Contribution of non-wood forest products to household food security in Mbozi District, Tanzania

Dissertation

A study was conducted to quantify the contribution of NWFPs to household food security in Mbozi district. Specifically the study aimed at, identifying the NWFPs available in the study area and assessing their seasonality; determining the contribution of NWFPs to household food security, investigating roles played by men and women in collecting, processing and preserving NWFPs and assessing the socio-economic factors influencing the collection and use of NWFPs. The study was carried out under two phases, phase one involved preliminary surveys and Participatory Rural Appraisals in Kilimampimbi, Hasamba and Ilyika villages. The second phase, involved mainly questionnaire survey conducted in Kilimampimbi, Ikomela, Msangano and Idiwili villages. PRA data were analysed with the help of local communities and results were communicated back to them for verification and custody. Questionnaire survey data were analysed by using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for analysing quantitative data. Content and Structural-Functional analyses were used for qualitative data. This study revealed that NWFPs contribute about 13% by weight to total household food consumption and 7.5% to total household income. The study also found that about 59% of the income from NWFPs is used for buying food items. The study also revealed a clear gender division of labour in collection, processing and preserving NWFPs. Multiple regression analysis revealed that collection and use of NWFPs have been influenced by some socio-economic factors. This study concludes that the contribution of NWFPs to household food security in the study area ranges from direct supply of food to provision ofcash and socio-economic factors influence collection and use of NWFPs. It is recommended that efforts be made to add value to NWFPs by developing and disseminating simple appropriate technologies for harvesting and processing NWFPs into different products to minimize wastage during peak seasons andiii improve cash income earnings. This study also recommends that communities should be encouraged to plant desired tree species near homes and fields to reduce pressure in the forests and woodland.

Training Fund for Tanzanian Women (TFTW)