Conceptualizing the human use of wild edible herbs for conservation in South African communal areas
- Authors: Dovie, Delali B K , Shackleton, Charlie M , Witkowski, Ed T F
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6626 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006818
- Description: The importance of wild edible herbaceous species to resource poor households in most rural economies within savannas has been little studied. This is because most of the herbs grow in impoverished species communities and lands, often referred to as ‘marginal lands’. The aim of this paper is to conceptualize how the economics of wild edible herbs to households can be used to add value to total livelihoods and conservation within traditional communal areas of South Africa. Analysis of the economics of the consumption of wild edible herbs in Thorndale (Bushbuckridge district) of the Limpopo province is presented. The majority of households consumed wild edible herbs, averaging 15.4 kg dried weight per household per year and valued at $167 per household. The herbs were mostly harvested from uncultivated areas of farms, and rangelands. There was little correlation between household characteristics and the dependence on wild herbs for food. The local people noted a decline in the availability of the species, although not much is known about attempts to cultivate them. The only reasons attributed to the decline were nutrient poor soils and insufficient rains. With this background, developing a local strategy to sustain the species through cultivation by households was found to be feasible. A multiple-use system for the herbs, their improvement and value addition towards commercialization and increased household usage may result in wider acceptance and subsequent cultivation. Species diversity will be enhanced whilst conserving the land on which they grow. This multiple use system may include species roles in soil and water conservation.
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- Date Issued: 2007
Factors influencing prices of medicinal plants traded in the Lowveld, South Africa
- Authors: Botha, Jenny , Witkowski, Ed T F , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181257 , vital:43713 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13504500709469745"
- Description: There has been limited research into pricing and consumer behaviour in the informal sector, an understanding of which is critical to effective management of extensively traded wildlife resources. This paper explores factors influencing prices of wild-collected medicinal plants traded in the Lowveld, South Africa. Resource management decisions relating to medicinal plants are often based on the high price/kg values of certain species, and the assumption that there is an inverse relationship between the availability of products and prices. Despite the high-utility value of these plants, subsistence consumers have historically paid low prices for products. In this study, price/kg fluctuated widely, as did market players' perceptions of species availability and consumer demand. Unit prices were low, with a few exceptions. There was no relationship between prices and perceptions of species availability. No relationship was found between prices and consumer demand in one study area, although there was a non-significant relationship in the other. The size of products was the main determinant of price. Consumers were prepared to pay higher prices for certain species, e.g.those used to treat children, those considered highly dangerous (culturally) to collect, or those used for anti-social purposes.
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- Date Issued: 2007