An exploratory study of the impacts of climate variability on food production availability and access in Chivi district 6, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Gwindi, Raphael
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Climatic changes , Food security , Agricultural development projects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26696 , vital:65852
- Description: The impacts of climate variability have been of global concern for many years. These impacts are affecting economic, social, cultural, agricultural, health and political structures in different countries. Although the impacts of climate variability on agricultural production are being experienced globally, it is generally accepted that developing countries are the worst affected due to a variety of reasons. Given the high susceptibility of developing countries to climate variability, this study maps and analyses the impacts of climate variability on agricultural production, food production, availability and access in Chivi District, Zimbabwe. The study aimed at finding out experiences, so it used a qualitative approach. The study uses in-depth and focus group discussions to collect data. Chivi district is experiencing erratic weather patterns which are impacting agricultural production in general and food production in particular. Consequently, food availability and access is on the decline in the district. Even though smallholder farmers have devised coping and adaptation strategies, this is not sufficient to help them fully deal with the impacts of climate variability. This is due to their limited assets, inadequate technology and climate information among other things. In an attempt to assist these smallholder farmers cope and adapt to the impacts of climate variability, NGOs and Government Departments have instituted a number of community interventions. This assistance includes agricultural extension services, farming input support and provision of climate change information and a lot of other things. In view of these findings, the study recommends the universal adoption and growing of small grain drought resistant crops in climate variability affected Chivi. It further recommends that farmers adopt conservation agriculture, get into partnerships and co-operatives to practice irrigation gardening where those without water sources provide equipment, labour and knowledge. The study also recommends that more climate science research be conducted in Zimbabwe by both NGOs and Government Departments. Furthermore, government and NGOs should provide more support for farmers in the form of climate change related training, knowledge and technology transfer among other things. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
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Investigation of institutions for the implementation of the Dutywa Agripark Project in Mbashe Local Municipality in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Ndita, Bongani Herschel
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects , Rangelands
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24587 , vital:63210
- Description: The study investigated local institutions amongst Agri-park project beneficiaries: A case of Dutywa Agri-park in Mbashe Local Municipality. Specifically, the dissertation sought to: investigate formal and informal institutions pertaining to land, rangeland management and support services, extension services amongst Agri-park beneficiaries, and explore options with communities to strengthen these institutions for the application of the Agri-park projects. The role of local institutions in economic development has received steadily increasing attention from researchers, policy makers and development practitioners. , institutions can be defined as the formal and informal rules of the game that have been formulated to rule people‟s behaviour and transactions. Informal rules may include among others, customs, norms and standards, religion, indigenous law while formal rules may include laws, constitutions, policies, markets and firms. This study used a survey design, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies involving the use of questionnaire. The data for this study was collected from 114 households which are Agri-park project beneficiaries, the extension officer, project site manager and local economic development officer. The data were collected through face to face and telephonic interviews. Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20.0) were used for descriptive analysis in order to identify the existing local institutions and how they should be strengthen. The results showed that a number of local institutions do exist. The main findings of this study were as follows: (1) Project beneficiaries were aware of their stakeholders and that they knew the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the project. (2) Traditional leaders were aware about the project and that they have a major role to play. (3) Project beneficiaries have organized themselves into groups of co-operatives and their co-operatives are registered with the Department of Agriculture. (4) Project initiators are going to transfer the ownership of the project to these communities after it becomes well established. (5) There was a mutual agreement of youth employment rotation in the project between these four communities. (6) The condition of lease agreement for a land where the project currently running is 9 months renewable contract with the rental payment of R 6300.00 per annum. (7) The lease agreement gives the church a property right to reclaim the land should payments not be made. (8) Project beneficiaries possess some agricultural skills and that they have received various training. The study recommended that there is a need to strengthen these rules and regulation for the project to become more efficient and productive in the long-run. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2013
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The role of agriculture towards poverty alleviation in poor households in Zimbabwe: the case of Harare Province
- Authors: Ncube, Silobukhosi Princess
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects , Poverty -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Poor -- Zimbabwe -- Harare
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc.Sc (Developmental Studies)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3099 , vital:28261
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate the role played by urban agriculture (UA) in alleviating poverty in poor and low income households of Harare. It further examined the factors that confront the practice. The study was conducted after a realisation that despite not receiving much support from city by- laws, poor and low income households of Harare continue to engage in agricultural activities yearly. The desk research method was used to acquire information from a vast of secondary data sources. The secondary sources which were qualitative in nature provided the research with broad literature on urban agriculture and poverty in Harare, Zimbabwe and the world at large. However, a case study research design was employed whereby an in-depth analysis of the topic focused on poor and low income farmers of Harare Province. Literature reviewed and analysed was organised into themes and categories that portrayed urban agriculture as a crucial tool for alleviating poverty. It was also viewed as a tool that can be used as a sustainable livelihood. Despite other factors affecting the performance of urban farmers, lack of clear policies and city by- laws that guide agriculture in the study area proved to be a huge hindrance. Therefore, to achieve sustainable livelihoods and reduce poverty, the research suggested that instead of different pieces of city by- laws governing the practice in Harare and Zimbabwe there is need for one clear urban agriculture policy. It was concluded that the government and city authorities remain the key to unlocking UA‟s full potential by providing formal support to the practice by organising formulation of an inclusive urban agriculture policy that will be understood by every citizen.
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