Farming or Foraging? Rural livelihoods in Mafulira and Kabompo districts of Zambia

This study compares the income contribution of forest products with that of farm related activities such as cropping and livestock rearing. Quarterly income data collected over a period of one year are used to compile income profiles for households in two contrasting districts, Mufulira and Kabompo districts in Zambia. Villages in Mufulira are located within easy access to bustling mining towns in the province which provide lucrative markets for most products including those collected from the forest. Kabompo is located in a remote province with poor infrastructure and generally limited linkages with the urban sector. The results show an exceptionally high dependency on non-farm sectors such as forest collection and off-farm activities, compared to conventional farming sectors. Income from forest products and other non-farm activities cannot be regarded as ‘complementary’. These sectors should be recognized as a central part of local economies, needing financial, technical and institutional support to reach their full potential. Remote communities remain relatively poor compared to those in more accessible locations. In Mufulira, the ever-growing demand for charcoal as urban populations continue to grow present a major threat to sustainable forest management. Community consultations in Kabompo revealed numerous marketing problems due to poor infrastructure.