The Contribution Of Clove Production To The Small Scale Farmers ’ Livelihoods: A Case Of Mkoani District-Pemba

ABSTRACT

This study had the aim of finding out the contribution of clove production to the small scale farmers‟ livelihoods. The study was guided by three objectives; to explore the importance of clove farming to the small scale farmers‟ livelihoods, to identify challenges facing small scale farmers in the clove production and to suggest measures that may be taken by the government of Zanzibar to minimize challenges facing small scale farmers in the clove production. The sample of the study constituted 86 respondents, including ZSTC officers, Agricultural officers and small scale farmers. The methods used for data collection involved interviews, focus group discussion and questionnaires. The data was collected throughout Mkoani District and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The researcher used simple random sampling and purposive sampling procedures in each unit of the population. The findings of the study disclose that to a large extent clove production contributes to affordability of food and clothes especially during harvesting period. Other named contributions were payment of school fees to their kids; establishment of food crops farming such as rice, cassava and banana; building modern houses and repairing the old ones; cloves also contribute to the buying of vehicles such as motorbikes and cars. Lastly the study recommends that, the government should establish a major clove development project that will include research; extension and training on clove development to re- establish and manage clove plantations. There should be a free market system for cloves production, this is because present situation seems to benefit government more than the producers themselves.