Analysis of food value chains in smallholder crop and livestock enterprises in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Muchara, Binganidzo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Stochastic processes , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11158 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000983 , Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Stochastic processes , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study was conducted in Mbozi and Ciko villages in Mbhashe Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Two irrigation projects in the area were studied. Consumers and agricultural commodity traders in Willowvale Town, Dutywa, Butterworth and East London were also interviewed. The major objective of the study is to profile and map cabbage, maize and cattle food value chains broadly, and to understand their nature, constraints and opportunities in smallholder agriculture. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting the local government areas. This was followed by the selection of the district and then the respondents. A total of 168 participants were sampled in the proportion of 82 smallholder farmers, 41 consumers, 26 hawkers and 20 agricultural commodity traders. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also used during the data collection process. Value Chain mapping was done using the commodity based approach. All value chains under study indicated that they are short and commodities were transacted in unprocessed form. As cabbages and maize move from the farm to retail outlets, value addition start to take place through transportation to the market and processing in supermarkets. The cattle value chain however does not have a forward linkage beyond the two administrative boundaries of the two communities. Less than 3% of the farmers traded livestock, and this was mostly through private sales to neighbours. The farmers‘ major goal in agricultural production is assumed to be an important aspect in lengthening the value chain. As such, results of a Pearson‘s correlation exercise indicated that there is a significant relationship at 0.05% level between goals of the farmers and the village of origin. Some factors that showed significance (p=0.05) in influencing farmers‘ goals are membership of an irrigation project and household sources of income. An analysis of determinants of technical efficiency at farm level was performed using the stochastic frontier model for cabbage, maize and cattle enterprises. The results showed that rainfall adequacy, input costs, market channels and quantity sold are important determinants of cabbage production efficiency. On the other hand, maize production efficiency is positively determined by market price, area under production and rainfall adequacy. Market related variables are major drivers of the cattle value chain efficiency and these include cattle prices, market satisfaction, market channel and farm labour.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Muchara, Binganidzo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Stochastic processes , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11158 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000983 , Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Stochastic processes , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study was conducted in Mbozi and Ciko villages in Mbhashe Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Two irrigation projects in the area were studied. Consumers and agricultural commodity traders in Willowvale Town, Dutywa, Butterworth and East London were also interviewed. The major objective of the study is to profile and map cabbage, maize and cattle food value chains broadly, and to understand their nature, constraints and opportunities in smallholder agriculture. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting the local government areas. This was followed by the selection of the district and then the respondents. A total of 168 participants were sampled in the proportion of 82 smallholder farmers, 41 consumers, 26 hawkers and 20 agricultural commodity traders. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also used during the data collection process. Value Chain mapping was done using the commodity based approach. All value chains under study indicated that they are short and commodities were transacted in unprocessed form. As cabbages and maize move from the farm to retail outlets, value addition start to take place through transportation to the market and processing in supermarkets. The cattle value chain however does not have a forward linkage beyond the two administrative boundaries of the two communities. Less than 3% of the farmers traded livestock, and this was mostly through private sales to neighbours. The farmers‘ major goal in agricultural production is assumed to be an important aspect in lengthening the value chain. As such, results of a Pearson‘s correlation exercise indicated that there is a significant relationship at 0.05% level between goals of the farmers and the village of origin. Some factors that showed significance (p=0.05) in influencing farmers‘ goals are membership of an irrigation project and household sources of income. An analysis of determinants of technical efficiency at farm level was performed using the stochastic frontier model for cabbage, maize and cattle enterprises. The results showed that rainfall adequacy, input costs, market channels and quantity sold are important determinants of cabbage production efficiency. On the other hand, maize production efficiency is positively determined by market price, area under production and rainfall adequacy. Market related variables are major drivers of the cattle value chain efficiency and these include cattle prices, market satisfaction, market channel and farm labour.
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Determinants of capital structure of small and medium enterprises in the Buffalo City Municipality Eastern Cape Province South Africa
- Authors: Rungani, Ellen Chenesai
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Debt-to-equity ratio , Capital , Value , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com (Business Management)
- Identifier: vital:11317 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/271 , Debt-to-equity ratio , Capital , Value , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigated the determinants of capital structure of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Buffalo city municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The objectives of the study were, to ascertain whether the use of internal equity (retained profits) was positively or negatively related to the size, age and profitability of the firm. Furthermore the study examined if the use of external equity (capital from owners) was negatively or positively related to the age, size and profitability of the firm. Finally the study wanted to establish if the use of debt was positively or negatively related to the size, age and profitability of the firm. To achieve these objectives, the study hypothesised that age, size and profitability amongst other factors were determinants of capital structure. The study further hypothesised that the use of retained profits by SMEs was negatively related with age, size and profitability of the firm. Furthermore the study hypothesised that the use of external equity by SMEs was negatively related with age, size and profitability of the firm. Finally, the study hypothesised that the use of debt by SMEs was negatively related to the size, age and profitability of the firm. The results revealed that size, age and profitability of the firm were some of the major determinants of capital structure. Finally, the study recommended that SMEs, commercial banks and the South African government take measures to improve access to capital by SMEs. Such measures included government intervention in reducing discrimination from the banks as well as encouragement of SMEs training and education so that they are empowered with business and financial management skills.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rungani, Ellen Chenesai
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Debt-to-equity ratio , Capital , Value , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com (Business Management)
- Identifier: vital:11317 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/271 , Debt-to-equity ratio , Capital , Value , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigated the determinants of capital structure of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Buffalo city municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The objectives of the study were, to ascertain whether the use of internal equity (retained profits) was positively or negatively related to the size, age and profitability of the firm. Furthermore the study examined if the use of external equity (capital from owners) was negatively or positively related to the age, size and profitability of the firm. Finally the study wanted to establish if the use of debt was positively or negatively related to the size, age and profitability of the firm. To achieve these objectives, the study hypothesised that age, size and profitability amongst other factors were determinants of capital structure. The study further hypothesised that the use of retained profits by SMEs was negatively related with age, size and profitability of the firm. Furthermore the study hypothesised that the use of external equity by SMEs was negatively related with age, size and profitability of the firm. Finally, the study hypothesised that the use of debt by SMEs was negatively related to the size, age and profitability of the firm. The results revealed that size, age and profitability of the firm were some of the major determinants of capital structure. Finally, the study recommended that SMEs, commercial banks and the South African government take measures to improve access to capital by SMEs. Such measures included government intervention in reducing discrimination from the banks as well as encouragement of SMEs training and education so that they are empowered with business and financial management skills.
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Implementation of a rewards based negotiation module for an e commerce platform
- Authors: Jere, Nobert Rangarirai
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Computer network architecture -- South Africa -- Design and construction , Internet in public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic commerce -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11378 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/267 , Computer network architecture -- South Africa -- Design and construction , Internet in public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic commerce -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been widely deployed in developmental programs and this has lead to the creation of a new field – ICT for Development (ICT4D). Within the context of ICT4D, various e-services are being developed, including e-Commerce, e-Government, e-Health and e-Judiciary. ICT4D projects allow Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in rural areas to increase sales and gain a market share in the global market. However, many of these ICT4D projects do not succeed, because they fail to bring enough financial value to SMMEs due to the form they currently have. An obvious example is e-Commerce, which should be a source of revenue for business organizations, but most often is not. This thesis presents the design and implementation of a rewarding and negotiation application for a shopping portal to improve the marketing of products for rural entrepreneurs. The shopping portal has been set up for the Dwesa community, a marginalized area in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The proposed system, called the Dwesa Rewarding Program (DRP) enables customers buying online to get points for some of the activities carried out on the shopping portal. It also allows customers to negotiate and make offers whilst purchasing and get rewarded for buying online. The novelty of the system is in its flexibility and adaptability. One achievement of this system is the establishment of negotiation rules which allows fairness in rewarding customers. This should in turn lead to increased sales on the e-Commerce platform in marginalized areas and subsequently increased effectiveness of ICT4D for socio-economic development
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jere, Nobert Rangarirai
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Computer network architecture -- South Africa -- Design and construction , Internet in public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic commerce -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11378 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/267 , Computer network architecture -- South Africa -- Design and construction , Internet in public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic commerce -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been widely deployed in developmental programs and this has lead to the creation of a new field – ICT for Development (ICT4D). Within the context of ICT4D, various e-services are being developed, including e-Commerce, e-Government, e-Health and e-Judiciary. ICT4D projects allow Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in rural areas to increase sales and gain a market share in the global market. However, many of these ICT4D projects do not succeed, because they fail to bring enough financial value to SMMEs due to the form they currently have. An obvious example is e-Commerce, which should be a source of revenue for business organizations, but most often is not. This thesis presents the design and implementation of a rewarding and negotiation application for a shopping portal to improve the marketing of products for rural entrepreneurs. The shopping portal has been set up for the Dwesa community, a marginalized area in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The proposed system, called the Dwesa Rewarding Program (DRP) enables customers buying online to get points for some of the activities carried out on the shopping portal. It also allows customers to negotiate and make offers whilst purchasing and get rewarded for buying online. The novelty of the system is in its flexibility and adaptability. One achievement of this system is the establishment of negotiation rules which allows fairness in rewarding customers. This should in turn lead to increased sales on the e-Commerce platform in marginalized areas and subsequently increased effectiveness of ICT4D for socio-economic development
- Full Text:
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