Evaluation of contribution of private woodlots in poverty reduction in Rungwe District, Tanzania

Private woodlot farming has become an important approach for alleviating poverty in rural areas. These woodlots act as crucial resources by supplying timber, fuelwood and other forest products that fulfill daily needs and generate income. However, their role in poverty reduction has not been thoroughly documented. Hence, the study assessed the contribution of private woodlots to poverty alleviation in Rungwe District, Tanzania. A cross-sectional research design was employed, with data collected between April and May 2019 through a mixed-methods approach, including household surveys, focused group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). Seven villages namely Unyamwanga, Ngumbulu, Ntokela, Ndaga, Kiwira, Uchangani, and Isionje were purposively selected based on accessibility and active participation in private woodlot farming. The findings revealed that demographic factors such as sex, education, family size and occupation significantly influenced involvement in woodlot activities. Economic incentives, including the demand for fuelwood and construction materials, motivated participation whereas financial constraints led to premature harvesting. Despite these challenges, private woodlots provided a meaningful supplementary income and supported household well-being. About 28.9% of households earned below or near the rural poverty threshold, while the majority (71.1%) earned above it. The study recommends that the government should promote and support training programs for local communities, focusing on sustainable woodlot management to enhance both livelihoods and environmental benefits.