Abstract:
Woodlot farming is an important economic activity which has potential to improve the
livelihoods of men and women; however the benefit derived from woodlot farming has a gender
differential. The study was conducted in Mufindi District in Tanzania to analyze the livelihood
outcomes among women and men engaged in woodlot farming. The study adopted a cross
sectional research design and involved 120 respondents. Asset ownership was used as proxy
indicator of wealth status; the wealth index was constructed to gauge the levels of livelihood
outcomes. Independent T-test and Chi- square tests were used to compare livelihood outcomes
among woodlot farmers and non-farmers, men and women. It was found that woodlots owners
had better livelihood outcome than their non-woodlot farmers’ counterparts (P<0.05). The
levels of livelihood outcomes between women and men were statistically significant (P<0.05).
The differences in the levels of livelihood outcome are attributable to one’s engagement in
woodlot farming. However, men derived more benefit in the woodlot farming due to their
dominance in decision making over the income accrued from woodlot farming at household
level. The study recommend the local government authority and non-governmental organizations
involved in promoting livelihood improvement through woodlot farming to address gender
differences in decision making over the use of income at household level. This can be done by
promoting gender dialogues in the community with a view to change gender norms that
discriminate women participation in decision making as well as promoting women ownership of
resources by allowing more women access and control over productive resources including land
