FOREST PRODUCTS AND RURAL INCOME IN TANZANIA FROM A METHODOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE IN ESTIMATION

Forest resources in this context embody closed canopy forests, woodlan ds, savannas, bushes, thickets, farm trees and shrubs and plantation f orestry. These resources playa role in Tanzania's economic development by providing woodfuel, structural timber, poles and non-wood products such as fodder, fruits, nuts, herbal medicines and wild foods. Woodfu el consumption constitutes 97% of all wood products and 91% of the tot al national energy consumption while the rural subsistence consumption is about 98%. The forest sector also contributes to food security by maintaining a stable environment necessary for agriculture and livesto ck production systems. Furthermore, large parts of rural and urban are as depend on water supplies originating from catchment forests. So is the generation of hydro-electric power. Reliable statistics on forestr y including its contribution to national development are scarce and fe w. This marginalizes the importance of the sector in national developm ent. The main problem faced is how to quantify some of the forest prod ucts in monetary terms. Since very limited research has been conducted in this areal this paper looks into the issue of forestry-based rural incomes from a methodological perspective in estimation. Future resea rch in this area is recommended to illustrate and justify the importan ce of rural forestry in Tanzania.