Assessing the Potential for Private Sector Engagement in Integrated Landscape Approaches: Insights from Value-Chain Analyses in Southern Zambia

Pauliina Upla (), James Reed, Kaala B. Moombe, Benjamin J. Kazule, Brian P. Mulenga, Mirjam Ros-Tonen and Terry Sunderland
Additional contact information
Pauliina Upla: Independent Researcher, 00152 Rome, Italy
James Reed: Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor 16115, Indonesia
Kaala B. Moombe: Center for International Forestry Research, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Benjamin J. Kazule: Center for Communication, Media, and Society (CCMS), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
Brian P. Mulenga: Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI), Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Mirjam Ros-Tonen: Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR), University of Amsterdam, 1018 VW Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Terry Sunderland: Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor 16115, Indonesia

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-28

Abstract: Agricultural and forested landscapes in Africa are changing rapidly in response to socio-economic and environmental pressures. Integrated landscape approaches provide an opportunity for a more holistic and coordinated resource management strategy through the engagement of multiple stakeholders. Despite their influence as landscape actors, participation of private businesses in such initiatives has thus far been limited. This study focuses on the Kalomo District in southern Zambia, which provides an example of a rural landscape characterized by high levels of poverty, low agricultural productivity, and widespread deforestation and forest degradation. The study applied a value-chain analysis approach to better understand how the production of four locally important commodities (maize, tobacco, cattle, and charcoal) impacts land use, local livelihoods, and environmental objectives in this landscape, focusing on the role and influence of private sector actors. Data were collected through focus group discussions and key informant semi-structured interviews. Qualitative content analysis was employed to analyze the data and contextualize the findings. Results indicate three key potential entry points for increased private sector engagement: (1) improving water security for smallholders; (2) empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as private sector actors; and (3) collective planning for sustainable landscape activities with deliberate measures to involve private sector actors. We discuss options for optimizing benefits from the identified entry points.

Keywords: integrated landscape approaches; value-chain analysis; private sector; deforestation; Kalomo; Zambia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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