Socio-economic analysis: the small scale forests in Mufindi, Tanzania

Forest resources are decreasing at a higher rate in Tanzania. One alternative to cover for the effect is through afforestation of the possible areas to benefit from tree resources. Mufindi is one of the districts in Tanzania where majority of people practice small scale forestry activities. It was important to study and understand the insight and motivation of these farmers in their small scale forest activities. Moreover, different challenges faced by farmers had to be analyzed to understand on possible ways to improve from the current situation.The study findings offer a good direction as a solution of some of the challenges at a local scale and on policy issues. Tanzania is growing very fast both economically and in terms of population and forest resources are much needed. The sustainability of small scale forestry in Mufindi and other parts of the country is important and part and parcel of the vision of Tanzania as a mid-economy country by 2025.