Economic implication of REDD+ initiative on food security of farmers in Rungwe District, Tanzania

Abstract

REDD+ initiative is one of the climate change mitigations which conserves forest. It restricts communities living near forests from destructing them by accessing forest resources. This may affect food security and livelihood as communities cannot generate enough income for food and livelihood. The aim of this study was to assess REDD+ implication on food security of farmers living near Rungwe Forest Reserve in Rungwe District. The study was done from December 2012 to February 2013. It involved assessing level of livelihood dependency of farmers on forest resources, analyzing communities’ perceptions on conservation initiatives, examining household food security status in the REDD+ pilot area and assessing REDD+ payment scenarios and their effects on food security. Sample size of 120 households obtained through simple random sampling was used. Food security measures were computed based on the extent to which the overall household income covered the estimated food requirements. Income from agriculture, forest, business, remittance and employment was calculated. Post hoc test was used for segregating the differing means. Likert scale was used to measure perceptions of respondents. Three scenarios were chosen from the base payment TZS 21 500 which are 25%, 50% and 100% increase to assess the potential REDD+ payments on food security. Results indicate that area under the study is food insecure; forest resources play a fundamental role, it contributes 26% of the total annual income; household perceptions on conservation measures were positive; also REDD+ payments will have positive effect on food security. Therefore REDD+ must address the needs of smallholder farmers to avoid exacerbating poverty and local food insecurity. Also compensation is needed in the study area and farmers must be provided with new agricultural technologies. Again gas must be available at reasonable price in the nearby shops.