Poverty and Livelihood Diversification in Rural Liberia: Exploring the Linkages between Artisanal Diamond Mining and Smallholder Rice Production

Poverty and Livelihood Diversification in Rural Liberia: Exploring the Linkages between Artisanal Diamond Mining and Smallholder Rice Production

Author: 
Hilson, Gavin
Publisher: 
Taylor & Francis
Date published: 
2012
Record type: 
Responsibility: 
Van Bockstael, Steven, jt. author
Journal Title: 
Journal of Development Studies
Source: 
The Journal of Development Studies, Vol. 48, Issue 3, March 2012, pp. 413-428
Abstract: 

This article provides an account of the changing livelihood dynamics unfolding in diamond-rich territories of rural Liberia. In these areas, many farm families are using the rice harvested on their plots to attract and feed labourers recruited specifically to mine for diamonds. The monies accrued from the sales of all recovered stones are divided evenly between the family and hired hands, an arrangement which, for thousands of people, has proved to be an effective short-term buffer against poverty. A deepened knowledge of these dynamics could be an important step towards facilitating lasting development in Liberia's highly-impoverished rural areas.

Language: 
Country focus: 

CITATION: Hilson, Gavin. Poverty and Livelihood Diversification in Rural Liberia: Exploring the Linkages between Artisanal Diamond Mining and Smallholder Rice Production . : Taylor & Francis , 2012. The Journal of Development Studies, Vol. 48, Issue 3, March 2012, pp. 413-428 - Available at: https://library.au.int/poverty-and-livelihood-diversification-rural-liberia-exploring-linkages-between-artisanal-diamond-4