The Private Forestry Programme (PFP) hired the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) of the University of Iringa to conduct a mid-term evaluation of the quality and progress of the implementation of 44 VLUPs made with PFP support in six districts in Iringa, Njombe and Ruvuma regions.The study team adopted an integrative and holistic approach which included desk review, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions with key VLUP stakeholders as well as visits to all 44 villages.
Community participation in the VLUP process was very high in all districts except Nyasa District. All respondents in Ludewa, Mufindi and Madaba districts ranked participation as high, while 91% and 75% did so in Makete and Njombe TC districts respectively. By contrast, in Nyasa, community participation was perceived to be low by 60% of respondents. In all districts, however, all social groups were represented, particularly in the preliminary stage. The villages differed considerably in the degree to which they had implemented their VLUPs, but 82% reported that land-related conflicts had decreased after they began to implement their VLUPs. VLUP reports, maps, and images were seen as both accessible and user-friendly, so much so that 89% of the villages used them in making decisions about land issues. No village has yet issued a certificate of customary right of occupancy (CCRO), but villagers desire to have such certificates as they understand that holding a CCRO for a plot of land immediately increases the value of that land and gives the certificate-holder access to capital as well as the legal power to protect his or her land.
Vulnerable groups were included in the VLUP process mainly by reserving a piece of land on which they could plant trees. People in villages with VLUPs generally protect the environment though some incidences of environmental violations were reported. Respondents felt that bylaws were the best way to protect the environment.
The full report can be accessed below (PDF file).
