The Contribution of Village Land Forest Reserves in Livelihood Improvement: The Case of Songea and Liwale Districts in Tanzania

Angela Atilio Mlawa; Jumanne Moshi Abdallah; Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15

| Peer-Reviewed

The Contribution of Village Land Forest Reserves in Livelihood Improvement: The Case of Songea and Liwale Districts in Tanzania

Angela Atilio Mlawa, Jumanne Moshi Abdallah, Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa

Published in International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 8, Issue 2)

Received: 17 April 2023 Accepted: 8 May 2023 Published: 18 May 2023

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Village land forest reserves (VLFRs) are recognized as an important base for rural community development. This study used timber and honey production activities to assess the actual contribution of three Village land forest reserves of Lupagalo VLFR from Songea District in Ruvuma Region, and Liboya and Luhangino VLFRs from Liwale District in Lindi Region on livelihood improvement rural communities living adjacent to these forests. This study assessed livelihood improvement based on financial, human, physical, and social assets. Data were collected using household structured interviews and focused group discussions. A total of 71 timber dealers (38 in Songea and 33 in Liwale District) and 37 honey dealers (23 in Songea and 14 in Liwale District) were interviewed in this study. Inferential statistics and Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to report the results of this study. Results show that there is gain in livelihood assets due to timber and honey production. In addition, findings reveal that, physical capital indicators including better education, better health care, and food security had significant influence on livelihood of timber and honey dealer as the p-value (p<0.05). In financial capital, savings had a significant influence on the livelihood of honey and timber dealers. Also, training as an indicator of human capital had a significant contribution on the livelihood of honey and timber dealers. Further, based on social capital, membership status had a significant influence on livelihood contribution p<0.05. Since this study considered only two products, other forest products such as firewood, charcoal, and medicinal plants should be assessed.

Published in	International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 8, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15
Page(s)	70-77
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Livelihoods, Timber, Honey, Adjacent Communities, Village Land Forest Reserves, Tanzania

References

[1]	Yahya, H. (2019). Can community-based forest management contribute to household income and mitigate land encroachment on Sabah forest reserve? a case study from Mangkuwagu Forest Reserve. Journal of PhysicsConf. Ser. 1358 012033.
[2]	Dev, O. P., Yadav, N. P., Baginski, O. S. &Soussan, J. (2003). Impacts of Community Forestry on Livelihoods in the Middle Hills of Nepal. Journal of Forest and Livelihood 3 (1): 97.
[3]	Njana, M. A., Kajembe, G. C., & Malimbwi, R. E. (2013). Are miombo woodlands vital to livelihoods of rural households? Evidence from Urumwa and surrounding communities, Tabora, Tanzania. Forests, Trees and Livelihoods 22 (2): 124-125.
[4]	Yego, P., Mbeche, R., Ateka, J, & Majiwa, E. (2021). Forest-based livelihood choices and their determinants in Western Kenya. Forest science and technology 17 (1): 23-31.
[5]	Kibria, A. S., Costanza, R., Groves, C and Behie, A. M. (2018). The interactions between livelihood capitals and access of local communities to the forest provisioning services of the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh. Ecosystem Services (32) 46pp.
[6]	Verkerk, P. J., Hassegawa, M., Van Brusselen, V. J., Cramm, M., Chen, X., Maximo, Y. I., Koç, M., Lovrić, M. &Tegegne, Y. T. (2022). The role of forest products in the global bioeconomy – Enabling substitution by wood-based products and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. Rome, FAO. 9p.
[7]	Andrew, S. M., Nyanghura Q. M., Mombo F. M. (2023). Land cover change and utilization of village land forest reserves in Ludewa, Tanzania. Environmental Challenges 10: 1-2.
[8]	Augustino, S., Kashaigili, J. J.. and Nzunda, E. F. (2016). Impact of traditional beekeeping on Mgori Village Land Forest. Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 86 (1): 1-2.
[9]	Babulo, B., Bart Muys, B., Nega, F., Eric Tollens, E., Nyssen, J., Deckers, J. & Erik Mathijs, E. (2008). Household livelihood strategies and forest dependence in the highlands of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Agricultural systems. (98): 148.
[10]	Mallya, V. A. & Masao, C. A. (2020) Contribution of non-timber forest products to rural household economy and conservation: a case of rural Mufindi district, Iringa region, Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation. 89 (1):15.
[11]	Fikir, D., Tadesse, W. & Gure, A. (2016). Economic Contribution to Local Livelihoods and Households Dependency on Dry Land Forest Products in Hammer District, Southeastern Ethiopia. International Journal of Forestry Research.
[12]	Langat, D. K., Maranga, E. K., Aboud, A. A. & Cheboiwo, J. K. (2016). Role of Forest Resources to Local Livelihoods: The Case of East Mau Forest Ecosystem. International Journal of Forestry Research. 2016: 1.
[13]	Mavindi D (2021). Assessment of edible wild mushrooms value chain and its contribution to livelihood improvement in Mbinga and Songea districts, Tanzania. [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Sokoine University of Agriculture.
[14]	Rwahame, A. S. (2008). The contribution of forest products to rural livelihoods in Nkasi district, Rukwa, Tanzania. [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Sokoine University of Agriculture.
[15]	FORVAC 2020. Forestry and Value Chain Development Programme. Baseline Survey.
[16]	Kothari, C. R (Ed.). (2004). Research Methodology. Methods and Techniques. New Age International publishers 56pp.
[17]	Jeil E. B., Abbas K., and Segbefia A. Y. (2020) Challenges to sustaining beekeeping livelihoods in Ghana. GeoJournal 2p.
[18]	Musinguzi, P., Bosselmann, A. S., & Pouliot, M. (2018). Livelihoods-conservation initiatives: Evidence of socio-economic impacts from organic honey production in Mwingi, Eastern Kenya. Forest Policy and Economics, 97, 133p.
[19]	Hansen C. P and Lund J. F (2011). The political economy of timber taxation: the case of Ghana. For Policy Economic 13 (8): 630–641.
[20]	Vedeld P., Abdallah J., Wapalila G., & Songorwa A. (2012). Protected areas, poverty and conflicts. A livelihood case study of Mikumi National Park, Tanzania. Forest Policy and Economics 21.24p.
[21]	Tomaselli M. F., Kozak, R Hajjar, R and Timko J. (2014). Small forest-based enterprises in The Gambia: Opportunities and challenges Convening lead.
[22]	Ntalwila J., Mwakatobe A., Kipemba N., Mrisha C. & Kohi E. (2017). Contribution of beekeeping to livelihood and biodiversity conservation in–Inyonga Division (Mlele district) Western Tanzania. International Journal of Entomology Research. 2 (6): 35.
[23]	Jannat M, Hossain M. K, Uddin M. M, Hossain M. A. and Kamruzzaman M. (2018). People’s dependency on forest resources and contributions of forests to the livelihoods: a case study in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology. 25 (6): 555–560.
[24]	Blomley, T., Nelson F., Doulton H., Morgan-Brown, T & Trupin., R. (2019). Scaling up community forest enterprises in Tanzania. Briefing 4. p.
[25]	MNRT 2022. Ministry of Natural resources and Tourism. Participatory forest management in mainland Tanzania. Facts and figures 10p.
[26]	Ibrahim A. Z., Hassan K., Kamaruddin R., Anuar A. R. (2017). Examining the Livelihood Assets and Sustainable Livelihoods among the Vulnerability Groups in Malaysia. Indian-Pacific Journal of Accounting and Finance (IPJAF) 1 (3): 55-56.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Angela Atilio Mlawa, Jumanne Moshi Abdallah, Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa. (2023). The Contribution of Village Land Forest Reserves in Livelihood Improvement: The Case of Songea and Liwale Districts in Tanzania. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 8(2), 70-77. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Angela Atilio Mlawa; Jumanne Moshi Abdallah; Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa. The Contribution of Village Land Forest Reserves in Livelihood Improvement: The Case of Songea and Liwale Districts in Tanzania. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2023, 8(2), 70-77. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Angela Atilio Mlawa, Jumanne Moshi Abdallah, Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa. The Contribution of Village Land Forest Reserves in Livelihood Improvement: The Case of Songea and Liwale Districts in Tanzania. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2023;8(2):70-77. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15,
  author = {Angela Atilio Mlawa and Jumanne Moshi Abdallah and Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa},
  title = {The Contribution of Village Land Forest Reserves in Livelihood Improvement: The Case of Songea and Liwale Districts in Tanzania},
  journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
  volume = {8},
  number = {2},
  pages = {70-77},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20230802.15},
  abstract = {Village land forest reserves (VLFRs) are recognized as an important base for rural community development. This study used timber and honey production activities to assess the actual contribution of three Village land forest reserves of Lupagalo VLFR from Songea District in Ruvuma Region, and Liboya and Luhangino VLFRs from Liwale District in Lindi Region on livelihood improvement rural communities living adjacent to these forests. This study assessed livelihood improvement based on financial, human, physical, and social assets. Data were collected using household structured interviews and focused group discussions. A total of 71 timber dealers (38 in Songea and 33 in Liwale District) and 37 honey dealers (23 in Songea and 14 in Liwale District) were interviewed in this study. Inferential statistics and Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to report the results of this study. Results show that there is gain in livelihood assets due to timber and honey production. In addition, findings reveal that, physical capital indicators including better education, better health care, and food security had significant influence on livelihood of timber and honey dealer as the p-value (p<0.05). In financial capital, savings had a significant influence on the livelihood of honey and timber dealers. Also, training as an indicator of human capital had a significant contribution on the livelihood of honey and timber dealers. Further, based on social capital, membership status had a significant influence on livelihood contribution p<0.05. Since this study considered only two products, other forest products such as firewood, charcoal, and medicinal plants should be assessed.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Contribution of Village Land Forest Reserves in Livelihood Improvement: The Case of Songea and Liwale Districts in Tanzania
AU  - Angela Atilio Mlawa
AU  - Jumanne Moshi Abdallah
AU  - Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa
Y1  - 2023/05/18
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15
T2  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JF  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JO  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
SP  - 70
EP  - 77
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3061
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15
AB  - Village land forest reserves (VLFRs) are recognized as an important base for rural community development. This study used timber and honey production activities to assess the actual contribution of three Village land forest reserves of Lupagalo VLFR from Songea District in Ruvuma Region, and Liboya and Luhangino VLFRs from Liwale District in Lindi Region on livelihood improvement rural communities living adjacent to these forests. This study assessed livelihood improvement based on financial, human, physical, and social assets. Data were collected using household structured interviews and focused group discussions. A total of 71 timber dealers (38 in Songea and 33 in Liwale District) and 37 honey dealers (23 in Songea and 14 in Liwale District) were interviewed in this study. Inferential statistics and Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to report the results of this study. Results show that there is gain in livelihood assets due to timber and honey production. In addition, findings reveal that, physical capital indicators including better education, better health care, and food security had significant influence on livelihood of timber and honey dealer as the p-value (p<0.05). In financial capital, savings had a significant influence on the livelihood of honey and timber dealers. Also, training as an indicator of human capital had a significant contribution on the livelihood of honey and timber dealers. Further, based on social capital, membership status had a significant influence on livelihood contribution p<0.05. Since this study considered only two products, other forest products such as firewood, charcoal, and medicinal plants should be assessed.
VL  - 8
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Angela Atilio Mlawa

Department of Forest and Environmental Economics, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
Jumanne Moshi Abdallah

Department of Forest and Environmental Economics, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa

Department of Ecosystems and Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Angela Atilio Mlawa, Jumanne Moshi Abdallah, Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa. (2023). The Contribution of Village Land Forest Reserves in Livelihood Improvement: The Case of Songea and Liwale Districts in Tanzania. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 8(2), 70-77. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Angela Atilio Mlawa; Jumanne Moshi Abdallah; Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa. The Contribution of Village Land Forest Reserves in Livelihood Improvement: The Case of Songea and Liwale Districts in Tanzania. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2023, 8(2), 70-77. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Angela Atilio Mlawa, Jumanne Moshi Abdallah, Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa. The Contribution of Village Land Forest Reserves in Livelihood Improvement: The Case of Songea and Liwale Districts in Tanzania. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2023;8(2):70-77. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15,
  author = {Angela Atilio Mlawa and Jumanne Moshi Abdallah and Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa},
  title = {The Contribution of Village Land Forest Reserves in Livelihood Improvement: The Case of Songea and Liwale Districts in Tanzania},
  journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
  volume = {8},
  number = {2},
  pages = {70-77},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20230802.15},
  abstract = {Village land forest reserves (VLFRs) are recognized as an important base for rural community development. This study used timber and honey production activities to assess the actual contribution of three Village land forest reserves of Lupagalo VLFR from Songea District in Ruvuma Region, and Liboya and Luhangino VLFRs from Liwale District in Lindi Region on livelihood improvement rural communities living adjacent to these forests. This study assessed livelihood improvement based on financial, human, physical, and social assets. Data were collected using household structured interviews and focused group discussions. A total of 71 timber dealers (38 in Songea and 33 in Liwale District) and 37 honey dealers (23 in Songea and 14 in Liwale District) were interviewed in this study. Inferential statistics and Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to report the results of this study. Results show that there is gain in livelihood assets due to timber and honey production. In addition, findings reveal that, physical capital indicators including better education, better health care, and food security had significant influence on livelihood of timber and honey dealer as the p-value (p<0.05). In financial capital, savings had a significant influence on the livelihood of honey and timber dealers. Also, training as an indicator of human capital had a significant contribution on the livelihood of honey and timber dealers. Further, based on social capital, membership status had a significant influence on livelihood contribution p<0.05. Since this study considered only two products, other forest products such as firewood, charcoal, and medicinal plants should be assessed.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Contribution of Village Land Forest Reserves in Livelihood Improvement: The Case of Songea and Liwale Districts in Tanzania
AU  - Angela Atilio Mlawa
AU  - Jumanne Moshi Abdallah
AU  - Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa
Y1  - 2023/05/18
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15
T2  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JF  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JO  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
SP  - 70
EP  - 77
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3061
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230802.15
AB  - Village land forest reserves (VLFRs) are recognized as an important base for rural community development. This study used timber and honey production activities to assess the actual contribution of three Village land forest reserves of Lupagalo VLFR from Songea District in Ruvuma Region, and Liboya and Luhangino VLFRs from Liwale District in Lindi Region on livelihood improvement rural communities living adjacent to these forests. This study assessed livelihood improvement based on financial, human, physical, and social assets. Data were collected using household structured interviews and focused group discussions. A total of 71 timber dealers (38 in Songea and 33 in Liwale District) and 37 honey dealers (23 in Songea and 14 in Liwale District) were interviewed in this study. Inferential statistics and Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to report the results of this study. Results show that there is gain in livelihood assets due to timber and honey production. In addition, findings reveal that, physical capital indicators including better education, better health care, and food security had significant influence on livelihood of timber and honey dealer as the p-value (p<0.05). In financial capital, savings had a significant influence on the livelihood of honey and timber dealers. Also, training as an indicator of human capital had a significant contribution on the livelihood of honey and timber dealers. Further, based on social capital, membership status had a significant influence on livelihood contribution p<0.05. Since this study considered only two products, other forest products such as firewood, charcoal, and medicinal plants should be assessed.
VL  - 8
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download