The influence of <scp> <i>Opuntia ficus‐indica</i> </scp> on human livelihoods in Southern Africa

Opuntia ficus-indica, commonly known as prickly pear, is a widely distributed plant originating in central America. Its wide distribution and popularity cultivated are due to the sweetness of its fruits. Here, role O. ficus-indica livelihoods people Limpopo Province, South Africa, was investigated. Roadside traders pear were surveyed 2019–2020 using paper-based questionnaires convenience sampling strategy. Evidence trading means generate income uncovered. Notably, none knew about invasive species. Future studies should seek understand motivations purchasers. The extent which rural communities use this species for food security poverty alleviation not fully understood. Wild fruits play fundamental sustaining many poor (Shackleton et al., 2008). Previous reconnaissance work has revealed that wild security, they help feed families 1998, 2007, 2008, 2011). There plethora evidence showing range promote sustain around world, both source primary (Agea, 2004; Akinnifesi 2006; Shackleton Several have documented fruit Africa (Sardeshpande & Shackleton, 2019). Adam (2017) reported Adansonia digitata (baobab) Sudan. A number by Agea (2004) being used Uganda: Vitellaria paradoxa, Phoenix reclinata (wild date palm), Tamarindus indica (Tamarind), Uapaca kirkiana (sugar plum). Strychnos cocculoides (corky-bark monkey-orange) Irvingia gabonensis (African mango) be Zambia Nigeria respectively (Amusa 2017). Parinari curatellifolia (mobola-plum) also Malawi (Akinnifesi 2004). Studies Awodoyin al. (2015) Bharucha Pretty (2010) provide more detailed documentation Asia, respectively. In Sclerocarya birrea (marula) one traditional beer (Mariod Abdelwahab, 2012; Wynberg, 2002; Wynberg 2002, 2003). Other native consumed such Vangueria infausta, but see Sardeshpande (2020) an expanded list edible (prickly pear) non-native mainly Eastern Cape Province (whose traded Africa) classified according National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10/2004) Alien Invasive Species (NEM:BA A&IS) regulations According classification, human consumption listed. (2011) demonstrated alien always enemy it provides basic sustains Makana Municipality, Province. literature, uses, brewing (Beinart Wotshela, 2003; 2007). As result, attracted attention from commercial street market 2007), competition thus inevitable. Because view, Schreckenberg (2006) proposed policy makers consider plans perpetuate develop trade family Cactaceae already proven conflict between users biodiversity managers, some high rates return minimal labour tolerance arid conditions low rainfall (Novoa, Kumschick, 2016). Certainly characteristics account their invasiveness potential become problem require control management Rodríguez, 2016; van Wilgen Richardson, 2014). However, implementation on transportation difficult, particularly because offer economic benefits while having negative environmental impact. So implementing beset various setbacks, public opposition (Dickie 2014; Early Estévez 2015; Novoa, Some scholars argue behavior attitudes toward issues underlying (IAS) could affected psychological, cultural, evolutionary factors (Rotherham IAS major global concerns owing widespread impact environment (Blackburn Jeschke 2013; Vilà may even lead extinction (Doherty Spatz 2017), damage economy (Gren 2009; Pimentel 2005, 2001), health (Mazza Moshobane 2017; Richter 2013). few assessed simultaneously impacts positive (Epstein Vogt 2015). Botkin (1979) argued regulation take into people. This important order avoid interventions (Estévez Perry Perry, relevant if taxa question meet needs remote result sale these species—for example, firewood (Baiyegunhi, 2007; Barney Makhado Parker 1999; Senyolo, n.d.; 2011; 2008b). recent study showed there increasing demand useful species, those regulated law. large gap knowledge full effects ecosystem services disservices (Vaz, Kueffer, Kull, Schindler, An in-depth understanding driving invasion, ecological social perspectives, required Given general relationships and/or interplay biological societal phenomena, greater need transdisciplinary approach (Kueffer, Vaz, Vicente, seeks socio-economic value characteristic profiles who with Capricorn District particular, following key questions asked: (i) What predicting Africa? (ii) Does experience distance involved collecting explain people's level? (iii) Is any gender difference trade? And (iv) other uses apart just fruit? gained will indirectly us ascertain enrich our species' communities. most common globally 180 recognized (Nobel, 1994; Rojas-Aréchiga Vázquez-Yanes, 2000; Yahia Sáenz, It Mexico North America been introduced several countries including (El-Mostafa throughout world; Tunisia, 16,000 ha devoted production (el Kharrassi Nefzaoui Ben Salem, Saenz, Brazil, 40,000 forage (Yahia 2011), Ethiopia, animal (Dejene 2020; Gebremariam Tegegne particular interest informal (mainly Cape) maintained plants during 18th century now (Zimmermann Moran, 1991). Numerous profiled nutritional (Hernández-Urbiola Dahmardeh, Ö-Zcan al Juhaimi, Rocchetti 2018; Sawaya 1983); review given Cota-Sánchez (2015). usefulness exotic can explained ever-growing elsewhere (Moshobane 2020). conducted Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality (LIM333), Polokwane (LIM354), Molemole (LIM353) (Figure 1). Geographically, three local municipalities cover areas 3,766 3,347 km2, respectively, home total 922,545 people—most them unemployed black Africans (Stats SA, (Rubin Babbie, 2009) roadside pears carried out late 2019 early 2020 along R71 route (Nobody Ga-Mothapo Magoebaskloof), R81 (Makotopong Ga-Dikgale), N1 (Botlokwa). harvest bushes. Traders selected based observation activity 14 days until survey yielded no new participants. oral interview held structured questions, data collected questionnaire administered harvesting seasons (December January). designed principles Djamba Neuman (2002), Saunders (2008, 2015), Hussey (1997). covered details: (a) socio-demographic participants; (b) pears; (c) trade-related information; (d) information related pears. English Sepedi. Ethics approval granted Sefako Makgatho University Review Committee (SMUREC/S/183/2019:PG). currency converted US dollars at exchange rate USD1 = ~ZAR15 prevalent December January 2020. 72 identified interviewed period study. majority males (n 45: 63.3%). Unemployment cited genders reason had post-school qualification (Table step 1, age, education level, employment status, consume entered 1 equation, explaining 32.6% variance gross per season (see Figure 2 across studied sites). (Adjusted R2 .27), significantly different zero (F[4, 51] 6.18, p < .001). Age only statistically significant independent variable (β .53, 2, (e) collect, (f) selling point, (g) price willing pay access all regression equation. model whole 45% (F[7, 42] 5.61, measures additional 12.4% season, after controlling responding; ΔR2 equal .12 48] 3.60, .002). Only two variables contributed explanation season: age .42, 0.004) collect .39, .009) 2). results Mathoks-Solomondale traveled furthest 3) Nobody generated highest compared sites analysis indicated relationship length time seller (r .386, n 72, Overall, strong correlation collection point (km) .612, 51, longer travel pears, higher 3 indication distances found area. Of traders, 77.8% 56) unemployed, 18.1% 13) school scholars. (65.5%; 45). (self-employment) accounted 97.2% 70). (95%; 69) rest juice jam. obtained study, agreed previous same marketing technique, display roadside. seemed form agreement pricing scales route. More than half (55.6%; 40) spend almost h day's worth stock. While 80.6% 58) willingness landowners plants, these, 41.7% 33) R30.00 fees, 20.9% 15) R50.00 recorded, 94.4% 68) do challenges when remaining 5.5% 4) sometimes encounter challenges, customers wanting bargain over price, disputes space nearby landowners, safety bushes, prickles Almost (98.6%; 71) believed natural and, 70) never heard movie called “The aliens” curriculum. present alternative income. Similar finding (2011), contribution household Indeed, support world phenomenon observed Mon (2020). lack status literature We discuss study's specific objectives below: overall determinant factors. consistent adults. attributed fact live below line. similar Amusa direct success. success attributable young school-going part-time basis—mostly weekends or school. On hand, Jusu Sanchez (2013) middle-aged people, women, fruit. relation traveled, we walked km pear; 30 km. trade, did look Dzerefos (2014), stinkbugs (Encosternum delegorguei) That would 100 insect (Dzerefos Second, provided little suggest educational members associated season. results—namely, market, gender, Ball Dunn 2005). nature traded: prickles/thorns, occurs secluded easily accessible. directly factor trade; 15 years old 87 participating expressed view critical skill processing pear. slightly current ranged 12 62 years, sold Most years' experience, ranging 25 years. report (2017), stated determining mostly done men, findings differing somewhat earlier literature. women. long fruits, that, found, women concerned safe bushes alone fear criminal activities rape. Furthermore, process demanding labor-intensive process. tend L water wash remove prickles. Uganda participants males. Contrary results, Baiyegunhi (2016) Mopani worm Similarly, Khan plant-related products distantly investigated mushrooms comprised (Ruán-Soto 2006). Geng find differences men Our much jam, regardless intention; (2007), de Wit (2010, 2016), parts Tunisia (Ennouri García-Solís Wolfram cannot ascribed (Butera 2010; Galati 2003), although why often make eaten raw (Galati medicinal properties; nutraceutical against diabetes part medicine China (Liang 2008; Although internal pulp Saénz Stintzing 2005; Tesoriere For Ramadan Mörsel (2003) concentration neutral lipids, glycolipids, phospholipids, linoleic acid, vitamin E, beta-carotene. content very nutritious (Ramadan Mörsel, Sáenz 1998; Taissir El-Guizani providing contribution. positively (2005) Marula Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga Africa. Murungulu (Carissa edulis) residents Lira district 2004), Morapa (Strychnos cocculoides) Namibia (Elago Tjaveondja, further supported observations environment, Dovie Ambrose-Oji (2003), Kalaba (2009), Dash (2016). Therefore, true state through (Jamnadass progress achieving millennial development goal 2030, reads: “To sustainable solutions end hunger forms 2030 achieve security” (UN, 2013), times scarcity (Teklehaymanot Giday, 2010). reason, recommended developing strategies, either conservation (Schreckenberg 2006) manage thought (Novoa 2010, and—most importantly—to stakeholders every stage 2019; indicate know origins what are. All responded African plant. Countering findings, (2018) better names; where came from, costs benefits. before Parks. (2018). awareness-raising among (2018), exposure necessary information, opposed region. successful helps living line generating supporting livelihoods. paper concludes recommendation government formalization financial support. call Prickly Pear Traders' established income-generating, poverty-alleviating, measure. Last, urgent products, specifically continent, adequately region Makgato Health Sciences University, Department Forestry, Fisheries Environment (DFFE) thanked funding; note publication does necessarily represent views opinions DEFF employees. Affairs Directorate (DBE), Biodiversity, acknowledged authors declared respect research, authorship, article. Conceptualization, M.C.M; methodology, M.C.M.; Z.Z.; formal analysis, investigation, writing—original draft preparation, M.C.M, L.M J.O.O; writing editing, supervision, project administration, M.C.M L.M; read published version manuscript. datasets analyzed available corresponding author reasonable request.