Contribution of Tanzania Social Action Fund Productive Grants to Household Economic Status in Kilolo District, Tanzania

Author

Robert Chikujo, Dr. Agnes Nzali

Abstract

 This study examined the contribution of Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) productive grants to household economic status in Kilolo District Council, Tanzania. The study focused on four indicators of household economic status: household income, savings, productive asset acquisition and livelihood diversification. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was employed. The study population comprised 872 TASAF productive grant beneficiary households in selected areas of Kilolo District Council. A sample of 90 beneficiary households was obtained using Taro Yamane’s formula at a 10% margin of error and proportional allocation across Irole and Nyalumbu wards. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) through descriptive statistics, particularly frequencies and percentages. Qualitative evidence was obtained through key informant interviews and focus group discussions and analysed thematically. The findings showed that 77.8% of respondents reported an increase in household income, 72.2% reported increased savings, 76.7% had acquired productive assets after receiving TASAF productive grants, and 81.1% had established new livelihood activities. In addition, 78.9% of households reported operating two or more income-generating activities. Common productive assets included livestock, land and farm equipment, while major livelihood activities included crop farming, livestock keeping, poultry and petty trade or small business. Qualitative evidence supported the quantitative findings, although beneficiaries continued to face constraints related to markets, climate variability, technical support and limited capital. The study concludes that TASAF productive grants were associated with improvements in several dimensions of household economic status among beneficiary households. Continued livelihood training, market linkages, savings mobilisation and technical follow-up are recommended to strengthen the sustainability of these gains.

Keywords

TASAF, productive grants, household economic status, income, savings, productive assets, livelihood diversification, Tanzania

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References

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