Livestock income and household welfare for communities adjacent to the Great Fish River Nature Reserve, South Africa

Abstract

Conflicts in protected areas often result from contestations around benefit-sharing arrangements. Integrating biodiversity conservation and livelihood goals in protected areas can be aided by quantitative assessments of the contribution of surrounding land-use options and trade-offs between conservation and use. Using household surveys, this study examines the contribution of livestock income (cash and subsistence) to household welfare among livestock-owning households living adjacent to the Great Fish River Nature Reserve, South Africa. Across all households, livestock income contributed about 28% to total household income but the distribution of and dependence on livestock income varied across groups of people. Livestock income had little effect on income inequality but poverty incidence and depth were tied to livestock income especially for the poor and less-poor households. The potential livelihood and conservation benefits for increased support for livestock production are discussed, including how this could reduce conflict levels between conservation agencies and local communities and in a broader sense, improve the relationship between the state and its citizens.