Livelihood Improvement Research Articles

How urbanization affect the ecosystem health of Tibet based on terrain gradients: a case study of Shannan, China

ABSTRACT Urbanization has significant impacts on ecosystem health (ESH) by affecting land-use patterns. The evaluation of the ESH and the spatial correlations between human interference provides an insight into sustainable development as a response to potential ecological degradation if ESH is threatened by further urbanization. We applied the Vigor-Organization-Resilience-Services (VORS) modelto detect the responses of ESH of Shannan Prefecture in the Tibet to urbanization from 1990 to 2015, based on different levels of terrain gradients. The results show that the ESH of the most areas in Shannan reaches the levels of highest health and average health during the study period. By 2015, the area proportion at the highest health level increased by 0.68%, while that of degraded level decreased by 1.51%. Overall, the ESH of areas tends to shrink at higher-level TGs, and urban sprawl with ESH shrinking existed in middle-level TGs in Shannan. Furthermore, a significant spatial aggregation effect was found concerning that low ESH–high CUL type is mainly distributed on the middle-level TGs with dense human population. The results highlight the needs to rationally organize urbanization process in plateau regions based on different TGs, which contribute to maintain ESH advancing people livelihood improvement.

ICT-enabled agricultural extension: How to promote and sustain?

Governments in developing countries have invested in and digitalized various citizen services to obtain significant economic and societal benefits. However, academic and practice literature documented that the success rate of ICT-led development projects has been less than satisfactory. Therefore, this study aimed to find the priority areas where ICTs-based agricultural projects could be successful and propose measurable indicators to consider while designing and developing such initiatives. This study adopted a qualitative research methodology and interviewed eleven (11) top-ranked professionals from ten (10) organizations involved in carrying out several ICT-based projects in agriculture. Responses were analyzed qualitatively using ‘Thematic Analysis’. The analysis revealed a total of forty codes and nine thematic areas (e.g. creating agricultural knowledge hub, providing extension services, developing farmers’ database, initiating capacity building programs, developing Decision Support Systems (DSS) for different segments, developing farming alert systems, agricultural market information system, ICT-based community building, and formulating ICT strategies for agriculture) and proposed five (5) sets of measuring indicators (e.g. economic, quality of life, community development, service quality, technology acceptance) that would be useful in designing and measuring the success of ICT interventions. The findings of this study might help policymakers and Information Systems (IS) developers to identify priority areas for ICT-led interventions along with its success indicators. This study provides further evidence of the importance of considering economic and non-economic drivers of ICT adoption for development. It conveys important insights concerning the success dimensions of ICT-based agricultural projects certainly critical for resource management and livelihoods improvement.

Data-Driven Evaluation and Optimisation of Livelihood Improvement Efficiency

In this study, we developed a data-driven approach for the evaluation and optimisation of livelihood improvement efficiency (LIE) to address slowing global economic growth and the decline in well-being in the broader population, enhance the quality of people’s livelihoods, and promote sustainable social development. We designed a questionnaire survey and constructed an evaluation index system based on a comprehensive consideration of economic resources, social security and employment, education, and health. Using principal component analysis, entropy weighting, and data envelopment analysis, we optimised the evaluation indicators and quantitatively assessed LIE. We used a Tobit regression model to analyse the factors influencing LIE and provide decision-making support for proposing countermeasures to optimise LIE. Based on the research data, we administered the questionnaire survey to 3125 residents in 16 cities in China’s Anhui Province and demonstrated the applicability of the aforementioned method. The results indicate that there is room for optimising LIE in cities in Anhui Province, which needs to be achieved through the following steps: controlling costs and avoiding waste, encouraging entrepreneurship, increasing income, guiding the direction of industrial growth, optimising regional population structure, and promoting public participation to enhance people’s livelihoods.

Integrated Farming System Models Development for Small and Marginal Households for Sustainable Production and Livelihood Improvement in India: An Overview

Integrated Farming System Models Development for Small and Marginal Households for Sustainable Production and Livelihood Improvement in India: An Overview

Livelihood improvement and empowerment of women through aquaculture technology interventions in Odisha

Freshwater aquaculture technologies were disseminated to women as a means to improve their socio-economic status in three villages in coastal Odisha. The programme was carried out with 180 women belonging to self-help groups through scientific freshwater aquaculture interventions. Different extension methods were used to provide access to technologies, skill development and handholding support in aquaculture. Livelihood improvement of the beneficiaries was assessed in terms of changes in income, employment and household expenditure prior to and after the aquaculture technology interventions. The aquaculture technology interventions has resulted in 247 and 321% improvement in income and household expenditure on food and clothing respectively to the beneficiaries as compared to the pre-intervention period. The improvement in livelihood dimensions and empowerment was due to active participation in all phases of intervention. It is inferred that if a supportive environment is created, scientific aquaculture interventions could play a critical role in gender mainstreaming. Keywords: Freshwater aquaculture technologies, Gender mainstreaming, Socio-economic status, Women empowerment,Women Self Help Groups

Social Entrepreneurial Activities for Rural Livelihood Improvement and Poverty Reduction

Many countries have begun to pay more attention to the concept of social entrepreneurship simply because it is considered as an efficient method for the sustainable development of underserved areas as well as for the acceleration of government initiatives and private investment. The activities of social entrepreneurship have emerged as an efficient method for the creation of solutions for social issues including accessibility to education, healthcare, water, food, and electricity supply. A researcher collected the data in the field and analyzed it using a qualitative case study methodology. This study was conducted at CHEMA (Community Habitat Environmental Management), a non-governmental organization in a rural area located in Karagwe, Tanzania. The research sample yielded a total of 16 important informants, including 10 employees and 6 peasants who participated in focus groups. The research findings indicated that social entrepreneurship projects relieve poverty and improve rural livelihoods in Tanzania by increasing and strengthening agricultural production, increasing people's ability to deal with hunger, preserving the environment, maximizing household income, and enhancing the effectiveness of agricultural activities. Even though social entrepreneurship has helped rural communities improve their lives and reduce poverty through its activities, the projects have not made a big difference because of problems like donor dropout, lack of knowledge, and poor infrastructure in rural areas. Despite all the advantages of social entrepreneurship projects, the social entrepreneurship concept is still in its infancy stage in Tanzania, which brings a lot of questions to society. It is advised that more research on impacts of social entrepreneurship projects should be done by scholars to gain more attention to contribute more awareness for both government and private organizations.

Banana Production Status and Its Role on Income Generation and Livelihood Improvement in Chitwan, Nepal

The demand of banana fruit is ever increasing and Nepal's Terai region has immense potential for this high value crop. Government has kept it at top most priority where it can be grown like Chitwan district. This study examined the banana production, problems of banana production and about the livelihood improvement of banana farmers in Chitwan district, Province No.3 of Nepal during the year of 2022. Tharu were the dominant ethnic group of these villages. The numbers of respondents selected for this study belong between 22-59 years old. The major occupation of these respondents was farming 91.4 percent and 8 percent were in other services. A survey was conducted from a representative sample size of 60 banana growers. The sample was selected by using simple random sampling technique. Banana producers of Chitwan district are taking good benefit from the banana fruit as income was higher than the cost. It was found that from 1 bigha farmers can have income of Rs 650000 with the cost of Rs 345000. It was found that among different sources of credit, people were mostly reliant on their own fund. People's participation in various social groups such as savings and credit group, farmers group, water user group, cooperatives and other social groups have increased over the time. To enhance more banana production quantity and quality major problems of farmers should be dealt with, which would help to increase their earning resulting in higher living standard day by day and that way we can encourage more production.
 Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 10(2): 93-98.

Assets possession and food consumption level of haor people in a selected area of Bangladesh

Assets possession and calorie intake level of a household member reflect the livelihood patterns and food security condition of the household. The study was conducted to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics, identify the assets possession, determine the calorie intake level and analyze the perception of the households’ livelihood improvement. An interview schedule was used in field survey for primary data collection. The DFID approaches of livelihood and the consumption data of haor households of seven days were used in the study. The findings revealed that about 24.61% of the respondents were illiterate, 32.31% respondents were can sign only and 30.77% respondents had primary education, average family size was 9.66, about 51% respondents’ annual income was below Tk.60,000 (US$ 690) and, most of the respondent’s (84.62%) occupation was agriculture and fishing. The human, social, natural, physical and financial capital of the haor respondents was in a vulnerable position. The findings also revealed that about 44.61% of the respondents belonged to the ultra-poor whose per day per person calorie intake was 1350.56k.cal. All of the respondents demanded the improved road and communication facilities which are essential for their livelihood and food security improvement. The haor is being tarnished fast due to mishandling and damaging activities. The government should take necessary steps to improve the road and communication facilities in the haor area which will foster the socioeconomic development of haor people in Bangladesh.

Scope and challenges of mushroom production and their mitigations in Nepal: A review

This review paper aims to discuss and compile information regarding various scopes, challenges, and mitigating measures of mushroom cultivation in Nepal. Overall information on mushroom cultivation comprising its status, scope, and problems is vital for bringing positive change in this sector. Different secondary sources of information were reviewed and analyzed including journals like Elsevier and Springer. In Nepal, the production of mushrooms has increased about 8.23 times over a decade until 2020. Nepal is blessed with a range of ecosystems that really are ideal for mushroom production. Different mushroom species have been commercially cultivated in different parts of Nepal. Mushroom production can be used as an alternative source to overcome food and nutrition security problems and eventually leads to the livelihood improvement of people in developing countries like Nepal. The study revealed that mushrooms can be used to fight several diseases with their nutritional and medicinal properties. The demand for mushrooms is increasing nowadays more than ever. With the implementation of various measures with proper coordination and planning, mushroom cultivation can be proliferated. As a result, the mushroom industry has a lot of potentials to help the country's socioeconomic transition. Nepal can capitalize on this opportunity by enacting appropriate and concrete national mushroom policies and programs.

The Gordian Knot

Abstract This article is a preliminary critical assessment of Uganda’s current refugee policy, ReHOPE, in the north-western part of the country. The research was based on quantitative and qualitative data gathered over six weeks in 2018 and 2019. The article is centred on national efforts to implement the UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goal #5, “gender equity and empower all women and girls”. Here the focus is on the policy as it relates to formal education, technical training and livelihood improvements and the empowerment of female South Sudan refugees in two settlements in Adjumani District. ReHOPE is a very complex, ambitious and costly programme. The data from this study seems to indicate that the goals of refugee female empowerment and improved livelihoods are not being widely realised in the two Adjumani settlements accessed. However, it is suggested that future studies of ReHOPE policies should be more extensive than the present one and researchers, employing mixed methodologies, should spend more time on the ground than a few weeks.

Performance and Obstacle Tracking to Qilian Mountains’ Ecological Resettlement Project: A Case Study on the Theory of Public Value

In Gansu Province, China, Wuwei City is an ecologically fragile migration area at the intersection of the Loess Plateau, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the Mongolia-New Plateau. Using the Triangular Fuzzy TOPSIS method and the obstacle factor diagnostic model, the implementation performance and follow-up support issues of the Ecological Resettlement Project were analyzed from the perspective of the eco-migrant and the public value theory. In contrast to traditional performance appraisal methods, Triangular Fuzzy TOPSIS breaks through the ambiguity of complex environments and subjective information and effectively quantifies the fuzziness of evaluator language variables to improve the validity. The overall performance of the Ecological Resettlement Project in Wuwei is good; the average closeness degree of process is higher than outcome. Migrants rated the fairness of the project as the highest, followed by support, economic outcome, and satisfaction. Gulang County’s performance in the Ecological Resettlement Project is the best, followed by Tianzhu County and Liangzhou District. Project obstacles were mostly related to the outcome dimension, especially the ecological restoration and management, the return to poverty risk, and industrial development on the resettlement site. The main obstacle to the process dimension is migrant satisfaction with government subsidies. Research results provide case study support and experience inspiration for migrant relocation models and their long-term livelihood improvement in the context of rural revitalization.

Sowing the wheat seeds of Afghanistan's future

Societal Impact StatementThe production and availability of food underpins societal stability. In Afghanistan, wheat is the major arable agricultural crop and source of dietary energy. The withdrawal of NATO allies and partner countries from Afghanistan presents numerous well‐documented societal and political challenges and has impacts on immediate and longer‐term food security. Conflict‐impacted irrigation infrastructure coupled with growing climate instability have also contributed markedly to reductions in current food, and specifically wheat, production. Here, we review the status of Afghan wheat improvement and propose a research agenda to support the regeneration of Afghanistan's wheat and agricultural sector.SummaryAfghanistan is a country with diverse natural ecologies in a largely arid and mountainous region. The rural sector is still considered to drive economic potential. Current social, political and economic instability along with climatic challenges are driving food and water insecurity in the wider region. In the short term, it is likely that this and the associated challenges of displacement and unemployment can only be addressed by humanitarian intervention and agrifood and nutrition support. In the medium to long term, drought, and heat, probably linked to climate change, will pose recurrent challenges for agriculture and food security that will require a much broader set of interventions to secure the rural population's livelihoods. The genetic gap, among other major challenges, must be addressed if Afghanistan is to develop its agricultural potential leading to income and livelihood improvements for farmers and stable and accessible supplies for consumers. Only thereby will the country be enabled to reap the important and long‐sought trade and food security benefits derived from self‐sufficiency. Here, we highlight the agricultural challenges facing Afghanistan and propose forward strategies for ensuring the future stability of wheat production, the cornerstone of Afghan agriculture.

What affects farmers in choosing better agroforestry practice as a strategy of climate change adaptation? An experience from the mid-hills of Nepal

Determinants for choosing climate change adaptation strategies and selecting improved agroforestry practices have rarely been explored, while numerous studies have been conducted on climate change and agroforestry. This paper discusses; local understanding of climate change, climatic impacts, and factors that affect farmers’ choices of adaptation strategies, and agroforestry practices. We focused on three districts located in the mid-hills of Nepal, where farmers were adopting agroforestry practices in two forms; traditional and improved practices. We followed three techniques of social survey; household survey (n = 420), focus group discussions (n = 6), and key informant interviews (n = 24). Almost all farmers of the study areas were experiencing climatic challenges, but only 59.29% of them accepted that the challenges are induced by climate change and, likewise, 55.24% have adopted climate change adaptation measures. Diversifying crop production, shifting farming practices, changing occupation, and emigration were local adaptation strategies. Livelihood improvement, income generation, and food production were the primary motives for adopting agroforestry practices in the study area. Agroforestry as an adaptation measure to climate change was considered secondary by most farmers. Statistical analysis using a logit model revealed that age, education, and habit of growing commercial species significantly influenced farmers adopting climate change adaptation strategies. Likewise, age, education, gender, habit of growing commercial species, and income from tree products significantly influenced the choice of improved agroforestry practices as a better option. Though agroforestry was widely considered a strategy to combat climate change, only some farmers accepted it due to their awareness level. Therefore, education programs such as training, farmer field schools, door-to-door visits, etc., should be intensified to sensitize farmers about climate change and encourage them to adopt improved agroforestry practices. The findings of the study could reinforce local, national, and international allied agencies to design operative actions in the days to come.

Formalizing community forest tenure rights: A theory of change and conditions for success

The formalization of community forest tenure rights is expected to promote sustainable community forest management, and is seen as a way to combine objectives related to environmental conservation, livelihood improvement, and local self-determination. However, the formalization of forest tenure rights by itself, does not automatically result in the intended impacts. There is a need to better understand the conditions under which communities are able to use these rights to achieve positive outcomes across multiple dimensions. We formulated a simple theory of change that underlies the formalization of community forest tenure rights, and used it to assess the outcomes, bottlenecks and enabling conditions of community forest tenure models across the forested tropics. Based on this analysis, we identified ten conditions that need to be in place for community forest tenure rights formalization to achieve the intended impacts. The theory of change and associated conditions form a generic conceptual framework that can be used to inform policy and practice of actors supporting community forest tenure rights, including civil society organizations and government agencies.

Evaluating the contribution of wetlands to food security and livelihoods improvement in the Savelugu Municipality, Ghana

The study was conducted on three wetlands and four fringe communities in the Savelugu Municipality in Ghana’s Northern Region. The study evaluated the importance of wetlands to food security and livelihoods in the Savelugu Municipality using primary and secondary data sources. The contingent valuation method was used to determine respondents’ value of wetlands, whereas Kendall’s Coefficient was used to identify the factors influencing the reliance or utilisation of wetlands. The study results showed that wetlands were critical resources in study communities and contributed to people's livelihoods and food security and determined the kinds of livelihoods that existed in these communities. Out of the 79% of respondents (that is, 237 out of 300 respondents) who considered their households to be food secured, 73% of them attributed their food secured households to their reliance and use of wetland resources. Fertile soil for agriculture and tree nursery development, fish for consumption and income generation from the sales of wetland related products were the key contributions of wetlands to respondents’ food security. Furthermore, the study established that despite the potential contributions of these ecosystems to the people’s overall development, the wetlands are yet to be accorded the needed recognition as valuable resources by policymakers at the community and district levels. The disregard of wetland ecosystems by authorities, and as a consequence, the lack of attention/clear-cut regulations on their use, lead to overexploitation and degradation. It was observed in Bunglung and Nabogu wetlands that siltation is adversely affecting the capacity of the wetlands to provide their functions and services. The situation requires the attention of the Savelugu Municipal Assembly to dredge the silted wetlands. Key among the factors influencing wetland dependence and utilisation were climate change, soil fertility of wetlands and household income levels. Inhabitants’ activities such as obsolete fishing tools and farming practices, channelisation and indiscriminate waste disposal were identified to be detrimental to the wetlands’ sustainability.

A Systematic Study Site Selection Protocol to Determine Environmental Flows in the Headwater Catchments of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve.

Developing nations will be worst hit by the impacts of climate change because limited resources hinder the spatial reach of climate studies, effort, and subsequent implementation to help with the improvement of livelihoods. Therefore, finding the best-case study is an essential undertaking in environmental assessments. This study explains one systematic approach to selecting a study site for an environmental assessment project. A desktop review of relevant literature, a simple factor scoring assessment process, reliance on expert opinion, and a field survey for ground-truthing were conducted. The desktop review showed the most critical factors to site selection. The scoring of these factors selected those that were crucial for the study. Experts validated the results and suggested the best study site among the ones identified. While the design is simplified, the proposed approach selects the most appropriate study site for environmental assessments.

Gender accessibility to agricultural production resources amongst rural farmers in the North-Eastern Nigeria

This paper reviewed gender issues on accessibility to agricultural production resources and extension services amongst rural farmers in the predominant crises regions of North-East Nigeria, The study applied qualitative analysis in reviewing related literatures, workshop proceedings, seminars, intervention projects, and situation reports on the crisis-torn regions of the Country to elicit cogent facts and figures, The findings revealed that there is a great deal of gender disparity in favour of the men folk as against women and youths in the accessibility to production resources and extension services in the affected regions of the study. This has not only affected their production output but also makes them vulnerable in crisis situations. The paper thus recommends strongly for gender mainstreaming policies towards ensuring equitable access to production resources and extension services in periods of emergencies in these regions. The aftermath is for sustainability in Agricultural production and improvement in rural livelihood to guarantee food security.

Dynamics of Ndu and Tole Agro-Industries and Outcomes on Rural Development in Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon

Agro-Industries play crucial roles in population empowerment, rural development and the dynamics of communities in developing countries. The Ndu and Tole Tea estates in Cameroon are not exceptions. Created by the Germans, in 1928 the management of the estates was inherited by the British under the Commonwealth Development Cooperation and later transferred to the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) in 1947. These agro-industries now under private management since 2002 have been involved in tea production, transformation and commercialization in national and international markets. In the process of achieving these goals, the enterprises have been at conflict with the local populations and workers that carry out activities in the plantations. Even though, the estates have been at the forefront of rural development and livelihood transformation in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon, their activities at different periods of Cameroon history have had several negative outcomes in the uplift of populations and promotion of development in the countryside. This study has as objective to investigate how the activities of these estates have contributed to the improvement of rural livelihoods and development in the study sites and emerging challenges. Data for production of this work is tapped from primary sources (field investigations) and secondary sources (literature on development, agriculture, and industrial geography). The findings of this study show that the estates have created job opportunities for the population, enhanced the incomes of host communities, improved the road infrastructure, health, water and electricity services of the rural population. On the other hand, the working conditions of population that operate in the estates have been precarious and marked by human rights violation through nonpayment of debts owed workers, wanton dismissal of workers without justification, landgrab and conflicts amongst others. This paper investigates into the development history of these enterprises.

The Contribution of Community Forestry on Livelihood Improvement and Environmental Protection in Cameroon

The sustainable management of community forests in Cameroon is a success story for the achievement of Community-Based natural Resources Management (CBNRM). This approach empowers local communities to take the lead on natural resources management, giving them a sense of responsibility and ownership. This study was carried out in three community forest (Woteva, Bakingili and Bimbia-Bonadikombo community forests) in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon. The aim of this research was to verify the contribution of community forestry to the wellbeing of the local population, and how it enhances the conservation of biodiversity. In this study, 135 (45.8%) of the 295 respondents were from Bimbia-Bonadikombo, 109 (36.9%) from Bakingili and 51 (17.3%) from Woteva. From this total, 155 (52.5%) were female and the rest (140 or 47.5%) were male. 89.4% of the population use the forests for fuelwood collection, 25.7% for timber exploitation, 40% for farming, and 41.3% for non-timber forest products (NTFPs) harvesting. Interestingly, only 17.9% of the respondents reported an increase in community members income under community forestry, 53.9% perceived no change especially as not everyone in the community is committed to community forestry. However, an improved adoption of sustainable exploitation practices was noted, and this can be explained by the numerous sensitization and training workshops and field demonstration carried out by the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife through the Programme for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources-Southwest (PSMNR-SW), as well as Mount Cameroon prunus africana Association (MOCAP).

Review on Socio Economic and Ecological Role of Non Timber Forest Products in South Western Ethiopia

This review paper focuses mainly on the socio-economic and ecological role of NTFPs contributes to the rural household economy and the types NTFPs. NTFPs are defined to encompass all biological material that may be extracted from natural ecosystems, managed plantations, wood lands, etc., and be utilized within the household, be marketed, or have social, cultural or religious significance. NTFPs Ethiopia covers wide range of products namely wild coffee, honey, gum and resin, spice and wild food, fodder, fuel wood, medicinal plants, construction materials, farm implements, handcrafts, household equipment, and among others. Most NTFPs covered in the review are found to be plant origin except honey and represent an important element in the livelihood of the rural people. These NTFPs are used either for subsistence to be consumed at household level or sold to generate income or both. Based on the existing literature NTFPs are essential components of livelihood activities for the rural people living in and around the forest. In quantitative terms, the level of input the NTFPs contribute to rural people is comparable with the other major livelihood activities like livestock and crop production. On top of this its share to the poor category is found to be major and highest than the richer and this shows the product is more important for the poor. This has an implication that the role NTFPs plays in a rural poor is an immense (broad). The importance of NTFPs is not limited to the improvement of livelihood of the rural people. But goes beyond the economy and it has environmental implication (forest development). Through commercialization of some selected NTFPs such as wild coffee and honey it is possible to protect and sustainably manage the forests. Commercializing these products increases the incomes the rural people generate from the forest without causing adverse effect and in turn contribute to Forest management.