Evaluation of socio-economic factors influencing exploitation of non-timber forest products in Tanzania

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) constitute an important source of livelihood for millions of people from forest fringe communities across the world. This study was conducted to identify main NTFPs used by local communities around Nyanganje Forest Reserve (NFR) which is within the Eastern Arc Mountains in Kilombero district, Tanzania. Furthermore, the study aimed at determining socio-economic factors influencing extraction of NTFPs in the study area. The study involved questionnaire survey in Signali, Sagamaganga and Lungongole villages which surround NFR. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) whereby inferential analysis was applied to show the relationship between NTFPs collected and socio-economic factors while Chi square test (c2) was used to determine the significance in dependency of certain socio-economic factors on extraction and use of NTFPs in the study area. It was observed that, socio-economic factors such as income level, education level, age distribution, household size, occupation, distance, and residence duration influenced the extraction and use of NTFPs by local communities in the study area. It was however recommended that, for sustainability of the NTFPs in NFR, the government has to initiate and emphasize the extraction and utilization of NTFPs resources in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.   Key words: Extraction, Nyanganje Forest Reserve, socio-economic factors.