The contribution of agroforestry to household food security and income generation of the local communities in Arumeru district, Arusha, Tanzania
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Date
2013
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The present study was conducted in Arumeru District, Arusha Region, with the objective
of assessing the contribution of agroforestry to household food security and income
generation of the local communities. The methods involved stratification of the district
into three agro-ecological zones, randomly selecting two wards per each agro-ecological
zone, one village per each ward and twenty households from each village to form a total of
six wards, six villages and 120 households. Data collection was done through
reconnaissance, social and field surveys. Results indicated that 71% and 59% of the
households in Arumeru District depend on agroforestry as their main source of food and
income livelihood respectively. Agrosilvopastoral system constituted 78% of all
agroforestry practiced in the district and 33% of the agroforestry practices being of
homegardens technology. The results indicated further that agroforestry contributed 89%
to food security and 84% to income generation of the households of the local
communities. It is concluded that besides being the most important source of peoples’
food security and income generation in the district, agroforestry has the advantages of
increasing, multiplying and diversifying the per unit resources management products
while holding the capacity to spread the systems outputs over different seasons of the year,
which are significant attributes for assured food, income and nutrition sustainability. The
availability of good road network and soil fertility were the most important enhancing
factors for agroforestry adoption, drought and lack of knowledge are the most significant
limiting factors while provision of water for irrigation and extension services were
required interventions in improving the performance of agroforestry in the district. The
study recommends for more vigorous promotion of agroforestry practices in the district by
paying more attention to the indicated factors influencing and required interventions for its
enhanced adoption and contribution to food security and income generation of the
communities of Arumeru District.
Description
Master's Theses
Keywords
Agroforestry, Household food security, Income generation, Arumeru district, Arusha, Tanzania