A Detailed Study on Social Economic situation and potential Alternative Income Generating Activities (AIGAs) of Communities Around Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forests

The study was conducted in September 2011 in 8 villages locations surrounding Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves (PKFRs). This study was undertaken by the Department of Accounting of the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS) the official partner of HIMADA in delivering output five on socio-economic aspect and identification of potential alternative income generating activities (AIGAs). The aim of this study was to identify those alternative incomes so as to facilitate development of business plans and establishing business for local communities. Furthermore the study aimed at generating knowledge on the general understanding of local community on REDD issues and carbon trading. The study presents a combined approach whereby both qualitative (interviews and observations) and quantitative (questionnaire) data are used to present the socio-economic status and potential AIGAs. 

Some of the findings of the study
General understanding of REDD and Carbon issues:

Another aspect of socio-economic profile of the area surrounding the forest was the issue concerned with their general understanding on REDD and carbon issues Another aspect of socio-economic profile of the area surrounding the forest was the issue concerned with their general understanding on REDD and carbon issues. The findings reveal that the general understanding of the community on carbon selling is very low. Out of 546 respondents, 371 (about 67.9%) said that they do not understand, 133 (about 24.4%) have low understanding while only 36 (about 2.9%) considered themselves to understand some issues relating to REDD. The remaining 26 (or 4.8%) were not sure or did not respond to the question. On the REDD initiatives, only 56 equivalent to 10.3%, 472 respondents (about 86.4) do not have knowledge on REDD initiatives and the remaining 18 (or 3.3%) did not respond to the question.

Furthermore on the REDD issues, the study was interested to understand which measures have to be taken to ensure that implementation of the REDD is a successful one. The results indicate that majority of the respondents (57.7%) considered that better protection of the existing forests and community involvements in the forest management (56.6%) are the important measures. Also other measures which also were considered to be important were use and promotion of efficient alternative energy source (37.5%) and facilitating villages to establish nurseries, tending and planting trees (31.5%). These measures can be summarised in three issues. First, the community considers that for REDD to succeed there is a need to involve the community around the forest reserves. Second, there is a need for the government to develop mechanisms to protect existing forests. And third, there is also a need to come up with efficient alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on the existing forest. 

General understanding of the REDD issues

		Number	%
General understanding of carbon selling	Do not understand	371	67.9
	Low understanding	133	24.4
	Not so sure	6	1.1
	Understand	36	2.9
	No response	20	3.7
General understanding of REDD initiatives	General REDD issues:
	Yes	56	10.3
	No	472	86.4
	No response	18	3.3
Willingness to participate in REDD initiatives	Yes	430	78.8
	No	63	11.5
	No Response	53	9.7
Factors for participation in REDD	Price mechanism	349	63.9
	Sustainability of the payment	395	72.3
	Waiting period before payment start	61	11.2
	What happens after payment period	24	4.4
	Permission to harvest after the period	44	8.1
	Quantification of the carbon content	17	3.1
	Government protection	33	6.0
	Others	16	2.9
Measures that can help your area to achieve REDD implementation	Facilitate villages to establish nurseries, tending and planting trees	172	31.5
	Better protection of existing forests	315	57.7
	Use and promotion of efficient alternative energy source	205	37.5
	Community involvement in forest management	309	56.6
	Efficient nitrogen fertilizers and agronomics practices	33	6.0
	Encouraging growing crops that are resistant to adverse weather condition	41	7.5
	Promotion of sustainable production system in agriculture	5	9.0

Table: Showing Potential AIGAs in the study Areas

AIGA Type	Area for application	Risks on the forest	Risk Mitigation measures
Agriculture (more than 75% depend on it)
1. Vegetables production (Mchicha, Matembele, Majani ya Kunde, Redfinger, spinach, tomatoes, etc)	Kisarawe:	If proper land use plan is not properly enforced there is a danger of encroaching the forest land. There are possible use of chemicals which if not properly guided can lead to environmental disaster	Land use plan must be clearly presented and proper management plan should be in place. ·         Extension officers should be in place to guide the farmers on the proper use of different inputs
It was oberved that if a household could grow these fruits, average income per household per season is Tshs 400,000	Maguruwe:- There is river Mzinga which could provide water for irrigation. There is water catchment
	Umatumbini area:- There is water catchment. However, there is a big problem of infrastructure
	Ilala:
	Nzasa:- There are two factors to make vegetables more potential: first is the availability of market due to location and  good infrastructure; and second factor water catchment because the area is too close to the forest reserve	·         The use of pesticides and fertilizers could be harmful to the environment and the downstream users	Extension officer should in place to guide the farmers
	Kitunda:- Water from River Mzinga could provide water irrigation. It was observed that majority of farmers are using water from river Mzinga for irrigation. The observation was consistent with the study conducted by Ngana et al (2010) titled Kizinga-Catchment Management Strategy which found that 66% of farmers were using irrigation	Farming should be done in the river bank. A clear boundary should be set for farmers to follow. Also should allow the water to continue following in the river system	Same as above
	Chanika:- Location and good infrastructure provide good market. Soil quality and water can provide a better environment for vegetable production
2. Fruits production (passion, water melon, pineapples, sugarcane, bananas, cucumber, mangoes, oranges)	For passions and pineapples can be grown almost in all areas in the two districts. However, for greater impact in income generation, Kisarawe is better situated because there are large areas for farming compared to Ilala.
	Other fruits can be grown in areas where the is possibility of getting adequate water
	Mangoes and oranges have greater potentiality in Kisarawe district
3. Crops (cassava, cashewnuts, sweet potatoes, sesame,	All these crops can be grown in kisarawe District because it is more rural. The justification here is availability of land.
4. Tree Nursery Development	Greater potential in Ilala than in Kisarawe because of the level of urbanization
5. Fish Farming	Kisarawe: Here the space is adequate and the community can harvest rain to create fish ponds
Livestock:
1. Poultry	Kisarawe:
	Kisarawe village availability of market
	Ilala
	Chanika its potential to sell the poultry produces
2. Goat keeping	Can be done in Kisarawe
Beekeeping (this also can provide avenues for beehives business)	In both district Ilala and Kisarawe because the beekeeping is going to be done in the forest reserves	This can help protect the forest. Guidance should be provided especially during the harvest. Fire harvest should be avoided	Extension officers should be in place
Eco-tourism and its related businesses	Both Ilala and Kisarawe, but the centre could be put in Kisarawe
1. Sculputure
2. Batik
3. Baskets
4. Mikeka/Carpets
Business establishment
1. Retail shops
2. Guest houses
3. Restaurant/Pubs
4. Tailoring
5. Artworks
6. Masonry
7. Mama Ntilie/Lishe
8. Garage operations