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Rural livelihood diversification: A household adaptive strategy against flood variability in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

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  • M.R. Motsholapheko
  • D.L. Kgathi
  • C. Vanderpost

Abstract

This paper assesses the role of livelihood diversification in household adaptation to flood variability in the Okavango Delta, and locates it within the global discourse on adaptation to climate variability and change in developing countries. The contribution of livelihood activities to household income, level of livelihood diversity and the relationship between livelihood diversification and adaptation to flood variability was determined. Data from a survey of 623 households in five villages, focus group discussions and key informant interviews confirmed livelihood diversification as an important strategy for household adaptation to flood variability in the Delta. However, the household income portfolio was dominated by public transfers, underscoring the weak socio-economic status of the households and the effects of multiple shocks over and above flood variability. The study concludes that livelihood diversification and other household adaptive strategies may be sufficient for current flood variations, but may be inadequate for dealing with global climate variability and change in future.

Suggested Citation

  • M.R. Motsholapheko & D.L. Kgathi & C. Vanderpost, 2012. "Rural livelihood diversification: A household adaptive strategy against flood variability in the Okavango Delta, Botswana," Agrekon, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(4), pages 41-62, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ragrxx:v:51:y:2012:i:4:p:41-62
    DOI: 10.1080/03031853.2012.741204
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frank Ellis, 2000. "The Determinants of Rural Livelihood Diversification in Developing Countries," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(2), pages 289-302, May.
    2. Ellis, Frank, 2000. "Rural Livelihoods and Diversity in Developing Countries," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198296966.
    3. Ralitza Dimova & Kunal Sen, 2010. "Is household income diversification a means of survival or a means of accumulation? Panel data evidence from Tanzania," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series 12210, GDI, The University of Manchester.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ali Jamshed & Joern Birkmann & Daniel Feldmeyer & Irfan Ahmad Rana, 2020. "A Conceptual Framework to Understand the Dynamics of Rural–Urban Linkages for Rural Flood Vulnerability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-25, April.
    3. Kakungulu, Moses & Isabirye, Moses & Akoyi, Kevin Teopista & Hoyweghen, Kaat Van & Vranken, Liesbet & Maertens, Miet, 2021. "Changing income portfolios and household welfare in rural Uganda," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 60(3), July.
    4. Ashfaq Ahmad Shah & Jingzhong Ye & Muhammad Abid & Jahangir Khan & Syed Muhammad Amir, 2018. "Flood hazards: household vulnerability and resilience in disaster-prone districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 93(1), pages 147-165, August.
    5. Dilshad Ahmad & Muhammad Afzal, 2019. "Household vulnerability and resilience in flood hazards from disaster-prone areas of Punjab, Pakistan," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 99(1), pages 337-354, October.
    6. Makhura, Moraka Nakedi, 2016. "Agriculture in a Developmental State: Finding the Nexus for Development(al) Agricultural Economists," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 55(4), December.

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