Implementing value chain analysis to investigate drivers and sustainability of Cape Town's informal economy of wild-harvested traditional medicine
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Routledge
Abstract
Despite a highly visible presence, policy-maker knowledge of the drivers and
participants in the informal economy of wild-harvested medicinal plants in Cape
Town remains limited. To illuminate the workings of this local cultural business
activity, the researchers adopted value chain analysis (VCA) for dissecting harvesting,
trading and consumer demand in the trade. The study included qualitative, openended interviews with 58 traditional healers and a quantitative consumer study of 235
township households. Cape Town’s traditional healers are numerous and potentially
more uniquely culturally diverse than elsewhere, serving various community health
needs. Healer groups enhance their healing reputation by utilising wild-sourced
medicines – much of which is harvested locally. Their services remain culturally
important and utilised by at least 50% of all consumer respondents. The VCA
revealed a universal healer and consumer requirement for wild medicine stocks which
has considerable implications for policy-making, protected area management and
traditional medicine-oriented conservation projects.
Description
Keywords
Informal economy, Traditional medicine, Natural resources, Value chains, Cape Town
Citation
Petersen, L. et al. (2015). Implementing value chain analysis to investigate drivers and sustainability of Cape Town's informal economy of wild-harvested traditional medicine. Local Environment, 20,(9), 1040–1061. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2014.887667