Overview
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The Diocese of Central Tanganyika covers Dodoma Municipal, Chamwino, and Bahi Districts, with a population of approximately 1.1 million people & a membership of more than 500,000 Anglicans. Most of the people, including priests (retired or widowed) & catechists, support large extended families on significantly less than $1 US a day.
Physical Features
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The entire area of DCT is a peneplain with hill ranges, a warm semiarid savannah climate and a temperature range of 20-31 degrees Celsius. In general, the soil within the area is considered to be of low fertility, deficient in organic materials, moderate to poor permeability and of shallow depth. The average annual rainfall is 500-600mm with evaporation of more than 2000 mm per annum. There is one rainy season: a four-month rainfall period (December- March), which is unevenly distributed within the area. The rainfalls are unpredictable and infrequent within the period. A large amount of crop failure has been observed in recent years causing higher prices and famine. Rural GDP is $ 170 US or less per year.
Socio-economic Characteristics
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The majority of the people in this region are engaged in agriculture and livestock production. The level of production is of a subsistence nature. The transition from subsistence to market economy is very slow due to numerous circumstances including: inadequate social and economic infrastructures, limited training in agricultural technology, lack of capital input and implementation, low literacy base, and resistance to change. Other challenges that compound the situation are the rapid degradation of the fragile environment caused by poor management of the soil, overpopulation, urbanization, and water shortages.