Contribution of dryland forests to rural households livelihoods in Kishapu District, Shinyanga Region,Tanzania

Dissertation

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.

Ministry of Natural Resources , Tourism and the World Bank