Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Agroforestry and beekeeping are widely promoted as prospective Nature- Based Income Generating Activities (NIGAs) to improve livelihoods while at the same time enhancing biodiversity conservation in degrading agro-ecologies. These activities can diversify and increase famers’ incomes and support instinctive biota and fauna resilience. However, evidence to showcase and compare their long-term benefits is scant. We use the case of Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania to evaluate and compare viability of agroforestry and beekeeping projects using the Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) approach. The results of analysis yielded positive NPVs for both agroforestry and beekeeping projects at discount rates not higher than 8.2% and 8.5% respectively. Overall, the comparison of economic viability between agroforestry and beekeeping projects revealed that the former was relatively more profitable than the later in terms of both the NPV and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) criteria. However, the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for beekeeping was slightly higher than that of agroforestry. Yet, we underscore the fact that these two projects can jointly be implemented to enhance livelihoods of farmers and support biodiversity conservation in the study area and other parts with similar agro-ecologies in developing countries. However, farmers in these agro-ecologies need to be supported by governments and non-government development partners in terms of training and inspiration to shift from orthodox farming to sustainable NIGAs.
Highlights
The comparison of economic viability between agroforestry and beekeeping projects revealed that the former was relatively more profitable than the later in terms of both the NPV and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) criteria
Our results of Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) indicate that both the agroforestry and beekeeping projects were viable at the discount rate equal to the inflation rate (i.e., r = 3.2%) with NPVs of Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) 700,459.40 and TZS 188,092.63 per acre respectively
The results of comparison of economic viability between agroforestry and beekeeping projects indicated that the former was more profitable than the later at discount rates equal or less than 8.2% and 8.5% respectively in terms of both NPVs and BCRs (Table 3)
Summary
Fragmentation of forests and misuse of natural ecosystems caused by unsustainable agriculture and other income generating activities are extensively reported in the literature as causing threats of extinction for some fauna and flora species (FAO, 2020a; FAO, 2020b; Vogt et al, 2019; Alroy, 2017; Giama, 2017; Venter et al, 2014; Laurance et al, 2012; Krauss et al, 2010; Tscharntke et al, 2008; Ewers & Didham, 2006; Fahrig, 2003; Tilman & Clark, 2014; Tilman et al, 1994). The recent UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s global forest resources assessment report, for example, indicates that about 178 million hectares of forest have been lost worldwide over the past three decades (FAO, 2020a) and agriculture, is pointed out as the major cause of deforestation affecting a wide range of ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, water quality, pollination, nutrient cycling, and soil retention just to mention few (Dale & Polasky, 2007) In line with this understanding, the State of the World’s Forests (SOFO) report on the status of forests identifies actions that can be taken to combat deforestation and increase the contribution of forests and trees that are necessary to accelerate progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is the central framework for guiding development policies throughout the world (FAO, 2020b). The specific objectives of NBSAP (2015-2020) are to: 1) ensure sustainable use of biodiversity through strengthened knowledge, awareness raising, support to scientific research and innovations; 2) protect and rehabilitate degraded biomes and threatened species to reduce the rate of habitat loss and genetic erosion; and
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
