ASSESSMENT OF THE AGRICULTURAL AND DOMESTIC WATER USAGE BY THE WOMEN OF N'HAMBITA VILLAGE, SOFALA PROVINCE, MOZAMBIQUE.

The research took place in rural central Mozambique, within N'hambita Village, located in the buffer area of Gorongosa National Park. The focus of the study was to assess the agricultural and domestic water usage by local people. Due to the fact that women of the households are mainly responsible for the water collection and the agricultural activities, the investigation has been conducted among the women of the village. In order to collect the social and environmental data, the methodology of the research was based on interviews, questionnaires, GPS mapping of water sources and observation of the water use. The people of the village rely on the three different water sources: boreholes, wells and the river Ripisse, which passes through the village. The Ripisse River is described like the seasonal river stream, which leaves the local people to irrigate their cultivations only from the wells and boreholes water. This research assesses the present water management practices of the village members, and investigates the potentials for the sustainable improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]