report - Arid Areas Programme

Doreen Atkinson: A Review of International Arid Areas Research Agencies
March 2008
Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council (ECSECC)
Executive Summary
South African arid areas have not received much attention for the purposes of socioeconomic
development. The broader issues of regional development in arid areas, small
town development, tourism, and niche agricultural products have not been systematically
researched in South Africa, although there are some specific studies to draw on.
This paper highlights the intellectual effort which is undertaken in other arid areas of the
world, notably in the English-speaking countries (Australia, the USA, Namibia and
India). At the same time, deserts and drylands are attracting increasing international
attention, from the point of view of conservation as well as development.
The neglect of the Karoo, Kalahari and Namaqualand arises from a variety of causes.
Firstly, in terms of the National Spatial Development Perspective (NSDP), the arid areas
have not been identified as an area of economic potential. Secondly, the arid areas
straddle at least four provinces, which has complicated planning efforts. Thirdly, in all
four provinces, intellectual development effort has thus far been directed at the wetter
regions, such as the Boland, the ex-homeland areas of the Eastern Cape, and the
Bloemfontein and Eastern Free State regions. The fact that the Northern Cape, which
contains the lion’s share of the arid areas, does not have its own university, means that
there is no intellectual driver to pursue topics of specific relevance to arid areas.
In this context, the Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council (ECSECC)
commissioned a paper to highlight some of the research efforts in arid areas elsewhere in
the world. South Africa often faces the potential problem of insularity, because we are
poorly networked with potential intellectual peers in other countries. This is due to
factors such as distance, linguistic differences, and our apartheid history. Nevertheless,
in order to “leap-frog” expensive and protracted research and development phases, we
need to know what ideas and technologies are available. This may also highlight
potential partnerships with university research agencies and government think-tanks.
In this paper, the methodology was solely dependent on Internet searches. This is one of
the fastest and most cost-effective methods for “rapid reviews”. The report therefore
does not claim to be complete, definitive or even fully up to date. It provides a snap-shot
of the research efforts of organisations which have an effective Internet presence. The
overview focuses primarily on English-speaking countries.
Furthermore, the report focuses primarily on novel, cutting-edge business practices and
technological innovations, in order to grow the economic base and investment potential
of the arid areas. It is biased towards enhancing new commercial opportunities and
capital investment.
The reason for this bias is that the arid areas in South Africa already have a strong
entrepreneurship base, located in commercial agriculture, eco-tourism, game farming and
accommodation tourism. There are also other niche markets developing, such as space
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