Browsing by Author "Bonifasi, Eustack Mtui"

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Assessment of the contribution of agroforestry to poverty alleviation in Lushoto district
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2004) Bonifasi, Eustack Mtui
This study was initiated to assess the contribution of agroforestry to poverty alleviation in Lushoto District, Tanga, Tanzania. A total of 134 respondents were involved from two wards Soni and Ubiri. Four villages two from each ward were surveyed. Data were collected using structured questionnaire, focused group discussion and through physical observation. Statistical Package for Social Science computer software package was the main tool employed in data analysis In this regard distribution of responses, central tendency and dispersion, and multiple linear regression analyses were explored. Results indicate that two agroforestry systerps namely agrosilvicultural systems and agrosilvopastoral systems were practiced mainly in the uplands. Statistically (P<0.05), farmers practicing agroforestry had significantly higher contribution to the household's level of farm production and net income and thus poverty alleviation than those who were not practicing agroforestry. Given the average farm size of 3.1 ha, 2.3 cows and 9.2 chicken, the annual production for farmers practicing agroforestry was 425.9 kg for maize, beans 225.7 kg. coffee 101.1kg, and 163.9 bunches of banana, 999.12 litres and 373.5 eggs compared to 342.6 kg of maize, 202.1 kg of beans, 75 kg of coffee, 108 bunches of banana, 1 120.6 litres of milk and 338.6 eggs for farmers not practicing agroforestry. The average household annual net income was Tshs 664 992 (USS 665.0) and 547 608 (USS 547.6) for farmers practicing and not practicing agroforestry respectively. The income per capita was Tshs 100 756 (USS 100.8) for farmers practicing and Tshs 82 971 (USS 83.0) for farmers not practicing agroforestry. However, the level of household farm production and net income was generally lower compared to most of findings from other agroforestry systems due to partial adoption of the agroforestry technologies to some farmers and poor management. Therefore, overcoming these constraints could improve and probably sustain productivity of the agroforestry systems and their contribution to poverty alleviation.