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

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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.

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Master's Theses

Keywords

Agroforestry, Household food security, Income generation, Arumeru district, Arusha, Tanzania

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