Contribution of dryland forests to rural households livelihoods in Kishapu District, Shinyanga Region,Tanzania
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Date
2010
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
A study to estimate the extent of dryland forests contribution to rural households was
conducted in Kishapu District. Specifically, sources of cash income for rural household
expenditure were analysed, proportions contribution of cash and non cash of dryland
forests was estimated and problems facing dryland forest management were identified and
analysed. Four villages were purposely selected and households were randomly selected
by proportion from each village and household categories, households were stratified by
wealth. Primary data was collected from 318 households using household questionnaire
survey. Qualitative data was analysed by content analysis and quantitative data was
analysed by multiple regression. Study revealed that, farm income was the major source of
total annual household income by 43%, livestocks (24.8%), forests (19.5%) and non-farm
(11.9%). The overall total annual household income,was TAS 2 702 386 per household,
dryland forests contributed TAS 190 662 as cash and TAS 336 751 as non cash which
represented 7% and 12.5% of total household income respectively. Study revealed that
most households (77.4%) in the study village experience shortage of forest products. All
households (100%) depended on firewood as source of energy for cooking and per capital
consumption was 0.7 m3. Theft of trees was the most serious problem which faces
management of forests in Kishapu District, protection was suggested as a solutions. Cotton
was found to be the major source of cash for small and medium household expenditure
while cattle were the major source of cash for large household expenditure. The multiple
regression analysis indicated farm income, forest income, non farm income, size of farm,
education, household category and farm size significantly contributed to annual total
household income. The study recommends introduction of improved energy saving stove,
practise natural regeneration, enhancing value of gum and conducting research on
domestication of plants producing valuable forest products and market research on forest
products.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Dryland, Forests, Rural households, Livelihoods, Kishapu