Rural Development and the Governability of Water-Linked Ecosystems in Transitioning Economies: The Market Value Chains of Baleni Salt in Limpopo

Abstract

Goods and services from water-linked ecosystems have been used in subsistence economy settings since time immemorial. However, as people began to speciali se in limited economic activity, these ecosystem goods and services inter alia became increasingly merchandisable. Undeniably, markets are a useful instrument for transferring products to people who are willing to pay more for them. In the context of natural resources, this may provide options to enhance rural livelihoods using fewer quantities and generate funds for protecting threatened ecosystems. Given the universal challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality which confront mainly rural and peri-urban people, they should consider participating in formal markets for their produce as that could earn them higher incomes because of the demand for value addition further along the value chain and the existence of actors who place greater market values on their products.

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