This study carried out in 2002, aimed at identifying the socio-economic factors influencing the
harvesting of Eembe (Berchemia discolor) wild fruits by communal households in the Ohangwena
region, in Namibia. Data for this study was generated from a sample survey of 83 communal
households from the Oipya, Onengali and Eengava communities in the western part of
the Ohangwena Region. Based on the results of the survey, it is estimated that Eembe and its related
by-products contributed 7.29% to household income. Using logistic regression analysis, it
was found that Eembe wild fruit harvesting was negatively associated with higher levels of offfarm
income. This suggests that Eembe wild fruit harvesting is likely to be more common
among households with low off-farm income than those with higher off-farm income. This implies
that households with lower off-farm income and potentially food insecure are more likely
to participate in wild fruit harvesting for survival reasons, such as to get food supplements and
for income generation. The results confirm findings from similar studies conducted elsewhere
that rural households engage in harvesting wild fruits and other non-timber forest products (NTFPs)
as a survival mechanism. However, this study revealed that the income earned from Eembe
and its related activities was meagre. The policy implications are that strategies aimed at improving
rural livelihoods should consider introducing high income generating activities as alternatives
to harvesting low value veld products like Eembe wild fruits in the study region.