Thesis
Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) was introduced in Tanzania to address the
poverty situation. However, little information based on appropriate methodological
approaches is available. Therefore the present study was conducted to assess the impact
of community empowerment by TASAF on effective and efficient utilisation of the
assets created under the TASAF poverty reduction program. Specifically, the objectives
of the study were to: (i) evaluate the impact of TASAF intervention on socio-economic
status of participants, (ii) assess the impact of TASAF intervention on food security and
health status of beneficiaries, and (iii) examine the sustainability of productive assets
created by TASAF for food insecure, service poor and vulnerable groups. This study
was carried out in Makete and Rungwe districts in 2010. Data were collected from 300
household, 54 key informants and focus group discussions using quasi-experimental
approach. The present study was conceptualized in the sustainable livelihood approach
framework for analysis, whereby both descriptive and quantitative techniques were
used to analyze cross-sectional data. The quantitative estimation employed Heckman’s
two-stage and IV/2SLS models to estimate the intervention effects. Results show that
TASAF intervention have positive impact on socio-economic status of participants.
Also, it has been found that carpentry, public works, environmental conservation and
water projects have positive influence on food security. However, it has been observed
that poultry and public works had significant effects on health status, meaning that
TASAF participants improved their health compared to non participants. Thus, it is
concluded that intervention improves health status of beneficiaries. Also, it has been
observed that, carpentry works was significantly sustainable, meaning that assets
created in TASAF projects continue to deliver benefits after the termination of the
program. Therefore, it is recommended that the government should invest in health and reproductive health services provision. Also, the government should enhance projects
that have positive influence on food security and health status of participants. Lastly,
the government should enforce policies on sustaining assets created such as poultry,
dairy cattle, carpentry, public works, environmental conservation and water projects.
Mbeya Institute of Science and Technology, African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) and Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness