The impact of rural energy use on the environment during the economic reforms period (1981-1992): Some evidence from Tanzania

The article briefly presents the energy situation in Tanzania, discusses the relationship between structural adjustment programmes and emerge use problems. It looks at the objectives of these SAP programmes to see the effects on the energy sector and how these, in turn, affect the environment. In the article, a number of observations are made including the following ones: the pattern of electricity tariff revisions which have been affected by TANESCO, have created a structure which may be environmentally devastating by encouraging the consumers to use more fuel wood and charcoal for their energy needs; from the official aggregate data for urban fuel wood and charcoal consumption, the own price responsiveness for fuelwood demand, was found to have been negative and inelastic; a substitution relationship was found to have existed between kerosene and fuel wood; as income rises urban consumers use less fuelwood and conversely, if urban dweller's income falls relative to rising prices or increased unemployment, more people will turn to the use of fuelwood and charcoal for their everyday energy needs; the urban population coefficient for fuel wood, indicates that an increase in the urban population coefficient for fuel wood , indicates that an increase in the urban population puts pressure on woodfuel demand through consuming more woodfuel; the positive relationship between electricity price and charcoal demand, means that a substitution relationship existed between the two energy sources for the period of analysis (1977-1995) and finally examples drawn from Lushoto and Nzihi provide empirical evidence that factors such as cost of fuel availability and ease of access to fuelwood do influence choice of fuel source by most consumersUniversity of Dar es Salaa

The influence of certified forest management on community socioeconomics: implication for REDD+ safeguard standards implementation in Tanzania

Forest certification has been promoted as means to contribute to individual and community livelihoods condition. However, it has been evaluated very little to this effect. By using economic valuation methods and governance indicators, the study assesses the influence of forest certification approach to forest management on individual and community livelihoods in Kilwa, Tanzania by comparing livelihoods condition in communities with certified forests under community based forest management (CBFM) to those village forests without CBFM and certification. Results reveal that certified communities (FSC) offer a higher forest income US$106/annum and US$86/m3/annum per household and village, respectively and more incomes to people in the community than non-certified communities with US$43/annum and US$10/m3/annum per household and village, respectively. The difference of livelihoods condition between the certified CBFM and communities without CBFM and certification is statistically significant (p = 3.128e-05 < 0.05). The actors from certified forest communities exhibit lower income inequity (G = 0.3986) than NoFSC forests (G = 0.5883) and the difference is statistically significant. This highlights positive influence of certified CBFM on livelihoods condition as an incentive for communities to responsibly manage their forests, including REDD+ projects more effectively, efficiently and sustainably. The policy implication from this is that incorporation of forest certification standards into REDD+ social and environmental safeguard standards implementation would motivate communities to participate effectively in REDD+.Available in the Proceedings of the International Conference on Reducing Climate Change Challenges through Forestry and Other Land Use Practices.Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (CCIAM) Programme funded through the Norwegian embassy in Tanzani

Use of an electronic Partograph: feasibility and acceptability study in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Abstract Background The ePartogram is a tablet-based application developed to improve care for women in labor by addressing documented challenges in partograph use. The application is designed to provide real-time decision support, improve data entry, and increase access to information for appropriate labor management. This study’s primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of ePartogram use in resource-constrained clinical settings. Methods The ePartogram was introduced at three facilities in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Following 3 days of training, skilled birth attendants (SBAs) were observed for 2 weeks using the ePartogram to monitor laboring women. During each observed shift, data collectors used a structured observation form to document SBA comfort, confidence, and ability to use the ePartogram. Results were analyzed by shift. Short interviews, conducted with SBAs (n = 82) after each of their first five ePartogram-monitored labors, detected differences over time. After the observation period, in-depth interviews were conducted (n = 15). A thematic analysis of interview transcripts was completed. Results Observations of 23 SBAs using the ePartogram to monitor 103 women over 84 shifts showed that the majority of SBAs (87–91%) completed each of four fundamental ePartogram tasks—registering a client, entering first and subsequent measurements, and navigating between screens—with ease or increasing ease on their first shift; this increased to 100% by the fifth shift. Nearly all SBAs (93%) demonstrated confidence and all SBAs demonstrated comfort in using the ePartogram by the fifth shift. SBAs expressed positive impressions of the ePartogram and found it efficient and easy to use, beginning with first client use. SBAs noted the helpfulness of auditory reminders (indicating that measurements were due) and visual alerts (signaling abnormal measurements). SBAs expressed confidence in their ability to interpret and act on these reminders and alerts. Conclusions It is feasible and acceptable for SBAs to use the ePartogram to support labor management and care. With structured training and support during initial use, SBAs quickly became competent and confident in ePartogram use. Qualitative findings revealed that SBAs felt the ePartogram improved timeliness of care and supported decision-making. These findings point to the ePartogram’s potential to improve quality of care in resource-constrained labor and delivery settings

Towards transferable functions for extraction of Non-timber Forest Products: A case study on charcoal production in Tanzania

Mapping the distribution of the quantity and value of forest benefits to local communities is useful for forest management, when socio-economic and conservation objectives may need to be traded off. We develop a modelling approach for the economic valuation of annual Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) extraction at a large spatial scale, which has 4 main strengths: (1) it is based on household production functions using data of actual household behaviour, (2) it is spatially sensitive, using a range of explanatory variables related to socio-demographic characteristics, population density, resource availability and accessibility, (3) it captures the value of the actual flow rather than the potential stock, and (4) it is generic and can therefore be up-scaled across non-surveyed areas. We illustrate the empirical application of this approach in an analysis of charcoal production in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, using a dataset comprising over 1100 observations from 45 villages. The total flow of charcoal benefits is estimated at USD 14 million per year, providing an important source of income to local households, and supplying around 11% of the charcoal used in Dar es Salaam and other major cities. We discuss the potential and limitations of up-scaling micro-level analysis for NTFP valuation.<br/

The importance of local forest benefits:valuation of non-timber forest products in the Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania

Understanding the spatial distribution of the quantity and value of Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) collection gives insight into the benefits that local communities obtain from forests, and can inform decisions about the selection of forested areas that are eligible for conservation and enforcement of regulations. In this paper we estimate transferable household production functions of NTFP extraction in the Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM) in Tanzania, based on information from several multisite datasets related to the behaviour of over 2000 households. These micro-level models can be used to predict the value of NTFP collection across a broader spatial scale. The study shows that the total benefit flow of charcoal, firewood, poles and thatch from the EAM to the local population has an estimated value of TSH 59 billion (USD 42 million) per year, and provides an important source of additional income for local communities, especially the poorest. We therefore argue that further restrictions on forest access to promote conservation will require additional policies to prevent a consequent increase in poverty, and an enforced trade-off between conservation and energy supply to rural and urban households