Contribution of non-farm activities to household income in Morogoro rural district, Tanzania
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Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The main objective of the study was to assess the contribution of non-farm activities to
household income and poverty reduction. Under this objective the tasks were to identify
the main sources of income for rural households, to determine the opportunities and
constraints faced by poor households engaging in non-farm activities and to examine the
contribution of non-farm activities to total household income. A total of 120 respondents
(household heads) were randomly selected from Kalundwa, Tandai and Ukisi villages of
Kinole ward while Mkuyuni ward involved Tangeni, Lubungo and Bunduki villages. The
total sample size involved 104 males and 16 females. The data collection was done by the
use of interviews through questionnaires and the data were analyzed by using the SPSS
version 16 computing program. Findings from the study showed that majority of the
people in the study area use farm and non-farm activities as the main sources of income to
sustain life. Among others, the major non-farm activities in the study area were revealed to
be buying and selling of agricultural products, food vending, wage labour, transportation
(Boda boda), carpentry and salaried employment. Further, observation from the study area
revealed that income from farm sources was generated from production of bananas,
pineapples, coconuts and cassava. However the contribution of non-farm activities in
poverty reduction was more significant compared to farm activities and hence improving
living standards. Also, Findings show that lack of capital and poor technology are the main
constraints facing non-farm activities to the majority of the people in the study area. Based
on the findings, it is recommended that the community should be provided with capital
and required skills in running non-farm activities so as to maximize income for poverty
reduction.
Description
Master of Arts Dissertation in Rural Development
Keywords
Farm activities, Household income, Morogoro rural district