Livelihood Enhancement Research Articles

Livelihood Enhancement through Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration in Central Rift, Kenya

Over the past few decades, there has been pressure to meet basic needs by citizens in developing countries as a result of conventional livelihood sources to support such provisions which have gradually dwindled for a variety of reasons, key among these being land degradation, climatic changes and land sub-division. Alternative and sustainable livelihoods for poverty reduction and enhanced income for households are desirable for adoption. This paper discusses the effect of the application of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) regions by Word Vision (WV) on food security, household income and livelihood enhancement. Case studies of farmers’ success stories supported by WVK are presented. Further, the paper outlines the roles of stakeholders in the implementation of the strategy and associated benefits to farmers in three counties of Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nakuru. A discussion of the relations between poverty, income and household food security in relation to SDGs 1 and 2 is presented. Major findings from the study include; FMNR has contributed to improved food security, from 42.6% in 2018 to 73.6% in 2021 (31%). Increased household income was reported from 25.2% in 2018 to 52.5% in 2021, representing a rise of 27.3%. Emerging alternative livelihood sources include beekeeping, mango farming and processing, poultry, pasture seed production and coffee farming. The paper concludes that the implementation of FMNR in the Central Rift is still small scale and majorly aided by World Vision Kenya in the three Area Development Programmes (ADPs). The adoption of FMNR as a livelihood enhancement strategy in arid and semi-arid areas to enhance food security, improve household income, reduce poverty and support environmental conservation efforts is recommended.

Sustainability and Transformation: Assessing the Success of Socioeconomic Development Programs for the Orang Asli in Enhancing Livelihood and Communities

Sustainability and Transformation: Assessing the Success of Socioeconomic Development Programs for the Orang Asli in Enhancing Livelihood and Communities

Enhancing livelihood resilience through hybrid ecological compensation: evidence from Potatso National Park, China

Abstract Balancing biodiversity conservation and the socioeconomic well-being of ethnic minority communities presents a significant challenge in protected areas (PAs). Ecological compensation (EC) is a crucial policy instrument for improving the livelihood of affected residents, but its application in ethnic minority-dominant regions is complicated by cultural differences and fragile economic foundations. This study evaluates the impact of an innovative hybrid EC mechanism, integrating cash payment, employment support, and education incentive, on the livelihood resilience of ethnic minority groups and identifies the most cost-effective mechanism. Using field data from rural households in Potatso National Park, analyzed through hierarchical multiple regression and scenario simulations within the Sustainable Livelihood Framework, the study finds that: (i) hybrid EC mechanisms significantly improve overall livelihoods, with households receiving employment support and education incentive showing 0.074 and 0.052 higher average livelihood score, respectively (on a 0–1 scale); (ii) different EC types have varied effects across households; and (iii) hybrid EC mechanisms increase social benefits by 6.97%–37.65%, with only a 1.30%–20.15% cost increase compared to baseline scenario. The findings highlight the need for diversified and optimized EC policies to improve livelihood resilience and maximize cost-effectiveness in PAs.

The State of Infrastructure in the Proclaimed Small Harbours in Enhancing Livelihoods in South Africa

The State of Infrastructure in the Proclaimed Small Harbours in Enhancing Livelihoods in South Africa

Towards a “Social Justice Ecosystem Framework” for Enhancing Livelihoods and Sustainability in Pastoralist Communities

Aimed at understanding how pastoralist livelihoods are affected within the Northwest Region of Cameroon, this article explores the nexus of social justice, indigenous know-how, livelihoods, social security, and sustainability through a political ecology lens. Through a qualitative case study based on in-depth interviews with 59 key informants, this study departs from existing literature by exploring the linkages that exacerbate risks and vulnerabilities for pastoralist livelihoods. We situate the contending issues through emerging data and analysis, which highlight indigenous elements that sustain pastoralist livelihoods (coping strategies and sustenance) and identify diversified barriers that impede pastoralists’ sense of social justice and community-mindedness. Other intersecting pointers identified relate to environmental interactions, social security, sustainability, and decision-making within local and national governance mechanisms that either enhance or impede sustainable development. We proposed a social justice ecosystem framework (SJEF) that uncovers the enmeshments of social justice, social security, indigenous know-how, and livelihoods, with implications for sustainable development. The framework makes a compelling case for co-produced policies; implementing symbiotic social justice-based policies is mandatory, encapsulating thriving aspects of pastoralists’ unique traditions, which are often missed by governments and agencies in social community development planning and sustainable development initiatives.

Socio-Economic Profile and Vulnerabilities Assessment in Small-Scale Fisheries of Lower Gangetic Flood Plain Wetland: An Initiative Towards Achieving Wetland Ecosystem Sustainability and Community Well-Being

ICAR-CIFRI has been continuously working to develop wetland fisheries in a transdisciplinary knowledge-to-action mode to upscale the livelihood of vulnerable small-scale fishermen communities. The integrated development approach was initiated in different lower Gangetic floodplain wetlands of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India, to increase the fish production and socio-economic development of small-scale fishermen communities of the wetlands. Duma is one of the most extensive horseshoe-shaped wetlands in Asia. To augment the fish production from this wetland, the pen culture system was adopted by the fishers under the supervision of ICAR-CIFRI in 2021. Within a year, they received 15 tons of commercial fish, valued at around 30 lakhs apart from the small indigenous fish. It has recently been advised that auto-stocked, high-value minor carp in the wetland be adopted to improve income and conserve small indigenous species. In this article, SDG 14 (Life below water) addresses sustainable ecosystem management and livelihood enhancement for the wellbeing of the local people (SDG 3). Nutritional security of the local people is maintained through the small indigenous fish species which is crucial for addressing ‘No hunger’ as per SDG-2. The research also proves that women can play a crucial role in small-scale fisheries and they can economically stand alone, which is the main aim of SDG-5 (gender equality). However, significant issues such as lack of jurisdictional coordination, ecological changes, inequitable distribution of benefits, and income reduction persist in wetland management. The need for urgent reformation of policy and resource management systems is crucial to boost the economic efficiency of the SSF in the wetland. Training for more knowledge on fishing and fish farming, acquiring alternative livelihood and education on financial management should be brought to the fishermen’s communities. These could develop a resilient community that is more equipped to respond to future crises.

Mapping Ecological Security Patterns Based on Ecosystem Service Valuation in the Qinling-Daba Mountain Area, China: A Multi-Scenario Study for Development and Conservation Tradeoffs

When focusing on biodiversity maintenance, ecological security pattern (ESP) planning gradually becomes a multi-objective planning strategy for sustainable development; wildlife conservation and ecosystem health maintenance should be balanced with local economic development and people’s livelihood enhancement goals. This study focuses on ESP mapping in the Qinling-Daba Mountain area, which is an ecologically significant and socioeconomically underdeveloped area. The tradeoff between conservation and development is made by varying the area of ecological sources and incorporating ecosystem service tradeoffs into ecological source identification through multi-scenario designation. ESPs under six scenarios were generated based on the minimum resistance model, and the important ecological corridors and strategic points in each scenario were identified and compared. The results show the following: (1) The scenario that sets around 30 percent of the study area as ecological sources maintains the integrity of natural ecosystems and leaves space for food and material supply to residents. (2) In this scenario, the ecological sources are connected by 60 corridors that cross 137 townships with high population densities (>100 people/km2) and intersect with major traffic lines at 71 points. Engineering, management, or education strategies must be taken in these townships or intersections to avoid human–wildlife conflicts. (3) The study area needs to construct both short (north–south) corridors linking proximate ecological sources for species’ daily movement and long (west–east) corridors connecting large and distant sources for species’ seasonal migration and gene flow. (4) The multi-scenario approach turns out to be an effective strategy for ESP planning with considerations for development–conservation tradeoffs.

Assessing the Role of Agroforestry-Livelihood-Food Security Nexus in the Madhupur Sal Forest of Bangladesh

Agroforestry practices play an inevitable role in reinforcing the livelihood of millions of small-scale farmers while ensuring sustainable food security throughout the world. The significance of practicing various strategies of agroforestry models in densely populated countries like Bangladesh is highly recognized according to livelihood functionalities. To achieve the sustainable goals of the United Nations, identifying potential agroforestry practices along with their impacts towards socio-economic, and ecological demands is crucial. Socio-economic interactions are highly influenced by livelihood improvement and assurance of food security for the participants. Madhupur Sal forest is one of the major sources of diversified combination agroforestry systems practiced by the people around it. Age, education, annual income, and agroforestry knowledge had a significant relationship with the farmers' opinions on socio-economic development through agroforestry practices. Sustainable livelihood capitals (Human, Social, Physical, Financial, and Natural) were improved in each model we determined, and agroforestry multi-functionally increased food security ensuring 94% yearly food sufficiency, and 6% sufficiency for two-thirds of the year according to the response variables. This study depicted various prospects for livelihood enhancement and food security concerning diverse agroforestry models.

A booster to conditional cash transfer programme: experimental evidence on financial inclusion and livelihood enhancement project

ABSTRACT While Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Programmes have contributed to sustained economic growth in many countries, existing evaluations show that the Honduran CCT programme has only a modest impact on poverty. This study examines a causal impact of a training project on financial inclusion and livelihood enhancement conducted as a booster to increase the effectiveness of the CCT programme. Based on a graduation approach, the project provides multi-faceted interventions to randomly selected CCT beneficiaries. We estimate intention-to-treat effects and find that the interventions significantly increase financial literacy and inclusion, including knowledge of financial institutions, financial accounts, bookkeeping, and pro-saving attitudes. We also find that the treated individuals in rural areas gain significant income from business, livestock farming, and agriculture by switching employment. Importantly, we find evidence that the interventions contribute to female empowerment by changing the intra-household decision-making process. The impact is much larger in rural areas, where financial markets are underdeveloped, and the traditional gender pattern is more prevalent. The intervention seems to reduce the urban-rural gap.

Unleashing Effective Models of Collaboration for Rainwater Harvesting: Experiences from Nepal

Background: Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is an age-old practice of a localized renewable and alternate source of water supply to meet the growing demand of people in developing countries like Nepal. Thus, the effective models of collaboration for providing water services through RWH is a pathway to the sustainable water management of the nation leading to achieving SDGs. Purpose: The paper aims at unleashing effective models of collaboration for RWH in the context of the rural areas of Nepal. Methodology: The study comprises a descriptive cum analytical research design based on both primary and secondary data. The necessary primary data were collected by conducting a field survey using a semi-structured questionnaire on a sample of 38 communities/projects having RWH systems while the secondary data were collected through relevant publications. The csollected data were analyzed using statistical tools through SPSS to derive results leading to major findings of the study. Analysis/Results: The study concluded that a collaborative plan provides a ground to get contributions from different stakeholders and increase their sense of ownership. The collaboration with the local government ensures co-financing and involvement in planning and monitoring and increases prospects for support to required rehabilitation in the future. Community engagement from planning to implementation to managing the systems ensures the system's functionality and sustainability, leading to caretakers’ management and promoting income-generating activities using waste/overflow water from the system. The multiple uses of water services (MUS) provide a basis for livelihood enhancement leading to regular payment of tariffs. The caretakers’ management ensures to fix minor repairs promptly as needed. A combination of monitoring and eval_uation with different stakeholders during implementation and afterward ensures efficient and effective implementation and sustainability of the RWH system. Originality/Value: No such study uses recent data related to effective models of collaboration for RWH in the context of the rural areas of developing countries like Nepal is accessible. The paper, therefore, is valuable for users’ committees, development actors, academia, and policymakers to create effective models of collaboration for RWH. This work may potentially be useful to academia for future studies. Future avenue: The extension of this study can be made by incorporating an analysis of diverse applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the water management sector in future studies.

Livelihood Enhancement of Scheduled Caste Farmers through Integrated Farming System in Kolar District, India

The study was conducted in purposively selected Kolar district, a total sample of 353 respondents were purposively selected for the study. Data was collected by using pretested structured interview schedule and analyzed by using appropriate statistical tools. The results revealed that a majority of the respondents belonged to low category of mass media exposure, medium category of education, livestock possession, cosmopoliteness, extension participation, social participation, scientific orientation, risk orientation, training undergone followed by high category of cropping pattern, innovativeness, management orientation, level of aspiration, participation in the developmental programmes, willingness towards IFS, access to extension personnel and access to resources. Livelihood Security of respondents in ‘highly satisfied category’ increased to 37.96 per cent from 28.33 per cent out of seven dimensions, maximum increase was noticed in economic efficiency (52.71%). The personal, socio-economic and psychological characteristics such as cropping pattern, livestock possession, risk orientation, training undergone, access to extension personnel and access to resources had positive and significant relationship with livelihood security. The multiple regression value indicated that all the 18 independent variables had contributed to the tune of 23.20 per cent of variation in livelihood security of the respondents. The results pertaining to economic analysis indicated that BC ratio has been increased to 2.98 from 1.93 in crop component and with respect livestock component BC ratio was found to be enhanced to 3.18 from 1.93 after the implementation of the project. Hence, the concerned development departments should organize the demonstrations, trainings, field days, exposure visits etc., to educate the farmers about IFS. The positive and significantly related characteristics need to be considered while selecting the farmers for the extension educational programmes to enhance their livelihood security.

Implementation of Zakat Law in Empowering the Islamic Community's Economy in Indonesia

This research investigates the implementation of Zakat law in Indonesia and its implications for empowering the Islamic community's economy. Zakat, an obligatory form of almsgiving in Islam, holds significant importance in Islamic finance and social welfare systems. The study utilizes qualitative research methods, including interviews, focus groups, and content analysis, to explore the challenges and opportunities in implementing Zakat law and its impact on economic empowerment. Key findings highlight the importance of governance, transparency, and accountability in Zakat administration, as well as the role of Zakat in poverty alleviation, livelihood enhancement, and community development. The study provides actionable recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of Zakat administration and promoting sustainable economic development within the Islamic framework in Indonesia.

Rural infrastructure and livelihoods enhancement: The case of Community-Based Rural Development Program in Ghana

The Community-Based Rural Development Program (CBRDP) was initially hailed as a comprehensive solution for enhancing the well-being of rural communities. However, a significant research gap exists in understanding the impact of the program's infrastructure projects on the livelihoods of its beneficiaries, necessitating a dedicated investigation. This study employed a single case study design, collecting data from district assembly staff and beneficiaries through interviews and observations, with thematic analysis as the analytical approach. The findings uncovered that the CBRDP led to the provision of economic and social infrastructure. The provision of this infrastructure empowered the beneficiaries, resulting in tangible improvements in livelihoods. However, the sustainability of these gains is not guaranteed. To address this, it is recommended that a bottom-up approach be employed for needs assessment, and the establishment of maintenance funds is deemed crucial for ensuring the sustainability of infrastructure delivers long-term benefits.

Enhancing Livelihood Security via Mushroom Production: A Case Study of technological Support and farmers’ ingenuity

Enhancing Livelihood Security via Mushroom Production: A Case Study of technological Support and farmers’ ingenuity

SPENT BLEACHING EARTH-BIOPROCESS (SBE) CHARACTERISTICS AGAINST INDONESIAN NATIONAL REGULATION FOR TOXIC-HAZARD WASTE AND SOIL AMENDMENT

<p>Currently, the palm oil industry disposes the Spent Bleaching Earth (SBE) to the land-field without a proper treatment process. Some peoples argue that the SBE still in high oil content and will pose an environmental problem due to hazardous content and it will easily catch fires. One possible solutions is optimizing SBE for land restoration, which could also be enhancing livelihood and reducing pollution. This paper identifies the SBE-bioprocess according to the Indonesian National Regulation for toxic-hazard waste and soil rehabilitation. SBE-bioprocess testing was conducted as toxic-hazard waste both on TCLP organic and anorganic form also as a soil amendment criteria both certain function and organic. Research shows that the SBE-bioprocess could not be categorized as toxic-hazard waste due to very low value of toxic and hazard compounds. Additional C-organic is important before using it as an organic soil amendments. Lab test shows that SBE-bioprocess is high value of CEC, then could be developed for specific function of soil amendments.</p>

Empowering Rural Transformation: Assessing the Impact of MPLADS Funds Utilisation on SAGY Initiatives in Chandigarh's Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana Village

This study evaluates the impact of Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds utilization on Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) initiatives in Chandigarh's Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana village. Utilising quantitative analysis, the research examines the distribution and allocation patterns of MPLADS funds across various project categories within the SAGY framework. Data obtained from the MPLADS office include project names, categories, expenditures, and work numbers for projects executed during Phase-I of SAGY. Findings reveal significant investment across sectors such as healthcare, sanitation, infrastructure, and livelihood enhancement. The study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and evaluation to optimise resource allocation and enhance community development outcomes.

The Role of Non-Timber Forest Products for Livelihood diversification in Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh

Various local communities living in India have been dependent on forests for centuries. The contribution of non timber forest products (NTFPs) has been recognized globallyfor their role in preservation, income generation, livelihood enhancement and rural development. About 275 million poor rural people in various regions of India are dependent on non-timber forest produce. The present study was conducted duringthe month of January to November 2022 to assess the major NTFPs and their role in livelihood generation in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. Through surveys and interviews conducted in 4 study area (Viz. Banda, Jhansi, Mahoba and Chitrakut) of Bundelkhand, among the people of local communities, it has been revealed that even today the people of study area show their dependency on forest based NTFPs. Through harvesting, collection and processing of non-timber forest produce, providing new employment opportunities in the Bundelkhand region of India. In this region local people provide an overview of the dependency of different rural communities on NTFP’s such as salai gum, kullu gum, flowers and fruit of Mahua, baskets from bamboo and Harsingar, bidi from tendu leaves, Chironji seeds, jhadu from Date palm leaves, Amla, Bahera, Satavar and Nagarmotha for sustain their livelihood. Despite their significance to employment, NTFP markets are mostly informal andscattered, with no proper records maintained, leading to an insufficient information flowon the contribution of NTFP trade at the local as well as national level. There is an urgent need to promote all these things today so that the income of local collectors can be improved.

Study on Soil Fertility Variations, Distribution of Soil Health Report and Key Suggestions for Problems Identified for Improvement of Livelihoods in Adopted Village Narsimhulapalle, Telangana, India

The Agricultural College, Sircilla of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, as the sixth and youngest college of the University, started during the academic year 2018-19. One of the mandatory activities of the college in addition to academics is adoption of village and disseminating need based relevant technologies of the University for improvement of livelihoods of the villagers. Hence, a village by name Narsimhulapalle of Thangallapalli Mandal, Rajanna Sircilla district was adopted as part of extension activities of the college which is about 19 km from the college. Prior to the dissemination of improved technologies, the identification of existing scenario in the village with regards to soils, fertility status, crops, varieties, package of production technologies followed were taken up. Soil samples were collected with geo-positions from every farmer’s field i.e., 114 farm holds of the village, processed and tested for fertility status. Action plan was prepared based on crop grown to alleviate the livelihoods of the village. A systematic collection of demographic, socio economic conditions and livelihoods of the villagers from primary and secondary sources along with prevailing farming practices were documented. All the 114 soils of the village were deficient in N, while majority of soils were medium to high with respect to available P and K. The Soil fertility based fertilizer recommendations were advocated to every individual farmer based on their soil test report for the crop grown. Soil fertility maps were prepared and displayed in the village Panchayat. Bridging of the identified extension and research gaps was planned by proposing relevant technological interventions for the enhancement of livelihoods.

An Organized Management Information System :A Descriptive Study from the Dash Board of NREGAsoft

All public funded programmes need to ensure transparency and thoroughness in its implementation. If it cannot follow the characteristics, may lead to failure in its execution. For ensuring good governance with the help of technology and innovation it is mandatory to follow the basic rule and regulations implied in the programme. Now it became the standard operating procedure in the present scenario. The largest public funded programme in the world, MGNREGA, is fit up with technology and point of order. The study tries to see that the employment guarantee programme is not only meant for the rural, unskilled marginalised community’s livelihood enhancement, but to empower them in the digital world. Here in this study, tries to describe and relate the high-end technology with a grass root level employment guarantee programme. It is, then deemed to be the best model for all forthcoming government funded programmes.

Ecosystem-based fishery enhancement through pen culture of Indian major carp Labeo catla in a tropical floodplain wetland of North Eastern Region, India, during COVID pandemic.

The present study was conducted with the objective of developing ecologically and economically feasible pen culture protocols for Labeo catla as an alternate income source for wetland fishers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yearlings of L. catla (12.33 ± 1.99 cm mean total length and 26.05 ± 6.57 g mean weight) were reared in HDPE pens (500 m2 area each) at three different stocking densities of 3 (SD3), 6 (SD6) and 9 (SD9) no. m-2 in triplicates. Fishes were fed with floating pelleted feed containing 28% crude protein and 5% crude lipid two times daily at 1.5-3% of body weight. During the culture period, fish grew from 26.05 ± 6.57 to 434.61 ± 30.63 g, 306.13 ± 10.68 g and 221.13 ± 14.92 g, respectively, at stocking densities of 3, 6 and 9 no. m-2 respectively. Weight gain percentage and specific growth rate declined with increase in stocking density. Gross fish yield increased with increase in stocking density and was highest at SD9 (657.92 ± 53.55 kg pen-1), while net fish yield increased initially from SD3 to SD6 (594.31 ± 29.72 kg pen-1) and then declined with further increase in stocking density. Important water quality parameters influencing fish growth were measured, and significant difference (p > 0.05) was not observed between treatments (inside pens) and reference site (outside pen at 10-m distance). Weight gain was positively correlated (p < 0.05) to water temperature (r = 0.989) and total phosphorus (r = 0.81). Benefit cost ratio and net return was highest at SD3 (1.61; US $518.88, respectively). Stocking density of 3 no. m-2 can be considered economically feasible for table fish production of L. catla in pens. Post pen culture, monthly income of fishers increased by 10.76-179.11%, with a mean increase of 90.57%, compared to the period of first COVID-19 wave in India. The present findings can provide an impetus for effective utilization of pen enclosures for income generation and livelihood enhancement of small-scale wetland fishers during pandemic.