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.

Cocoa farming is one of the most important cash crop enterprises supporting rural livelihoods in tropical regions.

Globally, it provides income to over 50 million people, primarily smallholder farmers in Africa, Latin America,

and Asia (FAO, 2021). In sub-Saharan Africa, cocoa farming plays a particularly vital role, accounting for a

substantial share of household income and foreign exchange earnings. Studies have shown that in Ghana, Côte

d’Ivoire, and Nigeria, cocoa contributes between 60% and 80% of household income (Asare et al., 2018;

Empirical evidence consistently demonstrates that cocoa farming significantly improves household economic

well-being. In Ghana, cocoa earnings enable farmers to meet essential expenses such as food, education, and

healthcare, while also supporting asset accumulation and savings (Ruf & Bini, 2020; Osei et al., 2021). Similarly,

& Baiyegunhi, 2016; Kweka & Msangya, 2018). Cocoa farming provides a reliable source of seasonal income

that supports household consumption and improves rural living standards. According to Kapinga et al. (2020),

cocoa farmers in southern Tanzania use their earnings to finance household needs, including food, school fees,

Beyond direct income, cocoa farming has multiplier effects on local economies through employment creation,

rural trade, and cooperative development. Cocoa marketing cooperatives, for example, play a crucial role in

improving farmers’ bargaining power and ensuring fair prices (Antwi-Agyei et al., 2021). In addition, cocoa

income often supports investment in productive assets, such as livestock and farm equipment, which further

However, dependence on cocoa as a single cash crop also exposes households to risks arising from price

Despite the recognized importance of cocoa farming in Kyela District, there is limited empirical evidence

quantifying its direct contribution to household income and economic well-being. Many households remain

vulnerable to income fluctuations due to reliance on a single cash crop, and little is known about how cocoa

earnings translate into asset accumulation and overall welfare. This lack of precise information makes it difficult

for policymakers and development actors to design interventions that maximize the economic benefits of cocoa

Academically, the study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on agricultural livelihoods and rural

potential and sustainability of cocoa production. The study reveals how cocoa farming serves as a critical source

of income while identifying persistent challenges such as seasonal price fluctuations. These insights can guide

farmers, cooperatives, and development partners in making informed decisions related to production, income

diversification, and financial management. Strengthening farmer organizations and promoting financial literacy

From a policy perspective, the study provides evidence-based recommendations for government institutions and

development agencies aiming to strengthen the cocoa sector. Improving market access, stabilizing prices, and

enhancing access to credit are essential measures to sustain cocoa-based livelihoods. The study thus supports

Tanzania’s broader development objectives, particularly those targeting poverty reduction, inclusive economic

viewed as a key enabler that allows individuals and households to meet these needs systematically (Jerome,

In the context of rural livelihoods, income derived from cocoa farming plays a central role in fulfilling these

hierarchical needs. At the physiological level, cocoa earnings enable households to purchase food, pay for water,

and meet other daily consumption needs, thus securing their basic survival. At the safety level, income from

cocoa supports housing improvements, access to healthcare, and savings for emergencies, which reduce

At the social and esteem levels, cocoa income contributes to education, social participation, and community

recognition, as farmers use their earnings to educate children and engage in social and cooperative activities.

Finally, at the self-actualization level, stable and sufficient income from cocoa farming allows households to

Applying Maslow’s framework to this study provides a theoretical basis for understanding how cocoa income

supports multidimensional aspects of household welfare. The theory suggests that as cocoa farmers’ earnings

increase, they are better positioned to progress from meeting basic survival needs to achieving higher levels of

socio-economic well-being. Thus, cocoa farming not only contributes to material income but also facilitates

This theoretical perspective is relevant to the study because it highlights the interrelationship between income

generation and human welfare. In KDC, where cocoa serves as a major source of cash income, Maslow’s theory

helps explain how improved cocoa earnings translate into better living conditions, enhanced education, and

Empirical evidence from West Africa consistently demonstrates that cocoa farming is not only a profitable cash

crop but also a stabilizing economic activity that provides regular income compared to seasonal food crops. For

example, Adeyemi (2021) in Nigeria found that cocoa farming accounted for nearly 70% of household income

among smallholder farmers. Despite challenges such as market price fluctuations and climate variability, cocoa

farmers experienced relatively stable cash flow, allowing them to invest in long-term goals such as children’s

education, home improvement, and business expansion. These findings suggest that cocoa income enhances

Similarly, Coulibaly and Kouassi (2020) in Côte d’Ivoire observed that households engaged in cocoa farming

spent about 40% more on education and healthcare than those dependent solely on subsistence farming. This

indicates that cocoa income not only improves purchasing power but also leads to broader welfare improvements,

addition, Antwi-Agyei et al. (2021) emphasized that cocoa-based income provides liquidity that allows

households to cope with shocks such as droughts or health emergencies, underscoring its importance as both a

In the Tanzanian context, cocoa farming—particularly in Kyela District—plays a similar role. Studies by

Mmbando and Baiyegunhi (2016) and Kapinga et al. (2020) reveal that cocoa provides an essential income

stream for smallholder farmers, supporting daily consumption and major household expenditures. Income from

cocoa sales helps families improve housing conditions, pay for education, and invest in agricultural inputs for

other crops. This demonstrates that cocoa farming not only enhances cash availability but also contributes to

The conceptual framework illustrates the relationship between cocoa farming and household income and

livelihood improvement. In this framework, cocoa farming is the independent variable, while the household

income level is the dependent variable. The framework assumes that the extent and performance of cocoa

farming directly influence the income status of households. This relationship is measured through three key

production due to its fertile volcanic soils and favorable rainfall patterns (URT, 2021). Cocoa farming is practiced

This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design within a mixed-methods approach. The descriptive

design was appropriate because it enabled the researcher to capture detailed information on the contribution of

cocoa farming to household income level without manipulating variables. The cross-sectional nature of the

design allowed data collection at a single point in time, while the mixed approach combined quantitative and

questionnaires administered to cocoa-farming households, focusing on household income sources, share of

cocoa earnings, and related socio-economic aspects. In addition, key informant interviews were conducted with

agricultural officers and cooperative leaders to obtain expert insights. Secondary data were sourced from

government reports, academic publications, and NGO documents relevant to cocoa farming and household

The results show that while business activities are common, cocoa remains the dominant agricultural livelihood

Trends over the past three years show positive growth, with 67.4% of households reporting a significant increase

These results indicate that cocoa farming contributes significantly to household income, with more than half of