Effect of TASAF Interventions on Households’ Livelihood Improvement in Tanzania: A Case of Mbeya District Council.

Mangeni, Musa (2025) Effect of TASAF Interventions on Households’ Livelihood Improvement in Tanzania: A Case of Mbeya District Council. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The study aimed to assess the effect of Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) interventions on household livelihood improvement in Mbeya District Council. It was guided by three specific objectives: to examine the effect of TASAF on food security among households, to evaluate the contribution of TASAF in improving access to basic services, and to determine the influence of TASAF on household asset ownership. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data. The descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed. The sample consisted of 146 respondents, selected through purposive and stratified random sampling techniques. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. The findings revealed that Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) interventions contributed positively to household livelihood improvement in Mbeya District Council. Food security showed modest progress through enhanced meal frequency, dietary diversity, and reduced negative coping strategies, though the statistical effect was insignificant (p = 0.394). Access to basic services such as sanitation, healthcare, and education improved moderately, constrained by infrastructural and geographic limitations (p = 0.347). Asset ownership demonstrated the strongest and statistically significant effect (p < 0.001), indicating that consistent TASAF support enabled households to acquire productive assets like livestock and farming tools, thereby strengthening long-term economic resilience and promoting sustainable livelihood stability. Qualitative findings supported these results, indicating that beneficiaries experienced improved resilience, empowerment, and community participation, though some challenges persisted, including dependency tendencies and irregular cash transfers. The study concludes that TASAF has positively influenced household welfare, though disparities persist across wards. It recommends strengthening livelihood diversification, improving infrastructure access, and enhancing financial literacy to ensure sustainable livelihood outcomes.

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