Rural Households’ Livelihood Strategy Choice and Livelihood Diversity of Main Ethnic Minorities in Chongqing, China

Shuxin Mao,Sha Qiu,Tao Li,Mingfang Tang

doi:10.3390/su12198166

Abstract

Rural household livelihood research of ethnic minorities is urgent to the development of ethnic areas in China and achieve the world poverty reduction goal. To improve ethnic rural household livelihood, it is fundamental to figure out what are the types, characteristics as well as impact factors of their livelihood strategies. In the study, we explored the household livelihood strategy choices and livelihood diversity of the main ethnic minorities (Tujia and Miao) in Chongqing, as well as how livelihood capitals impact livelihood strategy through methods of clustering, livelihood diversity index and multiple logistic regression under the framework of sustainable livelihood approach. The results show that: (1) Full-time job, both full-time and part-time job, part-time agriculture, part-time job and subsidized livelihood strategy are livelihood strategies adopted by Tujia and Miao rural households in Chongqing, China. (2) The characteristics of the identified livelihood strategies are diversified and various in natural, financial, human and finance capital. (3) A number of livelihood capitals impact the way that household choose their livelihood strategies, but the livelihood capitals have no significant impact on the livelihood diversity. By detailed analysis of the characteristic of rural ethnic household livelihood strategy, especial livelihood diversity, the research enriched sustainable livelihood literature and provided useful information for policymakers and practitioners in designing effective programs for regional sustainable development and ecological protection.

Highlights

Since 1949, the ethnic livelihood in China has undergone tremendous changes along with social development [1]
(3) A number of livelihood capitals impact the way that household choose their livelihood strategies, but the livelihood capitals have no significant impact on the livelihood diversity
The results show that the income sources of rural households in the study area include five categories, corresponding to 29 kinds of livelihood activity—1721 person were involved (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Since 1949, the ethnic livelihood in China has undergone tremendous changes along with social development [1]. In the traditional Chinese society that dominated by agriculture, the livelihoods of ethnic minorities show the characteristics of highly diversified, strongly dependent on the environment, and with diverse but unique understanding of man-land relationships [2]. Due to historical, cultural, location and other influences, the current livelihood level of ethnic minorities in China is low, and diverse in ethnics [3]. Changing livelihoods changes ethnic cultures, how ethnic minorities understand man–land relationships, as well as livelihood impact on the environment. The study of the ethnic minorities’ livelihoods, especially the livelihoods of ethnic minority rural households, is of great significance to promote economic development in China’s ethnic regions and to achieve the world poverty reduction goal under the background of ethnic livelihood changing

Results

Discussion

Conclusion