Formal Institutions along the Timber Value Chain in Liwale and Ruangwa Districts, Tanzania

Abstract

In developing an inclusive and sustainable timber value chain, institutions are important for structuring and governing the interactions of the actors to effect value creation and addition to timber products. Therefore, this study aims at assessing the rules and regulations awareness, enforcement, compliance and costs associated with the timber value chain in Liwale and Ruangwa districts, Tanzania. Data collection methods for this study includes key informant interviews, observation and focus group discussions. Secondary Data were also gathered from various sources from within and outside the districts. Findings reveal that most people were aware of the rules and regulations involved in value chain but their level of awareness differed depending on factors like education level that an individual timber dealer had, time of exposure in the timber business and the goals that each one had on their business. Enforcement of the rules and regulations was found to be strong in Liwale compared to Ruangwa district. In addition, the compliance of the rules and regulations was high in Liwale than in Ruangwa.