scholarly journals A portfolio perspective of rural livelihoods in Bushbuckridge, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 116 (9/10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima H. Ragie ◽  
David W. Olivier ◽  
Lori M. Hunter ◽  
Barend F.N. Erasmus ◽  
Coleen Vogel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Cash Income ◽  
Savings And Loans ◽  
Income Stream ◽  
Social Grants ◽  
Local Ecosystem ◽  
Direct Use

Land-based income streams, which include the consumption and selling of crops, livestock and environmental products, are inherent in rural households’ livelihoods. However, the off-farm cash income stream – primarily composed of migrant labour remittances, social grants, and savings and loans – is increasing in importance in many regions. This case study of 590 households from Bushbuckridge, South Africa, analyses the economic value of each of these income streams at three points: what enters the household, what is used and what is sold. Two important findings emerge. First, dependence on offfarm cash incomes is far higher than previously suggested by case studies in the area and the benefits of employment accrue to those already better educated and wealthier. This suggests that shifts in offfarm opportunities will exacerbate already deep inequalities. Second, while environmental products and crops are important for direct use, they generate insignificant cash incomes from sales. This suggests a weakening of the direct links between the local ecosystem and this society, challenging traditional notions of African rurality being intrinsically land based.

Economic Valuation of “Parak” Traditional Agroforestry West Sumatera (Case Study in Nagari Paninggahan, Solok Regency)

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 34-42
Author(s):  
Helmayuni ◽  
Mardianto
Keyword(s):  
Economic Valuation ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Traditional Agroforestry ◽  
Direct Use

This study aims to determine the economic value, which is a direct and indirect benefit (tangible and intangible) of Parak in the research area. This research used a case study method, and the sampling was carried out in a purposive manner consisting of 50 sample farmers. The data used in this study are primary data and secondary data. Preliminary data were obtained by direct interviews with respondents based on the questionnaire provided, while secondary data were taken from agencies related to this research. The processing of data obtained in the field shows that Parak plays an important role in supporting the economy of farmers in Nagari Paninggahan either directly or indirectly. The direct use value obtained from the plant is IDR. 46,753,650 (66,316 per cent), from firewood of IDR. 23,070,000 (32,722 percent) and from livestock IDR. 678,550 (0.963 per cent) so that the total direct use income is IDR. 70,502,200 per year of all commodities cultivated by the sample farmers. Meanwhile, for indirect use, such as household/domestic water use, IDR. 13,312,320/year and agricultural irrigation water IDR. 54,052,111/year. The total indirect usage is IDR. 67,364,431,-. Per year. Agroforestry patterns can cover the soil layer well and have an effective influence on soil erosion control to increase the supply of water in the soil. Respondents have also carried out other conservation activities by constructing bench terraces, terracing systems, and other buildings to suppress sedimentation and erosion.

scholarly journals The ecological and economic consequences of changing land use in the southern Drakensberg grasslands, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
JK Turpie ◽  
T O'Connor ◽  
A Mills ◽  
H Robertson
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Indigenous Plants ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Spreadsheet Model ◽  
Direct Use

The grassland biome of the southern Drakensberg region of South Africa is characterized by a relatively rich floral biodiversity, including a high level of endemics.  Land use in the area was traditionally dominated by livestock ranching based mainly on indigenous grassland that conserved biodiversity to some degree.  Currently however, market demands and risk factors are shifting land use in the area to a matrix of beef, cropping, dairy and particularly, towards plantation forestry.  A spreadsheet model was constructed to understand how expected land use conversion will likely influence the biodiversity, and consequently, the total economic value (TEV) of the area.  Six scenarios of increasing dairy and forestry intensification were modelled that incorporated biophysical and legal constraints to development.  Results indicate that enhanced development is likely to have significant negative biodiversity impacts including the reduction of the alpha diversity of the indigenous plants in the region, a diminished local invertebrate diversity, an increase in invasions, and could also jeopardize the long term survival of the rare Wattled Crane and Oribi.  Furthermore, while the direct use value derived from agriculture and forestry increases with increasing development, its negative influence on the indirect value of water runoff, by far the greatest value of the area, is sufficient to potentially offset the benefits.  Other major direct-use, indirect-use, option and existence values are also considered.

Social Design for Services Framework

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie SARANTOU ◽  
Satu MIETTINEN
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Research Group ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Service Design ◽  
Social Design ◽  
Practical Action ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World

This paper addresses the fields of social and service design in development contexts, practice-based and constructive design research. A framework for social design for services will be explored through the survey of existing literature, specifically by drawing on eight doctoral theses that were produced by the World Design research group. The work of World Design researcher-designers was guided by a strong ethos of social and service design for development in marginalised communities. The paper also draws on a case study in Namibia and South Africa titled ‘My Dream World’. This case study presents a good example of how the social design for services framework functions in practice during experimentation and research in the field. The social design for services framework transfers the World Design group’s research results into practical action, providing a tool for the facilitation of design and research processes for sustainable development in marginal contexts.

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