Water Scarcity and Livelihood Resilience Among Maasai Herders in Northern Tanzania: A Comparative Study

Water scarcity is a critical issue affecting livelihood resilience among Maasai herders in northern Tanzania. A qualitative approach was employed through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to gather data from 50 Maasai households across different pastoral communities in northern Tanzania. Maasai herders reported that water scarcity led to a significant reduction (40%) in livestock productivity, necessitating the adoption of diversification strategies such as crop farming and non-farming income-generating activities. The study highlights the importance of integrating climate-smart agricultural practices with traditional pastoral livelihoods to enhance resilience against recurrent drought events. Government policies should prioritise supporting Maasai communities in developing adaptive infrastructure, such as water harvesting structures and resilient livestock breeds. Maasai herders, Livelihood Resilience, Water Scarcity, Northern Tanzania