Livelihood Challenges Research Articles

Empirical Evidence on Status of Street Vendors in Nepal amid COVID-19: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, street vending businesses faced severe disruptions, exacerbating poverty and livelihood challenges for vendors. The government's neglect of this sector has further intensified these issues, highlighting the need for a comprehensive analysis of the situation. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on street vendors in Kathmandu Valley. Specifically, it explores the relationships between poverty, unemployment, and street vending, and examines the role of migration as a mediating factor. Methods: An explanatory research design was employed, utilizing a non-probability convenience sampling technique to collect data from 202 street vendors. Data were gathered using KOBO Toolbox and a structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) used to analyze relationships and impacts. Results: The analysis reveals a significant impact of poverty on unemployment among street vendors during the pandemic. Migration has a notable influence on street vending and unemployment, serving as a mediator between poverty and street vending activities. Domestic migration, in particular, has been pivotal in enhancing street vending in Kathmandu Valley. Conclusion: The study underscores the need for regulatory authorities at central, provincial, and local levels to develop a legal and political framework to support street vendors. Implementing such measures could significantly improve their status and mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic on their livelihoods. Paper Types: Research Paper Keywords: Poverty, Migration, Street vending, Informal sector, Structural Equation Modelling, Nepal JEL Classification: E26, O17

Livelihood Access and Challenges in Mining Resettlement Communities: Insight from Ghana

The study acknowledges that though mining has contributed to the development of many economies globally, it comes with unanticipated challenges especially on the people who are directly affected by the mining activities. The study aims to understand the implications of such challenges faced in mining resettled communities and the versatile practices followed to stay in the mist of such livelihood challenges in mining resettlement communities. The study also focuses on the copying strategies adapted to cope with these challenges in mining resettlement communities. Qualitative approach was done to capture the rich essence of the subject matter. The study used focus groups and in-depth interviews as techniques and interviewed members from different households of the mining resettlements communities (Salman, Teleku-Bokazo and Nkroful) including land owners, opinion leaders, chiefs and from the institutional perspectives. As a result, it was found out that the livelihood challenges that clearly manifested itself was in the area of income, employment and morbidity issues. The evidence was shown that in all the challenges, copying measures are in place to enable the people live in their new settlements, but not adequate.

“No fish – no fishermen”: staying as a voluntary choice despite environmental risks

ABSTRACT While climate change may amplify global mobility patterns, most affected individuals voluntarily stay in their locales. This research studies the multiple forms of voluntary non-migration amidst socio-environmental challenges, focusing on the traditional fishermen community in southwestern Bangladesh. Through 25 in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions, the research uncovers that despite socio-environmental obstacles, such as the loss of the primary source of livelihood – the river, a substantial number of fishermen are determined to stay in the locality voluntarily. The households who voluntarily stay face livelihood challenges that coexist with their vulnerabilities. The fishermen employ diverse livelihood strategies to cope with the adversities and strive to maintain their livelihoods in situ. This study emphasises that voluntary non-migration could serve as both an adaptation strategy in vulnerable locales and an outcome of livelihood decisions, highlighting its fluid and dynamic nature. The implications of these findings are relevant for future research and policy formulation in promoting local adaptation and supporting the population choosing to remain in place in the face of environmental challenges.

Co-designing sustainable biochar business models with sub-Saharan African communities for inclusive socio-economic transformation

Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) encounter multiple livelihood challenges. Embracing circular bioeconomy principles, particularly considering agricultural and food processing residues, could enable inclusive, locally led, sustainable development pathways within rural communities. Biochar products are one such example of a bio-based material that can be generated using circular principles and deployed for sustainable community development, including among smallholder farmers. This research leverages empirical evidence from four SSA regions to explore the potential of inclusive and sustainable biochar business models, namely: (i) Northern Region, Ghana, (ii) Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, (iii) Casamance, Senegal, and (iv) Western Region, Uganda. Co-creation workshops using the Triple-Layered Business Model Canvas framework were carried out in each region with local stakeholders to evaluate the social, ecological, and economic implications of four locally relevant biochar applications: water filtration, biogas purification, soil amendment, and cooking fuel briquettes. Data was analysed at an aggregate level for all regions and applications. The study describes this consolidated biochar business model and examines the implications for SSA communities. The resulting sustainable bio-based business model can guide value chain actors and policymakers in SSA communities towards rural sustainable development with a better understanding of the needs, opportunities, challenges, and impacts of biochar-based value chain development.

Satellite-based rainwater harvesting sites assessment for Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan.

Water scarcity in arid regions poses significant livelihood challenges and necessitates proactive measures such as rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems. This study focuses on identifying RWH sites in Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan) district, which recently experienced severe water shortages. Given the difficulty of large-scale ground surveys, satellite remote sensing data and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were utilized. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach was employed for site selection, considering various criteria, including land use/land cover, precipitation, geological features, slope, and drainage. Landsat 8 OLI imagery, GPM satellite precipitation data, soil maps, and SRTM DEM were key inputs. Integrating these data layers in GIS facilitated the production of an RWH potential map for the region. The study identified 9 RWH check dams, 12 farm ponds, and 17 percolation tanks as suitable for mitigating water scarcity, particularly for irrigation and livestock consumption during dry periods. The research region was classified into four RWH zones based on suitability, with 9% deemed Very Good, 33% Good, 53% Poor, and 5% Very Poor for RWH projects. The generated suitability map is a valuable tool for hydrologists, decision-makers, and stakeholders in identifying RWH potential in arid regions, thereby ensuring water reliability, efficiency, and socio-economic considerations.

A pilot study expanding participatory epidemiology to explore community perceptions of human and livestock diseases among pastoralists in Turkana County, Kenya

Abstract In Kenya, pastoralists grapple with significant health and livelihood challenges due to livestock, zoonotic, and human-specific diseases. These diseases threaten the sustainability of their unique food production system and its considerable economic, nutritional, and ecologic value. Disease control and prevention in arid and semi-arid lands are currently inadequate due to underfunded and ill-adapted health programs coupled with a shortage of personnel. Participatory epidemiology (PE) presents a valuable tool for understanding community perceptions of disease importance and epidemiology, thereby aiding in improving control measures and promoting community involvement in centralized service delivery programs. Yet, the use of PE has focused on livestock and zoonotic diseases, leaving perceptions of human-specific disease and the complex interplay between pastoralists, their livestock, and the rangelands largely unexplored. To address this gap, we utilized PE to achieve three objectives: (1) establish links between human and livestock diseases, (2) determine perceptions of disease priorities, and (3) assess knowledge of disease epidemiology. Our findings indicate that the relationships between human and livestock diseases primarily manifest in two categories: disease symptoms and zoonoses. Disease priorities differed between locations, with no apparent pattern emerging that human or livestock diseases are considered more important. Importance indicators such as prevalence, mortality, morbidity, and spatial/temporal variation were shared across diseases. Diseases perceived as more prevalent and deadly were deemed most consequential, while those seen as less prevalent, less deadly, and exhibiting more spatial/temporal variation were considered important. Our results underscore the added value of including human-specific diseases in PE, which can help improve disease prevention and control initiatives among pastoralists. Human, animal, and environmental health programs and research can leverage and expand upon our approach, combining it with household surveys and other surveillance methods to address health challenges among pastoralists in the drylands of Northern Kenya and beyond.

The Employment and Livelihood Challenge Among the Informal Handloom Weavers During COVID-19 and Lockdown in Odisha, India

The study examines the employment and livelihood challenges encountered by the informal handloom weavers of Odisha due to the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown. For this purpose, primary data have been collected from 435 active handloom weaving households in the Bargarh district of Odisha through a multistage random sampling method. A semi-log multiple regression model has been employed to find out the major factors contributing to the income loss of the handloom weavers. The findings show that acute financial constraints, huge income loss and unemployment have been experienced by the handloom weavers. The regression analysis reveals that the variables like firm size, indebtedness status, unemployment status, source of secondary income, social category and production-marketing systems significantly contributed to the income loss of the weavers during the COVID-19 lockdown. In the absence of a proper income and employment cushion, most of the handloom weavers borrowed money and survived on governments’ Corona relief measures. However, these assistances were scanty in nature and could not help the weavers to withstand the employment and income crisis. At this time, supplementary policy measures in the form of weavers’ specific government schemes with wide coverage and outreach will be helpful for the handloom weavers to revive from the crisis.

Livelihood challenges of traditional fishing units operating large modified ring seines: Climate variability perspective in Kerala, south west coast of India

Livelihood challenges of traditional fishing units operating large modified ring seines: Climate variability perspective in Kerala, south west coast of India

Livelihood challenges in High Asian pastoral spaces

Zmenšování pasteveckých oblastí je jev, který se projevuje v celosvětovém měřítku, a to zejména v horských oblastech. K tomuto procesu přispěly přerušené migrační trasy, státní regulace, správní a mocenská kontrola, stejně jako působení rozšiřujících se sídel a modernizačních strategií. Pro 20. století je charakteristický rozvoj infrastruktury, kultivace dříve nedotčené půdy, ničení lesů a nové zhodnocování přírodního bohatství, růst počtu obyvatel a osídlení. Archaické formy extenzivních forem pasteveckých praktik našly svou antitezi v duchu modernizace a technologického pokroku. Propagátoři modernizace a využívání zdrojů podporovali „moderní“ mobilní společnost, ale klasické formy mobility označovali za zastaralé, zaostalé a neudržitelné. V pozadí je dávný a dobře známý kulturní konflikt mezi mobilními a usedlými komunitami, které se jeví jako vzájemně nedůvěřivé vůči chování a životnímu stylu těch druhých. Zmenšování pasteveckého prostoru je tedy stejně tak územní fenomén zaměřený na rozlohu a vzdálenost jako politický, sociokulturní a rozvojovou teorií inspirovaný proces, který ve většině zemí urychlil programy sedentarizace a usazování mobilních komunit. Vyvrcholením tohoto procesu by mohlo být tzv. konečné usazení všech kočovníků, které bylo v posledním desetiletí realizováno v Čínské lidové republice. Moje diskuse o „tragédii odpovědnosti“ bude příkladem procesu, který proběhl v pasteveckém prostoru, a poukáže na diverzity a rozdíly v legislativě v rámci sociálních a klimatických změn ve vysokohorském asijském pasteveckém prostoru.

Livelihood challenges in High Asian pastoral spaces

Shrinking pastoral spaces are phenomena that have occurred on a global scale and in particular in mountain areas. Interrupted migration routes, state regulations, administrative and strongholders’ control have contributed to this process as well as the forces of settlement expansion and modernization strategies. The 20th century is characterized by infrastructure development, cultivation of formerly pristine lands, destroying of forests and revaluation of natural assets, population and settlement growth. Archaic forms of extensive forms of pastoral practices found their anti-thesis in the spirit of modernization and technological progress. The promotors of modernization and resource exploitation supported a ‘modern’ mobile society, but termed classical forms of mobility as outdated, backward and refutable. Underlying is an old and well-known cultural conflict between mobile and resident communities, which seem to be mutually suspicious about the behaviour and lifestyles of the other. Thus, the shrinking of pastoral spaces is as much a spatial phenomenon focusing on area and distance as it is a political, socio-cultural and development theory-inspired process that has accelerated programmes of sedentarisation and settlement of mobile communities in most countries. The culmination of this process might be the so-called final settlement of all nomads that has been implemented in the People’s Republic of China during the last decade. My discussion about a ‘tragedy of responsibility’ will exemplify the process that has occurred in the rangelands and highlight diversities and legislation differences in the framework of social and climate change in High Asian pastoral spaces.

Averting the Old Age Crisis in Fiji: Policy, Providence, and the Crisis of Livelihood

This article investigates the livelihood condition and income security concerns of Fijian seniors, retirees, and older persons, with a particular emphasis on the services provided by the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF). The report focuses on essential components of Fiji’s society and economy, such as population aging, retirement provisions, and the FNPF’s role. It also investigates the potential and conditions of poverty in the country, notably the poverty and health crisis among the elderly. The data for the study is gathered using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. A questionnaire survey is administered to 439 retirees, 45% of whom are female and 55% of whom are male. In-depth interviews and focus group sessions are also done to acquire a better understanding of the challenges and requirements of the elderly. Desk research is used to analyses numerous records received from the FNPF, publicly accessible yearly reports, and Department of Social Welfare pertinent resources on social services. The study highlights the FNPF’s general services to assure efficiency in financial obligation to pensioners, as well as the crucial relevance of economic stability for pensioners based on their monthly pension receipts. The data analysis and conversations shed light on the issues that Fijian retirees confront and potential areas for improvement in the FNPF’s services. Finally, the article emphasizes the importance of increased support and targeted measures to address the livelihood challenges of Fijian pensioners. The study’s findings can help policymakers and stakeholders devise effective methods to ensure the well-being and financial security of the country’s aging population.

Livelihood Challenges of the River Fishermen in Bangladesh: A Systematic Review and Recommendations for the Policy and Practice

Fishing in rivers is one of the major occupations of fisher communities of Bangladesh who live near the river banks across the country. The objectives of this qualitative review are to identify the key livelihood challenges experienced by the river fishermen (fishers) and to recommend some policies in light of the previous studies available for review. The researchers used a systematic review guided by the PRISMA method/guidelines. Boolean search strings were used to identify the literature from databases like PubMed, MDPI, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The findings show that the fishers' communities are excluded from mainstream society and deprived of enjoyment of basic human rights and needs. Also, they are suffering from extreme levels of economic hardships and vulnerabilities, climate change-related natural catastrophes, diseases, and poor communication systems. The fisher communities were also found to experience social stigma, social exclusion, and isolation. Moreover, family pressure linked to demographic change, financial constraints, poor market facilities, reduction of fishing areas for territorial conflicts, political unrest, and pressure from the musclemen and socially miscreants or deviant persons is observed in the study. The fishers were also found to suffer from a shortage of fishing gear, boats, nets, and resources. Based on the systematic review of literature related to the study, several policy recommendations have been made that contribute to promoting the quality of lives of fishermen (fishers) through socio-economic, cultural, physical-infrastructural, and environmental development.

Investigating the “Thief in the Night”: The Reproduction and Erosion of Indigenous Forms of Social Resilience in Rural Fiji

AbstractAcross the Republic of Fiji, the combination of slow onset climate change and extreme weather events continues to wreak havoc. In addition to direct damages sustained from climate impacts, the uncertainties associated with changes to natural systems in combination with depletion of natural resources and declines in biodiversity provide substantial challenges for Indigenous cultures and rural semi-subsistence livelihoods. Consequently, the concept of social resilience in terms of peoples’ capacities to cope and adapt to social and ecological changes remains important. In this study, we examine local Indigenous systems of social resilience constructed in alignment with the traditional value of relationalism, and concomitant practices of solesolevaki (working together) and kerekere (requesting, gifting, sharing) to (i). understand how social resilience in this local setting is both reproduced and sustained, and (ii).to examine how moral conflicts and ambiguities arising between traditional modes of living and being, and newer, introduced ontologies attributed to late liberalism are affecting social resilience. We present an ethnographic sketch drawn from fieldwork observations and narratives undertaken in rural Fiji since 2016 and apply Robbins’ (2017) theorising of culture and values to examine how people reconcile competing value systems attached to two porous social orders that structure the practices and rhythms of daily life, which Merlan (2005) refers to as the intercultural.

Is Climate Change Posing a Challenge to Food Security? Empirical Evidence from a Small Island Developing Country

Food security remains one of the main goals for all countries worldwide. While several agencies have mobilized resources to achieve this goal, food insecurity remains a significant livelihood challenge in many developing countries. Therefore, in this paper, we examine some critical factors affecting the food security of rural agricultural households in Fiji using the latest Agricultural Census data. This study reveals that farmers’ access to fishing grounds and non-timber forest resources can improve farming households’ food security. The study also shows that while the government vigorously pursues a transition from subsistence agriculture towards commercial agriculture, improving market access and reducing transportation costs will significantly improve food security. Given the importance of regular cash income, the study also demonstrates that off-farm employment of household members, particularly larger-sized households, will substantially help to improve food security. Lastly, and most importantly, the government must quickly examine how it could mitigate challenges posed by climate change, as this could devastate food security via reduced food production.

Navigating Livelihood Challenges: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Socioeconomic Landscape in Rural Bangladesh during COVID-19 and post-COVID Era

The worldwide emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only exposed vulnerabilities in healthcare systems but has also laid bare the stark disparities within societies. Among those disproportionately affected are the marginalized and vulnerable populations, who face unique challenges in the wake of this unprecedented health crisis. In the context of Bangladesh, a country with diverse communities and economic strata, the effects of COVID-19 on marginalized people have been profound, encompassing health, economic, educational, and social dimensions. The objective of this study is to explore these impacts. The result shows that 60% of marginal people have received the vaccine whereas 40% of marginal people have not yet received the vaccine. This study demonstrates that 76% of marginal people have taken debt during the covid-19. Among them, 13% could not repay their loans. By examining the multifaceted dimensions of the pandemic’s impact, this abstract contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized populations in the context of a global health crisis and calls attention to the need for targeted interventions and support in the post-COVID era.

Unlocking the potentials of sustainable livelihoods in Chattogram Hill Tracts of Bangladesh

The Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT), home to diverse ethnic communities locally known as tribals, lags behind in socioeconomic development, with widespread poverty and precarious livelihoods. This paper, using diverse sources of literature, examines the existing livelihood challenges faced by the tribal people of CHT and explores various livelihood options that could improve their well-being. Our analysis revealed that a variety of factors, including geographic, economic, social, historical, and political, affect the livelihoods of tribal people in the CHT. The region's difficult topography, remoteness, poor infrastructure, and past conflicts have hindered development efforts and deterred both private and public sector investments. Although over 60 % of the tribal people depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihoods, many of them are landless. Moreover, tribal communities have limited access to finance, education and training, health services, and markets due to their remote locations, poor infrastructure, and lack of transportation facilities. Our findings suggest that, despite many challenges, there is huge potential to improve the livelihoods of the tribal people. However, it would require a holistic and coordinated approach of managing natural resources, improving human, social, physical, and financial capital, as well as addressing underlying structural and institutional factors. Priority should be given to managing natural resources, improving governance, resolving land disputes, investing in infrastructure, improving access to markets and financial services, and developing skills and knowledge. This paper outlines a framework to address the existing challenges and harness the opportunities to promote sustainable livelihoods in CHT.

Livelihood challenges faced by women in rural India: exploration of solutions using participatory action research

ABSTRACT Women in rural India continue to face deprivation and inequality, despite various initiatives and reforms to empower them. In this note, the authors share their experiences of identifying the challenges faced by women in earning a livelihood and the sustainable solutions they identified using the participatory action research approach. The study involved two self-help groups of women in Nagla Chandi, a rural village in Uttar Pradesh, India. It revealed three key challenges: a need for entrepreneurial skills, low earnings, and limited access to land and capital. The note highlights potential sources of income and emphasises the importance of building women’s capacity to enhance their chances of finding work, starting a business, and supporting their families. Policymakers, Civil Society Organisations, and academic institutions working to empower women in rural communities can benefit from this note, offering an experiential learning approach to sustainable development research and education.

ENABLING INNOVATION IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

To ensure sustainable development, there is a limit to the extent of urbanization. Thus, rural development is an essential strategy that many nations must work on to ensure optimal economic, environmental, and social outcomes at a country level. However, rural development in itself is challenging because rural communities typically have limited resources and capabilities to address common livelihood challenges, let alone take on new economic roles. Hence, as part of rural revitalization strategies, innovation plays a critical role. A wide range of technologies can facilitate innovation in rural development, including the internet and new agricultural technologies. In addition, new mindsets and shifts in values, such as the changing trends of work and consumerism, can create opportunities for rural areas to adopt innovation and develop new growth engines. However, it should be noted that the nature of innovation in rural and urban settings are different. In rural regions, growth could be enabled through more specific types of innovations, including frugal innovation, inclusive innovation, and social innovation. To enable these forms of innovations in rural areas, this paper proposes a three-dimensional process model that includes pro-social technological innovation policy, rural innovation governance, and dynamic networks that close the gap between rural and urban innovation systems. Examples from China, such as the development of Tengtou Village and Taobao Villages serve to demonstrate these concepts. Overall, the discussions in the paper suggest that to enable innovation in rural development, it is necessary to foster closer interactions between rural and urban innovation ecosystems for the former to leverage the latter’s technologies, networks, and resources.

Evaluating the Effects of Climate Change on Tea and Sustainable Livelihood: A Study of Sri Lankan Tea Plantation Labours

The tea industry of Sri Lanka serves as the backbone of its economy. It gives the highest share of GDP from agricultural production and employment opportunities to a large section of the Sri Lankan population. Tea is confined to cultivated in an optimal climate where temperature and rainfall must be equal. Climate change is an inevitable phenomenon triggering a consequential threat to tea growth and its quality. Similarly, it possesses severe implications for farmers' livelihoods. Because tea plantation plays an active role in rural poverty alleviation and ensuring the food security of estate workers. It has become mandatory for tea farmers and workers to adapt appropriately to climate change in order to ensure sustenance, livelihood, and food security. This study investigates the livelihood challenges led by climate change faced by the working communities in the tea estates of Sri Lanka. This study found that climate change has a multidimensional impact on livelihood and has a nexus with migration.

“Here, your only relative is money…” why slum social networks do not facilitate neighborhood community development: insights through a sanitation lens

IntroductionThough social networks which are deemed vehicles of community development exist in slum areas, underdevelopment still persists in these areas. We explored the nature and role of social networks in facilitating community development in the slums of Kampala through a sanitation lens.MethodsQualitative Social Network Analysis (SNA) was done to understand the nature of slum social networks primarily through the analysis of sanitation behavior. Data were collected through six Focus Group Discussions (FGD), six In-depth Interviews (IDIs), and 18 Key Informant Interviews (KII) with Government, civil society and private stakeholders. We used both inductive and deductive thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes emerged in our analysis; i); Unsupportive environments, uncooperative neighbours and uncertainty of tenure: participants reported slums as unsupportive of community development due to a shortage of space, poverty and unplanned services. Tenants perceived landlords as exploitative and predatory and wished the tables are turned. This notion of cyclic exploitation did not encourage collective action for community good. Short-term economic survival trumped long-term community interests ii) Patronage and poor service delivery: varying degrees of patronage led to multiple forms of illegalities and violations such as tax evasion. Due to vested interests and corruption among public officials, the slum population was lethargic. iii) Intersecting realities of poverty and unemployment: slum dwellers lived on the margins daily. Hence, poor living conditions were a secondary concern. iv) Social relations for personal development: Slum social networks were driven by individual interests rather than community good. Slum dwellers prioritized connections with people of common socio-economic interests. As such social networks were instrumental only if they ‘added value’.ConclusionSocial networks in slums are only concerned about survival needs. Slums require responses that address the complexity of slum formation and broader livelihood challenges, as well as re-assessing the meaning of community. We posit that more needs to be done in understanding the meaning and workings of a sociology beyond physical societies. Poverty is a modifier of social systems and processes and should be a concern for all stakeholders involved in slum development.