Livelihood diversification in a rural community of the Okavango Delta, Botswana. - Results from a Socio-Economic Baseline Survey

Abstract

Due to a special mixture of influencing factors and basic conditions, livelihood strategies in the village of Seronga are highly diversified. The remote location of Seronga at the northern edge of the Okavango Delta distances the population from urban centers and modernity. Therefore, agricultural production and livestock keeping remain the main basis of subsistence for the majority of the population. At the same time, manifold connections to bigger cities, the presence of tourism and increasing market integration bridge this gap, transforming desires, aspirations, and claims. Consequently, the need to adapt livelihood strategies towards cash income generation emerges. In this paper we combine qualitative methods and new quantitative data from the "The Future Okavango" (TFO) Socio-Economic Baseline Survey (SEBS) to highlight the composition of livelihood strategies in the community of Seronga. Using the Sustainable Livelihood Framework we draw special attention to transformation tendencies, to the socio-economic stratification of livelihood strategies, and to the resulting differences in vulnerability and sustainability for the households of Seronga.. Keywords: expenditure; household economies; income; livelihood strategies; modernity; sustainability; social stratification; socio-economic baseline survey; vulnerability. A diversificação dos meios de subsistência em uma comunidade rural do delta do Okavango, Botsuana -Resultados de estudo de base sócio-econômica Resumo: Devido a uma mistura especial de fatores influenciadores e condições básicas, as estratégias de subsistência na aldeia de Seronga são altamente diversificadas. A localização remota de Seronga no extremo norte do delta do Okavango afasta a população dos centros urbanos e da modernidade. Portanto, a produção agrícola e a criação de gado continuam a ser a principal base de subsistência para a maioria da população. Ao mesmo tempo, as diversas conexões para as cidades maiores, a presença do turismo e a crescente integração do mercado abrem caminho para essa lacuna, transformando desejos, aspirações e reivindicações. Consequentemente, a necessidade de adaptar as estratégias de subsistência para a geração de renda emerge. Neste trabalho combinamos métodos qualitativos e novos dados quantitativos do estudo de base sócio-econômica (SEBS) do "The Future Okavango" (TFO) para realçar a composição das estratégias de subsistência na comunidade de Seronga. Usando o "quadro de subsistencia sustentável" chamamos a atenção para as tendências de transformação, a estratificação sócio-econômica das estratégias de subsistência e as diferenças resultantes da vulnerabilidade e sustentabilidade para as famílias de Seronga.

Cumulative effects of policy and management actions on ecosystem services. Challenges and methodological approaches in The Future Okavango project

“…With observed, simulated or projected climate data, information on land cover, soils and topography as well as land management as drivers, the model approach utilizing the J2000 model suite will allow for the analysis and assessment of land management and climate change impacts on interrelated hydrological processes across given scales (Helmschrot 2006, Krause et al 2009, Fink et al 2007. For example, model exercises are done for all tributaries to understand runoff generation mechanisms in the headwaters.…”

“…the impact of declining precipitation or increasing water extraction for irrigation on groundwater recharge respectively can be identified explicitly at ecosystem, core site or (sub-)catchment scale. Storage functions of wetlands and floodplains affecting streamflow pulsing and baseflow will be individually evaluated based on daily model exercises applied to the headwaters and subcatchments (Helmschrot 2006, Baumberg et al, 2014. In addition, upstreamdownstream interactions with altered environmental or climate conditions in upper reaches and their impact on downstream water availability provide measures for both land management options (extent of irrigation areas, cropping) and minimum flow requirements to the Okavango Delta.…”