Contribution of Cocoa Farming to Household’s Income and Livelihood Improvement in Kyela District Council, Mbeya Region, Tanzania

Abstract

This paper examines the contribution of cocoa farming to household income and livelihood improvement in Kyela District Council (KDC), Mbeya Region, Tanzania. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed using a mixed-methods approach. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires, supplemented by interviews with key informants. Quantitative data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 20, while qualitative data were analyzed by using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that cocoa farming contributes significantly to household income. Whereas, more than 70% of households derive over half of their total earnings from cocoa, with 26.3% reporting cocoa provides more than 75% of their income. Households also reported increases in cocoa-related income over the past three years, which facilitated investments in assets, payment of school fees, and other essential non-food expenses. The study concludes that cocoa farming plays a transformative role in sustaining rural livelihoods in KDC, though vulnerabilities remain due to seasonal price fluctuations. It is recommended that farmer cooperatives be strengthened, financial literacy promoted, and market access improved to enhance the sustainability of cocoa-based incomes.