LINKING KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE: ASSESSING OPTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE USE OF MOPANE WORMS (IMBASIA BELINA) IN SOUTHERN ZIMBABWE

Abstract

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the role of mopane worm utilization in the livelihoods of rural poor people, and in the potential for expanding returns. Unfortunately the resulting increase in the commercialization of the resource has led to its over exploitation. The paper assesses options for sustainable use of the mopane worm. Empirical data has been drawn from research carried out between April and July 2002 in several communities in Southern Zimbabwe where households harvest mopane worms. The data collection exercise utilized formal questionnaires and Participatory Learning Approaches. The sustainable use of mopane worms requires approaches that strive to strike a balance between conservation and improvements in the well being of the resource users. Such approaches should be grounded in knowledge gained from local experiences with local communities taking the pivotal stage. Options for enhancing livelihoods from mopane worms are varied. These include strategies associated with improving product quality, fetching better markets and delaying the supply of the stock to the market. Sustainability can be achieved by promoting best practices that strive to maintain sufficient number of fifth-instar mopane worms, safeguard the host tree against exploitation and to preserve the pupae.