Ruaha National Park Management; May 2013
113
3.3.4.5.2 Historical Site viewing Tourism
Chief Munyigumba Grave yard
Historical places are other tourists‟ attractions which make Iringa DC attract
many local and foreign tourists. The district has a number of historical places to
visit such as the Ismila Stone Age Site, Kalenga, Kikongoma, Mlambalasi and
Tosamaganga.
Ismila Stone Age Site: The site lying about 20 km (12 miles) to the SouthWest
of Iringa DC headquarters has astonishing free-standing natural rock pillars
formed by millions of years of weathering, this is one of Africa‟s most important
sites for exploring the relics of the Acheulean Age (about 300,000 years ago)
and the site is littered with hand axes, hammers, cleavers and stone picks. Also
the site contains archeological artifacts, particularly stone tools, from human
habitation many years ago.
Kalenga, Kikongoma and Mlambalasi: These historical sites are linked with
the Hehe‟s Chief Mkwawa. He was the chief who several times fought the
114
German colonial authorities. The Hehe‟s Chief built eight km long and 12 meter
high stockade in an attempt to fight off the advance of German colonization.
Kalenga Museum: It was built in 1954 during British colonialism in Kalenga

Village. It is in this museum where the skull of Chief Mkwawa is kept after
being repatriated back to the then Tanganyika Territory in 1954 during the
British colonial rule. Mkwawa‟s skull now forms one of the main exhibits of the
Mkwawa Memorial. Furthermore, letters which Mkwawa wrote to Germany
authorities, spears and other traditional weapons and a few rifles which Mkwawa
and his soldiers had used can also be observed in this museum. Besides that,
there are traditional tools and medicines which the Chief Mkwawa had used as
‘satellite’ for watching enemies as well as monitoring the behavior of his 62
wives if they happened to cheat on him.
Kikongoma: It is the hamlet within Mangalali Village. This hamlet is famous

for two main things. First it is the place where the mother of Chief Mkwawa
killed herself. She killed herself after had caught by Mkwawa enemies and
forced to disclose the traditional whichcraft which made his son (Chief
Mkwawa) powerful. She refused, and threw herself in Ruaha River at a place
where it was believed to be more than 50 metres deep. Secondly, Kikongoma is
famous for having „Gold Bridge‟ or natural built bridge. Below the huge stones
Ruaha River flows. Through stepping on the huge stones people can cross the
river even during long rainy seasons.
Mlambalasi: This is a place where Chief Mkwawa killed himself in 1898 after
successfully managed to escape from German forces.
115
Chanunu and Ulole Cave: This cave located in Malangali ward was a hiding
place for Chief Mkwawa during the war with Germans, Ngoni and Luguru
people, there are resting places like Kisupo cha Mkwawa and also Mnyigumba
Boma where there is a grave of Mkwawa‟s father. These sites are monitored by
Mkwawa family. The Region is in the process of making arrangements for these
sites to be among other tourist sites.
Table 3.30: Historical Sites Potential for Tourism in Iringa Region, 2012
Type of Historical Heritage Available Village Ward
Chanunu Cave Itengule Malangali

Chamumbwi An Gelman Old Fort Ihowanza Ihowanza
Kisupo cha Mkwawa Sawala Mtwango
Ulole Caves Bumilayinga Bumilayinga
Mnyigumba‟s Grave yard and Boma Rungemba Rungemba
Kirufi Worshiping Ihomasa Kasanga
Gangilonga Stone Gangilonga Gangilonga
Common Wealth Graves Gangilonga Gangilonga
First world war Icon Gangilonga Gangilonga
German building Gangilonga Gangilonga
Igeleke Paints Igeleke Mtwivila
Kitanzini Kitanzani Kitanzini
Itamba Pillars Itamba Mkwawa
Manyafifi caves Kitwiru Kitwiru
Ruaha river Ipogolo Ruaha
Igumbiro Pillars Igumbiro
Kitasengwa Pillars Mkoga Isakalilo
Pillars and Caves Kigonzile, Mgongo Nduli
and Nduli
116
Udekwa, Dabaga and Irole Caves:
This is among the unique caves with a total of 8 rooms. It is found in Udekwa
ward 143 km from the headquarters. There are also other caves found at Dabaga
45 km and Irole caves 63 km from headquarters all of these caves have similar
traditions and beliefs. The cave has been used by local natives as hideout against
enemies. It has been used also by local community as a sacred site which reflects
cultural belief of the indigenous community of Hehe where sacrifices of goats
and cows were given to gods to stop curse erupting in the community.
Ukumbi Swamp
117
The swamp was used by the community for two purposes; spiritual and medical.
For spiritual purposes, sacrifices of goats and cows were given to gods to stop
problems erupting in the community. For medical purposes, water from the
swamp and herbs growing in the swamp were mixed with other traditional
medicines to cure epilepsy, leprosy and mental diseases. The water was only
fetched by a select person. The swamp is at Ukumbi ward 47 kms from the
headquarters.
Kihesa-Mgagao Stone
This is among the huge stones covering a total of 12 acres at an altitude of 2,500
m above sea level. It is used for two major activities which are spiritual and
medicinal. For spiritual purposes, sacrifices of goats, and cows were given to
gods to stop problem erupting in the community and sacrifice giving depended
on the nature of the problem meaning the bigger the problem the bigger the
sacrifice to be given. For medicinal purposes, herbs growing on top of the stone
which scientifically are called syzgium spp, and by Hehe language are called
Mafwelefwenzi are mixed with other traditional medicines to cure asthma and
coughing diseases. Also there are two rivers which flow nearby at a site called
Ifwenga and Mtitu. The stone is found at the border of two villages of Kihesa-
118
Mgagao (Ng‟uruhe ward) and Masege (Ukumbi ward) 42 kms from

headquarters.
Nyundo Grave
It is popularly referred to as „Nyundo Grave‟ or „Zelewisky Grave‟ reflects

cultural conflict between two ethnic groups of Germans and Hehe. This is a
monument where 300 Germany soldiers had been buried after being killed by
Mkwawa soldiers in 1898. This grave is located at Irole 63 kms from
headquarters.
119
3.3.4.5.3 Eco Tourism
Ruaha River Lodge in the Ruaha National Park is among the

preferred lodge by foreigners
Availability of good infrastructure such as accommodation facilities,

telecommunication services, roads, banking/bureau de change services and tour
operators is an important tool for the development of competitive tourism
industry. Accommodation facilities are important in attracting tourists.
Therefore, regional authorities should continue to encourage the private sector to
build more hotels, camp sites and lodges to accommodate ever increasing
tourists in the Region. The existing hotels lodgings and camp sites in Iringa
Region include the MR Hotel, Hilltop Hotel, Lutheran Lodge Centre and New
Ruaha International Guest House, Tandala Tented Camps, Mwagusi Safari
Camp, Mdonya Old River Camp, Ruaha River Lodge, Kwihale and Jongomero
Camp. Cotage Lodge is the property of the National Park (i.e government
property) and is the most affordable lodge. The remaining lodges are owned by
investors and their price is higher than the one owned by the government.
120
Banking services and bureau de changes together with telecommunication

services especially mobile phone coverage are also very important for tourism
industry in Iringa Region. Besides that, road network towards all tourists
attractions are good and passable throughout a year.
3.3.6 Investment Opportunities in Natural Resources

(i) Agro-forestry
Sustainable agro-forestry is an area the Region can take advantage of.
Afforestation programmes can be established for environmental
conservation in the Region.
(ii) Beekeeping
Availability of abundant natural forests such as miombo woodlands
provides the Region with a great range of beekeeping potentials. People
organized in groups can make beekeeping a part-time activity and an
alternative source of income for low income earners in the Region.
However, investments in this sub-sector can be made as follows:
Medium scale investors; these are private companies or individuals

with adequate resources who can invest profitably in this sub sector by
using modern technology. These kind of investors should be encouraged
so as to tap the full potential of this sector; and
Small scale bee keepers; these include individual households in the

district. They could be developed by being trained in modern bee-
keeping, a practice which involves the use of modern beehives instead of
the traditional ones which are currently predominant in the Region.
Likewise, the Government and other development stakeholders in the
121
Region should think of introducing micro-credit schemes to bee-keepers

so as to enable them purchase modern beehives and other necessary gear
for this important economic activity.
(iii) Tourism: Wildlife and Historical sites

The presence of Ruaha National Park, game reserves and historical sites
in Iringa Region is an important opportunity to create employment within
the sector and increase income of the people.
(iv) Eco Tourism

Availability of national parks and historical sites create an opportunity
for the Region to construct quality infrastructures including
accommodation facilities, telecommunication services, roads,
banking/bureau de change services and tour operators in order to create
competitive tourism facilities.
(v) Environmental conservation

Investment in the planting and supply of seedlings is essential in the
district in order to balance the state of afforestation and deforestation that
is going on in the Region. Iringa Region faces the problem of depletion
of forest cover due to firewood and charcoal burning. Investment is also
needed in providing education in agro forestry and forest resource
management.
(vi) Fisheries
People in fishing sites in the Region have a very good opportunity of
increasing their income by involving in fishing. Therefore, dynamic and
well-funded fisheries programs are needed for fishers in Iringa Region to
transform the income and nutrition status of those households.
122
3. 4 Mining Sector
The Region has yet to play a significant role in mineral production, though there
are number of mineral deposits. Kilolo District is the only district endowed with
lime in Ilula Ward, aggregates in Uhambingeto Ward, and fine sand in Ihimbo
Ward. Nevertheless, little is known about the actual potential of the minerals in
these sites. As a result, its contribution to the regional economy is still negligible
compared to agriculture and livestock activities. Table 3.31 shows mineral
potentials in Kilolo District.
Table 3. 31: Distribution of Mineral Deposits and Scale of Mining at Kilolo District, Iringa
Region, 2012
Council Type of Mineral Small Scale Medium
Deposit Scale
Ilula Lime - 1
Uhambingeto Aggregates 1 -
Ihimbo Fine sand 1 -
Total 3 2 1
Source: District Executive Director‟s Office (Mining Department) Kilolo District, 2013
3.5 Industrial Sector

Industrial sector is very important in the economy. It is a foreign exchange
earner and the main source of employment, especially in urban areas. Table 3.32
shows that in 2012 the Region had a total of 289 small scale industries in
operation. Iringa Urban District had the largest number of industries (235)
followed by Mufindi (26) and Iringa DC (16). Kilolo District had the smallest
number of industries as it has only 12industries. The leading type of industrial
activity was grain milling at 33.6 percent, followed by carpentry (22.5 percent)
and oil processing (12.1 percent).
123
Table 3.32 : Number of Small Scale Industries by Council and Type of Industry - Iringa Region;
2012
Grain Oil Poultry
Council Bakery Carpentry Garage Tailoring Total
Milling Processing Feed
Iringa DC 0 0 0 1 15 0 0 16
Mufindi 0 3 17 5 1 0 0 26
Iringa Urban 4 58 38 91 17 1 26 235
Kilolo 0 4 3 0 2 1 2 12
Total 4 65 58 97 35 2 28 289
Percent 1.4 22.5 20.1 33.6 12.1 0.7 9.7 100.0
Apart from small-scale industries, Iringa Region also had medium-scale

industries which were concentrated in Iringa Urban (12). Other districts had few
industries as follows: Iringa DC and Mufindi (1) and Kilolo District (2) (Table
3.33). The percentage distribution of medium industries was Iringa Urban (75
percent) Kilolo (12.5 percent) and Iringa DC and Mufindi (6.3 percent each).
Table 3. 33: Number of Medium Scale Industries by Council and Type, Iringa Region, 2012
Iringa
Industry Iringa DC Mufindi Kilolo Total Percent
Urban
Bakery 0 0 1 0 1 6.3
Biscuit Processing 0 0 1 0 1 6.3
Charcoal 0 0 1 0 1 6.3
Confectionary 2 2 12.5
Crispo 0 0 1 0 1 6.3
Fruit and Vegetable 0 0 2 1 3 18.8
Canning
Milk Processing 0 0 1 0 1 6.3
Bottle 1 1 2 1 5 31.3
Manufacturing
Tank Manufacturing 0 0 1 0 1 6.3
Total 1 1 12 2 16 100.0
Percent 6.3 6.3 75.0 12.5 100
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Factors responsible for rapid growth of the industrial sector and all of which are
available in Iringa Region include:
Reliable Infrastructure/Tarmac Roads

Iringa Region is linked with the biggest commercial city in Tanzania (Dar es
Salaam) by a good tarmac road. Moreover, the Region is also linked with other
big cities/towns in Tanzania like Mbeya, Morogoro and Songea by tarmac roads.
Easy Accessibility of Resources

The Region is endowed with a diversity of natural resources and its geographical
location enables easy access of resources in other places in the country. Raw
materials can be transported from other regions in the country to the region
through the tarmac highways/roads.
Availability of Markets
Availability of improved or modern technology makes is easy to produce goods
of high quality that can compete in both local and foreign markets.
3.6 Investment Opportunities in Trade and Industries

Iringa is among the fast developing regions in the country. It has a relatively
well developed infrastructure and financial services that support a wide range of
economic activities. The Region has better investment opportunities through an
enabling environment that has been created through support of private sector
operators. Potential areas for investment which can be exploited by the region
itself or in collaboration with the private sector include:
Construction of “Logistic Centre Houses” which could be used for quality

control of the products imported into the Region.
125
Construction of the “Re Export Centre” for the products acquired within the
Region and those imported so as to export to the other nearby regions.
Construction of warehouses for whole sale trade so that whole sellers can
manage to buy and re sale the products to retailers; this will double increase the
revenue within the Region.
126
CHAPTER FOUR
Economic Infrastructure
4.0 Introduction
Chapter Four explains the existing economic infrastructure in Iringa Region. It
covers the road network development in terms of road classification, type of
road surface and passability. Others include railway, air services, postal services
including radio calls and television facilities. In the energy sector developments
in regards to hydro-electricity, biogas, solar energy, fuel wood and fossil fuels
are discussed.
Iringa Region has the privilege of having frontier with five regions. These
regions include Dodoma, Singida, Morogoro, Njombe and Mbeya. Landlocked
countries of Malawi, Zambia and even Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
also depend to some extent on the efficiency of Iringa‟s roads. Iringa Region has
a well developed transport network system connected to these other regions.
With the exception of Iringa to Morogoro and Iringa to Njombe and Mbeya
roads which are tarmac, the roads connecting Iringa with other regions are not in
good condition. The roads network in Iringa Region is about 4,450 km (Table
4.1).
4.1 Road network

Table 4.1 shows that the trunk roads account for 8.3 percent of the regional
network; regional roads are about 18.1 percent while district roads are 52.2
percent and the feeder roads are 21.4 percent of the network.
Iringa region total road length is 4,452.3 kilometers of which 414.6 kilometers
belong to Iringa Municipality, 1,580.4 kilometers to Iringa DC, 1,573.3
127
kilometers to Mufindi and 884kilometers to Kilolo district. Thus, Iringa DC

owns 35.5 percent of the network followed by Mufindi at 35.3 percent, Kilolo
19.9 percent and Iringa Municipal 9.3 percent.
Table 4.1 : Road Network by Types and by Council, Iringa Region, 2012
Type (Km)
Council
Trunk Regional District Feeder Total
Iringa DC 152 268 825.4 335 1,580.4
Mufindi 95 399 680.3 399 1,573.3
Iringa Municipal 23 28 363.6 0 414.6
Kilolo 100 111 455 218 884
Regional Total 370 806 2,322.80 952 4,452.3
Percent 8.3 18.1 52.2 21.4 100.0
Source: Iringa Regional Commissioner‟s Office 2013
4.1.1 Road network classification
60.2 percent of total road network of the region is earth road
Table 4.2 below shows that 314 km (7.1 percent of the road network) is tarmac.
The 1,456.3 km (32.7 percent) are gravel road and the remaining 2,682 km (60.2
percent) are earth roads. Tarmac and gravel roads make up 39.8 percent of the
network and since there is a close affinity between road worthiness and
128
tarmac/gravel surfaces it can generally be said that 39.8 percent of the region‟s
road network is passable throughout the year. Iringa DC has the longest
kilometers of tarmac and gravel roads at 786.7 km followed by Mufindi at 514.5
km. Mufindi also has the largest earth roads (1,058.8 km) which are impassable
during the rainy season.
Table 4.2 : Road Network Surface condition by Council, Iringa Region, 2012
Surface Condition (Km)
Council
Tarmac Gravel Earth Total
Iringa DC 72 714.7 793.7 1,580.4
Mufindi 95 419.5 1,058.8 1,573.3
Iringa Municipal 58 106.1 250.5 414.6
Kilolo 89 216 579 884
Regional Total 314 1,456.3 2,682 4,452.3
Percent 7.1 32.7 60.2 100.0
Source: Iringa Regional Commissioner‟s Office 2013
4.2 Railway Transport

The TAZARA railway line to Mbeya and Kapirimposhi passes through Iringa
Region. Kiyowela and Mpanga Tazara are the two railway stations in the region
which serve as a gateway for handling bulky goods and services intended for the
region. However, due to the poor road network between the stations and the
Iringa- Mbeya Highway, very few goods pass through the two stations.
Moreover, the TAZARA line is currently facing some constraints in regard to
capitals, equipments and other resources for it to run properly. The services will
be better once the constraints are solved.
129
4.3 Air Transport facilities

There is only one airport which is located in Iringa Municipal but because there
are no scheduled flights there are no passengers embarking and disembarking at
that airport. In addition there are two airstrips in Mufindi District which serve
the district‟s non-scheduled air traffic for medical, tourist and other services.
These airstrips are located at Mafinga JKT (Sao Hill) and Ngwazi in Igowole
Ward. No data were available on the number of people served by the airstrips.
Table 4. 3: Air Services by Council, Iringa Region, 2012

Air Services
Council No. of Air No. of
No. of Airports
Strips Passengers
Iringa DC 0 0 0
Mufindi 0 2 0
Iringa Municipal 1 0 0
Kilolo 0 0 0
Regional Total 1 2 0
Source: Regional Commissioner‟s office Iringa, 2013
4.4 Telecommunication Services

Information and communication technology (ICT) implementations in the region
target at investments in capacity building and promoting effective application
and use of ICT in business and in enhancing community participation in
development activitities. E-Government is the use of ICT to enhance the
delivery of Government services in terms of improving service quality,
broadening service availability to more people, and innovating new types of
services. The regional ICT strategies uses the framework set aside by the
national ICT policy that will enable ICT to contribute towards achieving
development goals and to transform the region into knowledge based society
through the application of ICT.
130
ICT services are still not fully utilized. Few ICT services are still confined in
urban areas; rural areas are largely without ICT service. Many initiatives and
projects are proposed to be implemented with the aim of spreading the use of
ICT in Iringa region. The ultimate goal of ICT use in the region is to have
improved efficient way of conducting transactions between Government to
Government (G2G), Government to its citizens (G2C), and Government to its
Employees (G2E) and Business communities (G2B) as well as within the public
administration itself, thereby bringing many types of Government services closer
to citizens.
4.5 Energy
Iringa Region uses various sources of energy for lighting, cooking as well as for
running machines. These sources include hydroelectricity, gas, paraffin,
charcoal, firewood and others. However there were no up to date data on the
number of users of the different kinds of energy. More reliable data will be
available after the completion of the analysis of the 2012 Population and
Housing Census.
Table 4.4 below shows the demand and supply of electricity energy for two
zones of Iringa Region. The Table shows that the demand for electricity in Iringa
Region in 2011 was slightly higher than that of 2012 but the supply in 2011 was
lower than that of 2012. While there were 28,470 customers in 2011 in Iringa
Region, in 2012 the number increased to 31,724 an increase of about 11.4
percent. The increase was higher in Iringa Zone (12.8 percent) than in Mafinga
Zone (2.9 percent).
131
Table 4. 4: Electricity Demand and Supply by Zone, Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012.
2011 2012
Council Demand Supply No. of Demand Supply No. of
(MW) (KWH) Customers (MW) (KWH) Customers
Iringa Zone 8.3 47,411,102 22,459 8.0 48,698,667 25,536
Mafinga Zone 5.0 41,374,200 6,011 5.0 41,914,196 6,188
Total 13.3 88,785,302 28,470 13.0 90,612,863 31,724
Note: Iringa zone = Iringa DC, Iringa urban and Kilolo districts,
Mafinga zone = Mufindi district.
Source: TANESCO Regional office, Iringa, 2013
132
CHAPTER FIVE
Social Services
5.0 Introduction
This chapter discusses the status of social services that are available in Iringa
Region and cover the development of health sector in terms of preventive and
curative measures through morbidity, mortality, and reportable communicable
diseases. It also covers preventive measures on HIV/AIDS prevalence,
tuberculosis and other HIV/AIDs related diseases, mother and child health as
well as health facilities.
Education is the second sector discussed in this chapter. It highlights education

performance based on the increase of school facilities; pre-primary, primary and
secondary educations, enrolment performance, school infrastructure and quality
of education are also discussed.
Water supply and sanitation is also discussed in this chapter. Performance of

water supply for both rural and urban areas of Iringa Region is highlighted in
terms of sources, technology and capacity of water supply. Sanitation level at the
Region is also briefly explained.
5.1 Health Sector
Regional hospital is the highest Referral hospital in Iringa Region providing

specialized Health services
133
5.1.1 Health Facilities

The status of health services in any region can be easily visualised through the
health infrastructure, availability and commitment of health practitioners,
implementation of preventive and curative measures and availability of medicine
and medical supplies. The main objective of any local government authority and
the nation as a whole is to ensure provision of quality health service to the
community. The available data in terms of health infrastructure in the region
shows that, the number of facilities increased from 128 in 2002 to 150 in 2008
and reached 231 in 2012. As a result, Region has managed to raise its ratio of
facilities per ward from 1.4 in 2002 to 2.5 in 2012 (Table 5.1).
Table 5.1 also indicated that Iringa Rural District had the best ratios of health
facilities per ward in both 2002 (1.7 facilities per ward) and 2012 (3.1 facilities)
and Mufindi was the second district in having best ratios (1.4 facilities in 2002
and 2.4 facilities in 2012), while Iringa Urban wos the worst by having 1.0
facilities per ward in 2002 and 1.8 facilities per ward in 2012.
Table 5.1: Growth Status and Distribution of Health Facilities by Council, Iringa Region,
2002, 2008 and 2012
Number of Health Facilies Facilities per Ward
Council Wards
2002 2008 2012 2002 2008 2012
Iringa Rural 25 38 47 77 1.7 1.9 3.1
Mufindi 30 39 48 71 1.4 1.7 2.4
Iringa Urban 16 16 21 29 1.0 1.3 1.8
Kilolo 22 31 34 54 1.4 1.5 2.5
Total 93 128 150 231 1.4 1.6 2.5
Source: Compiled data from District Socio-economic Profiles of Iringa Region, 2013
134
Table 5.2 show the distribution of health facilities by district. There were 7
hospitals (3 public and 4 private), 22 health centres (13 public and 9 private) and
208 dispensaries (162 public and 46 private) in 2012. Regional Hospital was
designated as the Region referral hospital receiving patients from district
hospitals within the Region. Iringa Urban district had the best health
infrastructure consisting of 3 hospitals, 4 health centres and 22 dispensaries
followed by Mufindi (2 hospitals, 8 health centres and 67 dispensaries), while
Kilolo district had poor health infrastructure with one hospital, two health
centres and 51 dispensaries.
Inspite of the efforts made, the Region still has shortages of health centres and
dispensaries which cause unnecessary loss of peoples‟ lives through preventable
diseases. The Health Policy, of having a dispensary in each village, a health
centre in each ward, has not yet been attained.
Map 5: Map of Iringa Region showing Distribution of the Selected Health Facilities by Council;
2012
135
Table 5.2: Availability of Health Facilities by Ownership and by Council, Iringa Region,
2012
Public Health Facilities Private Health Facilities
Council Health Health
Hospital Dispensary Hospital Dispensary
Centres Centres
Iringa Rural 0 4 56 1 4 12
Mufindi 1 5 59 1 3 8
Iringa Urban 2 3 12 1 1 10
Kilolo 0 1 35 1 1 16
Total 3 13 162 4 9 46
In order to serve the ever growing population in the Region village health posts
were established to complement the existing official health infrastructure. These
centres are operated by village health workers (VHWs) assisted by traditional
birth attendants (TBAs) under supervision of village health committees (VHCs).
Table 5.3 shows that by 2012, the Region had 315 trained tradition birth
attendants, 690 village health workers and 236 village health committees.
Table 5.3 also shows that the number of trained traditional birth attendants per
village in the year 2012 was one and village health workers were 1.9. Table 5.3
also shows that Kilolo district had the best ratio of health carders per village. It
was 1 for TBAs and 2 for VHWs (Table 5.3).
Table 5.3: Distribution of Complementary Rural Health Facilities by Council, Iringa Region, 2012
Total Ratio of Ratio of
No. of No. of No. of No. of TMP
Council Trained TBAs per VHWs per
Village VHWs VHC (Registered)
TBAs Village Village
Iringa DC 123 139 1 224 1.8 112 15
Mufindi 125 64 0 246 1.9 78 158
Iringa Urban 7 0 0 8 1.1 0 0
Kilolo 106 112 1 212 2.0 46 16
Total 368 315 1 690 1.9 236 189
Source: Compiled data from All District Socio-economic Profiles of Iringa Region, 2013
136
5.1.2 Population per Health Facility

The Region managed to reduce the mean number of persons per facility from
6,546 people in 2002 to 4,075 people in 2012. The reduction was due to the
increase of health facilities from 128 in 2002 to 231 in 2012. In regard to health
facilities per 10,000 people, the ratio increased from 1.5 in 2002 to 2.5 in 2012.
At district level, Table 5.4 shows that more pressure of population on health
facilities in 2002 was experienced in Mufindi and Iringa Urban at 7,233 and
6,648 persons per facility respectively, while Iringa Rural District had minimum
ratio of 5,834 persons per facility. Table 5.4 also shows that in 2012 Iringa
Urban had the highest pressure of 5,219 persons per health facility followed by
Mufindi (4,475) and Kilolo (4,039). Like in 2002, Iringa Rural had minimum
pressure of 3,299 persons per facility.
Table 5. 4: Relating Health Facilities to the Population by Council, Iringa Region, 2012
2002 2012
Mean Mean
Total H.f.s/ Total H.f.s
Council Total Average Total Average
Number 10,000 Number /10,000
Population Population Population Population
of h.f.s people of h.f.s people
Per h.f.s Per h.f.s
Iringa Rural 245,033 42 5,834 1.7 254,032 77 3,299 3.0
Mufindi 282,071 39 7,233 1.4 317,731 71 4,475 2.2

Iringa Urban 106,371, 16 6,648 1.5 151,345 29 5,219 1.9
Kilolo 204,372 31 6,593 1.5 218,130 54 4,039 2.5

Total 837,847 128 6,546 1.5 941,238 231 4,075 2.5
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5.1.3 Population per Doctor Ratio
The proportion of population per bed gives an indication of availability

of health facility
Table 5.5 indicates that the Region had a serious problem of practitioners though
Government had increased them significantly. In 2002, the Region had only 23
practitioners to the Region population of 837,847, with an average of 36,428
persons per practitioner. Kilolo was the worst district with 68,1124 persons per
doctor followed by Iringa DC (49,007 persons per doctor) and Mufindi (31,341
persons per doctor). However, Iringa Urban was the best district with a ratio of
17,729 persons per doctor.
Table 5. 5: The Number of Persons per Doctor by Council, Iringa Region, 2002 and 2012
2002 2012

Total Total Total Total
Population Population
Population Doctors Population Doctors*
per Doctor per Doctor
Iringa DC 245,033 5 49,007 254,032 10 25,403
Mufindi 282,071 9 31,341 317,731 21 15,130
Iringa Urban 106,371 6 17,729 151,345 92 1,645
Kilolo 204,372 3 68,124 218,130 8 27,266
Total 837,847 23 36,928 941,238 131 7,185
Refers Doctor, Medical Officers (MO), Assistant Medical Officers (AMO) and Clinical Officers
138
5.1.4 Population per Hospital Bed Ratio

Table 5.6 shows the number of persons per hospital bed. Involvement of private
sector in the provision of health services in Iringa Region has increased the
hospital beds from 742 in 2002 to 1,379 in 2012. The increase of beds has
reduced the number of persons per bed from 1,129 in 2002 to 683 in 2012 (Table
5.6). In 2012, Kilolo District had the worst access to the hospital bed at 1,124
persons per bed followed by Iringa DC which had 879 persons per bed, while
Iringa Urban (341 persons per bed) had the best access due to the number of
beds in a Region hospital and health centres.
Table 5. 6: The Number of persons per Hospital Bed by Council, Iringa Region, 2002 and
2012
2002 2012
Council Total Average Total Average

Total Total
Number Population Number Population
Population Population
of Beds per Bed of Beds per Bed
Iringa DC 245,033 248 988 254,032 289 879
Mufindi 282,071 238 1,185 317,731 452 703
Iringa Urban 106,371 156 682 151,345 444 341
Kilolo 204,372 100 2,044 218,130 194 1,124
Total 837,847 742 1,129 941,238 1,379 683
Source: Compiled data from All District Socio-economic Profiles of Iringa Region
5.1.4 Status of Health Personnel

The quality of a health facility depends on, among others, the availability of
qualified practitioners, hospital equipment and medicines. Table 5.7 shows that
the availability of medical personnel for the 2012 was uneven and in favour of
females. Out of 1,258 medical staff, 70.4 percent were females with more of
them in nursing and medical attendant cadres. The Region had shortage of
specialist doctors, dental surgeons, assistant dental surgeons and radiologists in
139
2012. The ratio is more telling when computed for specialist doctors, medical
doctors and radiographers since the region had no such specialists.
Table 5.7 : Number of Medical Personnel by Type and Sex, Iringa Region, 2012
Sex
Type
Male Female Total
Specialist Doctors 4 0 4
Medical Officer 17 0 17
Ass. Medical Officers 28 9 37
Clinical Officers 129 51 180
Ass. Clinical Officers 33 11 44
Dental officer 3 0 3
Ass. Dental Officer 2 1 3
Dental Therapist 6 8 14
Pharmacists 6 1 7
Pharmaceutical Technologist 5 4 9
Pharmaceutical Assistant 3 2 5
Laboratory Technicians 12 12 24
Laboratory Assistants 18 17 35
Physiotherapist 1 0 1
Nutritionist 3 0 3
Assistant Environmental Health Officer 6 5 11
Nursing Officers 10 68 78
Trained Nurse/NM/PHN 16 333 349
Assistant Nurse Officer 0 18 18
Medical Attendants 20 319 339
Assistant social Welfare Officer 16 8 24
Health Assistants 5 3 8
Health Secretaries 5 3 8
Other Medical Carders 24 13 37
Total 372 886 1258
Percent 29.6 70.4 100.0
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5.1.5 Morbidity
The health sector aims at solving the problem of morbidity or sicknesses along
with mortality and these are the key targets of any health service development
effort. In order to take care of morbidity, the government must have an inventory
of these health problems. The inventory shows that the ten most commonly
reported causes of illnesses are those given in Tables 5.8 and 5.9.
5.1.5.1 Out-patients
Out of 504,597 out patients recorded in 2010, 80.4 percent were suffering from
one or the other of the first five illnesses. ARI ranked first as a cause of
morbidity in the Region. Malaria ranked second and the third disease in ranking
was diarrhoea. The fourth and fifth diseases were pneumonia and intestine
worms respectively.
ARI was ranked first cause of morbidity in Region Region Region
Observations made in 2012 were almost similar to those of 2010 in regard to the
first five diseases except the number of reported cases. The report again reveals
141
that ARI ranked first with a total of 131,032 (32.7 percent) of out - patients,
followed by Malaria (27.4 percent of out - patients) and pneumonia (9.5 percent)
ranked third. The fourth and fifth diseases were skin infection and diarrhoea (7.4
percent of cases) and (6.8 percent of cases) respectively (Table 5.8).
Table 5. 8: List of the Ten Most Commonly Reported Causes of Morbidity (Out Patients Only),
Iringa Region, 2010 and 2012
2010 2012
S/N.
No. of Percent No. of Percent
Disease Disease
Cases Share Cases Share
1 ARI 165,296 32.8 ARI 131,032 32.7
2 Malaria 88,631 17.6 Malaria 109,811 27.4
3 Diarrhoea 56,030 11.1 Pneumonia 38,267 9.5
4 Pneumonia 52,319 10.4 Skin infection 29,559 7.4
5 Intestine Worms 43,232 8.6 Diarrhoea 27,154 6.8
Sub Total 405,508 80.4 335,823 83.8
6 Skin infection 35,748 7.1 Intestine Worms 21,003 5.2
7 Minor Surgery 30,028 6.0 Minor Surgery 17,208 4.3
8 Eye Infection 12,480 2.5 UTI 13,796 3.4
9 UTI 10,761 2.1 Eye Infection 7,688 1.9
10 Non Infection 2.0 Genital Discharge 5,234 1.3
10,072
Gastro
T0TAL 504,597 100.0 400,752 100.0
5.1.5.2 In-patients
A similar trend was observed for in-patients though there was a slight difference
in the ranking and magnitude of cases. Out of 32,462 in patients recorded in
2010, 91.8 percent were suffering from one of the first five illnesses. In 2012 the
first five causes of morbidity accounted for 84.9 percent of 11,891 in-patients.
Moreover, the health data for in-patients in 2010 reveals that malaria illness
ranked first, pneumonia second, anaemia third while and diarrhoea ranked forth
142
and ARI fifth cause of morbidity in Iringa Region, while the first five diseases
that caused morbidity in 2012 were malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, ARI and
clinical AIDs (Table 5.9). Anaemia and TB diseases which were ranked third
and ninth causes of morbidity in 2010, dropped to sixth and tenth positions
respectively in 2012 indicating a decline of their prevalence in the Region.
Table 5.9 : List of the Ten Most Commonly Reported Causes of Morbidity (In-Patients
Only), Iringa Region, 2010 and 2012
2010 2012
S/No No of Percent No. of Percent
Disease Disease
1 Malaria 19,742 60.9 Malaria 3,068 25.8
2 Pneumonia 3,635 11.2 Pneumonia 3,266 27.5
3 Anemia 2,813 8.7 Diarrhoea 2,294 19.3
4 Diarrhoea 2,231 6.9 ARI 873 7.3
5 ARI 1,355 4.2 Clinical AIDs 591 5.0
29,776 91.8 10,092 84.9

6 Clinical AIDs 922 2.8 Anemia 587 4.9
7 UTI 753 2.3 Pregnancy Complication 318 2.7

8 Pregnant 385 1.2 Fracture 357 3.0
Complication
9 Tuberculosis 352 1.1 Hypertension 289 2.4
10 Poisoning 238 0.7 Tuberculosis 248 2.1
Total 32,426 100.0 11,891 100.0

5.1.6 Mortality
The dominant causes of mortality for inpatients of all ages in 2010 were
Pneumonia and HIV/AIDs (Table 5.10). Table 5.10 shows that out of 1,222
reported deaths in 2010, 79.2 percent were caused the first five diseases, of
which pneumonia accounted for 24.8 percent, followed by clinical AIDS (20.2
143
percent), malaria (13.5 percent), diarrhoea (11.0 percent) and cardiac failure (9.7
percent).
In 2012, mortality for inpatients of all ages was clinical AIDS (23.5 percent)
followed by pneumonia (18.3 percent), malaria (16.9 percent), diarrhoea (15.4
percent) and cardiac failure (8.0 percent). Lack of information on death toll at
grass – root level limit the department‟s understanding of the performance of
health sector on curative and preventive measures. Therefore, there is a need of
strengthening the data collection system at grass-root level by using
Village/Mtaa Register.
Table 5. 10: List of the Ten Most Commonly Reported Causes of Mortality in Iringa Region (In
Patients Only), 2010 and 2012
2010 2012
S/No.
No of Percent No. of Percent
Disease Disease
1 Pneumonia 303 24.8 Clinical AIDS 150 23.5
2 Clinical AIDS 247 20.2 Pneumonia 117 18.3
3 Malaria 165 13.5 Malaria 108 16.9
4 Diarrhoea 134 11.0 Diarrhoea 98 15.4
5 Cardiac Failure 119 9.7 Cardiac Failure 51 8.0
Sub Total 968 79.2 Sub Total 523 82.0
6 Anaemia 77 6.3 Anaemia 50 7.8
7 ARI 75 6.1 Tuberculosis 29 4.5
8 Pregnancy Complications 42 3.4 Peptic Ulcers 12 1.9
9 Tuberculosis 35 2.9 Burn 12 1.9
10 Burn 25 2.0 Respiratory disease 11 1.7

Total 1,222 100.0 Total 638 100.0
144
5.1.7 HIV/AIDS Infections

The recent health problem of HIV/AIDS is the single most important threat to
of the human race. In this, the country AIDS has now caught up with malaria
and tuberculosis as the major causes of death among in-patients. The big
problems of malaria and tuberculosis are virtually static while that of HIV/AIDS
is on the upsurge. Hence, the assessment of HIV/AIDS prevalence along with its
control is the greatest challenge to the health delivery system in the Region and
country at large.
Though it is not known when the first HIV/AIDs case was diagnosed, the
available data indicate that HIV/AIDs case in Iringa Region was reported in late
1980s. Since then, the number of new AIDS cases being reported each year has
been on the increase and were highest in 2008. According to the HIV/AIDS and
Malaria Indicator Survey conducted in 2007/8, Iringa Region had the highest
HIV prevalence rate of 16 percent in the country, followed by Dar es Salaam
and Mbeya (9 percent each); and Mara Region (8 percent) while Pemba and
Unguja had less than a percent. Figure 26 shows the prevalence rates of
neighbouring regions as reported by the HIV/AIDS and Malaria Indicator
Survey conducted in 2007/8. In 2012 survey, Iringa Region dropped to a second
position (9.1 percent) after the creation of Njombe Region (14.8 percent) which
was formerly a part of Iringa Region. Figure 26 shows HIV/AIDS prevalence
among sexes in all neighbouring regions including Iringa itself. It shows that in
the years referred to, more women than men were infected.
145
Figure 26: HIV Prevalence Rates by Sex for Iringa and Neighbouring Region; 2008 and 2012
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
Dodoma Iringa Mbeya Morogoro
Men 2008 Men 2012 Women 2008 Women 2012
Source: Compiled Data from 2007/8 and 2011/12 HIV/AIDs and Malaria Indicator Surveys
Though hospital records are not exhaustive since they exclude unreported
incidents, they provide indicative information for examining HIV/AIDs
prevalence at Region level. Table 5.11 shows that out of 36,248 screened
persons from 2009 to 2011, 4,954 (equivalent to 13.7 percent) were found to be
HIV positive. Table 5.11 also indicates that HIV infection has been fluctuating,
2,943 out of 16,437 persons tested in 2009, 17.9 percent were positive. The
percentage of affected persons dropped to 11.3 percent in 2010 and dropped
further to 8.9 percent in 2011. Again, females were more affected than males in
the referred to period.
Table 5.11: HIV Infections Among Family Blood Donors, Iringa Region, 2009-2011
No. of Blood Donors No. of HIV+ Percentage of HIV+
Year
Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
2009 8,866 7,571 16,437 1,391 1,557 2,948 15.7 20.6 17.9
2010 4,270 5,894 10,164 474 675 1,149 11.1 11.5 11.3
2011 4,337 5,310 9,647 351 506 857 8.1 9.5 8.9
Total 17,473 18,775 36,248 2,216 2,738 4,954 12.7 14.6 13.7
Percent 48.2 51.8 100 44.7 55.3 100
146
The prevalence of HIV/AIDS can also be diagnosed through PMTCT Service.

Table 5.12 reveals that out of 24,489 expectant mothers who participated in that
service and hence screened, 9.1 percent of them were found to be HIV positive.
Iringa DC had the highest rate of infection (11.6 percent) among expectant
mothers followed by Iringa Urban (9.5 percent) and Kilolo district (8.0 percent),
while Mufindi District had the lowest rate (7.6 percent) of infection.
Table 5.12 also shows that 74.6 percent of HIV positive expectant mothers were
given Niverapine in the Region. Mufindi was the best in providing Niverapine
(96.9 percent) to the expectant mothers, followed by Iringa DC (94.4 percent)
and Kilolo (62.5 percent), while Iringa Urban was the worst with only 27.6
percent of expectant mothers being given Niverapine.
Map 6: Map of Iringa Region showing number of Screened Expectant Mothers and Those Tested
HIV positive by Council; 2012
147
Table 5.12 : Expectant Mothers who Participated in the PMTCT Service by Council,
Iringa Region, 2012
Effected
Percent
No. of ANC No. of No. Percent of (HIV+)
Council Attendants Screened HIV+ HIV+ Receiving
Given
AZT
AZT
Iringa DC 9,822 6,405 745 11.6 703 94.4
Mufindi 8,576 7,727 590 7.6 572 96.9
Iringa Urban 6,611 5,111 486 9.5 134 27.6
Kilolo 7,483 5,246 419 8.0 262 62.5
Total 32,492 24,489 2,240 9.1 1,671 74.6
Establishment of VCT services in remote areas to a great provided a reliable

source of data on the extent and significance of HIV prevalence in Iringa Region
since it based on the willingness of inhabitants to be screened. Table 5.13 shows
that out of 54,984 persons screened in 2012, 13.6 percent were affected by
HIV/AIDS. Again females were more affected (16.0 percent) than males (11.6
percent).
The most affected district was Mufindi, of which 17.3 percent out of the 15,240
persons screened were HIV positive, followed by Iringa DC (14.9 percent) and
Iringa Urban (14.3 percent), while Kilolo had the lowest percentage (6.2
percent) (Table 5.13).
Table 5.13 : Group of VCT Volunteers Who were Screened for HIV by Sex and by Council, Iringa
Region, 2012
No. Persons Tested Persons with HIV+ Percent of HIV+
Council
Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
Iringa DC 6,030 6,693 12,723 818 1,073 1,891 13.6 16.0 14.9
Mufindi 7,831 7,409 15,240 1,414 1,219 2,633 18.1 16.5 17.3
Iringa Urban 7,776 8,055 15,831 916 1,355 2,271 11.8 16.8 14.3
Kilolo 8,659 2,531 11,190 380 313 693 4.4 12.4 6.2
Total 30,296 24,688 54,984 3,528 3,960 7,488 11.6 16.0 13.6
148
The availability of ARV for affected persons is a major constrain in combating

the HIV/AIDS prevalence in Iringa Region. Table 5.14 reveals that only two
thirds of the affected people received ARV in 2012. Mufindi was the worst
district in the Region since only 45.6 percent of affected people received ARV
followed by Kilolo (53.1 percent) and Iringa Urban (82.9 percent). Iringa DC
had the highest percentage (85.9 percent of affected persons received ARV). The
low percentage of using ARV is also due to tendency of people to use VCT
services outside their home district secretly together with those people who
living at the boarder decide to use a nearby service of a different region.
Table 5.14 : Percentage of Persons with HIV Positive and Those Receiving ARV by
Council, Iringa Region, 2012
Percent Receive Percent
Council Screened HIV+ HIV+ ARV Receive ARV
Iringa DC 12,723 1,891 14.9 1,625 85.9
Mufindi 15,240 2,633 17.3 1,200 45.6
Iringa Urban 15,831 2,271 14.3 1,883 82.9
Kilolo 11,190 693 6.2 368 53.1
Total 54,984 7,488 13.6 5,076 67.8
Figure 27: Percentage of Persons with HIV Positive Against Those Receiving ARV by
Council, Iringa Region, 2012
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
HIV+ Receive ARV
149
CTC building-Iringa Region
5.1.7.1 The Impact of HIV/AIDS

socio-economic assessment of Iringa Region is not complete without discussing
the extreme challenges caused by the HIV/AIDS and the effect of efforts so far
made by various local and international organisations to combat the epidemic.
HIV/AIDS is highlighted in this document, because it is a major health problem
and a leading cause of mortality mostly for working age group since its advent at
the end of 1980s. The other reason for discussing the epidemic stems from the
role it plays in impoverishing families and generating widows, orphans and
vulnerable children due to the loss of bread-winers in their families.
The report from the Region Medical Office (RMO) qualifies the Region as
among few with high rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence in country. There are socio-
economic factors that account for the rapid spread of the epidemic.
Economically, the people of Iringa Region are migrant labourers and
industrialists who do business in various parts of the country, which makes it
easy for them to engage in romantic relationships. Other reasons include the
150
traditional practice of prolonged drinking and unsafe sexual practices, male

uncircumcision as well as poverty. The poor, especially young girls who migrate
to urban centres end up being domestic workers before resorting to prostitution
for survival.
(i) The Increase of Widows

Understanding the status of HIV/AIDS prevelence in Iringa Region is very
difficult since many people die before reaching the hospital. With exception of
2009, lack of VCT in remote areas where people can be tested in order to know
their health status is a problem. Thefore, it is possible that there are people who
live with the HIV/AIDS virus without knowing that they have it.
One of the indication of a high prevelence rate in the Region is the increasing
number of widows. The data gathered in 1988 and 2002 population censuses
show that the number of widowed increased from 4.9 percent in 1988 to 5.6
percent in 2002. The proportion of the widowed is more for women than men
and 6.1 percent of the women were widowed compared 1.7 percent of the men
and in 2002 (Table 5.15). There is a need of conducting a study that will gather
information from the widowed and their problems in order to come up with
appropriate measures and solutions.
Table 5. 15: Total Population 10 Years and Above by Marital Status and Sex, Iringa Region, 2002
Number Percentage
Marital Status
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Single/Never Married 134,082 119,176 241,038 55.0 44.6 46.5
Married/Living Together 102,234 126,754 238,181 41.9 47.4 45.9
Divorced/Separated 3,334 6,121 11,096 1.4 2.3 2.1
Widowed 4,239 16,434 29,113 1.7 6.1 5.6
Total 243,809 267,485 518,428 47.0 51.6 100.0
Figure 28: The Percentage of Widowed by Sex, Region Region Region, 2002
151
7
6.1
6 5.6
5
4
3
2 1.7
1
0
Male Female Both Sexes
(ii) The Increase of Orphaned Children
The most vulnerable women and children in the Region is growing fast due to
increase of HIV/AIDS Prevelance Rate
Orphans are defined as persons whom both parents, mother and father are dead
and those with a single parent; whether father or mother. Data on survival of
parents collected in the 2002 Census were used to determine the extent of
orphanhood in Region as portryed in Figure 29. According to the 2002 data, 2.9
percent of children aged 0 – 17 years were orphans. Comparing sexes, the
152
incidence of orphanhood was higher among boys (3.0 percent) than girls (2.9
percent) (Figure 29).
Figure 29: Percentage Distribution of Child Orphan by Sex, Iringa Region, 2002
3.0 3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.9
2.9 2.9 2.9
2.9
2.9
2.9
2.8
Boys Girls Both Sexes
(iii) Child Labour

Since the economy of Iringa Region is dominated by peasant agriculture, most
families face hardship and, fail to afford expenses to meet basic needs for their
families due to family size. As a result, children from these families opt to work
in order to sustain their lives and those of other siblings.
Poverty compounded with other difficulties have led to the weakening of

extended family system. The break down of extended families which acted as a
safety net for children who had no parents, causes orphans to find alternative
means of survival such as engaging in the prostitution for young girls and work
for boys. Therefore children move out of their homes to search for food and
shelter. Parental negligence by some parents due to alcohol, drug abuse,
desertion and general laxity; and attractions due to peer pressure from those who
return home motivate some children to join the labour market.
153
The magnitude of child labour is unknown because their employment is illigal

but some studies confirm that Iringa Region experiences an ever increasing
problem of child labour. The studies have identified the causes of childlabour as
the poverty that persist in the Region especially in the rural areas, deaths of
parents/guardians, parental negligence, the changing family culture, peer
presure, gender imbalance and rural – urban linkages. The indicative information
for children who were abandoned by their parents are those fond in urban
centers such as Mafinga, Iringa, Mbeya, Morogoro and Dar es Salaam who were
in one way or another engaged in child labour, prostitution and street children.
Nevertheless, region authorities should conduct a study/survey to understand the
magnitude of child labour and street children who are roaming in urban centres.
5.1.8 Malaria Prevalence

Malaria is a major public health concern for all Tanzanians, especially for
pregnant women and children under age five. The disease is a leading cause of
morbidity and mortality for outpatient and inpatient admissions. Based on this
fact, the government decided to combat malaria along with HIV/AIDS disease.
Iringa Region like other Regions in the country has decided to use tactics used
elsewhere to fight against malaria. Data shows the success attained by the
Region to reduce malaria prevalence. The Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS)
conducted by the Government in 2008 indicates that Iringa was among few
Regions with low Malaria prevalence rate (2.6 percent for children under five
years in the country). In 2011/12, a similar survey shows a decline of malaria
prevalence rate to 0.4 percent.
However, medical records from the district authorities show that malaria was
still ranked among five diseases that caused morbidity for both outpatient and
154
inpatient in 2012 (Tables 5.8 and 5.9). Table 5.10 also shows that malaria was
included in the first top five diseases which caused deaths in the Region in 2012.
5.1.9 Tuberculosis Prevalence

Tuberculosis is a known disease in Iringa Region, but very few morbidity cases
were reported before the advent of HIV/AIDS. The effort of government to
combat tuberculosis in the Region has shown success since the available data
indicate that the number of new tuberculosis cases has decreased in the last
decade. Figure 30 shows that tuberculosis prevalence increased from 1,113 cases
in 2009 to 1,576 cases in 2010, but dropped to 1,328 cases in 2011 and further
dropped to 880 cases in 2012.
Figure 30: Distributions of New Tuberculosis Cases by Sex, Iringa Region, 2009-2011
1800
1600 1,576
1400 1,328
1200
1,113
1000
898 844 880
800
600 678
597
516 484 486
400 394
200
0
2009 2010 2011 2012
Male Female Both Sexes
The magnitudes of tuberculosis prevalence among sexes were that, males were
more affected than females in the reference period (Table 5.16). Data also show
that relapse cases increased in 2010 but declined during the rest of the reference
period.
155
Table 5. 16 : Distributions of New Tuberculosis Relapse Cases by Sex in Iringa Region,

2009 - 2012
Male Female Total Change of Cases
Year
No. Percentage No. Percentage No. No. Percentage
2009 597 53.6 516 46.4 1,113
2010 898 57.0 678 43.0 1,576 463 29.4
2011 844 63.6 484 36.4 1,328 -248 -18.7
2012 486 55.2 394 44.8 880 -448 -50.9
5.1.10 Reportable Communicable Diseases

The epidemic of reportable communicable diseases in Region occurs
occasionally especially during rainy seasons. Table 5.17 shows that dysentery
was the most common of these diseases followed by rabid animal and typhoid.
Dysentery threatened the lives of people mostly in 2009 when 3,742 cases were
treated compared to 540 cases in 2005, but dropped to 491 by in 2012. The
number of cases of other communicable diseases fluctuated from year to year,
but most of them were prevented earlier as indicated in Table 5.17.
Table 5. 17: Number of Reported Cases of Reportable Communicable Diseases in Iringa

Region, 2005 and 2008
Number of cases
Disease
2005 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Dysentery 540 2,108 3,742 2,597 643 491
Rabid animal 395 302 238 236 121 357
Typhoid 155 92 173 410 79 112
Meningitis 19 0 2 0 5 0
Animal Bite 775 737 671 639 437 331
156
5.1.11 Mother and Child Health Care

Protection of expectant/lactating mothers and children from measles,
tuberculosis, etc through immunisation programme (CSPD) which is supported
by development partners has to a large extent reduced the risk of their being
infected. This is evidenced by the decline in the related mortality rates for
mothers and children by 2002. Infant Mortality rate decline from 152 in 1978 to
130 in 1988 and reached 102 per 1,000 infants in 2002, deaths of children under
five years were estimated at 191 per 1,000 children in 2002.
Table 5.18 shows that Kilolo District had managed to reduce infant mortality
rate significantly with an average annual reduction rate of 2.2 deaths between
1988 and 2002, followed by Iringa DC (1.5 annual rate) and Mufindi (1.2 annual
rate).
Table 5. 18: Trends of Infant Mortality Rates by Council, Iringa Region, 1988 and 2002
IMR Average Annual Percentage

Council Rate of Reduction in change 1988 -
1988 2002 IMR 1988 – 2002 2002
Iringa DC 141 114 1.5 -19.1
Mufindi 116 98 1.2 -15.9
Iringa Urban* - 83 - -
Kilolo 141 103 2.2 -27
Region 130 102 2.3 -1.7
*Iringa Urban was a part of Iringa DC, therefore, its IMR for 1988 is included in Iringa DC
District
157
5.1.11.1 Child Nutrition

Children from the stage of foetuses to under - five years and their mothers are
the most vulnerable group in the society. Therefore, reproductive and child
health services are the most vital services in the Region. Besides vaccination
programme, children are also weighed to reveal how prevalent underweight is
among them and hence the extent of child malnutrition. Nutritional food intake
is associated with child health and therefore, poor diet can result into severe
malnutrition, which in turn manifests itself in high infant and child mortality
rates.
Table 5.19 shows that the Region had managed to reduce moderate malnutrition
from 13.7 percent in 2008 to 12.9 percent in 2010 and reached 11.7 percent in
2012. Severe malnutrition increased from 2.2 percent in 2008 to 3.9 percent in
2010 and reached 4.1 in 2012.
158
Map 7: Map of Iringa Region showing Status of Malnutrition for Chidren under One Year by
Council; 2012
Table 5 19: Percentage of Severe Malnutrition for Children under One Year by Council, Iringa
Region, 2008, 2010 and 2012
2008 2010 2012
Total Weighed
Total Weighed
Total Weighed
Underweight
Underweight
Underweight
Underweight
Underweight
Underweight
Council
Moderately
Moderately
Moderately
Percent of
Percent of
Percent of
Percent of
Percent of
Percent of
Severely
Severely
Severely
Iringa DC 7633 13.1 4.9 4416 394 2.5 7633 13.1 4.7
Mufindi 10020 24 1.8 3142 3 1 11086 11.9 0.4
Iringa
4506 5 0.2 5530 8.6 1.4 5327 10 6.1
Municipal
Kilolo 5828 1.9 0.9 5530 1.4 8.6 6580 7.1 0.3
Regional
27987 13.7 2.2 18618 12.9 3.9 30626 11.7 4.1
Total
159
5.1.11.2 Immunisation Coverage

Reduction of deaths among pregnant women is attributed to the wide coverage
of immunisation campaigns in the Region. Table 5.20 reveals that as much as
76.2 percent of targeted 30,564 expectant mothers were vaccinated with TT2 in
2010. In 2011, out of 31,228 targeted pregnant women 85.0 percent were
vaccinated but only 60.3 percent of 31,177 targeted pregnant women were
vaccinated with TT2 in 2012. Mufindi had the best coverage in almost all three
years, followed by Iringa Urban and Iringa DC, while Kilolo district had worst
performance on immunisation of pregnant women which is not a good picture
for the district (Table 5.20).
Table 5 20: Percentage of Children Under One Year Vaccinated TT2 by Council, Iringa Region,
2010, 2011 and 2012
2010 2011 2012
Vaccinated
Vaccinated
Vaccinated
Council
Coverage
Coverage
Coverage
Targeted
Targeted
Targeted
Percent
Percent
Percent
Total
Total
Total
Total
Total
Total
Iringa DC 9,504 6,312 66.4 9,390 7,771 82.8 8,443 6,279 74.4
Mufindi 8,661 7,638 88.2 8,608 8,546 99.3 8,554 8,293 96.9
Iringa Urban 5,911 5,287 89.4 6,638 6,014 90.6 7,357 6,950 94.5
Kilolo 6,488 4,045 62.3 6,592 4,199 63.7 6,823 4,216 61.8
Total 30,564 23,282 76.2 31,228 26,530 85.0 31,177 18,788 60.3
Awareness among parents triggered the rapid growth in the number of children
under one year who receive BCG vaccination in the Region. The trend of BCG
vaccination for children under one year shows an increase in percentage of
children vaccinated between 2010 and 2012. At regional level the percentages of
targeted children under one year vaccinated in 2010, 2011 and 2012 were more
than 100 percent (123.4 percent, 124.6 percent and 123.8 percent, respectively).
160
The district with the highest coverage in all three years was Iringa Urban (247.9
percent in 2010; 270.0 percent in 2011; and 272.3 percent in 2012 respectively).
However, Kilolo district had lowest coverage in the last two years. In 2011,
coverage was 90.7 percent dropped to 88.8 percent in 2012 (Table 5.21).
Table 5. 21: Percentage of Children under One Year Vaccinated BCG by Council, Iringa
Region, 2010, 2011 and 2012
2010 2011 2012
Vaccinated
Vaccinated
Vaccinated
Coverage
Coverage
Coverage
Council
Targeted
Targeted
Targeted
Percent
Percent
Percent
Total
Total
Total
Total
Total
Total
Iringa DC 7,234 6,602 91.3 7,554 6,893 91.2 6,593 6,817 103.4
Mufindi 9,692 11,023 113.7 9,678 11,238 116.1 9,640 9,264 96.1
Iringa Urban 4,164 10,323 247.9 3,835 10,355 270.0 4,179 11,380 272.3
Kilolo 6,488 6,087 93.8 6,592 5,978 90.7 6,823 6,260 88.8
Total 27,578 34,035 123.4 27,659 34,464 124.6 27,235 33,721 123.8
In regard to DPT3, the coverage of immunisation in the region was good, the
growth has not been steady. The proportion of vaccinated children increased
from 95.3 percent of 29,933 targeted children in 2010 to 97.5 percent of 28, 847
children in 2011 but dropped to 89.3 percent in 2012. Iringa Urban was the best
district in all three years of 2010, 2011 and 2012 (102.2 percent, 113.6 percent
and 105.9 percent of its target respectively) followed by Mufindi (97.2 percent
and 98.2 percent respectively), while Iringa DC was the second best in 2012 by
covering 96.0 percent of the 9,870 targeted children. The worst district in 2012
was Kilolo District which managed to cover only 85.5 percent of targeted
children.
161
Table 5. 22: Percentage of Children Under One Year Vaccinated DPT3 by Council, Iringa
Region, 2008, 2010 and 2012
2010 2011 2012
Vaccinated
Vaccinated
Vaccinated
Coverage
Coverage
Coverage
Council
Targeted
Targeted
Targeted
Percent
Percent
Percent
Total
Total
Total
Total
Total
Total
Iringa DC 9,042 8,077 89.0 9,442 8,810 93.0 8,182 7,870 96.0
Mufindi 10,136 9,851 97.2 9,692 9,513 98.2 11,573 9,357 80.9
Iringa Urban 4,266 4,358 102.2 3,835 4,355 113.6 4,109 4,353 105.9
Kilolo 6,489 6,234 91.6 6,628 6,169 93.5 6,825 5,834 85.5
Total 29,933 28,520 95.3 29,597 28,847 97.5 30,689 27,414 89.3
Measles vaccination is performed to protect children against measles. At the

regional level coverage for 2010 was 109.3 percent but decreased slightly to
106.1 percent in 2011 and rose slightly to 107.6 percent in 2012. District wise,
the best performer was Iringa Urban with coverage of 132.5 percent in 2010,
166.5 percent in 2011 and 177.7 percent in 2012 (Table 5.23).
Table 5. 23: Percentage of Children under One Year Vaccinated Measles by Council,
Iringa Region, 2010, 2011 and 2012
2010 2011 2012
Vaccinated
Vaccinated
Vaccinated
Coverage
Coverage
Coverage
Council
Targeted
Targeted
Targeted
Percent
Percent
Percent
Total
Total
Total
Total
Total
Total
Iringa DC 8,138 8,541 105.0 8,498 7,696 90.6 7,417 6,685 90.1
Mufindi 9,692 11,129 114.8 9,632 10,086 104.7 9,574 9,473 98.9
Iringa Urban 4,266 5,654 132.5 3,835 6,386 166.5 4,179 7,426 177.7
Kilolo 6,488 5,931 93.8 6,592 6,145 90.5 6,823 6,530 91.7
Total 28,584 31,255 109.3 28,557 30,313 106.1 27,993 30,114 107.6
162
5.1.12 Policy Implication on Health Sector

Provision of health services in Iringa Region is still of low quality since the
Region still has an inadequate number of practitioners. Moreover, inadequate
number of practitioners lead to limited provision of health services in preventive
and curative areas such as PMCT, out-patients and in-patients.Health services
can be improved through implementation of health strategies and programmes
which can motivate and attract health workers to work in rural areas. Likewise,
the programmes of constructing a dispensary in every village and one health
centre in every ward should be adhered to in order to increase accessibility of
health services to rural population. Involvement of private sector in the provision
of health services is also very important for service improvement in the District.
5.1.13 Investment Opportunities for Health Sub-Sector

This sub-sector faces many problems including prevalence of diseases such as
pneumonia, malaria, diarrhoea, clinical AIDS, e.t.c. Shortage of health centres/
dispensaries is a bottleneck for development of the sector. The Region Authority
has seen these shortcomings and taken action. To start with, the Region
Authority has identified the 72 villages with no health facilities. Joint effort is
needed regarding the construction of more health facilities in the areas
identified.
163
EDUCATION SECTOR
5.2.0 An Overview
Education as it is well known is one of the basic tools for social and economic
development. This understanding has been evidenced by steps so far taken by
the Government of Tanzania to increase the intake of children to primary
schools. Adoption of the Universal Primary School Education in 1974 plays a
big role in providing primary education to all children aged 7-13 years.The 2002
census data shows that there has been significant decrease in illiteracy rate in
Iringa Region. In 2002, Iringa Region had literacy rate of 72 percent compared
to 68.3 percent of 1988.
5.2.1 Pre-Primary Education

The availability of nursery schools in the Region is yet another feature
distinguishing the level of development of education system from one region to
another. Pre-schools are meant for children aged 3-6 years. The condition set by
the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training that all children who start
standard one must have undergone pre-primary education, accelerated the
establishment of pre-primary schools all over the country including Iringa
Region. According to the Tanzania Ministry of Education and Vocational
Training, each government primary school is supposed to have classes for pre-
primary education. By June 2011, Tanzania had a total of 14,529 pre-primary
school streams.
According to Table 5.24, by the end of 2012 Iringa Region had a total of 490
classrooms in both public and private pre-primary schools. Mufindi District had
the largest number at 180 (36.7 percent of the region‟s total classrooms)
followed by Iringa DC (135 classrooms, 27.6 percent). With 101 classrooms
164
(20.6 percent) Kilolo District ranked third in number of pre-primary school‟s

classrooms whilst Iringa Municipal had the least number of classrooms (74)
which was equivalent to 15.1 percent of all classrooms available in the Region in
2012. The share of the private sector in the ownership of pre-primary school
classrooms 2010 (4.5 percent), 2011 (4.3) and 2012 (9.8 percent). The Regional
Authority should therefore encourage more individuals or non-government
institutions to establish such schools and thus make sure that all children aged 3-
6 years in the Region will acquire pre-primay education before joining standard
one.
Figure 31: Number of Pre-Primary School Classrooms by Ownership, Iringa Region;

2010-2012
500
442
450 401 420
400
350
300
250 Public
200 Private
150
100
48
50 19 19
0
2010 2011 2012
Source: Compiled Data from Districts, Education Departments, 2013
165
Table 5.24: Number of Pre-Primary School Classrooms by Ownership and Council, Iringa Region;
2010-2012
2010 2011 2012
Council
Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private Total Percent
Iringa DC 135 0 135 135 0 135 135 0 135 27.6
Mufindi 140 8 148 154 8 162 169 11 180 36.7
Iringa
32 11 43 32 11 43 37 37 74 15.1
Municipal
Kilolo 94 0 94 99 0 99 101 0 101 20.6
Regional
401 19 420 420 19 439 442 48 490 100.0
Total
Percent
95.5 4.5 100.0 95.7 4.3 100.0 90.2 9.8 100.0
Share
5.2.2 Enrolment in Pre-Primary Schools

Through introducing pre-primary school classrooms in most of its primary
schools and with the availability of some private pre-primary schools, the
Region has managed to increase enrolment of pre-primary pupils in every year
given in Table 5.25. The enrolment increased by 2,354 pupils (8.4 percent) from
27,892 in 2010 to 30,246 in 2011 and then increased by 2,688 pupils (8.9
percent) between 2011 and 2012. Table 5.25 also shows that there was a huge
difference in the number of pupils enrolled into public and private pre-primary
schools. More of the pupils were enrolled into public than in private pre-primary
schools. High school fees imposed in private pre-primary schools as well as few
numbers of such schools especially in rural areas of the region might be the
reason behind poor total enrolment in private pre-primary schools. At district
level, Iringa DC was leading in number of pupils registered into pre-primary
schools. The District registered 13,639 pupils in 2012 which was equivalent to
41.4 percent of all pupils registered into pre-primary schools in the region.Next
to Iringa DC was Mufindi District with 9,031 pupils (27.4 percent) followed by
Kilolo (7,191 pupils, 21.8 percent). Unless deliberate action is taken, Iringa
166
Municipal will continue to lag behind in number of pupils enrolled into pre-
primary schools. The municipal enrolled the lowest number of pupils than any
other district (Table 5.25). Figure 32 potrays pre-primary schools owned by the
public (government) had the big increase of pupils enrolled in each year than in
private owned pre-primary schools.
Figure 32: Trend of Pupils Enrolment in Public and Private Pre-primary Schools, Iringa
Region; 2010-2012
35000
31889
30000
27040 29442
25000
Number
20000
of Public
Pupils
15000
Enrolled Private
10000
5000
852 804 1045
0
2010 2011 2012
Table 5.25 : Pre-Primary Schools Enrolment by Ownership and Council, Iringa Region; 2010 –
2012
2010 2011 2012
Council
Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private Total Percentage
Iringa DC 9895 0 9895 11554 0 11554 13639 0 13639 41.4
Mufindi 8225 109 8334 9048 114 9162 8907 124 9031 27.4
Iringa
2,093 743 2,836 2,294 690 2,984 2,152 921 3,073 9.3
Municipal
Kilolo 6827 0 6827 6546 0 6546 7191 0 7191 21.8
Regional
27040 852 27892 29442 804 30246 31889 1045 32934 100.0
Total
Percentage
96.9 3.1 100.0 97.3 2.7 100.0 96.8 3.2 100.0
share
167
5.2.3 Primary Education

Primary education, everywhere, provides the foundation on which the
development of the human resource is based. A sound primary education gives
the receipient a good start in this world of competition.
Two milestones are associated with the development of primary education in
Iringa Region. The launching of the Universal Primary Education Programme
(UPE) in 1974 and efforts made by the government, especially the fourth
government under the presidency of Dr.Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of increasing
construction of primary school classrooms through involvement of the
community and private sector participation. These efforts enhanced enrolment of
pupils and did increasethe access of primary education in the country including
Iringa Region.
As it may be noted in Table 5.26, by the end of 2012 there were 480 both public
and private primary schools in Iringa Region. Public primary schools were 471
and accounted for the share of 98.1 percent compared to nine private schools
which accounted for only 1.9 percent of total primary schools available in the
Region in 2012. With 175 primary schools (36.5 percent of all primary schools
in the Region) Mufindi District had the largest number of primary schools
followed by Iringa DC with 145 primary schools (30.2 percent) and Kilolo (111
primary schools, 23.1 percent). As it was in regard to pre-primary schools, Table
5.26 shows that Iringa Municipal had the least number of primary schools at 49
(10.2 percent).
168
Figure 33: Number of Primary schools by Ownership, Iringa Region; 2010-2012
500 458 465 471

400
300
Public
200
Private
100
9 10 9
0
2010 2011 2012
Table 5. 26: Number of Primary Schools by Ownership and by Council, Iringa Region; 2010-2012
2010 2011 2012
Council
Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private Total Percent
Iringa DC 145 0 145 145 0 145 145 0 145 30.2
Mufindi 167 3 170 170 4 174 172 3 175 36.5
Iringa
41 6 47 41 6 47 43 6 49 10.2
Municipal
Kilolo 105 0 105 109 0 109 111 0 111 23.1
Regional
458 9 467 465 10 475 471 9 480 100.0
Total
Percent
98.1 1.9 100.0 97.9 2.1 100 98.1 1.9 100
share
5.2.4 Coverage of Primary School Education System

An indicator of “the number of primary schools per village”given in Table 5.26a
shows the extent to which Iringa Regional Authority has expanded accessibility
of primary educationto its villages. At regional level, thel primary school village
ratio is 0.9 which means that out of each ten villages, nine have a primary school
or alternatively that, by the end of 2012, for every ten villages, only one village
has no primary school in Iringa Region. At district level, with the exception of
Iringa municipal which had poor primary school village ratio of 0.3, the
169
remaining three districts, Iringa DC, Mufindi and Kilolo managed to have
primary school in each village. In that case, pupils in the three districts walk
shorter distance to access primary education than in Iringa Municipal.
Table 5.26 a : Distribution of Primary Schools by Council and Its Accessibility at Village Level,
Iringa Region; 2012
Number of Primary
No.of Primary
Council School (Both Public and
Village/Mitaa School
Private)
per Village
Iringa DC 145 123 1.2
Mufindi 175 141 1.2
Iringa Municipal 49 156* 0.3
Kilolo 111 106 1.0
Regional Total 480 526 0.9
Note: * The municipal had 7 villages and 149 mitaa
Table 5.26b highlights further the coverage of primary school education system
in Iringa Region. According to the Table, Iringa Region‟s primary schools in
2012 gave an average of 1.3 schools per 100 sq. kms of land area or 1.3 schools
within a walking distance. In terms of population, the average was 1.3 schools
per 1,961 people. The range between distances for an average number of schools
within walking distances varied from 0.7 schools in Iringa DC to 14.8 schools in
Iringa Municipal. This means pupils in Iringa DC walk the shortest distance than
in any other district in accessing primary school education while those pupils in
Iringa municipal walk the longest distance. Hence, basing on walking distance
to/from schools, pupils in Iringa DC in 2012 had the best access to primary
education while those pupils in Iringa Municipal had the worst access.
Moreover, the average population per school in 2012 in the region ranged from
1,752 people in Iringa DC to 3,089 people in Iringa Municipal. This means
population growth in Iringa Municipal does not go hand in hand with primary
170
school increase hence exert more pressure in such schools. Likewise, by having
average population per school of 1,965 which was a bit higher than that of
regional average of 1,961, the Kilolo District also has to increase construction of
more primary schools to overcome growth of population.
Table 5.26 b : Coverage of Primary Schools by Land Area, Population and Council, Iringa Region;
2012
Population Number of Average Average
based on Primary number of population
Land Area
Council 2012 Schools schools per per school
in sq.kms
Census (Public and 100 sq.kms
data Private)
Iringa DC 20,413.98 254,032 145 0.7 1752
Mufindi 7,123 317,731 175 2.5 1816
Iringa Municipal 331.4 151,345 49 14.8 3089
Kilolo 7,874 218,130 111 1.4 1965
Regional Total 35,742 941,238 480 1.3 1961
5. 2.4.1 Standard One Enrolment

In three years, 2010 – 2012, the number of pupils enrolled into primary schools
in the Region showed an increasing trend. It increased by 3.5 percent from
31,496 pupils in 2010 to 32,606 pupils in 2011 and thereafter it increased by 8
percent to 35,225 pupils in 2012 (Table 5.27). Public primary schools with a
proportion of 98.2 percent against 0.2 percent for private schools in each of the
three years had more pupils than private schools. By enrolling 12,671 pupils
equivalent to 36 percent of all pupils enrolled into standard one in the Region in
2012, Mufindi District led in standard one pupils enrolment in 2012. The second
district was Iringa DC at 9,856 pupils (28 percent) and the third was Kilolo
District (8,797 pupils, 25 percent). The municipal registered the smallest number
of pupils (3,901) or 11.1 percent in 2012 respectively.
171
Figure 34: Standard One Pupils Enrolment by Council, Iringa Region; 2010-2012
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
2010
No. of 6,000 2011
Pupils
4,000 2012
2,000
0
Iringa Rural Mufindi Kilolo
Map 8: Map of Iringa Region showing Total Standard One Enrolment by Council; 2012
172
Table 5.27: Standard I Enrolment in Primary Primary Schools by Council, Iringa Region; 2010 – 2012
2010 2011 2012
Council Percent
Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private. Total
Iringa DC 8,440 0 8,440 9,336 0 9,336 9,856 0 9,856 28.0
Mufindi 10711 53 10764 11782 71 11853 12607 64 12671 36.0
Iringa Municipal 3,676 0 3,676 4,014 0 4,014 3,901 0 3,901 11.1
Kilolo 8,616 0 8,616 7,403 0 7,403 8,797 0 8,797 25.0
Regional Total 31,443 53 31,496 32,535 71 32,606 35,161 64 35,225 100.0
Percentage
99.8 0.2 100.0 99.8 0.2 100.0 99.8 0.2 100.0
shares
5. 2.4.2 Standard One Enrolment by Age Group

Normally, the target group for enrolment into standard one is the seven year olds
(SYOs). This is according to Universal Primary Education (UPE). But because
of the big backlog of 7 to 13 year olds who are yet to join school the target for
enrolment into standard one has been temporarily widened to include children of
other ages within the primary schools going age group of 7 to 13 years.
Nevertheless the number of SYOs in a community is still the yard stick for the
recruitment campaign each year.
According to Table 5.28, a total of 32,172 pupils mostly aged seven years but
also eight to thirteen were registered into Standard One in the Region in 2012.
Since 85.1 percent of those registered in Standard One were at the age of seven
years, the Region adhered to Universal Primary Education Policy which insists
that pupils should start Standard One at that age. Table 5.28 also reveals that
14.9 percent of the pupils were registered at the age of eight years and above.
Mufindi was the leading district in registering Standard One pupils at the age of
seven years. They accounted for 97.2 percent of all pupils registered. Iringa DC
enrolled the lowest proportion of pupils at the age of seven years. They
accounted for 69.6 percent of all pupils registered. More girls (13,724, 50.1
173
percent) than boys (13,666, 49.9 percent) registered into Standard One at the age
of seven years. Figure 35 shows the largest number of pupils who started
Standard One at the age of seven years. More girls than boys started school at
that age.
Figure 33: Standard I Enrolment by Age Group and by Sex, Iringa Region; 2012
30,000
27,390
25,000
20,000
15,000 13,666 13,724 Seven Years
10,000 Eight Years and Above
5,000
4782
2554 2228
0
Boys Girls Total
Table 5.28: Standard I Enrolment by Age Group, Iringa Region; 2012

Seven Years Eight Year and Above Total
Council Sex (Number)
Number Percentage Number Percentage
Boys 3241 66.6 1626 33.4 4867
Iringa DC Girls 3623 72.6 1366 27.4 4989
Total 6864 69.6 2992 30.4 9856
Boys 4917 96.6 173 3.4 5090
Mufindi
Girls 5492 97.7 129 2.3 5621
Total 10409 97.2 302 2.8 10711
Boys 2,067 80.9 487 19.1 2554
Iringa Municipal
Girls 1,171 70.9 480 29.1 1651
Total 3,238 77.0 967 23.0 4205
Boys 3441 92.8 268 7.2 3709
Kilolo Girls 3438 93.1 253 6.9 3691
Total 6879 93.0 521 7.0 7400
Boys 13,666 84.3 2554 15.7 16220
Iringa Region Girls 13,724 86.0 2228 14.0 15952
Total 27,390 85.1 4782 14.9 32172
174
5. 2.4.3 Standard (I-VII) Enrolment

Table 5.29 shows that total enrolment of Std. I to VII increased by 4.3 percent
from 209,692 in 2010 to 218,793 in 2011 and then declined by 3.8 percent to
reach 210,463 pupils in 2012. Mufindi District registered the largest number of
pupils in 2010 and 2012 at 72,488 (34.6 percent) and 67,090 pupils (31.9
percent) whilst in 2011 Iringa DC registered the largest number of pupils
(69,350, 31.7 percent). Iringa Municipal enrolled the smallest number of pupils
in all three years.However, Table 5.29 further illustrates that the Region
succeded in increasing girls enrolment in primary schools. This is true as in each
year more girls than boys were registered into standard I to VII in primary
schools. Proportionally, girls were at 52.3, 52.2 and 52.8 percent compared to
47.7, 47.8 and 47.2 percent of boys in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Figure 34: Std ( I-VII) Enrolment in Public Primary Schools by Sex, Iringa Region; 2010- 2012
120000
115000
110000
105000 Boys
100000 Girls
95000
90000
2010 2011 2012
175
Table 5.29: Total (Std I - VII) Enrolment in Public Primary Schools by Sex and Council, Iringa Region; 2010-2012
Percent of the Total

2010 2011 2012
Council Enrolment
Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total 2010 2011 2012
Iringa DC 26172 32382 58554 32,167 37,183 69,350 30,253 30,076 60,329 27.9 31.7 28.7
Mufindi 34795 37693 72488 32508 34422 66930 28176 38914 67090 34.6 30.6 31.9
Iringa
Municipal 11,672 12,162 23,834 10883 12,406 23,289 11,698 11,869 23,567 11.4 10.6 11.2
Kilolo 27,469 27,347 54,816 28,981 30,243 59,224 29,161 30,316 59,477 26.1 27.1 28.3
Regional Total 100108 109584 209692 104,539 114,254 218,793 99,288 111,175 210,463 100.0 100.0 100.0
Percentage by
Sex 47.7 52.3 100.0 47.8 52.2 100.0 47.2 52.8 100.0
The average pupil per school is an important indicator which shows to what extent schools arecongested with pupils.The lower
the average number of pupils per school the less congested and viceversa.
Table 5.29a reveals that Iringa Region had average pupils per school of 449, 458.7 and 438.5 in 2010, 2011 and 2012
respectively. The average number of pupils per school for districts varied. It was highest in Kilolo District at 522.1, 533.6 and
535.8 for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. This means that primary schools in Kilolo were more congested than
those in the other districts in Iringa Region. It was followed by Iringa Municipal which had average number of pupils per school
of 507.1, 495.5 and 481 respectively. Iringa Regional Authority should give first priority Kilolo and then Iringa Municipal
when building new primary schools.
176
Table 5.29 a: Distribution of Std I - VII Pupils Among Primary Schools by Council, Iringa Region; 2010-2012
2010 2011 2012
Council Average Average Average

Total Total Total Total Total Total
Pupils Pupils Pupils
No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of
per per per
Pupils Schools Pupils Schools Pupils Schools
School School School
Iringa DC 58554 145 403.8 69,350 145 478.3 60,329 145 416.1
Mufindi 72488 170 426.4 66930 174 384.7 67090 175 383.4
Iringa 23,834 47 507.1 23,289 47 495.5 23,567 49 481.0
Municipal
Kilolo 54,816 105 522.1 59,224 111 533.6 59,477 111 535.8
Regional
209692 467 449.0 218,793 477 458.7 210,463 480 438.5
Total
5. 2.3.4 Primary School Completion Rate

The completion rate is an indicator of the efficiency of the school system that
shows the extent to which a cohort of pupils admitted in Class One complete the
primary education cycle irrespective of whether they sit for the final
examination or not.According to Table 5.30, among the cohort of 31,370 pupils
registered in primary schools in 2005, 27,493 pupils or 87.6 percent completed
standard seven in 2011 in the Region. Proportionally, more girls (51.7 percent)
than boys (48.3 percent) registered in primary schools in 2005. However, at the
completion of the primary school education cycle in 2011 there were even more
girls (52.9 percent) than boys (47.1 percent). Table 5.30 also shows that the
completion rate was higher for girls (89.7 percent) than boys (85.4 percent).
With a total of 9,190 pupils (33.4 percent) who completed education cycle,
Iringa DC was leading in the number of pupils who completed primary school
education cycle in 2011. Next was Mufindi District (8,591 pupils, 31.2 percent),
Kilolo District (6,351 pupils, 23.1 percent) and Iringa Municipal had the
smallest number at 3,361 pupils (12.2 percent).
177
Table 5. 30 : Number of Pupils Enrolled in Std I in 2005 and Completed Std VII in 2011 by Council, Iringa
Region
2005 to 2011
Percent
Council Completion Completion
Enrolled 2005 Completed 2011
Rate by Sex by District to
the Regional
Total
Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Boys Girls
Iringa DC 5,011 5,116 10,127 4,498 4,692 9,190 89.8 91.7 33.4
Mufindi 4,825 5,426 10,251 3,907 4,684 8,591 81.0 86.3 31.2
Iringa
1,559 1,599 3,158 1,592 1,769 3,361 102.1 110.6 12.2
Municipal
Kilolo 3,756 4,078 7,834 2,943 3,408 6,351 78.4 83.6 23.1
Regional 15,151 16,219 31,370 12,940 14,553 27,493 85.4 89.7 100.0
Total
Percentage 48.3 51.7 100.0 47.1 52.9 100.0 87.6
Primary school completion rate of 82.4 percent in 2012 was slightly lower than
that of 87.6 percent observed in 2011. Similary, according to Table 5.30a, the
number of pupils who completed the education cycle in 2012 which was 24,044
pupils was lower by 3,449 pupils or 12.5 percent compared to 27,493 pupils who
completed education cycle in 2011. The Table also shows that more girls
(12,746, 53 percent) than boys (11,298, 47 percent) completed primary school
education cycle in 2012. Table 5.30a further shows that 78.4 percent of total
boys admitted into primary schools in 2006 in Iringa Region completed
education cycle in 2012 and so were 86.3 percent of total girls admitted into
standard one in 2006.
Mufindi District with 35.1 percent of the Region‟s total pupils who completed
education cycle in 2012 was leading followed by Iringa DC (29 percent) and
178
Kilolo (22.8 percent). As in 2011, Iringa Municipal had the lowest number of
pupils who completed education cycle in 2012 at 13.1 percent.
Map of Iringa Region showing Standard VII completion Rate by Council; 2012
Source: National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, 2013
179
5.30 a : Number of Pupils Enrolled in Std I in 2006 and Completed Std VII in 2012
by Council in Iringa Region
2006 to 2012
Enrolled 2006 Percent

Completion completion
Council Completed 2012 by District
Rate by Sex
to the
Regional
Total
Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Boys Girls
Iringa DC 4,419 4,385 8,804 3,349 3,629 6,978 75.8 82.8 29.0
Mufindi 5,073 5,218 10,291 3,942 4,498 8,440 77.7 86.2 35.1
Iringa 13.1
1,600 1,666 3,266 1,528 1,617 3,145 95.5 97.1
Municipal
Kilolo 3,321 3,508 6,829 2,479 3,002 5,481 74.6 85.6 22.8
Regional 14,413 14,777 29,190 11,298 12,746 24,044 78.4 86.3 100.0
Total
Percentage 49.4 50.6 100.0 47.0 53.0 100.0 82.4
Figure 35: Rates of Completion of Primary Education by Sex, Iringa Region, 2011 and 2012
92.0 89.7
90.0
88.0 86.3
85.4
86.0
84.0
82.0 Boys
80.0 78.4
Girls
78.0
76.0
74.0
72.0
2011 2012
180
5.2.4.5 Primary School Dropout Rate

Table 5.31 summarizes the situation of primary school pupil dropouts in three
consecutive years; 2010, 2011 and 2012 in Iringa Region. The largest number of
dropouts in the three year period from 2010 to 2012 was 2,778 pupils. 38.9
percent of all dropouts during the period were in 2011. Year 2012 was second
with 2,313 dropouts (32.4 percent) and 2010 had the smallest dropouts at 2,049
pupils (28.7 percent). Moreover, during the three year period boys dropouts who
were 4,300 accounted for 60.2 percent of the total dropouts while girls totaled
2,840 and accounted for 39.8 percent. Since Mufindi District accounted for 91.7
percent of the Region‟s total dropouts which was the highest in the region. The
Iringa Regional Authority in collaboration with the Mufindi District Council
should take this as a challenge and find out why there are so many primary
school dropouts in the District. Next to Mufindi was Iringa DC which accounted
for 5.6 percent of the total dropouts, Iringa Municipal and Kilolo District had the
same percentage of dropouts of 1.3 percent each.
Dropouts due to „other reasons‟ were the majority in Iringa Region. According
to Table 5.31, 3,812 pupils (53.4 percent) dropped out of school due to other
reasons. By causing 3,120 dropouts (43.7 percent of total pupils who dropped
from school), truancy was the second cause of dropouts followed by pregnancy.
In a period of three years shown in the table, 111 girls (equivalent to 1.6 percent
of all dropouts) dropped out of school due to pregnancy. Iringa DC was leading
in number of girls who dropped out of school due to pregnancy (54) followed by
Mufindi District(51) while Iringa Municipal and Kilolo District had equal
numbers (3) each. On the other hand, death caused 97 dropouts and Mufindi
District had the largest number of pupil deaths (64). Mufindi District was also
leading in pupils dropouts due to truancy (2,983) and of „other reasons‟ (3,748).
181
Figure 36: Dropouts of Pupils by Sex in Public Primary Schools, Iringa Region; 2010-
2012
Source: Regional Compiled Data from Districts, Education Departments, 2013
182
Table 5.31: Pupils Drop Outs by Reasons, Iringa Region; 2010 – 2012
2010 2011 2012 Total Dropouts Percent
Council Reason 2010-2012 of the
Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total
Boys Girls Total Total
Truancy 68 39 107 57 35 92 58 37 95 183 111 294 4.1
Pregnancy 16 16 20 20 18 18 0 54 54 0.8
Iringa DC Death 3 0 3 4 0 4 5 0 5 12 0 12 0.2
Other 6 9 15 6 7 13 8 7 15 20 23 43 0.6
District Total 77 64 141 67 62 129 71 62 133 215 188 403 5.6
Truancy 482 291 773 624 393 1017 529 364 893 1635 1048 2683 37.6
Pregnancy 14 14 19 19 18 18 0 51 51 0.7
Mufindi Death 11 7 18 15 10 25 12 9 21 38 26 64 0.9
Other 653 416 1069 957 536 1493 689 497 1186 2299 1449 3748 52.5
District Total 1146 728 1874 1596 958 2554 1230 888 2118 3972 2574 6546 91.7
Truancy 9 14 23 11 7 18 15 7 22 35 28 63 0.9
Pregnancy 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 3 3 0.0
Iringa Death 3 3 6 5 6 11 0 1 1 8 10 18 0.3
Municipal Other 4 1 5 4 3 7 0 0 0 8 4 12 0.2
Municipal
16 18 34 20 19 39 15 8 23 51 45 96 1.3
Total
Truancy - - - 32 15 47 23 10 33 55 25 80 1.1
Pregnancy - - 1 1 2 2 0 3 3 0.0
Kilolo Death - - - 2 - 2 - 1 1 2 1 3 0.0
Other - - - 4 2 6 1 2 3 5 4 9 0.1
District Total - - - 38 18 56 24 15 39 62 33 95 1.3
Regional Total Droputs 1239 810 2049 1721 1057 2778 1340 973 2313 4300 2840 7140 100.0
Regional Total Std (1-VII) 79358 82237 161595 106299 108855 215154 99288 111175 210463
Enrolment
Percent of Dropouts to
1.6 1.0 1.3 1.6 1.0 1.3 1.3 0.9 1.1
Total Enrolment
183
5.2.4.6 Pass Rate in Primary Schools

Pass rate refers to the percentage of pupils who passed standard seven
examinations out of the total pupils who sat for the examinations. Out of 24,044
pupils who sat for Std VII Examination 19,082 (79.4 percent of those who sat
for the examinations) passed (Table 5.32). More girls than boys sat and passed
examinations. For the pupils who sat for Std VII examinations girls were 53
percent and boys were 47 percent and for those who passed the examinations
girls were 53.1 percent and boys were 46.9 percent.Mufindi with 6,661 pupils
who passed examination which was equivalent to 34.9 percent of all examinees
was the leading District. Iringa DC was second with 5,226 pupils (27.4 percent)
followed by Kilolo (4,250, 22.3 percent) and Iringa Municipal had the smallest
number (2,945 pupils, 15.4 percent).
Table 5.32: Number of Pupils Who Sat and Passed STD VII Examinations in Public
Primary Schools, Iringa Region; 2012
Percentage of Percent of
Pupils sat for STD VII Pupils Passed STD VII the Total
Pupils Who
Council Examinations Examinations Pupils
Passed
who
Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Passed
Iringa DC 3,349 3,629 6,978 2,467 2,759 5,226 73.7 76.0 27.4
Mufindi 3942 4498 8440 3137 3524 6661 79.6 78.3 34.9
Iringa
1,528 1,617 3,145 1,425 1,520 2,945 93.3 94.0 15.4
Municipal
Kilolo 2,479 3,002 5,481 1,920 2,330 4,250 77.5 77.6 22.3
Regional
11,298 12,746 24,044 8,949 10,133 19,082 79.2 79.5 100.0
Total
Percent 47.0 53.0 100.0 46.9 53.1 100.0 79.4
184
5.2.4.7 Transition to Secondary Education

In the education hierarchy, primary education leads to secondary education and
secondary education to tertiary or university education.The transition between
primary and secondary education in marked by an examination barrier which
aspiring pupils must pass.
Table 5.33 gives the number of pupils who were selected to join Form One and
those who joined form one in public secondary schools in the Region. Since data
for Mufindi and Kilolo were not available then detailed analysis of the table was
impossible. Nevertheless, for Iringa DC and Iringa Municipal, we can say that in
2012 the two districts had 8,371 pupils who were selected to join Form One in
public secondary schools. Iringa DC had the largest portion of pupils (62.4
percent) than of Iringa Municipal (37.6 percent) that were selected to join Form
One. In regards to the pupils who joined Form One, Mufindi District had the
highest percentage (36.6 percent) followed by Iringa DC (28.7 percent), Kilolo
(20.8 percent) and Iringa Municipal (13.9 percent).
Table 5. 33: Number of Pupils Who were Selected and Joined Form I in Public Secondary
Schools, Iringa Region; 2012
No. of Pupils Selected No. of Pupils Joining Form I

Council
Boys Girls Total Percent Boys Girls Total Percent
Iringa DC 2,466 2,760 5,226 62.4 2,466 2,760 5,226 28.7
Mufindi - - - - 3137 3526 6,663 36.6
Iringa Municipal 1528 1617 3145 37.6 1129 1402 2,531 13.9
Kilolo - - - - 1741 2049 3,790 20.8
Regional Total 3,994 4,377 8,371 100 8,473 9,737 18,210 100.0
Percent by Sex 47.7 52.3 100.0 46.5 53.5 100.0
185
5.2.4.8 Primary School Facilities

A teacher may be the single most important factor in the development of
primary education. But after the teacher, primary school facilities are the second
most important factor. School facilities include but not confined to classrooms,
toilet facilities, teachers‟ houses, desks, teachers‟ offices, and miscellaneous
school furniture and water tanks.
(i) Classrooms
According to Tanzania Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, the
recommended number of pupils per class-room is 45. If a classroom
accommodates more than 45 pupils is outside the national standard and an
indication of classroom shortage.
By the end of 2012, Iringa Region had a total of 469 public primary schools
having a total of 3,738 classrooms which accommodated 210,257 pupils (Table
5.34). This made the Region have a Pupils Classroom Ratio of 1:56 which is
beyond the national standard and thus signifies classroom shortage. At district
level, the Table also shows that all four districts in the Region in 2012 were
facing shortage of classrooms in primary schools. Kilolo District had a pupils
classroom ratio of 1:69 which was above that of the regional average and it was
considered to have critical shortage. Further analysis of Table 5.34 reveals that
in 2012 the Region required 5,451 classrooms in primary schools and therefore
had a shortage of 1,713 classrooms. Kilolo District had the highest percentage
deficit of 75.5 percent while Iringa DC had the lowest at 24.4 percent. For
improving learning environment in primary schools, more classrooms are
therefore needed to enable the pupils to sit more comfortably and enhance
teaching effectiveness of the teachers.
186
Table 5. 34: Availability of Classrooms in Public Primary Schools by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Number Average Classroom

Percent
of Total Available number of Pupils Required Deficit/
Council Deficit/
Schools Pupils Classrooms Classroom Ratio Classrooms Excess
Excess
per School (CPR)
Iringa DC 145 60,329 1097 8 1:55 1,532 435 39.7
Mufindi 172 67089 1333 8 1:50 1855 522 39.2
Iringa
41 23,362 454 11 1:51 565 111 24.4
Municipal
Kilolo 111 59477 854 8 1:69 1499 645 75.5
Regional Total 469 210,257 3738 8 1:56 5,451 1,713 45.8
(ii) Pitlatrine
The Region has a long way to go attain required national standard of Pupils Toilet Ratio
Table 5.35 shows that in 2012 there were 6,123 pitlatrines in 469 public primary
schools with an average of 13 pitlatrines per school. Basing on the standard set
by the Government of Tanzania, of pupils pitlatrine ratio of 1:20 for girls and
1:25 for boys. Unfortunately, Table 5.35 does not display number of pupils and
pitlatrines by sex, therefore, the general pitlatrine ratio shown in the Table just
depicts general situation of the availability of pitlatrines services among pupils.
According to the Table, in 2012, on average, 34 pupils in public primary schools
187
in Iringa Region were using one toilet hole.However; the region requires 9,705
pitlatrines and therefore has a shortage of 3,582 pitlatrines (58.5 percent deficit).
Primary schools in Kilolo had highest deficit of pitlatrines as on average, one
toilet hole in primary schools in this district was used by 46 pupils. Situation on
the availability and deficit of pitlatrines for the remaining three districts is shown
in Table 5.35 below.
Table 5. 35: Availability of Pit Latrines in Public Primary Schools by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Average
number Pit
Available Required Deficit of
No. of Total of Pit Latrine Percent
Council Pit Pit Pit
Schools Pupils Latrine Pupils Deficit/Excess
Latrine Latrine Latrine
per Ratio
School
Iringa DC 145 60,329 1763 12 1:34 2803 1,040 59.0
Mufindi 172 67089 2407 14 1:28 3028 621 25.8
Iringa
41 23,362 669 16 1:35 1,170 501 74.9
Municipal
Kilolo 111 59477 1284 12 1:46 2704 1,420 110.6
Regional
469 210,257 6123 13 1:34 9705 3,582 58.5
Total
(iii) Staff Houses
More teachers’ houses are needed to curb a deficit of 805 houses in the district
188
Teachers‟ houses are important to teachers‟ welfare, school security and general
efficiency of school services through teachers being on site. A look at Table 5.36
reveals that in 2012 there were in the Region only 1,830 teachers‟ houses
leaving a substantial deficit of 3,453 houses or 69.9 percentAll districts had large
deficits ranging from 52.4 percent for Iringa Municipal to 90.9 percent for Iringa
DC which had the biggest deficit of 1,111 houses.
Table 5. 36: Availability of Public Primary School Teachers' Houses by Council, Iringa Region;
2012
No. of Number Average House Deficit

Public of Required Available Number of Teachers of Houses
Primary Available Houses Houses Houses per Ratio
Council Schools Teachers School (HTR) Number Percent
Iringa DC 145 1222 1528 417 11 3 1111 90.9
Mufindi 172 1516 1967 900 11 5 1067 70.4
Iringa 41 739 480 93 12 2 387 52.4
Municipal
Kilolo 111 1463 1308 420 12 4 888 60.7
Regional
Total
469 4940 5283 1830 11 4 3453 69.9
(iv) Furniture(Desks)
Pupils Desk Ratio of 1:4 shows primary schools in the district have desks deficit
189
The average number of pupils per desk is an important indicator of the

provision of favourable and conducive learning environment for the pupils. For
primary schools, the recommended desk pupils‟ ratio (DPR) is three pupils per
one desk (1:3).Based on this fact and with desk pupils‟ ratio of 1:3 shown in
Table 5.37, we can say at regional level, primary shools in Iringa region
adhered to the national standard and had no desks shortage. Detailed analysis of
the Table by district-wise shows Mufindi district and Iringa municipal were also
comply with the national required desk pupils ratio of 1:3. Iringa DC and Kilolo
districts each at desk pupils‟ ratio of 1:4 diverted from the national standard and
hence, had desks shortage.Nevertheless, analysis of the table basing on the
absolute number of the available and required desks proves still at regional level
and for the two districts, Mufindi and Iringa municipal there was a deficit of
desks. At regional level, there was 42.5 percent deficit or 44,386 desks against
60,149 desks then available. The percentage deficit ranges from 32.4 percent for
Mufindi district and 54.2 percent for Kilolo district.
Table 5. 37: Availability of Desks in Public Primary Schools by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Deficit of Desks
Council Total Available Desk Pupils Required
Pupils Desks Ratio Desks
Number Percent
Iringa DC 60,329 16,593 1:4 29,656 13,063 44.0
Mufindi 67089 22670 1:3 33545 10,875 32.4
Iringa Municipal 23,362 7,274 1:3 11,595 4,321 37.3
Kilolo 59477 13612 1:4 29739 16,127 54.2
Regional Total 210,257 60,149 1:3 104,535 44,386 42.5
(v) Accessibility of Water

Water is not only important but also necessary for human beings and other living
organisms. Availability of water in primary schools is of paramount importance.
190
Schools having water sources within their compounds improve the sanitation
level of the schools. In addition, water sources available within primary school
premises reduce time spent by pupils on fetching water. Nevertheless, sources of
water in primary schools differ among the districts. Topographic and
geographical variation among the districts and availability of water bodies found
in the districts determine type and sustainability of water sources used not only
by pupils in primary schools, but also at households‟ level. Since Iringa Region
is well endowed with ground and surface water sources, water wells ( shallow,
medium and dip boreholes) followed by tap water are common water sources in
primary schools especially in Iringa DC, Mufindi District and Iringa Municipal.
Shallow wells are the only water sources in primary schools in Kilolo District
and thus primary schools have theworst access to water sources than in the other
districts.
(vi) Teachers
The teacher to pupil ratio is an important indicator which also shows the quality
of education provided in schools. The national standard requirement is that one
teacher should serve a classroom of 45 pupils (1:45). Table 5.38 indicates that in
2012 primary schools in Iringa Region had teachers‟ pupils ratio (TPR) of one
teacher per 46 pupils (1:46). This is above the national standard and hence, there
was shortage of primary school teachers in the Region. However, at district
level, magnitude of deficit differs among the districts with Kilolo having the
highest teachers‟ pupils‟ ratio of 1:54 and the largest deficit of teachers of 26.1
percent. With TPR of 1:49 Iringa DC also had a deficit. Mufindi and Iringa
Municipal with TPR of 1:44 and 1:31 comply with the required national
standard. In absolute number, the regional deficit was 16.4 percent or 904
teachers against 4,603 teachers then available. Percentage deficit of the districts
ranged from negative 45 for Iringa Municipalto 26.1 percent for Kilolo District.
191
The negative percentage deficit of 45 in Iringa Municipal implies that there was
no teachers shortage in the municipal as the available number was larger than
the required number of teachers.
The teacher pupil ratio is an important indicator for quality education
Table 5.38: Availability of Public Primary School’s Teachers (Grade A, B, Diploma and
Degree) by Council, Irnga Region; 2012
Teacher
Total Teachers Available Percent Pupils
Council Deficit
Pupils Required Teachers of Deficit Ratio
(TPR)
Iringa DC 60,329 1,532 1,230 302 19.7 49
Mufindi 67089 1967 1516 451 22.9 44
Iringa Municipal 23,362 521 758 -237 -45.5 31
Kilolo 59477 1487 1099 388 26.1 54
Regional Total 210,257 5,507 4,603 904 16.4 46
5.2.5 Secondary Education

Secondary education is optional. But many parents and students have discovered
its value in preparing young people for the new world. Hence there has been a
192
dramatic increase in both enrolment and the number of secondary schools

throughout the country but Iringa Region in particular. Nevertheless, the policy
of a secondary school per ward which was introduced in early 2006 under the
Government of President Dr.Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete also played a big role in
increasing number of secondary schools and enrolment in the Region and the
country at large. Private sector participation in the establishment and running of
secondary schools is another reason for the increase in secondary schools in the
country including Iringa Region.
Table 5.39 shows that the number of secondary schools in the Region increased
steadily from 140 in 2010 to 145 in 2011 and then 149 in 2012. This is
equivalent to an increase of 6.4 percent from 140 secondary schools in 2010 to
149 in 2012. The share of private sector in ownership of secondary schools
shows an increasing trend. It increased from 27.1 percent in 2010 to 29.7 percent
in 2011 and attained 30.2 percent in 2012. Consequently, the ratio between
secondary schools and primary schools in the region has declined due to
significant increase in secondary schools (Table 5.39a). The ratio was 3.3
primary schools to a secondary school in 2010 and 2011 and then the ratio
declined to reach 3.2 primary schools to a secondary school in 2012.
Table 5.39 shows that in 2012, Mufindi District had the largest number of
secondary schools (55, 36.9 percent). It was followed by Kilolo District (36,
24.2 percent), Iringa DC (32, 21.5 percent) and Iringa Municipal had the
smallest number of secondary schools at 26 (17.4 percent). Moreover, in 2012
Mufindi District had also the largest number of public secondary schools (41)
while the same District and Kilolo led in number of private secondary schools
(14). Iringa municipal had the smallest number of public secondary schools (13)
and Iringa DC had the smallest number of private secondary schools (4).
193
Figure 37: Number of Secondary Schools by Council, Iringa Region; 2010-2012
160
149
140 145
140
120
Number 100
of 2010
80
schools
2011
60 54 54 55
2012
40
30 30 32 34 35 36
22 26 26
20
0
Iringa Rural Mufindi Iringa Kilolo Regional
Municipal Total
Table 5. 39: Number of Secondary Schools by Ownership and by Council, Iringa Region; 2010 – 2012
2010 2011 2012
Percent
Council Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private Total
Iringa DC 26 4 30 26 4 30 28 4 32 21.5
Mufindi 41 13 54 41 13 54 41 14 55 36.9
Iringa
13 9 22 13 13 26 13 13 26 17.4
Municipal
Kilolo 22 12 34 22 13 35 22 14 36 24.2
Regional Total 102 38 140 102 43 145 104 45 149 100.0

Percent 72.9 27.1 100.0 70.3 29.7 100.0 69.8 30.2 100.0
194
Table 5.39 a: Average number of Primary school per Secondary Schools by Council, Iringa Region; 2010 – 2012
2010 2011 2012
Average Average Average
No. of No. of No. of
No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of
Council Primary Primary Primary
Primary Secondary Primary Secondary Primary Secondary
Schools Schools Schools
Schools Schools School Schools Schools Schools
per Sec. per Sec. per Sec.
Schools Schools Schools
Iringa DC 145 30 4.8 145 30 4.8 145 32 4.5
Mufindi 170 54 3.1 174 54 3.2 175 55 3.2
Iringa Municipal 47 22 2.1 47 26 1.8 49 26 1.9
Kilolo 105 34 3.1 111 35 3.2 111 36 3.1
Regional Total 467 140 3.3 477 145 3.3 480 149 3.2
According to Table 5.39b, Iringa Region succeded in implementing the government policy of 2006 which prescribes a
secondary school for each ward. On average, each ward in the region had at least 1.3 secondary schools. By the end of 2012,
Mufindi had done a recommendable job by having two secondary schools per ward which was the highest in the Region. The
lowest secondary schools per ward were observed in Iringa DC which had a ratio of 1:3.
195
Table 5.39 b: Distribution of Secondary schools among Wards, by Council, Iringa Region;
2012
Number of
Number of Average Schools
Council Secondary Rank
Wards per Ward
School
Iringa DC 32 25 1.3 3
Mufindi 55 28 2.0 1
Iringa Municipal 26 16 1.6 2
Kilolo 36 22 1.6 2
Regional Total 149 91 1.6
5.2.5.1 Secondary School Enrolment

5.2.5.1.1 Form (I-IV) Enrolment
There has been a steady increase in the total enrolment of secondary school
students of 1,426 students or of 2.3 percent from 60,775 in 2011 to 62,201 in
2012 (Table 5.40). In each year, more boys than girls‟ enrolled into secondary
schools in the Region. This is evident in Table 5.40 as number of boys registered
accounted for 52.6 percent of all the students in in 2011 compared for 47.4
percent for girls.. In 2012, boys‟ students accounted for 51 percent against 49
percent for girls. Moreover girl‟s enrolment went up by 5.8 percent or 1,671
students from 28,795 in 2011 to 30,466 in 2012. Unfortunately, boy‟s enrolment
dropped by 0.8 percent or 245 students from 31,980 in 2011 to 31,735 in 2012.
By registering 21,892 students equivalent to 36 percent of all students registered
into secondary schools in 2011 and 21,216 students (34.1 percent) in 2012,
Mufindi led in students‟ enrolment in both years. Next was Iringa DC by
registering 14,488 students (23.8 percent) in 2011 and 15,661 students (25.2
percent) in 2012. Iringa Municipal was third by enrolling 13,218 students (21.7
percent) in 2011 and 13,860 students (22.3 percent) in 2012. Kilolo District
registered the smallest number of students at 11,177 (18.4 percent) and 11,464
students (18.4 percent) in 2011 and 2012.
196
Figure 38: Form (I-IV) Enrolment in Public and Private Secondary Schools, Iringa Region; 2011
and 2012
70000
60,775 62,201
60000
50000
40000
30000 2011
21,892 21,216 2012
20000 15,661
14,488 13,218 13,860
11,177 11,464
10000
0
Iringa Rural Mufindi Iringa Kilolo Regional
Municipal Total
197
Table 5. 40: Total Form (1-IV) Enrolment in Public and Private Secondary Schools by Sex and Council, Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012.
2011 2012
Total Proportion Total Proportion
Council Boys Girls Boys Girls
Boys (%) Boys (%)
Percent Percent and Percent Percent and
Number Number Boys Girls Number Number Boys Girls
share share Girls share share Girls
Iringa DC 7,700 24.1 6,788 23.6 14,488 53.1 46.9 8,300 26.2 7,361 24.2 15,661 53.0 47.0
Mufindi 11,420 35.710,472 36.4 21,892 52.2 47.8 10,593 33.4 10,623 34.9 21,216 49.9 50.1
Iringa 6,131 19.2 7,087 24.6 13,218 46.4 53.6 6,148 19.4 7,712 25.3 13,860 44.4 55.6
Municipal
Kilolo 6,729 21.0 4,448 15.4 11,177 60.2 39.8 6,694 21.1 4,770 15.7 11,464 58.4 41.6
Regional 31,980 100.0 28,795 100.0 60,775 52.6 47.4 31,735 100.0 30,466 100.0 62,201 51.0 49.0
Total
Percent by 52.6 47.4 100 51.0 49.0 100
Sex
Table 5.40a shows that in the year 2012 Iringa Region had 66.1 students per 1000 of the population. This means that for every
1000 people in the Region in 2012, there were 66.1 secondary school students. Iringa Municipal had the largest number of
students per 1000 of the population at 91.6 followed by Mufindi District (66.8), Iringa DC (61.6) and Kilolo District had the
smallest number of students per 1000 of the population (52.6). Table 5.40a also shows that in the year 2012 there were an
average of 417.5 secondary school students per secondary school and 683.5 students per ward in the region. Iringa Municipal
had the largest average number of students per school (533.1) and per ward (866.3). Kilolo district had the smallest average
number of students per school (318.4) and per ward (521.1)
198
Table 5.40a: Distribution of Form (I-IV) Students Enrolment per 1000 Population, Secondary
School and Wards, by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Number of
Total Total
Secondary Average Average Average
Population Enrolment Number
Council Schools Students Students Students
(Based on Form (I- of
(Public per 1000 per Sec. per
2012 IV) Wards
and Population. School Ward
Census) Students
Private)
Iringa DC 254,032 15,661 32 25 61.6 489.4 626.4
Mufindi 317,731 21,216 55 28 66.8 385.7 757.7
Iringa
151,345 13,860 26 16 91.6 533.1 866.3
Municipal
Kilolo 218,130 11,464 36 22 52.6 318.4 521.1
Regional
941,238 62,201 149 91 66.1 417.5 683.5
Total
5.2.5.1.2 Form IV Completion Rate

Table 5.41 showsthat there were 13,516 students in 2011 and 11,840 in 2012
whocompleted Form IV education in public and private secondary schools in the
Region. In each year fewer girls than boys completed Form IV education. Girls‟
students accounted for 47.7 (percent of the students completing) in 2011 and48.7
(percent of the students completing in 2012). Table 5.41 also shows that the
percentage of girls who completed Form IV increased from 47.7 percent in 2011
to 48.7 percent in 2012. Consequently, the percentage of boys completing
decreased from 52.3 percent in 2011 to 51.3 percent in 2012. Mufindi had the
largest number of students who completed form IV at 4,051 in 2011 and 4,571 in
2012. Kilolo had the smallest number at 3,019 students in 2011 while in 2012
there no records for students who completed Form IV in this District (Table
5.41).
199
Table 5. 41 : Students Completed Form IV in Public and Private Secondary Schools by Sex, Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012
2011 2012
Council Total Proportion Total Proportion
Boys Girls Boys Girls
Boys (%) Boys (%)
Percent Percent and and
Number Number Boys Girls Number Percent Number Percent Boys Girls
share share Girls Girls
Iringa DC 1,877 26.5 1,537 23.9 3,414 55.0 45.0 1,968 32.4 1,645 28.5 3,613 54.5 45.5
Mufindi 2,227 31.5 1,824 28.3 4,051 55.0 45.0 2,438 40.1 2,133 37.0 4,571 53.3 46.7
Iringa 1,439 20.3 1,593 24.7 3,032 47.5 52.5 1,672 27.5 1,984 34.4 3,656 45.7 54.3
Municipal
Kilolo 1,530 21.6 1,489 23.1 3,019 50.7 49.3 na na na na na na na
Regional
7,073 100.0 6,443 100.0 13,516 52.3 47.7 6,078 100.0 5,762 100.0 11,840 51.3 48.7
Total
Percent by
52.3 47.7 100 51.3 48.7 100
Sex
na: means not available
200
Figure 39: Number of students Completed Form IV in Public and Private Secondary
Schools by Sex and Council, Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012
16,000
13,516
14,000
11,840
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,051 4,571 3,656
3,414 3,613 3,032 3,019
4,000
2,000
0
0
Iringa rural Mufindi Iringa Municipal Kilolo Regional Total
2011 2012
5.2.5.1.3 Form (V-VI) Enrolment

Perfomance of education at high school level was good in terms of quality of
students who enrolled in high school education. Table 5.41 shows that the
students who enrolled into high school education increased by 10.3 percent (304
students) from 2,964 in 2011 to 3,268 in 2012. There was a bigger difference
between boys and girls enrollment in 2011 than in 2012. In 2011, boys
accounted for 69.9 percent of the total enrollment while girls accounted for 35.1
percent. In 2012 about the same number of boys (1,657, 50.7 percent) and girls
(1,611, 49.3 percent) were enrolled. Comparison of enrolment for students of the
same sex, table 5.41 reveals that number of girls enrolled in high school
increased tremendously from 1,039 in 2011 to 1,611 in 2012 which is an
increase of 55 percent. In the regard to boys, enrolment dropped (13.9 percent)
from 1,925 in 2011 to 1,657 in 2012. At district level, in both years Iringa DC
had the largest number of students enrolled in high school while Kilolo District
had the smallest number (Table 5.42).
201
Table 5. 42: Total Form (V-VI) Enrolment in Public Secondary Schools by Sex and Council, Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012
2011 2012
Total Proportion Total Proportion

Council Boys Girls Boys Girls
Boys (%) Boys (%)
and and Girl
Number Percent Number Percent Girls Boys Girls Number Percent Number Percent Girls Boys
s
Iringa DC 975 50.6 405 39.0 1380 70.7 29.3 763 46.0 789 49.0 1552 49.2 50.8
Mufindi 599 31.1 118 11.4 717 83.5 16.5 414 25.0 92 5.7 506 81.8 18.2
Iringa Municipal 173 9.0 430 41.4 603 28.7 71.3 257 15.5 676 42.0 933 27.5 72.5
Kilolo 178 9.2 86 8.3 264 67.4 32.6 223 13.5 54 3.4 277 80.5 19.5
Regional Total 1925 100.0 1039 100.0 2964 64.9 35.1 1657 100.0 1611 100.0 3268 50.7 49.3
Percent by Sex 64.9 35.1 100 50.7 49.3 100
202
Figure 40: Percentage of Form (V-VI) Students Enrolled in Public Secondary Schools,
Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012
70
64.9
60
50.7 49.3
50
Percent 40
35.1
Boys
30
Girls
20
10
0
2011 2012
5.2.5.1.4 Form VI Completion Rate

Table 5.43 shows the number of students who completed high school education
by sex in Iringa Region. Number of students who completed high school in 2012
went up by 534 students (21.8 percent) compared to those of year 2011. The
number of girls who completed high school studies increase by 32.7 percent
from 1,134 in 2011 to 1,505 in 2012. Likewise, in 2012 boys who graduated
from high school studies had increased by 12.4 percent from 1,317 of 2011 to
1,480 in 2012. As compared to 2011, Iringa DC had the biggest increase in the
number of high school graduantes in 2012. They increased by 573 students or
52.3 percent increase from 1,096 in 2011 to 1,669 in 2012. It was followed by
Mufindi District (53 students, 10.5 percent increase) and Kilolo District (39
students, 25.7 percent increase). In Iringa Municipal the number of high school
graduantes decreased by 131 students in 2012 (18.7 percent decrease) from 699
students in 2011 to 568 in 2012.
203
Table 5.43: Number of Students, Who Completed High Level Education in Public Secondary Schools by Sex and by Council, Iringa Region;
2011 and 2012
2011 2012
Percent to Percent to the
Boys Girls Total the Total Boys Girls Total Toatal
Council
Boys Enrolment Boys Enrolment
and Percent and
Percent Percent Percent
Number Number Girls Boys Girls Number Number share Girls Boys Girls
share share share
Iringa DC 721 54.7 375 33.1 1096 65.8 34.2 813 54.9 856 56.9 1669 48.7 51.3
Mufindi 350 26.6 154 13.6 504 69.4 30.6 357 24.1 200 13.3 557 64.1 35.9
Iringa
154 11.7 545 48.1 699 22.0 78.0 200 13.5 368 24.5 568 35.2 64.8
Municipal
Kilolo 92 7.0 60 5.3 152 60.5 39.5 110 7.4 81 5.4 191 57.6 42.4
Regional
1317 100.0 1134 100.0 2451 53.7 46.3 1480 100.0 1505 100.0 2985 49.6 50.4
Total
Percent by
53.7 46.3 100 49.6 50.4 100
Sex
204
Figure 41 : Percentage of Form VI Students who Completed High Level Education in

Public Secondary Schools, by Sex, Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012
56
54 53.7
52
50.4
Percent 49.6
50
Boys
48
Girls
46.3
46
44
42
2011 2012
5.2.5.2 Quantity and State of School Facilities

The most common facilities are teachers, classrooms, toilets, staff quarters,
libraries, laboratories, dormitories and desks. However, the following discussion
only aims at indicating quantitative adequacy of the facilities in the Region.
(i) Teachers
Expansion of secondary education should always go hand in hand with the
increase in the number of teachers. By the end of 2012, Iringa Region had a total
of 1,787 teachers in public secondary schools distributed among 104 public
secondary schools that were available in the Region in that year. The average
number of teachers per school was 17(Table 5.44). Moreover, the best average
number of teachers per secondary school was observed in Iringa Municipal with
a ratio of 1: 34 while Iringa DC had the smallest average of 1:12.
In 2012 there were 1,787 teachers in public secondary schools in Iringa Region.
With requirement at 2,686 teachers there was a deficit of 899 teachers or 33.5
205
percent. The deficit of teachers among the districts ranged from 48.5 percent in
Kilolo District to 6.3 percent in Iringa Municipal. Therefore there was unequal
distribution of teachers for public secondary schools among districts with most
of them being allocated to urban schools. For the betterment of education in
rural areas, the Iringa Regional Authority institutes a fair distribution of teachers
among secondary schools.
Table 5. 44: Distribution of Teachers among Public Secondary Schools, by Council, Iringa Region;
2012
Average
Number
number of Pecent of
of Public Required Available Deficit of
Council Available Deficit of
Sec. Teachers Teachers Teachers
Teachers Teachers
Schools
per school
Iringa DC 28 617 346 1:12 271 43.9
Mufindi 41 955 667 1:16 288 30.2
Iringa 13 475 445 1:34 30 6.3
Municipal
Kilolo 22 639 329 1:15 310 48.5
Regional
104 2686 1787 1:17 899 33.5
Total
(ii) Teachers’ Houses

Teachers‟ houses are important to teachers‟ welfare, school security and general
efficiency of school services through teachers being on site. Table 5.45, shows
that in 2012, there were only 340 teachers houses leaving a substantial deficit of
1,697 or 83.3 percent to the required 2,037 houses. All districts had large deficits
ranging from 73.6 percent for Iringa DC to 93.5 percent for Kilolo District.
Mufindi had the largest deficit of 600 houses represented 35.4 percent of the
regional deficit of 1,697 houses. The Regional Authority should recognize the
importance of teachers‟ houses as on incentive for teacher retention and
promotion of effective teaching. Therefore, efforts to improve performance of
education system in the region, apart from focusing on employing more
teachers, should also focus on building more teachers‟ houses.
206
Table 5. 45: Availability of Teachers Houses in Public Secondary Schools, by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Percent to
Percent to
Deficit the
Required Available Teachers the
Council of Regional
Houses Houses Available Required
Houses Houses’
Houses
Deficit
Iringa DC 530 140 346 390 73.6 23.0
Mufindi 749 149 667 600 80.1 35.4
Iringa 340 24 445 316 92.9 18.6
Municipal
Kilolo 418 27 329 391 93.5 23.0
Regional Total 2037 340 1787 1697 83.3 100.0
(iii) Classrooms
Classrooms are a key requirement for the development of education. In the year
2012 Iringa Region had a deficit of 283 classrooms or 16.1 percent of its
requirements. Of the districts, Kilolo had most of the deficit at 100 classrooms
or 29.9percent of its requirements. Even Iringa Municipal with the least deficit
(6.7 percent) had a gap to fill in terms of new classrooms. It required 17
additional classrooms in 2012 (Table 5.46).
Table 5.46: Availability of Classrooms in Public Secondary Schools, by Council, Iringa Region;
2012
Deficit of Percent to
Number of
Average Classrooms the
Public
Council Required Available Classroom Number Percent Regional
Secondary
per school Classroom
schools
Deficit
Iringa DC 28 489 411 14.7 78 16.0 27.6
Mufindi 41 680 592 14.4 88 12.9 31.1
Iringa 13 254 237 18.2 17 6.7 6.0
Municipal
Kilolo 22 335 235 10.7 100 29.9 35.3
Regional 104 1758 1475 14.2 283 16.1 100.0
Total
207
(iv) Toilets
The deficit of toilet holes in the Region was 960 for the year 2012. Iringa
Municipal had the least deficit at 172 holes while on the other hand, Iringa DC
had the largest deficit of 326 toilets holes.The 104 public secondary schools that
were available in the Region in 2012 had an average of 20 toilet holes per
school. Secondary schools in Iringa DC and Iringa Municipal had the largest
average number of toilet holes per school of 23 each while Kilolo had the
smallest average number of 14 toilet holes per school (Table 5.47).
Table 5. 47 : Availability of Toilet holes in Public Secondary Schools, by Council, Iringa Region;
2012
Average Percent to
Number of number of Deficit of Toilet
Required Available the
Public Toilet holes holes
Council Toilet Toilet Regionals’
Secondary per School
holes holes Toilet holes
schools Number Percent Deficit
Iringa DC 28 956 630 23 326 34.1 30.2
Mufindi 41 1087 846 21 241 22.2 40.6
Iringa 13 469 297 23 172 36.7 14.3
Municipal
Kilolo 22 532 311 14 221 41.5 14.9
Regional 104 3044 2084 20 960 31.5 100.0
Total
(v) Dormitories
The availability of dormitories help students solve the problem of walking long
distances to school, give students more time for self study, reduces truancy as
well as help to reduce girls students drop outs due to pregnancies. Table 5.48,
shows that in 2002 a total of 355 dormitories were required out of which 141
were available. This left a deficit of 60.3 percent or 214 dormitories. The most
desperate district in this regard was Kilolo whose deficit stood at 76.2 percent.
208
Secondary schools in Iringa Municipal were in better position in terms of

dormitories availability as they had the least percentage deficit of 6.2 percent.
Table 5. 48: Availability of Dormitories/Hostels in Public Secondary Schools, by Council; Iringa

Region; 2012
Number of Deficit of Percent to the
Public Required Available Dormitories Regionals’
Council
Secondary Dormitories Dormitories Number Percent Dormitories
schools Deficit
Iringa DC 28 135 62 73 54.1 34.1
Mufindi 41 103 40 63 61.2 29.4
Iringa
13 16 15 1 6.2 0.5
Municipal
Kilolo 22 101 24 77 76.2 36.0
Regional
104 355 141 214 60.3 100.0
Total
(vi) Libraries
The library facility is considered essential but not crucial for the development of
knowledge and skills of a student. According to the standards set by the Ministry
of Education and Vocation Training, every secondary school should have a
library to enable students borrow and use supplementary books besides
textbooks.
Table 5.49 shows that out of 104 public secondary schools, 14 had library each
in 2012. This left 90 schools without libraries and therefore, an equal number of
new librariesto cater for the shortage of 86.5 percent. The situation was worst in
Kilolo District where no school had a library.. Iringa municipal had the least
deficit of 10 libraries or 76.9 percent deficit against its requirements.
209
Table 5.49: Availability of Libraries in Public Secondary Schools by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Deficit of Percent to
Number of Average
Libraries the
Public Required Available number of
Council Regionals’
Secondary Libraries Libraries Libraries per Number Percent Libraries
schools School
Deficit
Iringa DC 28 28 4 0.14 24 85.7 26.7
Mufindi 41 41 7 0.17 34 82.9 37.8
Iringa
13 13 3 0.23 10 76.9 11.1
Municipal
Kilolo 22 22 0 0 22 100.0 24.4
Regional
104 104 14 0.13 90 86.5 100
Total
(vii) Desks
The deficit of desks in the region was 670 for the year 2012. According to Table
5.49, Iringa DC had the most deficits at 2,058 desks or 10.8 percent deficit to its
requirements of 19,063 desks. Next was Kilolo District with a deficit of 753
desks. On the other hand Mufindi and Iringa Municipal had no desks shortages
in the year 2012. In regard to availability of desks per school, Table 5.50 shows
that Iringa Municipal had the largest average number of desks per school of
807.3, followed by Iringa DC (607.3), Mufindi (544.8) and Kilolo district had
the smallest average number of desks per school of 455.2.
Table 5. 50: Availability of Desks/Tables in Public Secondary Schools by Council, Iringa Region;
2012
Number Average Deficit of Desks
of Public Required Available number of
Council
Secondary Desks Desks Desks per Number Percent
schools School
Iringa DC 28 19,063 17,005 607.3 2,058 10.8
Mufindi 41 20,463 22,337 544.8 -1874 -9.2
Iringa Municipal 13 10,228 10,495 807.3 -267 -2.6
Kilolo 22 10,768 10,015 455.2 753 7.0
Regional Total 104 60,522 59,852 575.5 670 1.1
210
(viii) Laboratories
A laboratory is a necessary facility for students majoring in science subjects.
The standard set by the government is that each secondary school in a country
should have at least three laboratories for physics, chemistry and biology
subjects. With reference to Table 5.51, in 2012 a total of 401 laboratories were
required out of which 71 were available. This left a deficit of 82.3 percent or 330
laboratories. The most desperate council in this regard was Iringa DC with a
laboratory deficit of 137 (79.2 percent of its requirements). Next was Mufindi
(113, 91.9 percent), Kilolo (55, 83.3 percent). Iringa Municipal had the smallest
laboratory deficit at 25 (64.1 percent deficit). In terms of average number of
laboratories per school, the Region had a ratio of 0.7 laboratories per school.
Iringa DC District had the best ratio of 1.3 while the worst ratio of 0.2 was
observed in Mufindi District.
Table 5. 51: Availability of Laboratories in Public Secondary Schools by Council, Iringa

Region; 2012
Number Average Deficit of
of Public Required Available number of Laboratories
Council
Secondary Laboratories Laboratories Laboratories
schools per School Number Percent
Iringa DC 28 173 36 1.3 137 79.2
Mufindi 41 123 10 0.2 113 91.9
Iringa
13 39 14 1.1 25 64.1
Municipal
Kilolo 22 66 11 0.5 55 83.3
Regional
104 401 71 0.7 330 82.3
Total
5.2.6 Higher Learning Education

Higher education institution means a university, college, campus, or any other
autonomous institution that offers a level of academic education and
professional training that leads to full academic and or professional
211
qualifications and competence. Iringa Region is among the few regions in

Tanzania that has a numerous number of universities/institutions or colleges.
Out of the four districts the in region, Iringa Municipal is the only district which
had universities/institutions.
However, the universities/colleges which were available by the year 2012 in the
region were Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE), Iringa
University College (IUC), Ruaha University College (RUCO) and Open
University. Other institutions are Rungemba Community Development Institute,
RETCO Business College, Mafinga Clinical Officer Training Centre, Primary
Health Care Institution (PHCI), Kleruu Teachers Training College, Mufindi
Teachers College, Miso Teachers College, St. Monica Teachers College and
Consolata Teachers Training College
5.2.6.1 Universities
Mkwawa University College of Education
The Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE) is located in Iringa
Municipal in Mkwawa Ward, about 3 kilometres from the town centre. MUCE
was established as a constituent college of the University of Dar es Salaam
(UDSM) on the 1st of September 2005 by upgrading the former Mkwawa High
School, in response to the growing demand for teachers. Mkwawa High School
was first established as an „O‟ level school in 1959 and was called St. Michael
and St. George‟s School. However, in 1961, when Tanganyika became
independent, the plan to establish the Girl‟s school was abandoned, and what
was in place became a co-education school. In 1964 it became a High School,
officiated by the First President of the United Republic of Tanzania, the late
Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere. In 1977 it became a teachers college offering
certificate and diploma programmes in teacher education. Again in 1992 it
became a High School and operated up to March 2003, when it was upgraded to
a constituent college of UDSM, by Order Under section 55 (1) of the University
of Dar es Salaam Act No. 12 of 1970 and published on 22nd July 2005 on
Government Notice No. 2003.
212
Iringa University College

Iringa University College of Tumaini University is an institution of higher
learning organized under the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania.It is also
located at the town centre of Iringa municipal. The college is dedicated to
develop dynamic and entrepreneurial leaders who will engage and realize their
full potential and that of their community, their country and the world at
large.Iringa University College was established in 1994. It is providing a
combination of liberal arts, education, specific technical training and practical
experience. The University offers students a healthy balance between social and
academic activities including lectures, discussions, research, paper writing and
presentations, internships and placements, public lectures by renowned speakers,
social welfare, cultural and sporting activities. Iringa University College has the
status of full accreditation by the Higher Education Accreditation Council
(HEAC). It has established five faculties and one institute offering first and
higher degrees, diplomas and certificates. Keen to develop an international
orientation as well, the university maintains cooperative links with a number of
institutions outside the country. Currently they include the universities of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), the University of Joensuu in
Finland, the Maastricht School of Management and the University of
Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Faculty from these institutions come and serve
as visiting lecturers/ professors to reinforce our 100 strong full-time faculty and
several part time lecturers from sister universities in the country. Current
enrolment is 3,000 and to date about 1,500 students have graduated and are the
nation in various capacities while some have proceeded to undertake
postgraduate studies.
213
Ruaha University College (RUCO)

Ruaha University College (RUCO) in Iringa Municipal is a private and secular
institution of higher learning that is open to all regardless of their faith or
religious affiliation. It was established by the Tanzania Episcopal Conference
(TEC) under its Trust Deed of the Registered Trustees of Ruaha University
College who are the trustees of SAUT, through the generous support of well
wishers (friends of RUCO) within and outside the country. The College is
governed and administered in accordance with the Catholic Church Policy on
Higher Education Institutions – Ex Corde Ecclesia and the provisions of the
constitution establishing a constituent college of the St. Augustine University of
Tanzania (SAUT).
The Open University of Tanzania, Iringa Branch

Is another university found in Iringa Municipal. The Open University of
Tanzania offers certificates, diplomas, degrees and postgraduate courses. At the
moment the Open University of Tanzania consists of the following Faculties,
Institutes and Directorates: Arts and Social Sciences, Education, Science,
Technology and Environmental Studies, Law, Business Management Institute of
Continuing Education, Institute of Educational Technology. The Open
University of Tanzania conducts its operations through Regional Centres and
Study Centres. Currently there are 25 Regional Centres and 69 Study Centres. At
each regional centre there are study centres to service distance study students.
Within each region several institutions with adequate facilities have been
identified to serve as study centre. For example Secondary schools, Colleges and
Institutes. Study centres serve as general points for project work, interaction
with other students, attending seminars and tutorials, practical work and
demonstrations and for using reference materials.
214
Table 5.52 highlights the number of students enrolled into public and private
colleges situated at Iringa Region. In the academic years of 2011/12 and
2012/13, more male than female students were admitted in universities and
colleges found in Iringa Region. In the academic year 2011/12 male students
accounted for (59.4 percent of the students) against 40.6 percent for females.
Similary in 2012/13 academic year, male were 59 percent and female were 41
percent with 42.4 percent of all the region‟s higher learning students in academic
year 2012/13, Iringa University College had the largest share. It was followed by
RUCO (37.4 percent), MUCE (15.9 percent) and Open University of Tanzania
(Iringa Branch) had the smallest proportion of students (4.3 percent).
Table 5.52: Total Number of Students in Public and Private University Colleges and
Institutes by Sex, Iringa Region, 2011/12 and 2012/13
Name of 2011/12 2012/13
Institution Percent
MUCE 1,297 1,015 2,312 1,609 9,59 1,609 15.9
R UCO 3,032 1,819 4,851 1,520 2,257 3,777 37.4
IUC 2,150 1,635 3,785 2,552 1,733 4,285 42.4
Open
187 90 277 278 152 430 4.3
University
Total 6,666 4,559 11,225 5,959 4,142 10,101 100.0
Percent 59.4 40.6 100.0 59.0 41.0 100.0
5.2.6.2 Colleges and Institutes

Apart from having universities Iringa region is also endowed with a number of
other higher learning institutions/colleges (Table 5.53). Number of students in
these institutions dropped from 1,193 of 2011 to 670 in 2012. At district level,
Mufindi with a total of five instituitons was leading in the number of institutions.
Iringa Rural District had the smallest number of institutions (one).
215
Table 5. 53 : Total Number of Students in Other Institutions/Colleges by Sex, Iringa Region, 2011
and 2012
2011 2012
District Institute/College
Iringa Kleruu TTC 450 125 575 244 93 337
Municipal Iringa PCHI 25 25 50 27 31 58
Rungemba
Community
0 480 480 - - -
Development
Institute
Mafinga Clinical
Officer Training 34 17 51 - - -
Center
Mufindi
Consolata
Teachers‟ 25 12 37 43 42 85
Training College
MISO Teachers
- - 12 9 21
College
Mufindi
71 31 102
Teachers College
St. Monica
Iringa DC - - 0 67 67
Teachers College
Ilula Focal
Development - - - -
Centre-(FDC)
Kilolo
Maria Magoreth
Agriculture - - - - - -
College
Regional Total 534 659 1193 397 273 670
Percent 44.8 55.2 100.0 59.3 40.7 100.0
5.2.6.3 Vocational Education

Vocational training is important in preparing youths for employment or self
employment. Training of youths is the remedy for income poverty and also
contributes significantly to Iringa regional GDP and Tanzania as a whole. At the
end of 2012 there were 21 vocational training centres in the region distributed as
follows; Iringa DC, (11) Mufindi (1), Iringa Municipal (3) and Kilolo (6). Since
the region has a number of vocational training centres, the remaining challenge
216
is to increasing number of youths under training youth especially from rural

areas. Reducing fees and explaining the importance of vocational educational to
rural population would led to more youths undergoing training and eventually
being self employed and hence, reducing income poverty.
Table 5. 54 : List of Vocational Public and Private Training Schools/Centres, Iringa Region; 2012
District List of centres Skills Taught
Iringa DC 1: Tanangozi Carpertry, tailoring, masonry, electricity,

2: Kalenga VTC computer
3: Masumbo VTC Motor vehicle mechanics, welding, plumbing,
4: Migoli VTC and food production, vocational training.
5: Isimani VTC
6: Tosamaganga VTC
7: Nyabula VTC
8: Ulete VTC
9: Masumbo VTC
10: Wasa VTC
11: Kitanewa VTC
1:Mafinga Vocational
Mufindi Training Centre
Iringa 1: Iringa VETA

Municipal 2: Don Bosco VTC
3: Mgongo VTC
Kilolo 1: Maria Goreth VTC

2:FDC-Ilula VTC
3:Kilolo star VTC
4: Ihimbo VTC
5:Nyota ya asubuhi
VTC
6:Pomerini VTC
Regional
21
Total
VTC: Vocational Training Centre
217
5.2.6.4 Special Education

The issue of disability has of late been gaining recognition worldwide. This is
due to the fact that the level of disability appears to be on the increase in most
societies. Hence, it is important to prepare programmes for the disabled pupils to
get special education according to their type of impairment. Table 5.55 shows
that in 2012 there were 220 disabled pupils registered in primary schools in
Iringa Region. The majority of them (56.8 percent of the total disabled pupils)
were boys.. Girls accounted for the remaining 43.2 percent. Most of disabled
pupils registered in primary schools suffered from visual impairement. These
were 82 pupils or 37.3 percent of the total disabled pupils registered primary
schools in 2012. They were followed by handicap ped pupils (57, 25.9 percent),
Intellectual impairement (54 pupils, 24.5 percent) and deaf pupils had the
smallest number at 27 (12.3 percent). Iringa DC had the largest number of
disabled pupils in primary schools at 105 equivalent to 47.7 percent of the
regional total, followed by Mufindi (59 pupils, 26.8 percent) and Kilolo District
(56 pupils, 25.5 percent). Iringa Municipal had not yet started special education
for disabled pupils, it is therefore necessary for the Regional Authority in
collaboration with Iringa Municipal to think of how to introduce such kind of
education in primary schools.
218
Table 5. 55: Number of Pupils Enrolled in Primary schools, by Type of Impairment; Iringa Region; 2012
Iringa DC Mufindi Iringa Municipal Kilolo Regional Total

Type of
impairement
Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Number Percentage
Visual
15 12 27 11 10 21 - - - 21 13 34 82 37.3
impairment
Intellectual
9 8 17 20 17 37 - - - - - 54 24.5
impairment
Handicap 32 24 56 1 0 1 - - - - - 57 25.9
Deaf 4 1 5 0 0 0 - - - 12 10 22 27 12.3
Total 60 45 105 32 27 59 - - - 33 23 56 220 100.0
Percent 57.1 42.9 100.0 54.2 45.8 100.0 - - - 58.9 41.1 100.0
5.2.6.5 Adult Education

The socio-eonomic development of any country depends much on the level of literacy of the population. Literacy is
gained through education obtained both formally and informally. Tanzania has since independence (1961) embarked on a
programme to eradicate illiteracy by expanding primary and secondary education as well as placing emphasis on the
Adult Education Programme. In the 1970s primary schools were earmarked as centres of adult education and
Headteachers of such schools were put in charge of the adult education campaign around their schools. In recent years
MUKEJA and MEMKWA programmes have been introduced to revive adult education learning in the country.
219
Table 5.56 shows that in 2011 the region had 219 adult education centers and in
2012 it had 316. The number of adults registered at such centeres was 60,539 in
2011 and 60,855 in 2012.. Table 5.56 also shows that in both years Mufindi
District had the largest number of centres as well as enrolments.In terms of
number of centres and adults enrolment; in 2012 Iringa Municipal had the
smallest number of centres (16) and enrolment (746).
Table 5. 56: Number of Adult Education Centers and Enrolments by Council, Iringa Region; 2011 and 2012
Number of centres Total enrolment
District
2011 2012 2011 2012
Iringa DC 38 66 1,758 1,844
Mufindi 92 265 48,293 48,397
Iringa municipal 51 16 666 746
Kilolo 38 35 9,822 9,868

Regional Total 219 316 60,539 60,855
5.2.6.6 Literacy Rate

Literacy is the ability to read and write with an understanding a short simple
statement on everyday life. It excludes the ability to only write or sign one‟s
own name or write memorized phrases. The ability to read and write may be in
any language. The literacy rates for a population aged 10 years and above in
Iringa Region have been increasing. It increased from 31 percent in 1967 census
to 54 percent in 1978 census then reached 68.3 percent in 1988 census there
after attained the literacy rate of 79.5 percent in 2002 census which was higher
than literacy rate of 70.4 for Tanzania Mainland. By attaining the literacy rate of
79.5 percent in 2002, Table 5.57 reveals that Iringa ranked the third in Tanzania
mainland in literacy for the population aged 10 years and above. The first and
second regions were Dar es Salaam (90.9 percent) and Kilimanjaro (89.5
percent).
220
Table 5.57: Percentage literate of the Population Aged 10 Years and above by Region, Tanzania
Mainland
1967 1978 1988 2002
Region Rank
Census Census Census Census
Tanzania Mainland na na na 70.4
Iringa 31 54 68.3 79.5 3
Kilimanjaro 56 74.1 80.8 89.5 2
Dar es Salaam 60 73.3 80.7 90.9 1
Ruvuma 41 66.3 70.5 77 4
Tanga 40 60.6 66 74.6 6
Morogoro 37 58.6 62.8 70.7 9
Mara 35 56.4 63.9 75.3 5
Kagera 40 52.9 59.5 68.3 11
Mtwara 28 51.4 57.1 62.0 14
Dodoma 24 49.5 55.5 64.4 13
Mbeya 29 49.2 61.9 72.0 8
Rukwa - 48.5 58.6 61.6 15
Lindi - 48.4 53.8 60.2 16
Singida 24 46.7 57.4 69.5 10
Mwanza 25 44.3 57.3 69.5 10
Coast 26 44 51.1 60.2
Kigoma 19 43.7 55.1 65.7 12
Arusha 26 41.9 58.1 73.4 7
Tabora 27 40.5 50.5 54.5 18
Shinyanga 16 33.2 48.3 58.5 17
na: means not applicable.
Source: NBS, 1967, 1978, 1988 and 2002 Population and Housing Census Reports
Table 5.57a shows distribution of population by age groups, literacy and sex for
Iringa Regionaccording to 2002 population census. From the Table, out of
1,230,608 persons aged five years and above, 889,732 or 72 percent were
literate. It is further observed that, among the literates, 50 percent were males
and 50 percent females, while literacy rate was higher among males (77 percent)
than females (68 percent). However, with the exception of the 5-9, 10-14, and
15-19 age groups, the literacy rate was higher among males than among females
for each of the remaining age groups.
221
Table 5.57 a: Distribution of Population by Age Group, Literacy and Sex, Iringa Region; 2002
Age Population Literate Literacy Rates
Group Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
5–9 112930 114636 227566 43871 48744 92615 39 43 41
10 – 14 106204 104603 210807 94628 94715 189343 89 91 90
15 – 19 74829 67308 142137 67202 60452 127654 90 90 90
20 – 24 50903 70032 120935 46040 62123 108163 90 89 89
25 – 29 50704 64033 114737 46081 55771 101852 91 87 89
30 – 34 38861 50221 89082 35795 42423 78218 92 84 88
35 – 39 31961 38610 70571 29330 28524 57854 92 74 82
40 – 44 24818 30718 55536 21645 17107 38752 87 56 70
45 – 49 19308 25910 45218 16104 12417 28521 83 48 63
50 – 54 16019 23218 39237 12681 8961 21642 79 39 55
55 – 59 11886 16096 27982 8821 5346 14167 74 33 51
60 – 64 11304 15431 26735 7611 3811 11422 67 25 43
65 – 69 8559 11669 20228 5572 2456 8028 65 21 40
70 – 74 6490 10129 16619 3689 1656 5345 57 16 32
75 – 79 4378 5665 10043 2352 782 3134 54 14 31
80+ 5322 7853 13175 2218 804 3022 42 10 23
Total 574476 656132 1230608 443640 446092 889732 77 68 72
Source: 2002 Population and Housing Census, Iringa Regional Profile
Figure 42: Literacy Rates by Sex, Iringa Region; 2002 Census

78 77
76
74
72
72
Percent 70
68
68
66
64
62
Total Male Female
222
Table 5.57b shows the literacy rate variation among rural and urban population
of the Iringa Region observed during the 2002 Population and Housing census.
According to the Table, literacy was higher in urban areas (84 percent) than in
the rural areas (70 percent). Moreover literacy was highest at 80+ age group (77
percent) followed by 75-79 group (69 percent) and 70-74 groups (68 percent).
Apart from 5-9 age group, the illiteracy increased with age (Table 5.57b).
Table 5.57 b : Distribution of Literacy by Age Group, Sex and Location, Iringa Region; 2002
Age Total Rural Urban
Group Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
5–9 39 43 41 36 40 38 53 57 55
10 – 14 89 91 90 88 90 89 93 92 92
15 – 19 90 90 90 89 88 89 94 94 94
20 – 24 90 89 89 89 87 88 96 95 95
25 – 29 91 87 89 89 85 87 96 94 95
30 – 34 92 84 88 91 83 86 97 92 94
35 – 39 92 74 82 90 71 80 97 86 91
40 – 44 87 56 70 86 52 67 95 75 84
45 – 49 83 48 63 82 45 60 91 68 79
50 – 54 79 39 55 77 36 52 91 59 73
55 – 59 74 33 51 72 31 48 85 51 68
60 – 64 67 25 43 65 23 41 82 41 59
65 – 69 65 21 40 64 19 38 77 38 54
70 – 74 57 16 32 54 15 30 74 30 49
75 – 79 54 14 31 52 13 30 68 26 43
80+ 42 10 23 41 9 22 54 18 31
Total 77 68 72 75 65 70 87 82 84
223
Figure 43: Literacy Rates by Sex and Location, Iringa Region; 2002 Census
100
90 87
82 84
80 77
72 75
70 68 65 70
Percentage 60 Male
50
Female
40
30 Total
20
10
0
Total Rural Urban
5.2.6.7 Policy Implication on Education sector

Athough there is recognizable progress in both primary and secondary
education, policy intervention need to take place to alleviate the few challenges
observed. The Region needs to put more effort in construction of girls‟
dormitories which will help to prevent or reduce girls‟ dropout due to pregnancy
and also increasing pass rate for girls‟ pupils/students.In addition to that, for
learning improvement in primary schools, the school feeding programme is of
paramount importance.
Since both primary and secondary schools in the Region have crtitical shortage
of toilet holes, more toilets should be constructed to satify the education policy
of one toilet hole for 20 girls and one toilet hole for 24 boys. Likewise, the
number of desks in some of primary and secondary schools should be increased
to meet education policy of one desk per three pupils in primary schools, and
one table and chair per student for secondary school.
224
Some primary and secondary schools in Iringa Region have no access to clean
and safe water. Therefore, initiatives are needed to supply the schools with clean
and safe water through tap water or boreholes. Rain water harvest technology
can also help to alleviate the water shortages. Moreover, if not all schools,
boarding secondary schools should be supplied with electricity to enhance
learning environment.
5.2.7 Investment Opportunities in Education

Further investment is required in both secondary and primary education so that
quality education is availed. Quality education can be attained when there is
sufficient investment in all school facilities including qualified teachers, staff
quarters, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, dormitories, school pit latrines,
learning and teaching materials.
5.3 WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION
Sustainable access to clean and safe water is essential for reducing poverty and
reducing health problems .The largest use of water is domestic water supply but
due to increase economic activities and delivery of social services of which
utilizes water in one way or another, Supply of water has become a burden
which the government cannot meet without participation of the private sector.
Hence the Government is encouraging private investment in the water sector.
Agriculture sample census carried out in 2007/08 reveals that only 39 percent of
Iringa residence use piped water. This revelation shows there is a need to
increase the coverage and service level of water supply in the region. The water
sector contribution to the GDP of Iringa Region has remained to be 0.1 percent
for the period of 2006-2008 according to the Iringa Region GDP Report 2008
225
this contribution is insignificant considering the importance of the sector to the

economy.
Access to improved sanitation is also low in Iringa Region as 93 percent of

households use traditional pit latrine (Agriculture sample census 2007) which
usually does not separate human excrete from human contact.
5.3.1 Urban water supply

Urban areas of Iringa Region cover the whole Municipal area and parts of
Mufindi and Kilolo districts. The dominant sources of water for urban areas of
Iringa Region are the piped scheme followed by shallow wells though not
reliable as springs. The development and maintenance of water and sewage
infrastructure in Iringa Municipal is carried out by Iringa Urban Water Supply
and Sanitation Authority (IRUWASA) a legal entity that was established to
operate on commercial principals. Table 5.58 reveals that in 2012 IRUWASA
had 34 water sources capable of supplying water services to Iringa Municipal
residents.The dominant water source was piped water (9 sources), followed by
boreholes (6) and charco/dams (1). Moreover, spring water and rain water
haverst through water tanks are alternative water sources for the residents of
Iringa Municipal when there is shortage through piped schemes and borcholes.
In urban areas found in the districts the task of water supply is carried out by
District Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authorities (DUWASSAs). In
Iringa Region MAUWASSA operates in Mufindi District and KIUWASSA in
Kilolo District. Since Iringa DC is a rural district there are no water sources for
urban areas. For districts with urban areas, Mufindi had six water sources, Iringa
Municipal (18) and Kilolo (10). However, when piped water is in short supply,
spring water from 10 sources is the leading alternative water source for urban
areas.
226
Table 5. 58: Number and Type of Urban Water Source by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Source of Water
District Piped
Charco/ Shallow Rain Bore River Lake
Spring Dam water Total
Dam Wells Water holes Water Water
Scheme
Iringa DC na na na na na na na na na na
Mufindi 0 1 na 1 1 1 0 0 2 6
Iringa Municipal 1 3 na 5 5 1 0 0 3 18
Kilolo 0 6 na na 0 0 0 0 4 10
Regional Total 1 10 na 6 6 2 0 0 9 34
Source: Compiled Data from Districts (Water and Sanitation Departments), 2013
Figure 44: Proportion in Percentage of Urban Water Sources in Iringa Region; 2012
Charco, 2.90% River

water, 5.90%
Boreholes, 17.6
0%
Sring, 29.40%
Piped
scheme, 26.60%
Rain
water, 17.60%
Hand pump was the most popular of water delivery technology used in the urban
areas of Iringa Region (26 hand pumps) Table (5.59). Electric pump was the
second at four (4).The remaining technologies were rarely used. The schemes
shown in the Table are the ones that were working. Those which were not
working/operating are not shown. Therefore, maintenance of water schemes is
necessary to get rid of the problem of non-working schemes that exists in the
Region.
227
Table 5. 59 : Number of Water Schemes by Type of Technology by Council, Iringa Region

2012
Type of Technology
District Electric Diesel Hand Gravity
Wind Total
Pump Pump Pump piped
Iringa DC na na na na na
Mufindi 0 1 0 14 1 16
Iringa
1 3 0 3 0 7
Municipal
Kilolo 0 0 2 9 1 12
Total 1 4 2 26 2 35
Percent 2.9 11.4 5.7 74.3 5.7 100.0
na means not applicable
The percentage of working water delivery technologies is shown in the Figure

45. Despite the availability of electricity in many urban areas, electric pumps are
not common water delivery technology. On the other hand, as Figure 45 shows,
hand pump is the most popular water delivery technology in urban areas of the
region.
Figure 45 : Percentage of Water Delivery Technologies Used in Urban Areas of Iringa Region; 2012
Wind, 2.90% Diesel
pump, 5.70% Gravity
piped, 5.70%
Electric
pump, 11.40%
Hand
pump, 74.30%
228
In 2012, on average, 66 pecent of the urban population of Iringa Region was

served with clean water. Basing on Figure 46, Iringa Municipal had the highest
percentage of population served with clean water (87.5 percent), Mufindi (65
percent), and lastly Kilolo with 50.5 percent. As far as Iringa Rural District
Council is a typical rural area, no urban population served with clean water (i.e
zero percent).
Figure 46: Percentage of Urban Population Served With Clean Water by Council, Iringa Region;
2012
100 87.5
80
65
60 50.5
40
20
0
0
Iringa Rural Mufindi Iringa Municipal Kilolo
5.3.2 Rural Water Supply

In rural areas, water supply and sanitation services are operated and owned by
communities.
Rivers, shallow wells and springs found in Iringa Region serve as important
source of water in the rural parts of the Region. Table 5.60 shows that Iringa
Region has a total of 1,075 water sources. Among them, 761 sources (70.8
percent) were operating/working and 314 (29.2 percent) were not
working.Working shallow wells were 299 and these are the main water sources
in the rural parts of Iringa Region followed by boreholes (171), permanent or
working springs (138), rain water harvests through water tanks (43) and piped
229
scheme each numbered at 43, river water (38) and dams (17). However, of all
water sources, charco dams were the least in number (12).
Table 5. 60 : Number and Type of Rural Water Sources by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Council
Water Regional
Status Iringa DC Mufindi Iringa Kilolo
Sources Total
Municipal
Charco Dam W 11 1 na 0 12
NW 0 0 na 0 0
Total 11 1 na 0 12
Spring W 3 7 na 128 138
NW 0 36 na 0 36
Total 3 43 na 128 174
Shallow well W 0 200 na 97 299
NW 0 143 na 67 210
Total 0 343 na 164 509
Rain Water W 0 0 na 43 43
Harvest NW 0 0 na 0 0
Tanks Total 0 0 na 43 43
Bore holes W 154 14 na 3 171
NW 39 13 na 7 59
Total 193 27 na 10 230
River Water W 15 0 na 23 38
NW 0 0 na 0 0
Total 15 0 na 23 38
Lake water W 0 0 na 0 0
NW 0 0 na 0 0
Total 0 0 na 0 0
Dam W 7 3 na 7 17
NW 0 0 na 0 0
Total 7 3 na 7 17
Piped W 14 8 na 21 43
scheme NW 0 4 na 5 9
Total 14 12 na 26 52
Total W 204 233 na 324 761
NW 39 196 na 79 314
Total 243 429 na 403 1075
Different water delivery technologies are used to make sure that there is a fairly
sufficient supply of water to the residents of Iringa Region. Table 5.61 shows
that out of 761 water delivery technologies which were available in the region in
2012, 66 percent were working and the remaining 255 technologies or 34 percent
230
were not working. Working hand pumps were 436 (86 percent of all working
water delivery techonologies) and was the most popular technology used in rural
areas of the region. Next was gravity piped (48, 9.5 percent), diesel pump (15, 3
percent) and and the least used water delivery technology was the electric pump
(7, 1.4 percent). Electric pump was the least used due to lack of electricity in
rural areas.On the other hand; wind mill technology was not used at all.
Table 5.61: Number and Type of Technology Used in Rural Water Schemes by Council, Iringa
Region; 2012
Type of Technology
Wind Electric Diesel Hand Gravity Total Grand
District Mill Pump Pump Pump Piped Total
W NW W NW W NW W NW W NW W NW
Iringa DC 0 0 1 0 10 0 103 30 14 0 128 30 158
Mufindi 0 0 3 0 1 0 239 151 14 3 257 154 411
Iringa
na na na na na na na na na na na na na
Municipal
Kilolo 0 0 3 1 4 3 94 64 20 3 121 71 192
Regional
0 0 7 1 15 3 436 245 48 6 506 255 761
Total
na means not applicable
Figure 47: Percentage of Water Delivery Technologies Used in Rural Areas Of Iringa
Region, 2012.
1.3%
9.5% Electricity
Gravity piped 3%
pump Diesel
pump
86.2%
Hand pump
231
Provision of safe drinking water is directly dependent on the source of water

used .Data reveals shallow wells were the most used rural water source in the
Region. According to Table 5.62, 56.2 percent of the region‟s rural population in
2012 was served with clean water. Iringa DC was the leading district at 68
percent, followed by Kilolo (57.9 percent) and Mufindi (45.8 percent). Since
Iringa Municipal is typical urban, it is not under consideration and no figures are
given for the municipality in Table 5.62.
Table 5. 62 :Percentage of Rural Population Served with Clean Water by Council, Iringa Region;
2012
Total Rural Population Served Percent Population Served

Council
Population with Clean Water with Clean Water
Iringa DC 254,032 172,742 68.0

Mufindi 324,430 148,695 45.8
Iringa Municipal na na na
Kilolo 218,130 126,297 57.9
Total 796,592 447,734 56.2
na: means not applicable
As already mentioned water supply in rural areas is managed by village

communities. Once water supply schemes are established, villagers form village
water committees whose task is to operate and run the schemes using funds from
village water funds (VWFs). One village may have more than one Village Water
Committee (VWC) and Village Water Fund (VWF). Villagers also form Water
Users Groups (WUGs).
Iringa Region had a total of 130 village water committees with 901 members
(Table 5.63). Females were 416 and male members were 485. Total funds
232
collected by all committees through village water funds were Tshs 103,970,050.
By districts, Mufindi had the largest number of water committees (86) also
committee mebers (536). Village water committees in Kilolo District collected
the largest amount of money at TShs 45,822,180 while Iringa Municipal
collected the smallest amount (TShs. 9,270,000).
Table 5. 63: Number of Village Water Committees, Committee members by sex and value
of Village Water Funds by District, Iringa Region; as at 31.12 2012
Value of
Water Village Water Committees’
Council VWFs
Committee Members
(TShs)
Male Female Total
Iringa DC 24 110 72 182 32,000,000
Mufindi 86 268 268 536 16,877,870
Iringa Municipal 5 28 15 43 9,270,000
Kilolo 15 79 61 140 45,822,180
Regional Total 130 485 416 901 103,970,050
Figure 48: Number of Village Water Committee Members by Sex, Iringa Region; 2012
500
485
480
460
440
416
420
400
380
Male Female
233
5.3.3 Policy Implication on Water Sector

Shallow wells are a dominant source of water for the rural population in Iringa
Region. There is a need to put in place policies that will be guiding tools towards
improving water sources in rural areas as well as changing rural population from
shallow well water source dependence to piped water schemes. However, there
is also need of establishing practicable institutional arrangements and
mechanisms to ensure sustainability of community managed rural water
supplies.
Iringa Region is also facing a problem of poor sewage system which results into
big problem of sanitation and hygiene to urban population. To alleviate the
problem, Iringa Urban Authorities have to institute rules of guidance of water
disposal in households in urban areas with firm follow-up strategies.
5.3.4 Investment Opportunities in Water Supply

The supply of clean tap water is still a major problem in Iringa Region.
Therefore, supply of water infrastructure material and equipments like pipes,
drilling machines as well as construction of clean/safe water systems is of
outmost importance. Supply of boreholes materials such as electric and diesel
pumps, drilling machines and pipes is another opportunity for investment.
Workshops for repairing and maintenance of electric and diesel pumps and
drilling machines and even establishing shops for selling spare parts and even
new pumps have a good chance to prosper and also help improve availability of
clean water both rural and urban areas of the Region.
234
CHAPTER SIX
Other Development Issues
6.0 Introduction
Chapter six discusses other development issues including gender empowerment
such as day care centers, women economic groups, youth economic groups,
Cooperative Development (SACCOS) and other cooperative activities as well as
women participation in managerial, political, professional and technical fields.
6.1 Gender Empowerment

Gender empowerment aims at ensuring that all sexes, particularly women, are
fully participating in policy and decision-making processes and in all aspects of
economic, socio-cultural and political life. Various measures had already been
taken to minimize time spent by women and girls in attending to home activities
and thus allow more time to be used in the above mentioned activities. These
measures include the use of family planning, opening and operating of day care
centers, establishment of women economic groups, participation in SACCOs,
CBOs and other cooperative activities. These initiatives are also implemented in
Iringa Region.
6.1.1 Day Care Centers

Running of day care centers enables mothers to participate in various economic
activities which contribute significantly to the socio economic growth of the
region. Day care centers are meant for children aged 3 to 4 years. These are the
young ones who are not even qualified for pre primary school. In Iringa Region
the district with day care centers is only Iringa District. The day care centers are
established through community development programmes for purpose of
235
enabling women to participate fully in economic activities. Unfortunately

despite the importance of these day care centers other districts have no day care
centers.
Table 6.1 : Number of Day Care Centers and pupils by Council, Iringa Region; 2011 and
2012
2011 2012
Council
Centers Pupils Percent Centers Pupils Percent
Share Share
Iringa DC
Mufindi 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iringa Urban na na na na na na
Kilolo 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 61 3180 100 71 4382 100
na means not available
Source: Compiled Data from Districts (Community Development Departments), 2013
Iringa Region had a total of 71 day care centers in the year 2012, an increase of
10 day care centers from 61 centers in 2011. The number of pupils also
increased from 3,180 in 2011 to 4,382 pupils in 2012; therefore women in Iringa
DC have the privilege of having places to keep their children when they go to
attend different economic activities.
6.1.2 Women Groups

Women in Iringa Region are industrious and a good number of them are
engaged in various economic activities. In order to respond to the need of
women emancipation in society, women economic groups have been established
to cater for womens‟ emerging needs. These women groups which are engaged
in various micro economic activities such as small scale businesses, horticulture,
agriculture, poultry keeping, tailoring, sewing, tie and dye, pottery, bakery food
and beverages, etc. will increase the growth of district‟s economy. Table 6.2 and
236
Figure 49 shows that Iringa Region had 524 distributed in all of its districts.
Most economic groups were in Iringa Municipal and Iringa DC, but Mufindi
with 74 groups received the largest loan of TShs 78,000,000. This may be due
to the good economy of Mufindi District; Iringa DC with a loan of TShs
44,220,000 was second. Figure 49 reveals that all the groups in Mufindi District
were assisted with a loan, 51 percent of groups in Iringa DC were assisted, 42
percent for Iringa Region and only 4 percent of Iringa Urban.
Figure 49: Percentage of Women Economic Groups who Received Loans by Council,
Iringa Region; 2012
120
100
100
80
60 51
42
40
20
4
0
237
Table 6. 2: Women Economic Groups by Council, Iringa Region, 2012

Loan Percent
No. of Total
Total no. Total Received of
Council Groups Loaned
of Groups Members per Groups
Assisted Tshs
Group Assisted
Iringa DC 107 666 55 44,220,000 804000 51
Mufindi 74 653 74 78,000,000 1054054 100
Iringa Urban 295 2481 11 10,800,000 981818 4
Kilolo 48 312 20 9,000,000 450000 42
Iringa Region 524 4,112 160 142,020,000 3,289,872 31
Women are encouraged to form groups and they have formed a total of 524
groups in the whole Iringa Region but the assisted groups are as low as 31
percent, therefore the district authorities should encourage women by providing
them with skills on how to access loan and conduct group economic activities.
Despite the efforts made by international and local organization together with
the government, participation of women in managerial posts in Iringa Region is
very disappointing as shown in Table 6.3. The information provided, gives a
general indication of women participation in policy and decision – making in the
Region.
Women have low percentage of participation in all categories except in
professional/technicians (47 percent) of all posts. The participation of women in
managerial posts was 12 percent against 88 percent for men. Likewise in
political posts women participation was 17 percent against 83 percent for men.
238
Table 6.3: Participation in Managerial, Political, Professional and Technical Personel by Sex and Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Professionals/ Politicians
Managerial Total
Technicians (MPs, DC)
Council
M F T M F T M F T M F T Percentage
Iringa DC 136 9 145 939 941 1880 760 82 842 1835 1032 2867 25
Mufindi 168 24 192 1572 1373 2945 27 11 39 1768 1407 3175 28
Iringa Urban 36 11 47 1595 1407 3002 183 104 287 1814 1522 3336 29
Kilolo 101 18 119 1076 891 1967 22 10 32 1199 919 2118 18
Total 441 62 503 5182 4612 9794 992 207 1200 6616 4880 11496 100
Percent by Sex 88 12 100 53 47 100 83 17 100 58 42 100
Percent by Category 4.4 85.2 10.4 100
M=Male, F=Female, T=Total, MPs=Member of Pariament, DC=District Commissioner
The high participation of women in professional positions illustrates the efforts that are been made by women to acquire
decision making positions other than managerial and political posts.
Professional/technicians posts involved a lot of people by accounting for 85.2 percent of all posts, followed by politicians (10.4
percent) and managerial posts (4.4 percent).
239
Figure 50: Participation in Managerial, Political, Professional and Technical

Posts by Sex, Iringa Region, 2012
100
80
60
40
20
0
Managerial Professional/Technicians Politicians (MPs,DC)
Male Female
6.2 Youth Economic Groups

Youths in Iringa Region are mainly involved in small scale activities like
plumbing, sawmilling and other machinery activities. Employment of youth in
these activities has helped to overcome the problem of youth unemployment.
However, self-employment even in these sectors needs some preparation and
some capital input. Accesses to entrepreneurship skills as well as credit are
therefore essential facilitators if these youths are to develop their potential and
contribute to the district economy and poverty eradication. Availability of
training and credit facilities depend on the formation of mutually benefitial
economic groups basically because many youths have no collateral. Youths can
be provided with entrepreneurial skills and access to credit through these groups,
which provide supervision and guarantee repayment of the loans.
Based on this paradigm of helping youth to generate income for poverty

alleviation, youth have initiated and formulated economic groups. At the end of
240
2012, Iringa Region managed to have youths organize themselves into several
groups.
Table 6. 3: Youth Economic Groups and Total Money Loaned by Council, Iringa Region,
2012
Total
No. of Total
Council Total Total Loans of
Groups Loans not
Number of Total Loaned in 2011
received Recovered
Registered Members 2011 Recovered
Loans in as at 31
Groups (TShs) as at 31
2011 Dec. 2012
Dec. 2012
Iringa DC 27 139 27 20,000,000 20,000,000 0
Mufindi 18 185 18 18,300,000 2,762,000
15,938,000
Iringa
n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a
Municipal
Kilolo 9 89 0 0 0 0
Total 54 413 45 38,300,000 22,762,000 15,938,000
The potential groups were in Iringa DC (27) and Mufindi (18). Iringa Municipal
has youth groups but no data were provided and Kilolo has youth groups but no
loans were provided to these groups. The groups in Iringa and Mufindi districts
were provided with a total loan of Tsh 38,300,000 of which 22,762,000 (59
percent of the total loan) were recovered.
6.3 Vulnerability
Vulnerability is all about self protection and is reflection of lack of control. In
fact, all children and especially younger ones are vulnerable as because of their
age they cannot:
 Provide their basic needs.
 Cannot defend themselves against physical assault
 Cannot get away from a dangerous situation
 Cannot even know when a dangerous situation is developing
241
Children totally depend on others for protection and provision of their basic
needs. Increasing physical and mental maturity usually leads to growing
capability for self-provisioning, but during the period of childhood and
adolescence, children and young people continue to need special care and
support. While most children in Tanzania are cared for and protected by their
families and communities, many are not so fortunate. Aspects of child
vulnerability include:
 Child mortality and malnutrition
 Orphan hood and HIV/AIDS
 Children in household headed by children or household with elderly

adults only
 Education and child labour and
 Gendered abuse.
The above aspects were used to idetifiy vulnerable children in Iringa Region.
Table 6.4 gives the number of most vulnerable children in Iringa Region by
council. Vulnerable children were identified whether they are orphans or non
orphans. Out of 28,653 vulnerable children, orphans were 21,388 (74.6 percent)
and non-oprhans (7,265, 25.4 percent). As the Table shows, 79.4 percent of
orphans were in Mufindi and 20.6 percent in Iringa District Council. Data for
non-orphans were only available in Iringa District and was at 7,265 children.
Most of vulnerable children who were orphans were boys (10,790) and those
who were non orphans were girls (3,809).
242
Table 6. 4: Most Vulnerable Children by Council, Iringa Region; 2012
Orphans Non Orphans Total

Orphan
Council No. of No. of No. of No. of
Total Percent Total Percent and non
Girls Boys Girls Boys Orphans
Iringa
DC 2,161 2,235 4,396 20.6 3,809 3,456 7,265 100 11,661
Mufindi 8,437 8,555 16,992 79.4 n.a n.a na na 16,992
Iringa
Urban n.a n.a n.a na n.a n.a n.a na na
Kilolo n.a n.a n.a na n.a n.a n.a na na
Total 10,598 10,790 21,388 100 3,809 3,456 7,265 100 28,653
na: means data not available
6.4 Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS)

The Government and stakeholders encourage people to create SACCOs to
alleviate poverty.
SACCOs are perceived as appropriate and micro financing outlets for rural and
poor people because they are simple form of financial institutions suitable for
rural communities.
People in Iringa Region have positively responded to the call to form SACCOs.
In the year 2012 a total of 114 SACCOs were registered in Iringa Region of
which 83 were active, 31 were dormant. The total numbers of members was
28,487 (16,379 males, 12,108 females). A total of TShs 13,839,134,925 was
loaned to members for the period January to December 2012, and a total loan of
TShs.10,396,559,519 (75 percent) was recovered by the end of the year 2012.
This shows that loan recovery is good in the Region, and this may be due to
industrious nature of the people in Iringa Region.
Among districts, Kilolo had the highest rate of loan recovery of 86 percent
followed by Mufindi with 73 percent, Iringa DC and Iringa Municipal had the
least loan recovery of 20 percent each.
243
Table 6. 5: Active SACCOS by Council, Iringa Region; 2012

Total loans
Total Money
Total Value of Recovered
No. of SACCOs Loaned to Percent of
Total Members Shares (TShs) from
Council (Registered) Members as at Loan
as at Members
Jan –Dec 2012 Recovered
31.12.2012 Jan –Dec
(TShs)
2012 (TShs)
Active Dormant Male Female Total
Iringa DC 15 11 2588 1842 4,430 225,413 1,678,233 329,910 20
Mufindi 33 7 8,427 7,031 15,458 462,490,926 8,294,634,140 6,030,228,893 73
Iringa Municipal 24 11 2837 2096 4933 307,844,147 631,312,902 127,515,982 20
Kilolo 11 2 2527 1139 3,666 790,289,154 4,911,509,650 4,238,484,734 86
Total 83 31 16379 12108 28487 1560849640 13839134925 10396559519 75
6.5 Financial Institutions

A number of financial institutions are operating in Iringa Region. Increase in
population from 840,404 persons in 2002 to 941,238 in 2012 increased demand
of financial services. On top of that, regional economic growth attributed by
increased social and economic activities provided conducive business
environment for financial and even non-final banking institutions to operate.
However, Table 6.6 shows list of financial institutions operating in the region.
Table 6. 6: List of Financial Institutions, Iringa Region; 2010 – 2012
2010 2011 2012

NMB NMB NMB
TPB TPB TPB
NBC NBC NBC
BACLAYS BACLAYS BACLAYS
EXIM EXIM EXIM
CRDB CRDB CRDB
MUCOBA MUCOBA MUCOBA
Source: Compiled Data from Districts (Trade Departments), 2013
244
6.6 Crime statistics

6.6.1 Introduction
The growth of towns, population increase, the development of science and
technology and the increase of crimes are the sources and catalyst to the erosion
of morals in the country. The statistics on the rate of crime and the type of
offences committed reveal that the erosion of morals within the society has been
increasing day by day. Iringa Region like other regions in the country also
experiences an increase in crime as well as erosion of morals.
6.6.2 Crime Cases

A total of 11,895 crime cases were reported in Iringa Region, the most common
crime was property crime with 98 percent of reported cases, drug crime
accounted for 2 percent of the reported cases. There were no violent crime cases
reported during the three- year period. Of the total of 664 jailed people, 609 (92
percent) were jailed due to property crimes and 55 people (8 percent) were jailed
due to drug crime cases.
Table 6. 7: Total Number of Crimes Reported in Region Police Station and Number of People
Jailed, Iringa Region, 2010- 2012.
Total
no. of Number of crimes reported Number of People Jailed
Year Police
in the
Region Violent Property Drug Total Violent Property Drug Total
Crimes Crimes Crimes Crimes Crimes Crimes
2010 687 na 3087 86 3173 na 181 19 200
2011 800 na 4669 69 4738 na 181 13 194
2012 887 na 3880 104 3984 na 247 23 270
Total 2374 na 11636 259 11895 na 609 55 664
Percent na 98 2 100 na 92 8 100
Source: Iringa Regional Police Office
245
6.6.3 Accidents
Like other regions in Tanzania, Iringa Region is menaced by the number of
accidents that involve road users of all categories. According to Iringa Regional
Police Office, a total of 1,245 accidents were recorded over the period 2010 –
2012. Most of the reported accidents were due to motor vehicles and motor
cycles versus pedestrians (416), followed by motor vehicles versus motor cycles
(413) and accidents involving motor vehicles only were at 325. Accidents
involving motor cycles only were the lowest in number (91). Of the people
involved in accidents, 67 percent died while 33 percent were injured. The
highest percentage of death occurred in accidents that involved motor vehicles
and motor cycles versus pedestrian.
246
Table 6. 8 : Number of Accidents Reported in the Regional Police Station and Number of People Injured/ Died by Type of Accident, Iringa
Region, 2010-2012.
Accidents People Injured/ Died
Motor Motor
Motor Motor vehicle Motor vehicles and
Motor vehicle Motor vehicles and Motor Total
Versus cycles Motor cycles Sub Total
Year Vehicles Versus cycles Motor cycles Total vehicles only Died/
Motor only Versus
only Motor only versus Cycles Pedestrian Injured
Cycles Pedestrian
D I D I D I D I D I
2010 122 146 26 159 453 87 28 101 33 14 20 111 52 313 133 446
2011 98 130 32 119 379 60 70 72 27 15 15 83 48 230 160 390
2012 105 137 33 138 413 76 23 92 37 20 23 103 40 291 123 414
Total 325 413 91 416 1245 223 121 265 97 49 58 297 140 834 416 1250
Percent 26 33 7 33 100 18 10 21 8 4 5 24 11 67 33
6.6.4 Theft Cases

Number of theft cases reported in the regional police office from 2010 to 2012 was 2,675. Cattle stealing were the most
reported theft cases as accounted for 84.7 percent of all cases reported. It was followed by bicycle stealing (10.3
percent), motor cycle (4.3 percent) and motor vehicle stealing (0.6 percent). Bicycle and cattle stealing reported cases
accounted for 48.2 percent of all the people jailed. 3.7 percent of the total jailed due to motor cycle stealing. However, no
person was jailed due to motor vehicle stealing over the period under consideration (Table 6.9).
247
Table 6 9 : Number of Theft Cases Reported at the Regional Police Station and Number of People Jailed, Iringa Region 2010-2012
Total no. Total number of Total Number of People Jailed due to Stealing of
of Police
Year
in the Motor Motor Bicycles Cattle Motor Motor
Region vehicles cycles Total Bicycles Cattle Total
Stolen Stolen vehicles cycles
stolen stolen
2010 687 2 29 53 1026 1110 0 2 14 39 55
2011 800 6 25 81 586 698 0 2 28 27 57
2012 887 8 62 142 655 867 0 3 50 26 79
Total 2374 16 116 276 2267 2675 0 7 92 92 191
Percent 0.6 4.3 10.3 84.7 100.0 0 3.7 48.2 48.2 100.0
248
References
1. 2002 Population and Housing Census, Age and Sex Distribution, Volume II,
Central Census Office, National Bureau of Statistics, September, 2003;
2. 2002 Population and Housing Census, Village and Street Statistics, Age and Sex
Distribution, Iringa Region, Volume II, Central Census Office, National Bureau
of Statistics, June, 2005;
3. 2002 Population and Housing Census, Iringa Regional Profile, Volume VI,
Central Census Office, National Bureau of Statistics, December, 2004;
4. 1978, 1988 and 2002 Population and Housing Census General Reports, Central
Census Office, National Bureau of Statistics;
5. National Sample Census of Agriculture 2002/03 and 2007/08, Iringa Regional

Reports, National Bureau of Statistics,
6. Sample Census of Agriculture 2002/03 and 2007/08, National Reports, National

Bureau of Statistics,
7. Iringa Region Socio-Economic Profile, 2007;
8. 2005 Poverty and Human Development Report, Repoa;
9. Infant and Child Mortality Report, March 2006, National Bureau of Statistics,
Dar es Salaam;
10. Iringa Regional GDP 2008 Report, National Bureau of Statistics, 2011
249
Iringa Region
Hon. Dr. Christine G. Ishengoma (MP)

Regional Commissioner
Vision
We strive to become a modern, competent and dedicated technical resource

centre in the Region by 2025.
Mission
To link central Government with local Government Authorities, provide

Technical support services to Local Government and ensure peace and
tranquility within the Region

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The United Republic of Tanzania

Iringa Regional Secretariat

National Bureau of Statistics

regional level is a prerequisite for the success of the formulating, planning,

CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................. 1

1.7.9 Migration ................................................................................................ 27

CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................... 30

CHAPTER THREE ..................................................................................................... 51

3.1.4.2 Area under Major Cash Crops Cultivation ............................................. 59

3.2.11 Major Livestock Diseases ...................................................................... 93

CHAPTER FOUR ...................................................................................................... 127

CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................ 133

EDUCATION SECTOR ............................................................................................ 164

5.2.4 Coverage of Primary School Education System .................................. 169

5.3 WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION .......................................... 225

CHAPTER SIX ........................................................................................................... 235

References .............................................................................................................. 249

Table 1. 1: Distribution of Surface Area, Land Area and Water Area by

Table 1.4: Number of Major Ethnicity Groups by Council, Iringa Region,

Table 1.8: Annual Population Growth Rates by Council, Iringa Region,

Table 1.10: Percentage Share of Regional Population by District Council,

Table 1.11: Iringa Region‟s Percentage Share of Tanzania Mainland

Table 1. 12: Population Density by Region and Ranking, Tanzania Mainland,

Table 1. 16 : Population Distribution by Sex and Sex Ratio by District council,

Table 1.18: Distribution of Households and Average Households Size by

Table 1.19: Distribution of Urban Population and Percentage by Council,

Table 1.20: Migration Status and Net migration by Region, Tanzania

Table 2. 2: Regional GDP at Current Prices, Percentage and Ranking among

Table 2.4 : Selected Poverty Indicators by District Council, Iringa Region,

Table 2. 5: Number of Households by Number of Meals Consumed per Day

Table 3.2: Region‟s Contribution to the National Production of Major Staple

Table 3.5: Estimated Production in Tonnes of Major Food Crops, Iringa

Table 3. 6: Production per Hectare of Major Food Crops, Iringa Region;

Table 3.7: Number of Agricultural Households by Whether They Experienced

Table 3. 8: Estimated Production in Tonnes of Major Cash Crops, Iringa

Table 3. 9 : Production per Hectare of Major Cash Crops, Iringa Region;

Table 3.11: Irrigation Prospects by Council, Iringa Region; 2011/12........................ 81

Table 3.12 : Estimated Population of Livestock by Type and Council, Iringa

Table 3.13: Distribution of Cattle Population by Type and Council; Iringa

Table 3.15 : Distribution of Livestock Infrastructure by Council, Iringa Region;

Table 3.16: Marketed Livestock by Type (Official Markets) and Revenue

Table 3. 22: Availability of Natural Resource Staff by Sex and by Council,

Table 3.23: Status of Forest Reserves and Percentage of Encroachment by

Table 3.24: Number of Tree Seedlings Raised by Council, Iringa Region;

Table 3. 26: Number of Traditional and Modern Beehives by Council; Iringa

Table 3.27 : Trend of Beekeeping Products and Revenue Received (TShs),

Table 3.28 : Beekeeping Products (Honey and Bee-Wax) by Council, Iringa

Table 3. 31: Distribution of Mineral Deposits and Scale of Mining at Kilolo

Table 4. 3: Air Services by Council, Iringa Region, 2012 ...................................... 130

Table 5.1: Growth Status and Distribution of Health Facilities by Council,

Table 5.2: Availability of Health Facilities by Ownership and by Council,

Table 5.3: Distribution of Complementary Rural Health Facilities by Council,

Table 5.4: Relating Health Facilities to the Population by Council, Iringa

Table 5. 8: List of the Ten Most Commonly Reported Causes of Morbidity

Table 5.12 : Expectant Mothers who Participated in the PMTCT Service by

Table 5. 16 : Distributions of New Tuberculosis Relapse Cases by Sex in Iringa

Table 5. 17: Number of Reported Cases of Reportable Communicable Diseases

Table 5 20: Percentage of Children Under One Year Vaccinated TT2 by

Table 5. 21: Percentage of Children under One Year Vaccinated BCG by