Rural handicraft production in the developing world: Policy issues for South Africa

In South Africa the promotion of rural handicraft production is an important policy dimension of non-farm livelihoods. The rural handicraft economy is significant in terms of rural development, tourism and employment planning. In this article, policy issues concerning the South African rural handicraft economy are linked to experience of other developing world countries. Lessons for policymaking in South Africa are drawn form the experience of the developing world in terms of the importance of rural handicrafts and the problems of rural producers.