Rural Livelihood Development Research Articles

Decoding the livelihood vulnerability of flood-prone communities in Vietnam: Implications for disaster risk reduction and sustainable rural development

In the midst of increasing global uncertainties, understanding household vulnerability to disaster risks and identifying the most susceptible individuals and communities has become an urgent concern. This study assesses and compares the flood vulnerability of two communities, Quang Tho and Quang Phuoc, in Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam. The study utilizes primary data collected in 2022 from 280 rural households whose livelihood sources are agriculture and fishery. Flood vulnerability is determined by applying the Livelihood Vulnerability Index based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's definition (LVI-IPCC) approach. Our analysis reveals that both communities exhibit moderate vulnerability to flood hazards across various dimensions. Notably, fishing-only communities are found to be more vulnerable to flooding compared to mixed agri-fishery farmers. Additionally, we have identified several factors that exacerbate vulnerability, including poverty, low education levels, single parenthood, limited resources, narrow livelihood strategies, and inadequate social connections. Therefore, development policies and disaster risk reduction programs should prioritize disadvantaged groups, focusing on promoting social inclusion and gender equality in accessing services and public resources. It is concluded that tailored disaster risk management and rural livelihood development initiatives are crucial to addressing each community's specific vulnerabilities and challenges, fostering resilience, and thus reducing future risks. Achieving greater sustainability and equilibrium for vulnerable groups necessitates continuous action and investment.

ECD centres as change catalysts in sustainable rural livelihood development: Griekwastad, South Africa, as case study

ECD centres as change catalysts in sustainable rural livelihood development: Griekwastad, South Africa, as case study

The Role of Community Cooperative Institutions in Building Rural–Urban Linkages Under Urbanization of Pastoral Regions in China

In contrast to agricultural settings, the process of urbanization in the pastoral regions of China are largely driven by long-term influences of ecological conservation and the provision of social services. Consequently, many of the herders who have migrated into nearby secondary urban centers depend on resources from pastoral regions to support their livelihoods, forming complex patterns of rural–urban linkages. While current literature has discussed the processes of herder out-migration and their implications on rural and urban livelihood development, few studies have examined the linkages between the herders living in the pastoral regions and those who have out-migrated to urban regions and their importance in rural livelihood transformation. Based on past studies, we argue that, in a changing pastoral social–ecological system, herders living in both rural and urban regions depend on each other to support their livelihoods through three types of mobility: (1) livestock mobility, (2) herder mobility, and (3) resource mobility. However, what innovative institutions in rangeland resource management and herder economic cooperation can do to help maintain these three types of mobility to sustain rural livelihood development, becomes a critical challenge. Innovative community cooperative institutions developed by pastoral communities from the Tibetan Plateau and Inner Mongolia may be able to offer new perspective and insight on how to better maintain rural–urban linkages in the processes of urbanization in pastoral regions. In this current study will present the two cases of innovative institutions and the roles they play in facilitating the three types of mobility to address livelihood challenges. While current studies recommend an increase of government subsidies, provision of vocational training, and social insurance that help herders better adapt to urban livelihood, we argue that rangeland management and community economic cooperation in innovative institutions are needed to facilitate the mobility of livestock, resources, and the herder population, and maybe only then the livelihood challenges that migrated herders are facing will be addressed effectively.

The impact of urbanization expansion on agricultural land in Ethiopia: A review

Abstract In a country like Ethiopia where the vast majority of the populations are employed in agriculture, land is an important economic resource for the development of rural livelihoods. Agricultural land in peri-urban areas is, however, transformed into built-up regions through horizontal urban expansion that has an effect on land use value. In recent years Ethiopia has been experiencing rapid urbanization, which has led to an ever-increasing demand for land in peri-urban areas for housing and other nonagricultural activities that pervades agricultural land. There is a high demand for informal and illegal peri-urban land which has been held by peri-urban farmers, and this plays a vital role in the unauthorized and sub-standard house construction on agricultural land. This urbanization has not been extensively reviewed and documented. In this review an attempt has been made to assess the impacts of rapid urbanization on agricultural activities. Urban expansion has reduced the areas available for agriculture, which has seriously impacted upon peri-urban farmers that are often left with little or no land to cultivate and which has increased their vulnerability. Housing encroachments have been observed to be uncontrolled due to a weak government response to the trend of unplanned city expansion. This has left peri-urban farmers exposed to the negative shocks of urbanization because significant urbanization-related agricultural land loss has a positive correlation with grain production decrease. Appropriate governing bodies should control urban development in order to control the illegal and informal spread of urbanization on agricultural land that threatens food production.

Planning for sustainable livelihood development in the context of rural South Africa: A micro-level approach

In South Africa, different spheres of government (national, provincial and municipal) have different responsibilities with respect to rural planning and development. Rural development strategies, however, are predominately developed by national and provincial government (centralised planning) such as, for example, the 2009 Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) and the 2018 draft National Spatial Development Framework (NSDF). These efforts from different spheres of the South African government are nevertheless still not having the desired effect in the development of sustainable rural livelihoods, according to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, similar to policies and efforts to implement them elsewhere in Africa. In addition to the appropriate planning and implemen-tation scale, the spatial dimension of rural livelihood within the South African context also requires a specific understanding of the extreme differentiation of areas within ‘rural South Africa’. Research regarding the impact of planning at village level (micro-level), as presented in this article, may provide valuable insights for realising sustainable rural livelihoods. This article aims, through an analysis of relevant literature, to examine the sustainable develop-ment discourse, in general, while addressing sustainable rural livelihoods and micro-level planning, in particular. The main research question concerns the way in which micro-level planning can contribute to ensuring sustainable rural livelihoods in South Africa. The article also discusses the complexity of ‘rural’ space and its understanding in the development planning framework of South Africa, providing the spatial context for sustainable rural livelihoods. Examples of micro-level planning approaches in Africa and South Africa are discussed to elucidate their applicability to sustainable rural livelihood development in South Africa. In conclusion, the analysis reveals that, while centralist policies are pursued in South Africa to support sustainable rural development, the actual realisation of sustainable rural livelihoods may well require micro-level development planning strategies. The implication for academics, planning professionals and politicians is that the support and development of microlevel sustainable rural livelihood planning should be pursued to attain the goals of the National Development Plan (2012) of eliminating poverty and to encourage citizens to be active in their own development.

Technological interventions for livelihood development and climate change mitigation in Indian North-Western Himalayas

<p>The technology transfer for rural livelihood development had greater impact to protect microclimatic conditions which further affects the microflora and microbial activities to larger extent in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The technological interventions were made by the Himalayan Research Group organization which helped in economic upliftment of rural poor, women empowerment and in environment protection in hill region. The major activities are Passive Solar Retrofitting (namely, Thermosyphoning Air heat Panel (TAP), Trombe Wall (TW), and Sun Spaces (SS)) fodder development, vermicompost biotechnology, button mushroom cultivation and protected cultivation for climate change mitigation and adaptations. The solar retrofits reduced estimated 4.97 tones carbon emission per household during six winter months which helped in reducing the fuel wood consumption. Improved varieties of different fodder spp. were introduced for year round green fodder availability and reduce soil erosion and reduction in tree lopping. Fodder choppers and silage preparation was popularized to contain the fodder wastage. Vermicompost biotechnology was popularized among farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers for improving the quality of soil. The button mushroom cultivation was used for conversion of agriculture residue into compost making by reducing crop residue burning which increases carbon emission. Protected cultivation in local made polyhouse was popularized to generate maximum returns from small piece of land through cut flower and vegetable cultivation and by raising plant nurseries. </p>

Study on the extent of support of current forest management to local people by comparing natural forests and plantation forests in Myanmar

Nowadays, the intensive management and huge pressure from the human population has become a great challenge for efficient forest management. The main focuses of this study are to investigate (1) the current socio-economic status of a forest-dependent community and (2) the social contribution of two environmental conservation efforts – remnant natural forest conservation and plantation establishment – in a comparative way. The structural interview method was used for the survey, and questionnaires were set out as both closed- and open-ended questions. The respondents were stratified as poor, medium and better off, and the sample shape was defined as a triangle. The results showed that restoration by means of remnant forest conservation gave much more tangible and intangible benefits than plantations. The mean value of fuelwood availability from natural forests was significantly higher than that of the plantation forests, whereas most of the local people depended on both types of forests for their supplies. Local people were more dependent on natural forests for non-wood forest products and building materials than on plantation forests. The poorer the people, the more they depended on forests. This study points out that rehabilitation implementation and rural livelihood development in harmony is important for combating degradation.

Useful traditional knowledge indicators for drought forecasting in the Mzingwane Catchment area of Zimbabwe

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify, analyse and document local traditional indicators used in drought forecasting in the Mzingwane Catchment and to assess the possibility of integrating traditional rainfall forecasting, using the local traditional indicators, with meteorological forecasting methods. Design/methodology/approach – Self-administered structured questionnaires were conducted on 101 respondents in four districts of the Mzingwane Catchment area, namely, Beitbridge, Mangwe, Esighodini and Mwenezi from February to August 2012. In addition, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were also used in data collection and the collected data were analysed for drought history and demographics; drought adaptation and the use of drought forecasting methods in the catchment using Statistical Package for Social Science. Findings – The paper reveals the growing importance of precipitation forecasts among Mzingwane communities, particularly the amount, timing, duration and distribution of rainfall. Rainfall was cited as the major cause of drought by 98 per cent of the respondents in the catchment. Whilst meteorological rainfall forecasts are available through various channels, they are not readily accessible to rural communities. Furthermore, they are not very reliable at local level. The paper shows that communities in the Mzingwane Catchment still regard local traditional knowledge forecasting as their primary source of weather forecasts. The paper finds that plant phenology is widely used by the local communities in the four districts for drought forecasting. Early and significant flowering of Mopane trees (Colophospermum mopane) from September to December has been identified to be one of the signals of poor rainfall season in respect to quantity and distribution and subsequent drought. Late and less significant flowering of Umtopi trees (Boscia albitrunca) from September to December also signals a poor rainfall season. Originality/value – The paper fulfils an identified need to study and document useful traditional drought indicators. Furthermore, the paper provides a platform for possible integration of traditional drought forecasting and meteorological forecasting and ensure sustainable rural livelihood development. The paper is useful to both meteorological researchers and resource-constrained communities in Mzingwane Catchment.

Enabling Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Uganda is hemmed in by areas where conflicts break out sporadically, including South Sudan and the Nord-Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moreover, the country still lives under the shadow of former president Idi Amin, whose policies included not only torture and hundreds of thousands of extra-judicial killings, but also, in 1972, the wholesale expulsion of tens of thousands of ethnic South Asians. Locally born and raised, this group had constituted much of the country’s merchant and entrepreneurial class. When a team of Bangladeshis led by Ariful Islam arrived in 2005 to set up a local operation for BRAC, a global development organization based in Dhaka, they had a long and difficult road ahead of them. The organization had already pioneered speedy scale-ups in difficult terrain, including in Afghanistan in 2002, where it began its first operation outside Bangladesh, providing development assistance with programs in health care, microfinance, rural livelihood development, and girls’ education. Nevertheless, Uganda’s historical legacy with people of South Asian origin working within its borders would present unavoidable cultural hurdles. Six years later, BRAC Uganda’s success has been remarkable. By most measurable standards the largest nongovernmental organization in the world, BRAC is also the largest in Uganda. As of March 2012, it has over 110,000 microfinance borrowers and a cumulative loan disbursement of $116 million in Uganda, thanks largely to a partnership with The MasterCard Foundation, a private, Torontobased foundation launched in 2006 with a gift from MasterCard Worldwide at the time of its initial public offering. The partnership with BRAC was one of the first major projects of the foundation, which was created to test and scale innovative poverty solutions with a focus on youth learning and microfinance. Begun in 2008, the partnership with The MasterCard Foundation has helped BRAC increase its reach from 60,000 Ugandans in 2006 to 2.8 million today, a number projected to reach 4.2 million, or 12 percent of the country’s population, by 2016. The obvious question is how the partnership accomplished this growth. It is due in part to a strategy to multiply the impact of microfinance by combining it with livelihood development and youth empowerment. The result of the program

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Seasonal quality profile and production of foliage from trees grown on degraded cropland in arid Uzbekistan, Central Asia

Feed shortages hamper livestock rearing and thus impede the development of rural livelihoods in Central Asia. The production and in vitro quality of foliage from Ulmus pumila, Elaeagnus angustifolia and Populus euphratica on degraded cropland were examined to determine the potential of these species to supplement diary cattle diets. Leaf dry matter (DM) production of the species, respectively, averaged 6, 8 and 17 t DM/ha, 4 years after planting. Over seasons and years, crude protein concentrations (g/kg DM) ranged within 151-257 for E. angustifolia, 70-241 for U. pumila and 92-187 for P. euphratica. The metabolizable energy concentrations (MJ/kg DM) were the highest in U. pumila and ranged within 9-10, followed by 7-10 of E. angustifolia and 7-9 of P. euphratica. The organic matter digestibility (%) ranged within 58-70, 54-66, and 51-66, respectively, for these species. These indicators combined denoted a medium-to-good feed quality of E. angustifolia and U. pumila leaves as a cheap protein supplement to roughages. The foliage of P. euphratica was the least suitable. The seasonal profile of in vitro indicators revealed the highest feed quality in spring but early fall seems most appropriate for forage collection given the peak leaf production and an adequate quality.

Assessment of Rice and Maize Based Cropping Systems For Rural Livelihood Improvement in Nepal

This paper explores the assessment of rice and maize base cropping system in agro-ecological regions for sustainable rural livelihood development in Nepal. Analysis of 1994-2007 data showed rice-dominated cropping systems in the Plain region, as opposed to maize-dominated cropping systems in the Mountain and the Hill regions. The production increase was achieved mainly through increases in area. The growth in the yield of crops was very minimal in all three regions. During the last fifteen years, the cropping pattern changed slightly from Maize-Wheat to Maize-Paddy in the Mountain region, but no significant change was observed in the other two regions. The current rate of fertilizer application is lower than the recommended rate. Improved access to and availability of agricultural inputs is key to improve the production and yield of major food crops to achieve sustainable rural livelihood in the country. Key words: Agro-ecological-region; Cropping system; Farm income; Rural livelihood; sustainable livelihood The Journal of Agriculture and Environment Vol:10, Jun.2009 page: 67-75

Contributions Of The Root And Tuber Expansion Programme (Rtep) To Livelihood Development Among Rural Farming Households In Enugu State, Nigeria

The primary objective of the study was to identify and assess the contributions of the Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) after three(3) years of implementation IN Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used in the selecting respondents for the study. Overall, 200 farming households/farmers representing 100 beneficiaries and 100 non-beneficiaries respectively were used for the study. Primary data were generated through interviews using 200 structured questionnaires/interview schedules. Secondary data were collected from technical reports, and publications from the Enugu State Agricultural Development Programme (ENADEP) and the Projects Co-ordinating Unit (PCU), and other relevant establishments. The survey results showed that RTEP contributed to rural livelihood development mainly in terms of increased farm household income, farm input provision , extension contact, additional family/farm assets, food security as well as capacity building/skill training and improved storage/preservation methods. However, identified constraints to cassava production, processing and marketing include labour, land tenure system , transportation , farm inputs and capital. Others include equipment/tools, diseases and pests and low market price of cassava products. Although RTEP contributed to rural livelihood development, it is recommended that effective extension system, and a well co-ordinated livelihood development programme should be pursued to achieve greater agricultural productivity, increased household income and poverty reduction. Keywords: Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP), Livelihood development, rural farming households.Global Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 2 (2) 2006: pp. 51-57