Turning a problem into profit

using water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) for making handicrafts at Lake Alaotra, Madagascar

verfasst von

Tsiry Fanilonirina Rakotoarisoa, Torsten Richter, Tahina Rakotondramanana, Jasmin Mantilla-Contreras

Abstract

In diverse ecosystems, invasive plant species represent a serious threat for nature conservation by leading to loss of native species as well as environmental degradation. The water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) belongs to the top 10 worldwide most troublesome aquatic weeds. This study assesses the use of this invasive plant as a new source of raw material for handicrafts to substitute for the traditionally used papyrus (Cyperus madagascariensis) in the poor and remote region of Lake Alaotra in Madagascar. It has been recently observed that the current exploitation of papyrus in this region adds pressure on the receding Alaotra wetland and notably decreases habitat and food resources for the locally endemic and critically endangered lemur species Hapalemur alaotrensis. Within our research, water hyacinth handicrafts were produced by local artisans and compared with papyrus handicrafts regarding production path (collection, transportation, and processing of raw material) with a focus on financial costs, workload, and selling price. In addition, structured interviews were conducted with town-based handicraft retailers and potential customers to specify market expectations (quality, design, and marketing strategies). Our study revealed that despite the requirement for a longer time regarding raw material selection and drying (7 days vs 3 days) as well as additional financial costs (23% in addition) for ornaments, water hyacinth handicrafts displayed many advantages in comparison to papyrus handicrafts: (a) assembling water hyacinth handicrafts was easier and faster (33% less time investment), (b) led to robust products that were rated as being of acceptable to very good quality by 91% of the interviewees (c) and sold at three times (mean 2.25 US$) the sale prices of the traditional papyrus handicrafts (mean 0.75 US$). The use of water hyacinth has therefore the potential to increase local household incomes, open up new markets, and attenuate the pressure on the Alaotra wetland biodiversity by reducing the use of papyrus. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis combined with research findings on rural handicrafts was drafted to identify four main steps for promoting the market establishment of water hyacinth handicrafts at Lake Alaotra: creation of artisans’ clusters and networks, improvement of managerial and marketing competence, access to finance and exploration of markets possibilities. This research can provide insights for other small rural handicraft enterprises in developing countries facing problem with water hyacinth throughout the world.

Externe Organisation(en)

Stiftung Universität Hildesheim
Ecole Normale Supérieure d'Antananarivo

Typ

Artikel

Journal

Economic Botany

Band

70

Seiten

365-379

Anzahl der Seiten

15

ISSN

0013-0001

Publikationsdatum

12.2016

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Gartenbau, Pflanzenkunde

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 17 - Partnerschaften für die Ziele, SDG 11 – Nachhaltige Städte und Gemeinschaften

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-016-9362-y (Zugang: Geschlossen)