Edible Indigenous Fruits Business, Household Income and Livelihoods of People of Songea District, Tanzania

Abstract

Indigenous fruits have been fruits have been consumed by the communities of Africa since time in the continent most of fruits are found in the Miombo woodlands, a vegetation cover that extends to vast areas of Southern Africa Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Tanzania. Within Tanzania, vegetation of Songea district is Indigenous fruits are said to be the source of nutrition for people living in both rural and indigenous fruits and necessitates small scale sources of indigenous fruits and urban centres which are markets of the same. The nature and character of indigenous fruits is not clearly explained. Information on the priority types of fruits in the business, the contribution of rural majority of communities of Africa since time immemorial. Studies indicate that in the continent the indigenous fruits are found in the Miombo woodlands, a vegetation cover that extends to vast areas of including Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozamb Tanzania. Within Tanzania, vegetation of typical of Miombo woodlands. Indigenous be the source of nutrition for people living in urban areas. Existence of a variety of indigenous their availability only in rural areas necessitates small business between rural, which are the sources of fruits and urban centres which are markets of the same products. The nature and character of business in Songea district is not clearly explained. Information on the priority types of fruits reasons for their being prioritized and the indigenous fruits business to household income remains largely unknown. Qualitative analysis was employed using n-depth interviews (IDIs), supported by Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to obtain detailed information from the participants. The paper observes that despite existence of several indigenous fruit types, there were three priority types which featured prominently in the market, meaning Uapaca kirkiana (masuku), Strychnos cocculoides (mtonga) and Parinari curatelifolia (mbula) traded in the area, The three are hereby presented in the order of preference basing on their shelf life, customer preference on the taste and their easy availability. Furthermore, the paper observes a unique feature of indigenous fruits markets which poses a challenge to the business. This involves securing a customer with triple coincidence that is the one who stays in urban sector, know the fruit and at the same time would like to buy it. Certainly one has to have some cash at hand to purchase the fruits. The first condition is limited by products un-knowability an aspect which limits the market size at local and international levels. Indigenous fruits business was found to contribute for about 14% to annual household income of Songea district. This is a significant contribution. Other benefits of rural livelihood include enhancing nutrition status and food security.