Some bays of the Lake Victoria are now facing with the severe problem of Lake Eutrophication, which is mainly caused by the nitrogen (N) discharged from crop farming in the lake bay areas. While the farmers' behaviors affect directly on the N discharged from crop farming.

The Sino-Tanzania cooperation project, a part of the International Partnership Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is led by Dr. XIONG Chuanhe from the Nanjing Institute of Geography & Limnology (NIGLAS). The project is dedicated to addressing the issues and improving the water and air environment in the near-lake area.

Recently, the project conducted on-site investigations to three villages in the Mwanza Lake Bay area of Lake Victoria: Sweyavillage, Kisoko, and Kigoto. Through communication with village leaders, reviewing production records, and conducting on-site estimations, the project investigated the land use and input-output conditions.

During the on-site investigations, the project team also conducted interviews and questionnaires with farmers, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the household characteristics, main agricultural production behaviors, awareness of agricultural non-point source pollution, and coping abilities of farmers in dealing with non-point source pollution.

The project clarified the main farming behaviors of farmers in the Victoria Lake Basin that have an impact on nitrogen discharge in the area, as well as the extent of such impact. It also revealed the specific mechanisms by which farmers' capabilities and cognition play a role in decision-making regarding the main farming behaviors that have an impact on nitrogen discharge.

"These efforts enhance China's international reputation in environmental conservation, " said by Dr. XIONG. Economically, the research on nitrogen discharge in lake bay area will help improve water and air quality in surrounding regions, supporting agricultural productivity and local farmers' livelihoods. Socially, the project fosters capacity-building for environmental protection and sustainable development across Africa.