Impacts of banana trade on livelihoods and land use sustainability in Tanzania: the case of Rungwe district, Mbeya Region.
| dc.contributor.author | Samwel, Atupakisye | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2020-12-15T07:37:21Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2020-12-15T07:37:21Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2011 | |
| dc.description | Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF HD9259.B2T34S25) | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | This study intended to examine the impacts of banana trade on livelihoods and land use sustainability in Rungwe District. It focused on the relationship between the banana trade and peoples’ livelihoods on one hand; and between banana trade and land use sustainability on the other. Secondary data were collected using qualitative and quantitative methods. The primary data were collected through household surveys, key informant interviews, direct field observation and focus group discussion. A total of 175 farmers and 125 traders were interviewed and were selected by a random sampling technique. Findings show that wholesalers gain the highest profit (4,000 Tshs), followed by the middlemen (2,800 Tshs). This study also found that farmers and small traders are getting low profits (1,500 to 2,000 Tshs per bunch). This is partly because of small capital, little bargaining power due to lack of information, low production, and low production and perish ability of the product. The study indicated that banana trade has impacted on both livelihood and land use sustainability. It has resulted into increased income among the producers and traders, improved food security, housing, education and livelihood diversification, however, banana trade has increased the application of chemical fertilizers, introduction of new species, and application of herbicides and the abandonment of some crops. These could bring about soil erosion, loss of indigenous species and exhaustion of soil fertility, thus threatening the land use sustainability. It is recommended that government is very crucial in supporting both farmers and traders in their struggle to improve livelihoods. Key focus should be place on the provision of physical infrastructure, market information and supporting some training opportunities to farmers and traders. The establishment of microfinance institutions may also enhance farmers’ access to credits. Formation of strong groups and associations should be encouraged to enforce bargaining power in markets and ensure better prices and other services. Also, extension services should be provided and organic banana farming should be promoted for sustainable land use. Furthermore, favorable rural environment should be provided to encourage them establishment of NGOs and attract more foreign investors and trading companies for the provision of credit, better prices and support research and extension services. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.citation | Samwel, A. (2011) Impacts of banana trade on livelihoods and land use sustainability in Tanzania: the case of Rungwe district, Mbeya Region, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://41.86.178.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/13831 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | University of Dar es Salaam | en_US |
| dc.subject | Banana trade | en_US |
| dc.subject | Land use | en_US |
| dc.subject | Households | en_US |
| dc.subject | Rungwe district | en_US |
| dc.subject | Mbeya region | en_US |
| dc.subject | Tanzania | en_US |
| dc.title | Impacts of banana trade on livelihoods and land use sustainability in Tanzania: the case of Rungwe district, Mbeya Region. | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |