Unlocking the Quantity of Dioscorea hirtiflora Harvested in Lindi and Mtwara Regions, Tanzania
Abstract
This study focused on quantifying the amount of Dioscorea hirtiflora harvested in Lindi and Mtwara regions, Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at identifying key stakeholders engaged in the Dioscorea hirtiflora collection, consumption, and trading in the study area, to quantify the amount of Dioscorea hirtiflora collected, consumed, and traded in the study area, and to estimate the income generated through Dioscorea hirtiflora marketing in the study area. The study used a sample size of 160 respondents selected randomly from Mnamba, Madangwa, Hingawali, Nachunyu, Mkunwa, Dihimba, Namayanga, and Pachoto B villages. A structured questionnaire was administered for primary data collection. Secondary data were collected from the District Forest and Agricultural Offices. Data were analysed using R software, version 4.5.0. Qualitative and quantitative variables were analysed. The value of Dioscorea hirtiflora was obtained by multiplying the average market price of each product by its quantity. The average quantity of 1342.109 kg in Lindi and 1732.667 Kg in Mtwara of Dioscorea hirtiflora was collected by the selected households. From the sample of 160, it was estimated that the community earned about (TZS 1,884 275.36) in Mtwara and (TZS1,476,319.9 in Lindi. The study recommends that the government should recognise Dioscorea hirtiflora business in the national income statistics.
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