Non- Timber Forest Products and Women Household Economy

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing the contribution of non-timber forest products in the empowerment of women household economy in Mufindi district in Iring region. Therefore, the study aimed at examining the benefits of the non. -timber forest products in the women household economy and the challenges women get when they collect non-timber forest products in rural areas. The study employed the simple random and purposive sampling techniques which enhanced the collection of data from the field by using open and close-ended questionnaires as well as interviews with respondents. The collected data were analysed and presented using statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS version 16 of 2007 computer programme, descriptive statistics frequencies, means, percentages, tables and proportions were employed for determining the relevance of the information gathered. The findings from the study revealed that even if most of the women (about 94.6%) were engaging in agricultural activities still they need to supplement their family household income such as selling non-timber forest products. However, remains a need to help the rural women overcome the various challenges that constrain successful non-timber forest products commercialization, including securing a sustainable resource supply, accessing market information, and developing ways of overcoming uneven power and barriers to market entry. The findings and recommendations of this work will help policy makers direct their work and target their resources to improve women’s business environment.