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.
Description:
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Horticulture in the Faculty of Agriculture
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of
Science in Research Methods of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and
Technology.
MAY, 2016
