The Impact of Informal Savings Schemes on Household welfare of Smallholder Farmers in Kilolo District, Iringa, Tanzania

Nyamaka, Kasukura (2019) The Impact of Informal Savings Schemes on Household welfare of Smallholder Farmers in Kilolo District, Iringa, Tanzania. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study explored the impact of the Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLA’s-an informal saving scheme) in enhancing welfare (Social economic Status of smallholder farmers households in Kilolo District, Iringa region. Objectively the study determined the impact of rural households’ participation in the informal savings schemes (VSLAs) on their farm productivity, assessed the impact of VSLA in supporting education. Moreover it analysed on how VSLAs contributed on supporting in education financing expenditure and reduction in school dropout rates amongst rural households. Also it examined the impact of VSLAs in supporting the development and/or diversification of small holder farmers’ income generating activities (IGAs). The study employed a mixed methods design, with emphasis on qualitative approach. It involved 208 respondents from VSLA and non-VSLA members reached through questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews. The result shows that the participation in the saving scheme has been found to have created positive impact on the smallholder farmers’ household welfare in four aspects which are household income, education support (education expenditure and school dropout rates) and establishment, development and diversification of IGA’s. The VSLA have also reduced the women in men dependence economy on the household welfare. The VSLA programme has significantly contributed to women to in establishing and managing the IGA’s which in turn has enhanced their economic status, which enables them to earn extra income through which they can gain greater financial autonomy. It is recommended that Kilolo District leaders should replicate and enhance VSLA program to smallholder farmers in other villages within district to enable them to have planned saving mobilization.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: 300 Social Sciences > 330 Economics
Divisions: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences > Centre for Economics and Community Economic Development
Depositing User: Mr. Administrator OUT
Date Deposited: 23 Nov 2020 10:49
Last Modified: 23 Nov 2020 11:43
URI: http://repository.out.ac.tz/id/eprint/2507

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