Poverty-environment linkages in Tanzania: a case of land management among farming households

The aim of this study was to ascertain the influence of land management on the alleviation of poverty particularly in the rural sector where majority of Tanzanians lives while depending on farming for their survival. The study uses Agriculture Sample Census Survey 2007/08 data collected by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method is used to establish poverty index. Then ordered logit model is used to establish whether or not the use of sustainable land management practices such as soil erosion control mechanisms and the use of fertilizers can influence households’ poverty status. The results show that using land management practices particularly soil erosion control methods influences poverty alleviation positively. Moreover, household size, gender of the household head, access to extension services, land size, livestock ownership, credit access, education and land access had also positive and significant influence on poverty alleviation among farmers. Basing on the study findings, this study implies that deliberate efforts should be done in all levels and in policy formulation to incorporate land management into national and sub-national efforts to fight poverty particularly among the rural poor farmers.