Abstract:
Agroforestry practice like any other land use practice has been reported to produce
different benefits and products, which enhance household incomes and reduce poverty.
This study was conducted in order to examine the contribution of agroforestry products to
total annual household incomes and poverty reduction in semi-arid areas of Misungwi
district, Mwanza Tanzania.
Research methodologies used included literature review,
questionnaire surveys, discussion with key informants and personal observation. A sample
of 127 households engaged in agroforestry and non-agroforestry practices was selected
randomly from six villages for questionnaire survey. Data analysis involved preliminary
PRA information analysis with the community right in the field, content analysis and SPSS
computer program. Three well-being levels of households namely; rich, medium and poor
were identified. Agroforestry participants were richer than non participants with extra
income of Tshs 954 611 (760 US$) per year. The agroforestry technologies practiced in the
area included woodlot (37.7%), boundary planting (4.0%), Ngitili (15.2%) and indigenous
live fence (20.8%). Agroforestry products and benefits, mainly generated from woodlots
included poles (80.0%), fuelwood (86.0), timber (92.0%) and thatch grasses (32.7%). In
comparison wood products from agroforestry practices contributed only 5.5% to total
annual household incomes to agroforestry households while agriculture practices
contributed about 51% to both agroforestry and non-agroforestry participants. In the
regression model, wood products was not statistically significant at p<0.05 but positively
correlated to total annual household incomes while agriculture and livestock keeping were
statistically significant at p<0.01. This study concludes that agroforestry practices in the
district do not contribute much to the total annual household income because it is
constrained by small amount of trees established and poor selling price. It is recommended
that more extension services and support be provided to agroforestry participants and otheriii
farmers in the district to accelerate national poverty reduction and meeting Millenium
Development Goals.
