Description:
This study analyzed the Sclerocarya birrea products value chain. In this study, 90
respondents were drawn from Kilosa district and 68 from Uyui district: 60 being
processing group members and 8 collectors. Data were collected through focus group
discussions, key informant interviews and household surveys by use of semi-
structured questionnaires and interview schedules. The Sub- sector mapping analysis
revealed that S. birrea products value chain comprised of collectors, processors and
consumers who engage in fruits collection and in making and selling wines and jams
to end users. Enterprise budget approach shows that there is unequal distribution of
profits; 96% and 6% being accrued by processors and collectors respectively. With
the aid of Principal Component Analysis, Multiple regression analysis revealed that
processing is statistically significant (β = -0.464, t = -3.264, p<0.01) influencing
success in commercialization of S. birrea fruits though negatively. Lack of market
information and linkage, absence of sensitization campaigns, lack of government
support, reliance on donor support, lack of awareness on economic value and
absence of government and NGOs initiatives cause underutilization and
commercialization of S. birrea trees. However, availability of trees and external
markets, legal recognition of the business, the possibility of the tree to be
domesticated and consumers’ awareness on S. birrea products were identified to be
potential opportunities. Also, collection of fruits occurs in private, communal and
protected lands either by permission, free access or by payments. Tanzania still lacks
NTFPS policy and currently there is no formal government rules guiding harvesting
of S. birrea products. Therefore, government and NGOs support is a key driver to
enhance commercialization and sustainable utilization of S. birrea in Tanzania.