📖 Small Scale Timber Production and Local Community's Livelihoods..

Small-scale timber production is growing throughout the world. This growth is especially clear in developing countries where small scale timber production is of growing importance as seen in respective countries. A report by FAO (1993) indicated that, in Latin America, 3 500 000 hectares were owned by small-scale timber producers. Furthermore, in the Asia and pacific regions, 23 100 000 hectares were owned by small-scale timber producers. Small-scale timber production is a composite activity, important to many local communities in Tanzania. The production contributes much to the improvement of local community’s livelihoods in terms of income, food security, poverty alleviation, employment and general economic growth (Magcale-Macandog, 1999). Small-scale timber production plays multiple roles in relation to food security and household subsistence. Forests are increasingly becoming important in the rural life of the majority of Tanzanians (FAO, 2001). Small-scale timber production plays an important role in the livelihoods of millions of rural people, principally as a subsistence safety net, but also as a source of cash income, capital asset, and a source of employment.