Economic potential of selected lesser known and underutilized indigenous agroforestry timber species in Kilosa District in Tanzania
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Date
2015
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Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to determine the economic potential of Lesser
Known (LK) indigenous agroforcstry timber tree species mainly Lonchocarpus capassa,
Lannen schhnperi, Combrelum adenogonium, Psendolanchnostylis maprouneifolia and
Vitex keniensis. Specifically the study aimed al estimating the standing volume of the LK
Indigenous Agroforcstry Timber Species (1AGTS) in farms, determine their economic
value and estimate their profitability for timber production. Structured and semi structured
questionnaires, personal observation, focused group discussion and forest inventory
methods were used in data collection. One hundred and twenty households in four villages
were sampled purposively. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Sosial
Sciences (SPSS) programme version 16 and Microsoft Excel programme. Descriptive
analysis was used to generate frequencies, percentages, sums and means which were used
to discuss the results. Findings indicated that a total of 7247 trees with volume of 1114.3
m3 were obtained in conserved as Lesser Known IAGTS and hardwood woodlots
respectively. The economic value for conserved LK IAGTS and planted hardwood
woodlots per household was 328 900 TZS and 3 180 000 TZS respectively. Profitability'
at 10% discounting factor, NPV were TZS 4 892 453 and TZS 6 161 247, at 22 and 19
years rotation ages for LK IAGTS practices and hardwood woodlots respectively.
Obtained standing volume, total value and average annual income of LK IAGTS in
conserved trees and woodlots increases additional income and serves as off farm income
to households hence improves livelihoods as well as reducing dependence on the reserved
forests. I therefore recommend optimizing production of IAGTS in woodlot at households’
level; hence will improve the conservation of the resources with positive socio-economic
implication to farmers.
Description
Master of science in environmental and natural resources economics
Keywords
Indigenous agroforestry timber species, Agroforestry, Agroforestry farms, Timber production, Kilosa District in Tanzania