Assessment of the impacts of butterfly farming on livelihoods and forest conservation in the East Usambara mountains in Tanzania

This study assessed the impacts of butterfly farming on livelihoods and forest conservation in the East Usambara Mountains and was guided by three objectives, which are: to identify the factors that determine butterfly farming, to analyze the impact of butterfly farming on local livelihoods, and to assess the contribution of butterfly farming to forest conservation. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research designs. Data and information were obtained through administration of questionnaires, and documentary review. The findings revealed three main groups of actors involved in butterfly farmers, who are members of Amani Butterfly Group, and 399 butterfly farmers belonging to 25 farming groups. Butterfly farmers incurred little costs and constructed most of farming equipment using local materials. Besides, they obtained most of butterflies for breeding and host plants from their own farms. Furthermore, production and sale of pupae was affected by seasonality, elevation, butterfly farmers’ efforts, diseases, quality of farming equipment, and the rate of pupae lost in transit. Indeed, butterfly farmers earned an average income of TZS 108,319 (about USD 98) from butterflies, which constituted a fifth (21.3%) of the average annual income from all economic activities. Furthermore, butterfly farming had a lightly improved livelihood outcomes of butterfly farmers and their household assets. Besides, more butterfly farmers had planted trees and attended environmental meetings than non-butterfly farmers. Indeed, the condition of forests had improved and reported cases of illegal forest activities had reduced due to strict forest regulations and alternative income generating activities, including butterfly farming. This study recommends the creation of local livestock and dead stock markets for butterfly. Moreover, it recommends efforts to be undertaken to encourage eco-tourists to visit the project area so as to increase cash incomes. There is also a need to promote capacity building activities for butterfly farmers to enable them to run the proposed butterfly cooperative effectively.