FACTORS INFLUENCING SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ PARTICIPATION IN TIMBER PRODUCTION AND MARKETING, IN BURUNDI: THE CASE OF MURUTA COMMUNE OF KAYANZA PROVINCE.

Abstract

Timber production is an important component creating jobs and wealth of countries’ prosperity because of its resource and labor intensity. In Burundi timber and its derivatives provide 95.4% of the total energy needs of the country. For various reasons, forest products exploitation such as timber are not well known because of the lack of knowledge and awareness; regulations governing the management of forest resources have always been inconsistent and inadequate, available forest inventories are very old (1976).The study objectives were ; (1)to map out the timber chain in Kayanza from producers to all the steps it goes through until it reaches the final consumer; (2) to determined factors that motivate timber production by smallholders farmers;(3) to determine factors that influence farmers to participate in timber production and marketing and (4) to compared the role of men and women in the production and the marketing of timber. The study was conducted in Muruta commune of Kayanza province. A sample of 131 producers randomly selected in Muruta commune and 72 stakeholders of Kayanza and Bujumbura provinces was interviewed. The study relied on primary data collected in the three zones of Muruta commune including Muruta, Nkonge and Rwegura. The results revealed that About 85.5% of the households interviewed were involved in timber production; 91.3% of traders were men; the most processed type of tree species was Eucalyptus saligna , and Grevillea robusta and over 57% of timber products were transported from Kayanza to Bujumbura town. Descriptive analysis revealed that firewood, timber, charcoal, erosion control and fruits consumption was the main factors motivating timber production by farmers. Probit regression results revealed that age, education level, household size, formal rules, public employment, radio acquisition and furthest market ;were the factors influencing farmers to make their decision to participate in timber production and marketing. Finding revealed also that decision making for tree planting was only done by 10.7% of women as compared to 87.8% done by men. To minimize subsistence productions, a sensitization on timber should increase households income and therefore the country economy. Producers should be aware on other source of energy especially the use of gas like in other countries including Kenya. An implementation of a timber value chain regulated by the government should be done as it is for other agricultures products including sugar, cotton, tea and coffee in Burundi.