Abstract:
Agroforestry have been proposed as the solution to the prevailing deforestation and land deterioration in developing countries like Tanzania. This study aimed at determining farmer’s attitude, adoption and economic potentials of agroforestry practices in Kilosa District. Specifically it was intended to describe agroforestry systems and technologies, examining the level of attitudes towards agroforestry, identifying socio-economic factors influencing agroforestry adoption and estimating costs and benefits of agroforestry. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire which was administered to a random sample of 120 households in four villages while data from key informants were collected using checklist. Secondary data from various sources were used to supplement the primary data. Data were analysed using Excel Software where cost benefit analysis was generated and Statistical Package for Social Sciences where descriptive statistics, factor analysis and logistic model were generated. Results revealed that agroforestry systems practiced were agrosilvopastoral and agrosilvicultural arranged in mixed intercropping, boundary planting and homegardens. The majority of the respondents had a positive attitude towards; commercialization (90%), land resource conservation (89%) and land productivity (82%). Farm labour force, attitude towards; land productivity, commercialization and land resource conservation significantly influenced adoption of agroforestry at P <0.05. The selected agroforestry systems were economically viable at discount rate of 10% and on average had positive Net Present Value of 3,309,680Tshs, Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.6 and Internal Rate of Return was 73% indicating the worth of investing in agroforestry. Conclusively respondents appreciated the contribution of agroforestry in meeting the diverse needs to uplift their socio-economic status. The study suggested that the government and development agencies should strengthen education, training and agroforestry extension programs. Further, agroforestry disseminators should improve the benefits of agroforestry since high attitude towards agroforestry were due to the respondents’ perception that investment in agroforestry was associated with more benefits than costs.
