Bamboo Varieties Utilization for Income of Women in Rungwe Districts, Mbeya Region.

Kibhuti, Donald Dickson (2025) Bamboo Varieties Utilization for Income of Women in Rungwe Districts, Mbeya Region. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The study assessed the utilization of various bamboo species as a means for women to generate income through economic activities. A sequential explanatory design was employed to collect and analyze data. Data were gathered at a specific point in time using a cross-sectional study design as a sub-design, which was relatively quick and cost-effective for a field-based survey. Systematic random sampling was utilized to obtain a total sample size of 200 individuals residing in five villages, which were identified as the main locations for bamboo varieties in the district. Data collection methods included questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. The study identified Yushania alpine, Oxythenanthera abyssinica, and Bambusa vulgaris as the primary bamboo species used by women in the area. The key bamboo products manufactured were handicrafts and furniture. Specifically, handcrafted items included dustbins, baskets, and trays, while furniture items comprised stools, tables, and sofa sets. The findings revealed that the utilization of bamboo varieties contributed to 15.1% of women's income in the study area. Additionally, the average monthly income generated from bamboo resources was 100,000 shillings per woman. The outcomes of the study are significant for understanding theories related to natural resource utilization and the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) which explains resource use as a function of economic growth. Consequently promoting bamboo knowledge and practising to include bamboo entrepreneurship, processing skills, formulation and implementation of policies that encourage bamboo resources and supporting women economic participation in bamboo economic activities for income generation. Keywords: Bamboo, Bamboo diversity, Women’s empowerment, Livelihoods

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