Of Water Systems and Grain Mills: Observations of Felt Needs in Western Tanzania

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Periodical article

Title:	Of Water Systems and Grain Mills: Observations of Felt Needs in Western Tanzania
Author:	Waters, Tony
Year:	1989
Periodical:	Issue
Volume:	18
Issue:	1
Period:	Winter
Pages:	47-50
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Tanzania
Subjects:	values rural development pumps grain processing Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Development and Technology
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/1166878
Abstract:	The author uses the example of Kigoma Region of Tanzania to stress the importance of understanding villager values, interests, and capabilities before development projects are funded. In remote areas of western Tanzania, where the author worked from 1984-1987, village governments were able to effectively organize and operate village grain mills. Meanwhile, water pumps installed by the Tanzanian government, and foreign assistance programmes, remained idle, despite the fact that analogous costs and benefits could be obtained from either technology. This anomaly was caused by a lack of understanding of villager values on the side of development planners. In order to make better use of villager values, social scientists should be continually involved in not only initial project design, but in continuing project monitoring and implementation. Ref.