Browsing by Author "Kasmir, Glory Fortunatus"

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    Comparative analysis of economic return between forest plantation and agriculture ecosystems services in Tanzania: the case of smallholder farmers in Mufindi District
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2016) Kasmir, Glory Fortunatus
    Currently, plantation forestry and agriculture are the main competing land use practices in the Mufindi District, Tanzania. In order of making the choices for allocation of land resource which becomes increasingly scarce, it is important to analyse economic values of ecosystem services from each land use compare and make informed decision making for land allocation. There is generally limited knowledge on economically benefit comparisons between plantation forest and agricultural use practices by smallholder farmers who form the majority of land use. The focus of this study, therefore, was to attempt to fill this knowledge gap. Specifically the study evaluated economic benefits of land use profitability between plantation forests and agriculture. Data was collected using household interviews, focus group discussion, key informants, physical observation and forest inventory. Structured questionnaire and checklist was used to collect data. Qualitative data were analysed by content method while quantitative data were through descriptive statistics. The average land size owned by farmers was 9.7 and 8.3 acres in the Ifwagi and Nundwe village respectively. Most of the arable land 54.5.8% and 47.7.7% in the Ifwagi and Nundwe village respectively was allocation for forests plantation. Timber, firewood, poles were the main ecosystem goods from the plantation forests while maize grain, beans, wheat grain and Irish potatoes were goods obtained from agriculture. Economic viability analysis through Net Present Value NPV, Internal Rate of Return, and Benefits Cost Ratio showed that both forest plantation and agricultural project were viable projects. However, the Irish potatoes, agriculture project had the highest 854,545 Tshs NPV, hence can be selected as the most profitable project, maize 539,546 Tshs, pine (forest plantation) 419,147 Tshs, wheat 392,727 Tshs and beans 353,637 Tshs. Therefore, it is economically more viable to allocate more land to Irish potatoes agricultural crops because it pays more than a forest plantation.