Native Grassland Seeds for Livelihoods and Rangeland Restoration: An Exploratory Value Chain Analysis from a Maasai Community-Based Program in Northern Tanzania

Grassland degradation threatens biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the livelihoods of communities that depend on rangeland resources. In East Africa, these challenges are exacerbated by climate change, land fragmentation, and increasing pressure on grazing lands. In response, community-based restoration initiatives have increasingly sought to combine ecological restoration with local livelihood opportunities. This thesis explores the relationship between environmental restoration and livelihoods through an exploratory value chain analysis of native grass seed production within a community-based rangeland restoration programme in northern Tanzania. Focusing on Maasai communities, the study examines how native grass seed production is organized and whether participation in restoration activities can generate economic benefits alongside ecological outcomes. The research employs a mixed-methods case study approach, combining household surveys, key informant interviews, and value chain mapping. The findings contribute to the limited literature on native seed systems and community-based restoration in Africa and provide insights into the role of restoration initiatives in supporting livelihood diversification and sustainable rangeland management.