Linking household wealth and resource use : a case study in the Agincourt rural district of South Africa
Date
2008-07-10T06:07:14Z
Authors
Ndengejeho, Henry Michael
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The importance and value of natural resources to rural livelihoods have been well
documented. However, most studies quantify mean consumption and direct use values
across households, overlooking the significant differences that occur within and between
households. This study investigated the influence of household wealth on the use of
natural resources and the direct use values derived from them in the Agincourt subdistrict
of the Bushbuckridge local municipality in Mpumalanga Province, rural South
Africa. Four natural resources were examined, namely edible herbs, wild fruits, edible
insects, and fuelwood, although 13 additional resources were referred to. Households
were grouped into three socio-economic classes (poor, medium and wealthy) based on
assets possessed by the household, to explore wealth-related differences and similarities
in the use and value of natural resources. The asset register included household
possession of assets such as vehicles, appliances, cellphones, wheelbarrows, as well as
the number and type of dwellings in the homestead yard. The households’ use of natural
resources was compared among the different socio-economic classes. The study found no
difference in the number of natural resources used by households of different socioeconomic
status. The type of resources used was influenced by household’s possession of
material resources. Poor households relied more on natural resources than wealthier
households for their daily food and energy needs. The household consumption and direct
use values of edible herbs and fuelwood were higher in poor households. The per capita
consumption and direct use values of edible herbs, edible insects and fuelwood were
higher in poor households too, although only fuelwood differed significantly among
socio-economic classes. This study highlighted that wealth in isolation may not have an
obvious influence on natural resources use, and that culture and gender play significant
roles too. The assessment of household wealth is not easy and should be based on
multiple criteria (i.e. a proper livelihoods analysis) to fully capture all relevant aspects of
wealth.