Cultivation of medicinal plants as a tool for biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation in the Amatola region, South Africa:

Wiersum, K Freerk; Dold, Anthony P; Husselman, Madeleen; Cocks, Michelle L

Title: Cultivation of medicinal plants as a tool for biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation in the Amatola region, South Africa:
Creator: Wiersum, K Freerk, Dold, Anthony P, Husselman, Madeleen, Cocks, Michelle L
Date: 2010
Type: text
Type: book
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141489
Identifier: vital:37979
Identifier: ISBN 9781402054488
Identifier: https://library.wur.nl/ojs/index.php/frontis/issue/view/232
Description: This paper describes the assumptions and results of a study to assess whether cultivation of medicinal plants can serve as a tool for combined biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation. The study was carried out in the Amatola region of Eastern Cape, South Africa, where sustained beliefs in medicinal plant use, also under non-traditional conditions, has resulted in an increase in commercial demands. It was based on the assumption of poverty alleviation not only referring to an increase in income and labour, but also an increase in social capital and human dignity. The study assessed the local perceptions of the use and cultivation of medicinal plants and the need for conservation of these plants, as well as the features of already ongoing cultivation practices and options for increased cultivation. It consisted of participatory assessments in three villages involving around 250 persons and participatory trials with 14 rural women selling medicinal plants on urban markets. The study indicated that the growing demand for medicinal plants is related to the great cultural significance attached to medicinal plants.
Format: 15 pages, pdf
Publisher: Springer
Language: English
Relation: Wiersum, K.F., Dold, A.P., Husselman, M. and Cocks, M., 2006. Cultivation of medicinal plants as a tool for biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation in the Amatola region, South Africa. Frontis, pp.43-57.
Rights: Authors
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Frontis Copyright Statement (https://library.wur.nl/ojs/index.php/frontis/about/submissions#privacyStatement)

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