Description:
Large-scale agricultural investment is an important economic activity which has potential to improve the livelihoods of Male-Headed Households (MHHs) and Female-Headed Households (FHHs). (However, the benefit derived from large-scale agricultural investments has a household headship and agricultural investments models differential. The study was conducted in Kilombero Valley in Tanzania to assess livelihood outcomes among households engaged in large-scale agricultural investments through outgrowers scheme and investor farm employment. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using exploratory sequential data collection and analysis approach and involved 376 respondents. Income and asset monetary value were used as proxy indicator of wealth status. Qualitative data were analysed by using content analysis while a multiple responses analysis, Chi-square test, T-test, and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were employed for quantitative data analysis. It was found that MHHs participating in outgrower scheme had more opportunities than FHHs The livelihood outcomes between MHHs and FHHs were statistically significant The livelihood outcomes among outgrowers, investor farm workers and non-participants was statistically significant. The differences in livelihood outcomes are attributed to one’s engagement in large-scale agricultural investments through out-grower scheme. However, MHHs derived more benefits in large-scale agricultural investments due to dominance in out-grower associations. The study recommends the local government authority and non-governmental organizations involved in promoting livelihood improvement through large-scale agricultural investments to promote FHHs ownership of resources by allowing more FHHs to access and control over productive resources This can be done by strengthening out-growers association through training out-growers on their roles in contract with investors and by ensuring that out-growers are represented in every decision that affects their payments from sugarcane sales, especially in measuring sugarcane sucrose level.