Participation of women in veld resource utilisation and management: a case study of three villages in Botswana

Abstract

The arid region of Central Botswana offers few opportunities for rural people to generate income. Arable agriculture routinely fails in 2 out of every 3 years. Poor soils, unpredictable and scanty rainfall, pests, erosion and damage by livestock all reduce the chances of bringing in a successful harvest. Even in years of good rain, crops yields remain low. The most successful use of this arid bushveld region for income generation to date is the production of cattle. However, this activity causes environmental degradation through over-grazing and is almost exclusively dominated by men. Wildlife utilisation seems to offer possibilities for income generation. But while some communities in Botswana have managed to exploit and profit from their wildlife resources, south-central Botswana is off of the beaten track for tourists. The Department of Wildlife is only beginning to formulate plans for wildlife utilisation in the remote areas.