Socio-economic factors influencing mopane worm (Imbrasia belina) harvesting in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

In South Africa, non-timber forest products, especially mopane worms (Imbrasia belina) have become an important source of food and cash income for rural people living in or near the mopane woodlands. However, the continued harvesting has implications for long term management of the mopane woodlands in the northern parts of South Africa. In order to keep a balance between mopane worm harvesting and biodiversity, an understanding of socio-economic factors influencing the harvest at household level is vital to reducing depletion and overexploitation of the mopane woodland resources. This study evaluated the socio-economic factors influencing mopane worm harvesting decisions in rural households in Limpopo Province, South Africa using a binary logistic regression model based on a household survey of 120 respondents. Age, gender, education, income from mopane worm sales, social capital (group affiliation), household size, lack of institution/law to regulate use, distance to the nearest harvesting site, and regional locations were statistically significant factors influencing household mopane worm harvest decisions. Implications for policy are discussed.