Moving Beyond the Sustainable Livelihood Rhetoric: A Conceptual Model of Rural Livelihood Sustainability

Abstract

The sustainable livelihood concept, with associated diverse frameworks do not explicitly show how to measure livelihood sustainability. Drawing insights from literature, this study aims to develop a conceptual model, which in addition to providing integrated understanding of livelihood sustainability, allows for measurement with special application to rural households. The study argues that the sustainability of any livelihood activity is predicated on four critical factors; (1) the viability level of the activity; thus the activity has to be economically beneficial to enhance the long term sustenance, (2) asset base; thus asset endowment has to be adequate and diverse enough to mitigate the effects of shocks and stresses, (3) vulnerability; the exposure to both internal and external shocks has to be minimal, and (4) ecological impacts; thus the activity has to be in harmony with the natural environment, meaning that the environmental impacts of the activity need not be detrimental. The model illustrates multifunctional rural system, and has the potential to measure rural well-being over time. It is a readily tool to guide policy makers in formulating appropriate sustainable livelihood policies and strategies. In addition, it has universal application attribute. The study recommends two things; empirical application of the model in different contexts and refinement, where necessary.

Keywords: livelihood; sustainability; conceptual model; household