Income diversification,wealth, education and well-being in rural south-western Madagascar: Results from the Mahafaly region |
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| Authors: | Regina Neudert Johanna F Goetter Jessica N Andriamparany Miandrazo Rakotoarisoa |
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| Institution: | 1. Chair of Environmental Economics, Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg, Postbox 101344, Cottbus 03013, Germany.;2. Researcher, Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstrasse 15, 17487 Greifswald, Germany.;3. Organic Plant Production and Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Kassel, Steinstrasse 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany.;4. Socio-economist, WWF Tulear, PO Box 527, Boulevard Lyautey Tulear Centre, Tulear 601, Madagascar. |
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| Abstract: | Rural households in the Mahafaly region of south-western Madagascar have to contend with low economic development and a risky natural environment. A survey of 665 households in the region was designed to address three research questions: what is the relationship between diversification of income sources and household wealth; how does education influence access to non-farm income sources and diversification; and how does household wealth and diversification affect well-being? The results show that the overwhelming majority of households follow a diversification strategy. Household wealth is associated with larger fields, greater crop diversity and higher diversification of income source categories. Education enhances access to high-return, non-farm income sources. Self-reported well-being is positively affected by both wealth and diversification. Better education and measures to improve inhabitants’ existing strategies for compensation of yield losses in farming are crucial for securing local livelihoods in the face of decreasing precipitation due to climate change. |
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| Keywords: | diversification Madagascar agriculture food insecurity poverty |
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