Livelihood Outcomes Among Households Participating in Large-Scale Agricultural Investments in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania
Date
2018Author
Akyoo, Elimeleck P.
Jeckoniah, John
Kabote, Samwel J.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Large-scale agricultural investment is an important economic activity which has potential
to improve the livelihoods of Male-Headed Households (MHHs) and Female-Headed
Households (FHHs). (However, the benefit derived from large-scale agricultural
investments has a household headship and agricultural investments models differential.
The study was conducted in Kilombero Valley in Tanzania to assess livelihood outcomes
among households engaged in large-scale agricultural investments through outgrowers
scheme and investor farm employment. The study adopted a cross-sectional research
design using exploratory sequential data collection and analysis approach and involved
376 respondents. Income and asset monetary value were used as proxy indicator of wealth
status. Qualitative data were analysed by using content analysis while a multiple responses
analysis, Chi-square test, T-test, and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were
employed for quantitative data analysis. It was found that MHHs participating in outgrower scheme had more opportunities than FHHs The livelihood outcomes between
MHHs and FHHs were statistically significant The livelihood outcomes among outgrowers, investor farm workers and non-participants was statistically significant. The
differences in livelihood outcomes are attributed to one’s engagement in large-scale
agricultural investments through out-grower scheme. However, MHHs derived more
benefits in large-scale agricultural investments due to dominance in out-grower
associations. The study recommends the local government authority and non-governmental
organizations involved in promoting livelihood improvement through large-scale
agricultural investments to promote FHHs ownership of resources by allowing more
FHHs to access and control over productive resources This can be done by strengthening
out-growers association through training out-growers on their roles in contract with
investors and by ensuring that out-growers are represented in every decision that affects
their payments from sugarcane sales, especially in measuring sugarcane sucrose level.