Livelihood Options Research Articles

Climate change in Himalayas: Impacts on lives and livelihoods

Climate change is emerged as an issue of great concern for the nations around the world. It affects virtually all physical, biological and human systems on this planet. However, the impacts are particularly severe for highly climate sensitive environments like Himalayas. The impacts of climate change are well observed in the Himalayas in the form of increasing temperature, melting glaciers, formation of glacial lakes, glacial lakes outburst floods (GLOFs) event and changing biodiversity and the ecosystems. Often referred as the ‘Third Pole’ or the ‘Water Tower of Asia’, Himalayas host largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar region which feed 10 of giant Asian rivers. Himalayas provide lifeline for half a billion people in the mountains and more than 1.3 billion people in the river basins who depend directly or indirectly on mountain resources for food, water, hydroelectricity, timber, biodiversity, and niche products. Climate change is a critical issue in the Himalayas not only because it adversely affects ecosystem of the region but also because it could have serious repercussions for mountain people. Due to fragile ecology and inaccessibility and poor economic development, people in the mountains have limited livelihood options. They depend heavily on agriculture, livestock rearing, forest products and tourism which are highly sensitive to climate change. Thus, any adverse impact on mountain resources will eventually have adverse effects on the life and livelihoods of mountain people. Although data about human well being in the Himalayas is scant, the climate change effects are likely to be experienced by them, among other things, on their livelihoods, health, and natural resource security. Thus, in this paper an attempt has been made to review the available literature on the climate change trends in the Himalayas and their subsequent impacts on mountain people.

Understanding indigenous people's traditional Chinese medicinal plants harvesting preferences to guide sustainable management

Abstract Surging demand for medicinal plant products may lead to unsustainable harvesting practices, which could put pressure on wild populations. Yet little is known about indigenous harvesters' preferences on key traditional Chinese medicinal plant resources, and how these might affect sustainable use and management. We conducted a discrete choice experiment with over 900 native Tibetan harvesters in the eastern Qinghai–Tibetan plateau in China, under a range of complex alternative livelihood, climate and environmental change, and land tenure and customs scenarios. We used random parameter logit model with broad heterogeneity to estimate local Tibetan harvesters' preferences and their willingness to harvest, and latent class logit model to explore distinct within‐population groupings based on shared preferences, for designing possible interventions. We uncovered three key findings with important management implications for medicinal plants. When given a choice, the local harvesters preferred not to harvest any herbs. However, if they opted to harvest, they preferred to harvest flowers and seeds, as compared to roots, and tended to use wooden tool (over the use of bare hands and iron tool). Notably, the degree of compliance with village rules and customs, and ecological worldview interact with targeted plant parts and potential income from harvest to influence their harvesting preferences. Their choices were sensitive to scenario‐based changes to livelihood options. Finally, our study revealed three distinct harvester groups with substantial heterogeneity. Specifically, two groups consisted of over 60% of the interviewed harvesters who appeared to have a strong preference for sustainable practices, while the remaining group lacks this tendency. Overall, our results shed light on the importance of understanding the drivers of harvesting preferences and the heterogeneity of harvesting practices among indigenous people and their cultural and sustainability leanings, providing crucial insights for future sustainable use and management of wild and economically important medicinal plants in the grasslands of Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and other regions. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Livelihood diversification and migration intentions among land-poor youth in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: do they correlate with livestock assets, trust, and trustworthiness?

Youth unemployment has been prevalent in Ethiopia. Over the past decades, efforts to rehabilitate degraded communal lands have been taking place in Ethiopia. This has created the opportunity to organize landless and land-poor youth and implement a policy of allocating rehabilitated lands for youth to engage in agriculture as a livelihood option. However, whether these rural youth will remain in agriculture or choose other livelihood options including migration, and how their trusting behaviors (trust and trustworthiness) and other factors influence their choices are worth investigating and are the aims of this study. This will help our understanding of what would incentivize the youth to enhance their livelihoods. We used data collected from samples of 1,138 youth group members in the 2016 survey and from 2,427 youth group members in the 2019 survey in five districts of the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia. Our results from panel data multinomial logit and probit models show that the number of oxen, access to land in the land rental market, and income from youth group activity significantly correlated with youth group members' choices for livelihood options and planning for migrating out of the country. A higher number of oxen owned by the youth group members are associated with a higher likelihood that the youth choose agriculture as a livelihood. Youth group members with a larger number of oxen are also less likely to plan for migration. We also found that more trusting youth group members are more likely to choose off-farm employment relative to staying in agriculture than less trusting members. More trustworthy members are less likely to migrate and more likely to stay in agriculture because trustworthiness is associated with better access to land in the rental market. Thus, improving youth group members' access to land and their asset endowments such as oxen for increasing the productivity of youth group activity and hence income would incentivize youth group members to stay in agriculture and enhance youth group activity as a sustainable livelihood.

Access to provisioning services by local communities from Mpanga central forest reserve in central Uganda

IntroductionForest resources are an important source of products on which rural communities depend for survival. Mpanga Central Forest Reserve (CFR) is a valuable resource to adjacent communities through provision of different goods and serves for subsistence and income generation. It also serves as an important eco-tourist site. However, there is scanty information regarding the products obtained from Mpanga CFR and their contribution to livelihoods of adjacent communities.MethodsThe study explored the provisioning services obtained from the CFR, assessed the contribution of the CFR to the surrounding communities and explored the challenges faced while obtaining these services from the forest reserve. Provisioning services are the material benefits supplied by the ecosystem. A total of 118 respondents were randomly selected from 11 villages in Kamengo sub-county Mpigi District and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires.Results and discussionThe residents obtained wild foods, medicinal herbs, fuelwood, construction and carving materials. Most of the respondents used obtained products for subsistence (51%) while the rest sold them. Regression analysis revealed that 76.5% of the variability in cash income from the CFR is significantly explained by age of respondents, period of stay and education level. Increase in age and educational level of respondents reduced ability to obtain cash income from the forest by (β = −0.19) and (β = −0.625), respectively but increase in period of stay acted in the reverse (β = 0.22). Despite the importance of provisioning services in improving the livelihood of communities adjacent the forest, some challenges in accessing the forest were reported. The quantities of some extracted species had declined over a 5-year period resulting in reduction of household income. This negatively impacts on the livelihoods of the young and uneducated that depend on forest activities for income generation. It is pertinent that alternative livelihood options are sought to address this trend. Also, forest management strategies should provide a win-win situation to forest managers and communities adjacent to the forest. This will not only preserve the forest resource but will also ensure a sustainable livelihood to forest dependent communities.

Development of novel tasar cultivation zones and conservation of vanya silkworms in ecologically-restored sites within degraded mined-out areas of Purnapani, Odisha

Aim: The aim was to develop tasar cultivation zones by introducing diverse tasar host plant species at mined out sites undergoing ecological restoration for generating sustainable livelihood option for local tribals. Methodology: The site selected for vanya sericulture was an integral part of ecologically restored 250 -acres limestone/dolomite mined out area of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).Tasar cultivation zones were developed by planting saplings of host plant species viz, Terminalia tomentosa (Roxb.) ex DC., Terminalia arjuna Wright & Arn., Terminalia belerica (Gaertn) Roxb, Ziziphus mauritiana Lam., Terminalia chebula Retz. and Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. These cultivation zones are currently scattered among nine forest communities that were developed by growing saplings of more than 260 native species of trees and shrubs, besides ground vegetation, using ecosystem approach. Women self-help groups were formed and trained in rearing of tasar silkworms as well as making tasar-based products to ensure continuous practice of tasar silkworm culture at these novel cultivation zones. Results: During early ecological stages of ecosystem redevelopment through restoration of the habitat, it was observed that wild tasar moths laid eggs and silkworms spun cocoons, albeit in very small quantity, indicating suitability of foliage as food for larvae. In the year 2019-2020 alone, an estimated one lakh cocoons were produced from DFLs procured from CTRTI, Ranchi,and sent to the market/stored as seed cocoon. The average income per member of self-help group from sale of tasar cocoons was Rs 7, 855 (INR) annually. Interpretation: The restored ecosystems in the limestone/dolomite mined-out areas of SAIL at Purnapani serve as an excellent model for conservation of Tasar gene pools and sustainable livelihood development that can be replicated elsewhere. Hence, this practise can serve as an excellent model for replication elsewhere. Key words: Biodiversity, Ecological restoration, Livelihood, Mined out areas, Self-help group, Tasar silkworm

Agroforestry on peatland: Livelihood options for community resilience to climate change adaptation

The effects of climate change are already being felt, including the failure to harvest several agricultural products. On the other hand, peatland requires good management because it is a high carbon store and is vulnerable as a contributor to high emissions if it catches fire. This study aims to determine the potential for livelihood options through land management with an agroforestry pattern in peatlands. The methods used are field observation and in-depth interviews. The research location is in Kuburaya Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Several land use scenarios are presented using additional secondary data. The results show that agroforestry provides more livelihood options than monoculture farming or wood. The economic contribution is very important so that people reduce slash-and-burn activities that can increase carbon emissions and threaten the sustainability of peatland.

A perspective of sustainable livelihood framework in analysis of sustainability of rural community livelihoods: evidence from Migori River watershed in Kenya

ABSTRACT Evaluation of livelihood sustainability in ecologically sensitive areas, impoverished regions, and disaster-stricken zones is critical for understanding sustainability challenges and administering poverty-relief interventions. This paper assesses the sustainability of rural households’ livelihoods in the Migori River watershed in Kenya by constructing a livelihood sustainability index (LSI). A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 318 randomly selected households from the upstream, midstream, and downstream watershed zones. The LSI was constructed using the UK Department for International Development (DFID) methodology based on the five livelihood capitals, and one-way ANOVA was used to test for significant differences between watershed zones. The results of the analysis show that although the livelihoods of all the three watershed zones are moderately sustainable with no significant variations (at p < 0.05) between the zones, the livelihoods of midstream households are most sustainable followed by the upstream households and then downstream. The social (ranging from 0.64 to 0.69), physical (ranging from 0.60 to 0.67) and natural (ranging from 0.60 to 0.64) capitals registered relatively high index values across the watershed zones unlike the human (ranging 0.55–0.65) and financial (ranging from 0.44 to 0.57) capitals that recorded relatively low index values; which implies that human and the financial capitals are least possessed assets in the watershed. Therefore this paper recommends increasing the natural capital through sustained conservation of natural resources, increasing human capital by providing skills training to household on alternative livelihood options, and increasing access to financial capital by strengthening rural entrepreneurship. The paper suggests the usage of LSI by policy-makers as a practical tool to quantify the livelihood capital endowment of rural communities to help in prioritizing watershed management programs and the development of interventions aimed at a specific livelihood asset. It may also help policy-makers in project monitoring and evaluation, where it provides feedback critical for continual project improvement.

Traditional Uses and Ex-Situ Conservation of Warburgia ugandensis around Katimok Forest Reserve, Kenya

Different tree species provide a wide range of local livelihood options, including firewood, timber, and medicinal uses, among others. Specifically, traditional medicine significantly contributes to primary health care with a sizable number of people heavily depending on traditional medicine, while many others have used medicinal plants at one time or another. For instance, Warburgia ugandensis is mainly utilised for its medicinal value in many rural areas. Furthermore, people living in rural areas depend on the herbal medical system due to their firm beliefs and limited access to allopathic medicine. Traditionally, indigenous plant species are used to treat diseases that affect both humans and livestock. Consequently, the wide use of medicinal plants such as Warburgia ugandensis has increased commercial collection, unregulated trade, and habitat loss, with the imminent danger of the plant species being threatened. To further compound the problem, few or no medicinal plant species are cultivated on farms. Therefore, the study aimed to analyse traditional uses and examine ex-situ conservation measures of Warburgia ugandensis around Katimok Forest Reserve in Baringo County, Kenya. The primary data was collected using household survey questionnaires and key informant interviews. The key informant interviews and household surveys were done by randomly sampling 345 respondents. One-way ANOVA and SPSS version 28.0.1 were used to analyse the data. Tables, charts and a histogram were used to present data in frequencies and percentages. All the statistics were considered at 95% confidence levels. The results revealed a significant difference in existing ex-situ conservation measures (F (2,9) =63.55, P-Value=4.92) and traditional uses of Warburgia ugandensis in the study blocks around Katimok Forest Reserve (F (3,12) = 109.66, P-Value=5.49). Medicinal use is the most predominant among the other uses. Additionally, there are limited ex-situ conservation measures for important plant species. Therefore, there is an immediate need to promote the ex-situ conservation of invaluable medicinal plant species to enhance the sustainability of traditional uses.

Spatial-Temporal Changes of Limoto Wetland Land Use/Cover Before, During and After Restoration Activities in Eastern Uganda

Purpose: Limoto Wetland is an arm of the Mpologoma wetland system in the Kyoga basin and is a vital ecosystem that supports rural livelihoods through the provision of various ecological goods and services. However, this ecosystem has been undergoing rapid degradation arising from competing land uses particularly paddy rice growing. In turn, this led to reduced capacity of the wetland to provide ecosystem services, thereby reducing the resilience of both the ecosystem and the livelihoods of adjacent communities. Interventions through a restoration program that introduced alternative livelihood options were instituted. It’s important to document these changes to obtain insights that can aid decision-making for effective restoration and conservation. This study, therefore, sought to examine the spatial-temporal changes in Limoto wetland land use/cover transitions for the years 2015, 2020, and 2022.&#x0D; Methodology: To quantify the wetland changes, remotely sensed imageries for 2015, 2020, and 2022 were utilized in classifying land use and land cover dynamics on Limoto Wetland through the Maximum Likelihood algorithm. A total of 500 points were collected from different land use/cover types and used as reference points to develop the image error matrices. Overall accuracy, producer’s and user’s accuracies as well as Kappa statistics were generated from the error matrices. A Kappa test was carried out to measure the extent of classification accuracy; the Kappa coefficient, K, being a coefficient of agreement. It reflects the difference between the actual agreement of classification with reference data and the agreement expected by chance.&#x0D; Findings: Results generally showed that five years after the restoration program (2020), Limoto wetlands regained over 50% of previously converted wetlands to farming. Papyrus coverage also more than doubled from 3.4% to 11.35% of the total wetland coverage. Farms degraded over the past years (1986-2019). However, in 2022, wetland coverage declined drastically as farming took up more than half of the coverage (55%) land, and built-up areas also increased. These changes between 2015-2020 were majorly driven by the introduction of alternative livelihood options which vacated communities from the wetland.&#x0D; Recommendation: The changes after 2020 were due to the unsustainability of the livelihood options and the effects of the Covid-19 lockdown which rendered only farming as the socio-economic activity, coupled with movement restrictions that curtailed monitoring and control of activities in wetlands by enforcers. The study recommends community-tailored, tenable, and sustainable alternative livelihood options to influence community-led wetland restoration and conservation to curb the continuous loss of this wetland.&#x0D;

Conservation for sustaining livelihoods: Adaptive co-management of fish no-take zones in the Mekong River

A major challenge in natural resource management in developing countries is to pursue conservation objectives while avoiding negative impacts on local livelihoods. Inland capture fisheries provide opportunities to demonstrate an integration of conservation and livelihood objectives when managed as a social-ecological system. While numerous marine no-take reserves have been found effective for the recovery of fisheries, few well-documented examples exist in the freshwater realm. Research gaps also remain in the role of co-management in balancing various management objectives and resolving conflicts. This paper offers critical reflection on adaptive co-management of fish conservation zones (FCZs) in the Mekong River in Cambodia and its social-ecological outcomes as perceived by local stakeholders. The management approach was found generally effective for the local stakeholders to negotiate between conservation and livelihood objectives at key stages of the implementation, and resolve conflicts; however, the lessons learned were not uniform across all sites. The degree of difficulty in conflict resolution was mainly a function of the fishing dependency of local communities on the protected site, the prevalence of severe poverty in adjacent villages, and the availability of livelihood options other than fishing. Growing stakeholder perception over time, of the FCZs as yielding positive outcomes—for both conservation and livelihood—motivated the local communities to create more FCZs. We argue clear recognition by local stakeholders of the achievements and the fairness in the FCZ management, facilitated through participatory approaches, can improve their acceptance of conservation rules and enhance their effectiveness. However, long-term mechanisms to support these community initiatives technically and financially are needed. Simple yet scientifically robust approaches for tropical freshwater fisheries monitoring, including periodical assessments of indicator species, are also needed to facilitate performance evaluation of specific management measures locally.

A Case Study for Introducing African Cheetah in Kuno National Park Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, India

Ecology, as a scientific discipline, operates on a well-established framework of principles that govern the functioning of ecosystems. In this research paper, we explore the tragic extinction of the Indian Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) and investigate the role of habitat alteration in its demise. The last known Indian Cheetah was fatally shot in 1952, within a habitat characterized by open grasslands and shrubs within the arid and sub-arid ecosystem. Subsequently, changes in the habitat forced the last surviving Cheetah to seek refuge in the wooded Sal (Shorea robusta) forest, situated in the then region of Madhya Pradesh. Introducing Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from South Africa and Namibia is the world’s first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project. This research paper critically examines the decision to introduce Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from Namibia as a conservation measure. While acknowledging the worsening ecological situation, this paper argues that such an action may have been taken hastily, without due consideration of the cheetah's guild ecology. 5 females, 3 males from Namibia, and 7 males, 5 females from South Africa were relocated to Kuno National Park on 17th September 2022 and 18th February 2023 respectively. The idea to introduce the African cheetah was first discussed in 2009. In 2013, a decision of the Forest Bench of the Supreme Court on Asiatic lion translocation found massive flaws with the proposed introduction of African cheetahs to Kuno. In an ambitious endeavor during 2022, African Cheetahs were carefully selected and introduced on an experimental basis into a specifically chosen habitat in India. Relocation of cheetah populations is considered by India to have vital and far-reaching conservation consequences, and to achieve a number of ecological objectives i.e., improving the enhancing the livelihood options and economies of the local communities and re-establishing the function role of cheetahs within their historical range in India. Government has a plan to translocate 12 cheetahs annually for the next eight to 10 years.

The Mediating Role of Management Functions (Planning, Implementation, and Control) in Influencing the Restoration of Limoto Wetland

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the gap between wetland management functions and the extent of wise use and sustainable harnessing of livelihood opportunities through restoration programs. This study contributes to the comprehension of wetland management functions concerning wetland restoration through the promotion of sustainable livelihoods.&#x0D; Methodology: A cross-sectional research design was adopted. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and interviews. FGD was conducted with five groups of beneficiaries of livelihood options. Interviews were carried out with seven key informants who were thought to be knowledgeable about the wetland restoration alternative livelihood options. These included local council chairmen from communities near the wetland, village opinion leaders, district natural resources officers, IUCN Representatives, NEMA officials, and the wetland department.&#x0D; Findings: Results showed a positive but insignificant relationship between planning function and restoration activities. Furthermore, results also indicated a negative significant relationship between implementation and restoration activities. Finally, findings revealed that there was a relationship between the control function and restoration activities. It was found out that Wetland restoration is a process that helps to transform the wetland area that has been impacted by human or natural activity into an area that can sustain native habitats. Wetlands cover 6% of global and 13% of Uganda's land cover. Over the past forty-five years, wetlands have lost 30% and 36% of land cover globally and in Uganda respectively.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: Many wetlands, particularly those in rural Uganda are, however, getting degraded through mainly conversion of land use to agriculture, exploitation, and settlements despite the existing resource management regime. The study recommends inclusive management functions to achieve a successful wetland restoration.&#x0D;

Wetland Restoration Dilemma in Uganda: Investigation of Alternative Livelihood Options for Restoring Limoto Wetland in Eastern Uganda

Purpose: Motion 145 adopted by the 5th IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2012, called for an evaluation of alternative livelihood programs' contributions to biodiversity conservation. And since then, alternative livelihood opportunities are employed globally as a way to protect biodiversity, notably for wetlands. This study aims to advance the evaluation of alternative livelihood options' effects on biodiversity. The objective of the study is to describe the effectiveness of alternative livelihood options in the restoration of the Limoto wetland. &#x0D; Methodology: A cross-sectional research design was adopted. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and interviews. FGDs were conducted with five groups of beneficiaries of livelihoods options. Interviews were carried out with seven key informants who were considered to be knowledgeable about the wetland restoration alternative livelihood options. These included village local council chairpersons from communities near the wetland, opinion leaders, district natural resources officers, IUCN Representative, NEMA official and wetland department.&#x0D; Findings: The study revealed that the livelihood options initiated for Limoto wetland restoration were ineffective and unsustainable. While, the study further revealed that the wetland restoration program had led to food shortages due to loss of wetland farmland. The study findings showed that re-encroachment was substantially due to a lack of perceived relevance and dissatisfaction with the alternative livelihood options.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study concludes that wetland re-encroachment is caused by the beneficiaries’ dissatisfaction of the alternative livelihood options introduced. Therefore, the study recommends the alternative livelihood options be determined using a co-creating design, where the communities are involved and this is in accordance with National Environment Act No.5, 2019 Uganda.&#x0D;

Implementasi Pembuatan Label Kemasan Dan Digital Marketing Dalam Pengembangan Teknologi UMKM Di Kelurahan Bendo Kota Blitar

The aim of this digital marketing training activity is to increase participants' knowledge in terms of utilizing digital platforms, as well as provide alternative livelihood options for participants to increase their income. Therefore, the identity of the product itself is needed in the industrial era 4.0. This research method was carried out offline using two sessions, namely, an explanation regarding labeling and digital marketing and practicing how to make labels. Therefore, KKN students carry out a work program in the form of regular assistance to MSME business actors related to making labels to make attractive packaging. The training for labeling and digital marketing has gone according to the wishes and expectations of two parties, namely the owner of the Soybean Crackers "BERKAH" UMKM and also from the East Java UPN "Veteran" Community Service Students. It is hoped that the holding of this training can support and further develop MSMEs in the Bendo Village area, Kepanjen Kidul District, Blitar City.

Exploring the utilisation and management of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst (Marula tree) in the Beitbridge district of southern Zimbabwe

The marula tree can play a vital role to enhance the livelihoods within marginalised communities and aid forest management efforts. This research aimed to explore the utilisation and management of the marula tree (Sclerocarya birrea) in ward 3 of Beitbridge district, Southern Zimbabwe. A representative sample of 300 randomly selected households from five villages of ward 3 were interviewed telephonically and through the WhatsApp social media platform using a semi-structured questionnaire. The study observed that 95% of the sampled households harvested and utilised marula fruits to produce several products including jam, marula wine, nuts for consumption, and soda. In addition, marula makes a significant contribution to family income at (35%) when in season compared to other livelihood options such as livestock rearing and cropping. An average of 443 kg of marula fruits were harvested per season per village and there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in quantities harvested across villages. Households involved in marula fruit trading increased by 27% in 20 years due t\o an improvement in the marula tree value chain in the district. Therefore, there is a distinct possibility for overutilisation of the marula tree products, which necessitates the need for the development of effective marula forest management plans.

IDENTIFIKASI POTENSI EKONOMI KAWASAN GAMBUT DI DESA PETANANG, KECAMATAN KUMPEH, KABUPATEN MUARO JAMBI

The peatland have holds enormous potential, but also very complex problems. The complexity is caused by the fragile characteristics of peatlands and the many interests of peatland. The management of peatland, which are often drained for use as agricultural land and residential areas, results in land subsidence. Dry peat is a good fuel, so excessive drying of land can cause land and forest fires to easily occur. Management of peat areas requires selection of suitable tree species for planting, knowledge of specific silvicultural techniques in peat areas, less fertile (nutrient-poor) peat swamp habitat and high acidity so that plants generally have slow growth. The purpose of this study was to obtain data on regional potential related to peatland management techniques in Petanang Village, Muaro Jambi. As well as getting a community based management model on the potential in the area. The results of the identification of economic potential in the peat areas of Petanang Village are expected to provide viable alternative livelihood options to gradually reduce pressure on peatlands, as well as build community capacity in developing economic activities from the proper use of peatlands.

Economic and livelihood impacts of the decline in Indian oil sardine landings in Kerala state, India

Kerala state in the south west coast of India is a significant contributor of Indian oil sardine, and also a major consumer of the fish. Indian oil sardine landings in the state declined from 3,22,103 t in 2011 to a meagre 13,154 t in 2020. In the past decade, ring seiners contributed more than 90 per cent of the Indian oil sardine landings in the state, and the livelihoods of small-scale fishers operating ring seiners were largely affected by the decline. In this context, an analysis was carried out to study the economic impact of oil sardine decline on the marine fisheries sector and its impacts on livelihood of small-scale fishers. The economic impacts were assessed in terms of changes in gross value and inflation at landing centre and retail levels during 2011–2020. A survey was conducted at 500 fisher households to assess the livelihood impacts based on loss of employment, income and alternate livelihood options. The gross value of oil sardine declined from ₹12,562 million to ₹1,710 million at the landing centre level and from ₹22,869 million to ₹2,687 million at the retail level during 2011–2020. The annual income earned by the fish workers declined from ₹335,593 to ₹90,260 due to the decline in oil sardine landings. Likert scale analysis of the fisher’s perceptions indicated climate change, over exploitation and marine pollution as the major causes of catch decline. Sixty five per cent of the respondents strongly supported the actions for the protection of fisher’s livelihood and suggested incentive (80% strongly supported) and regulatory (45% strongly supported) based fisheries management measures for sustaining the small-scale fisher’s livelihood.

Livelihood options of landless rural households in Tigrai Region, Northern Ethiopia: evidence from selected districts

BackgroundThe livelihood of rural households in Ethiopia, like in most developing countries, largely depends on land resource. However, nowadays most rural households are denied access to arable land in the highland of Ethiopia due to high population growth and shortage of arable land. Landlessness is, therefore, becoming a serious social and economic problem in the rural highland areas of Ethiopia in general and Tigrai region in particular. This study, therefore, intends to explore the choice of livelihood strategies of landless rural households and assess the challenges and opportunities of the livelihoods of landless rural households in selected districts of Tigrai region.MethodsThis study is conducted in three randomly selected districts of Tigrai region, namely, Kilte-Awlaelo, Degua-Tembien, and Hintalo-Wajerat districts. For the purpose of this study, two Tabias were randomly chosen from each districts. Then, afterward, both primary and secondary data sources were consulted to address the specific objectives of this study. The primary data were collected from 258 randomly selected households and six focus group discussions. This study used Multivariate Probit and Negative Binomial Regression to analyze factors influencing the choice of livelihood strategies and the number of livelihood options adopted by the landless rural households, respectively.ResultsThis study finds that the livelihood sources of the landless rural households in the study area include farm (90%), non-farm (72%), and off-farm (41%) economic activities. The result of the Multivariate Probit regression indicates that household head characteristics, human capital, social capital, physical capital, financial capital, and institution-related factors were significantly influencing the choice of livelihood strategies of the landless rural households. The results of the negative binomial regression model, on the other hand, assert that household head-related factors, social capital, and institution-related factors were significantly influencing the number of livelihood options adopted by the landless rural households. This study affirms that stone or sand selling, dairy farming, poultry production, animal fattening, and bee keeping are the major opportunities to improve the livelihood of the landless rural households. Moreover, this study also identifies that shortage of arable land, youth unemployment, lack of access to infrastructure, poor land administration, and lack of access to financial capital were the major challenges facing the landless rural households.Concluding remarksThis study concludes that all stakeholders efforts to address the problem of landlessness need to be geared to enhance access of landless rural households to different livelihood capitals, such as human, social, financial, physical, and natural capitals. Moreover, rural township and village enterprises could enhance the access of landless rural households to market and job opportunities.

In situ characterization of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) fruit and spotting sweet tamarind types in Palakkad gap of Kerala

AbstractKerala, a humid tropical southern state, is the third largest producer of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) in India. This tree spice is an important livelihood option for the rural society, especially in Palakkad district which is the lead producer of tamarind in the state with a few accepted primitive cultivars, viz. ‘valanpuli’, ‘madhurapuli’ and ‘thenpuli’. A survey was conducted to identify the fruit variability and document the sweet tamarind types of Palakkad. This study revealed the variability and weight of 30 fruits was seen to be the most indicative variable of tamarind in Kerala. The pod length varied from 5.28 to 23.41 cm and fruit weight from 4.83 to 43.40 g. Hierarchical clustering on principal component analysis resulted in six clusters. The clusters I, IV and V represented collections with fruit weight more than 20 g. Box plot diagrams revealed the high real pulp value in sample KTJ 162 (9.57) and high fruit length in KTJ 44 (21.68 cm). Among 113 collections, 18 samples were collected as perceived sweet types based on local enquiry. In the scatter plot between total soluble solids and ratio between total soluble solids and total titrable acidity, two samples were spotted as sweet types with acidity below 8%. Further molecular characterization and systematic crop improvement programmes are required for conserving the eroding gene pool of tamarind in Kerala and to develop sweet types for commercial production.

Livelihood Security and its Determinants Among Farmers During COVID-19 Pandemic in Telangana, India

With COVID-19 outbreak globally several studies on livelihoods and food systems are conducted in consistent manner. India being an agrarian economy, the impact of pandemic on agricultural sector and farmers needs a great focus. The present exploratory study on Livelihood Security (LS) was carried out in Telangana, India among Suryapet and Rangareddy districts purposively with 160 respondents selected through multistage random sampling during 2021. Livelihood Security Index was used with 7 sub-indicators and it depicted that only one sub-indicator i.e., economic security contributing less than 50% to LS and majority of the respondents have moderate level of livelihood security (42.5%) with overall mean value of 0.628. The determinants of LS were identifi ed through Multivariate regression analysis model and found 14 predictors were fi tted in model responsible for 62.8% variance in the dependent variable (LS). The regression model revealed that Family size, educational years, Livestock holding, Social Participation, annual family income, mass media exposure, and Risk orientation were most aided predictor variables in the improvement of livelihood security during COVID-19 with educational years having greater β-value. R2 standardized linear graph was plotted against the LS and the signifi cant predictor value demonstrating the distribution of respondents over graph according to their livelihood security with R2 linear value 0.606. Thus, during COVID-19 more livelihood options for diversifi cation of income can aid in increase of LS. The present study concluded by suggesting policy implications to ensure livelihood security among farming communities during pandemic.