Evaluation of the socio-economic performance of smallholder irrigation schemes in Idutywa Village of the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Jiba, Phiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Irrigation farming -- Economic aspects Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4705 , vital:28497
- Description: South Africa and other African countries are faced with high levels of food insecurity and poverty levels as a result of slow growth of the macro economy and weak or sluggish rural development. Irrigation scheme development is seen as an important strategy to address the challenges faced by households in rural areas and restores growth and enhanced livelihoods. While the international experience shows that Irrigation schemes are potentially transformative of poor communities and have been operational for many years now, there is no marked improvement in living conditions of rural households in terms of livelihoods and income. This raises the question as to whether or not the schemes are viable from a socio-economic perspective and whether or not there are reasons for concern and revision of the policy framework for smallholder irrigation schemes. As a result of that, the broad objective of the study was to evaluate the contribution of smallholder irrigation schemes to household income and food security of rural households in Idutywa village of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Specifically, this research investigated the major factors that influence their performance, impact of irrigation farming on rural livelihood and household food security as well as identifying the possible opportunities of production that would improve their performance. The study was carried out in Idutywa villages of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa and employed survey data obtained from 107 households. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and the study employed stratified random sampling. The study made use of descriptive and inferential statistics to estimate the central tendency and dispersion as well as testing the hypothesis that there is a difference in the contribution between irrigators and non-irrigators using STATA and SPSS. Probit regression model was used to estimate factors that influenced the performance of smallholder irrigation schemes. The descriptive statistics employed included means, percentages and frequencies on the socio-economic characteristics of households in the study areas. The results show that females were dominant with a representation of 66.7 percent. The majority of households were aged and the mean age was 65 years. High level of illiteracy in the project area was revealed by the data. The average number of years, households spent in school was between 6 years to 10 years in school. Farming was found to be the major agricultural economic activity. Sixty-three (63 percent) were full time farmers. The results further show that household size ranges between 1 to 5 persons. The households were shown to be mostly dependent on social grant with household income hovering around R 1 000. The results from propensity score matching revealed that irrigation exerts a positive impact on household income. This provides sufficient evidence that irrigation schemes do make a contribution to rural livelihoods through their effect on household income and food security. This implies that government should continue investing in irrigation schemes as part of a strategy to grow the rural economy and improve rural livelihoods. This is in line with the Agricultural Policy Action Plan (APAP) and National Development Plan (NDP) of South Africa. Probit analysis suggests that age of the households, household size and market were some of the key determinants that positively influenced households’ decision to participate in smallholder irrigation schemes while access to credit had significant but negative effect on households’ decision to participate in smallholder irrigation schemes. Based on the findings highlighted above, it is recommended that addressing such barriers may create enabling conditions that would encourage households to access and participate more effectively in smallholder irrigation schemes.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jiba, Phiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Irrigation farming -- Economic aspects Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4705 , vital:28497
- Description: South Africa and other African countries are faced with high levels of food insecurity and poverty levels as a result of slow growth of the macro economy and weak or sluggish rural development. Irrigation scheme development is seen as an important strategy to address the challenges faced by households in rural areas and restores growth and enhanced livelihoods. While the international experience shows that Irrigation schemes are potentially transformative of poor communities and have been operational for many years now, there is no marked improvement in living conditions of rural households in terms of livelihoods and income. This raises the question as to whether or not the schemes are viable from a socio-economic perspective and whether or not there are reasons for concern and revision of the policy framework for smallholder irrigation schemes. As a result of that, the broad objective of the study was to evaluate the contribution of smallholder irrigation schemes to household income and food security of rural households in Idutywa village of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Specifically, this research investigated the major factors that influence their performance, impact of irrigation farming on rural livelihood and household food security as well as identifying the possible opportunities of production that would improve their performance. The study was carried out in Idutywa villages of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa and employed survey data obtained from 107 households. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and the study employed stratified random sampling. The study made use of descriptive and inferential statistics to estimate the central tendency and dispersion as well as testing the hypothesis that there is a difference in the contribution between irrigators and non-irrigators using STATA and SPSS. Probit regression model was used to estimate factors that influenced the performance of smallholder irrigation schemes. The descriptive statistics employed included means, percentages and frequencies on the socio-economic characteristics of households in the study areas. The results show that females were dominant with a representation of 66.7 percent. The majority of households were aged and the mean age was 65 years. High level of illiteracy in the project area was revealed by the data. The average number of years, households spent in school was between 6 years to 10 years in school. Farming was found to be the major agricultural economic activity. Sixty-three (63 percent) were full time farmers. The results further show that household size ranges between 1 to 5 persons. The households were shown to be mostly dependent on social grant with household income hovering around R 1 000. The results from propensity score matching revealed that irrigation exerts a positive impact on household income. This provides sufficient evidence that irrigation schemes do make a contribution to rural livelihoods through their effect on household income and food security. This implies that government should continue investing in irrigation schemes as part of a strategy to grow the rural economy and improve rural livelihoods. This is in line with the Agricultural Policy Action Plan (APAP) and National Development Plan (NDP) of South Africa. Probit analysis suggests that age of the households, household size and market were some of the key determinants that positively influenced households’ decision to participate in smallholder irrigation schemes while access to credit had significant but negative effect on households’ decision to participate in smallholder irrigation schemes. Based on the findings highlighted above, it is recommended that addressing such barriers may create enabling conditions that would encourage households to access and participate more effectively in smallholder irrigation schemes.
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Job satisfaction, organisational justice in determining employee turnover among administrative staff at a university in South Africa
- Authors: Landu, Mzimkulu Christopher
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Employees
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4784 , vital:28520
- Description: The aim of this study explore the role of job satisfaction , organizational justice in determining employee turnover among administrative staff at Walter Sisulu University at Ibika campus in Butterworth , in the Eastern Cape Province. A sample of 70 administrative staff was drawn for the population of 170. Results of the study indicated that the study variables are significantly and positively correlated with one another. Job satisfaction was found to be significantly and positively correlated with employee turnover. Organizational justice was also found to be significantly positively correlated with employee turnover. Likewise, a positive and significant relationship between job satisfaction and organizational justice was found. The findings of this study will assist Ibika campus management in reducing employee turnover and increase the retention of administrative staff at Ibika campus and the entire Walter Sisulu administrative staff at large.
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- Authors: Landu, Mzimkulu Christopher
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Employees
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4784 , vital:28520
- Description: The aim of this study explore the role of job satisfaction , organizational justice in determining employee turnover among administrative staff at Walter Sisulu University at Ibika campus in Butterworth , in the Eastern Cape Province. A sample of 70 administrative staff was drawn for the population of 170. Results of the study indicated that the study variables are significantly and positively correlated with one another. Job satisfaction was found to be significantly and positively correlated with employee turnover. Organizational justice was also found to be significantly positively correlated with employee turnover. Likewise, a positive and significant relationship between job satisfaction and organizational justice was found. The findings of this study will assist Ibika campus management in reducing employee turnover and increase the retention of administrative staff at Ibika campus and the entire Walter Sisulu administrative staff at large.
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The investigation of the role and the efficacy of learning technologies towards community skill development
- Authors: Masikisiki, Baphumelele
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Web-based instruction Computer-assisted instruction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5972 , vital:29460
- Description: Research has revealed that during systems design and development of e-learning technologies there is a tendency of neglecting the needs of end users and focus on the design process and the technology factors, and this has traditionally been the reason for poor usability of otherwise well conceptualized systems, as a result a number of IT-based learning tools ended up not being usable and not being utilized effectively. This study aims to investigate the impact of e-learning technologies, how people perceive the usage of e-learning technologies towards community skill development. An evaluation of four different e-learning technologies was conducted to investigate the role and efficacy of e-learning technologies within the surrounding communities. Data was analyzed as nominal data using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software 24. Descriptive analysis, frequency, reliability and correctional analysis and also measures of central tendency were computed. Reliability was evaluated for assessing the internal consistency of the items using Cronbach’s alpha. To analyze the relationship between variables matrices of Pearson’s correlation was used. Pearson’s correlation can only be accepted when the significant effect (P>.05), this indicates that there is a positive or a negative relationship between two variables, if these conditions are not met then the proposed correlation or hypothesis can be rejected. Results indicate a poor perception and poor acceptance of e-learning technologies due to a number of factors, these factors include lack of computer-self efficacy which leads to computer anxiety, affordability of internet connectivity which leads to inaccessible of e-learning technologies. The findings also indicated that LAMS was found to be less useable and less useful by a number of students. However, students who enjoy working in groups found LAMS to be useable because it was supporting their preferred learning style, whereas individualistic students preferred Moodle and Dokeos because it was supporting their personal preferences and assessment styles. Having understood all the characteristics of learning tools, relevant learning technologies that are suitable for students can then be recommended.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Masikisiki, Baphumelele
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Web-based instruction Computer-assisted instruction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5972 , vital:29460
- Description: Research has revealed that during systems design and development of e-learning technologies there is a tendency of neglecting the needs of end users and focus on the design process and the technology factors, and this has traditionally been the reason for poor usability of otherwise well conceptualized systems, as a result a number of IT-based learning tools ended up not being usable and not being utilized effectively. This study aims to investigate the impact of e-learning technologies, how people perceive the usage of e-learning technologies towards community skill development. An evaluation of four different e-learning technologies was conducted to investigate the role and efficacy of e-learning technologies within the surrounding communities. Data was analyzed as nominal data using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software 24. Descriptive analysis, frequency, reliability and correctional analysis and also measures of central tendency were computed. Reliability was evaluated for assessing the internal consistency of the items using Cronbach’s alpha. To analyze the relationship between variables matrices of Pearson’s correlation was used. Pearson’s correlation can only be accepted when the significant effect (P>.05), this indicates that there is a positive or a negative relationship between two variables, if these conditions are not met then the proposed correlation or hypothesis can be rejected. Results indicate a poor perception and poor acceptance of e-learning technologies due to a number of factors, these factors include lack of computer-self efficacy which leads to computer anxiety, affordability of internet connectivity which leads to inaccessible of e-learning technologies. The findings also indicated that LAMS was found to be less useable and less useful by a number of students. However, students who enjoy working in groups found LAMS to be useable because it was supporting their preferred learning style, whereas individualistic students preferred Moodle and Dokeos because it was supporting their personal preferences and assessment styles. Having understood all the characteristics of learning tools, relevant learning technologies that are suitable for students can then be recommended.
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The perceived meaning and benefits of people analytics in selected organisations in South Africa
- Authors: Marazanye, Joram
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Personnel management Business -- Data processing Employees -- Recruiting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4480 , vital:28341
- Description: Regardless of the widespread application of analytics to a variety of business measurements, it is noteworthy that the use of people analytics is still no place close where it could be. The main aim of this study is to examine the perceived meaning and benefits of people analytics in selected South African organisations. People analytics is a burning-fresh topic in HR field aiming at using data to make organisational decisions and little has been done in this area especially in the South African context. The study employed qualitative-exploratory design which comprised of 10 senior HR officers from selected organisations in South Africa. From the findings, it shows that the employment of people analytics in South African context is in its early stage and its conception and repercussions are little understood. In addition, there is an accord on its usefulness, however the workforce analytic skills have found to be the major difficulty to foster its successful implementation and adoption by organisations. Because of its qualitative nature, this study had a limitation that it lack representativeness hence the findings cannot be generalised. Research opportunities for future can be quantitative and longitudinal research to objectively ascertain the extent future employability of people analytics.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Marazanye, Joram
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Personnel management Business -- Data processing Employees -- Recruiting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4480 , vital:28341
- Description: Regardless of the widespread application of analytics to a variety of business measurements, it is noteworthy that the use of people analytics is still no place close where it could be. The main aim of this study is to examine the perceived meaning and benefits of people analytics in selected South African organisations. People analytics is a burning-fresh topic in HR field aiming at using data to make organisational decisions and little has been done in this area especially in the South African context. The study employed qualitative-exploratory design which comprised of 10 senior HR officers from selected organisations in South Africa. From the findings, it shows that the employment of people analytics in South African context is in its early stage and its conception and repercussions are little understood. In addition, there is an accord on its usefulness, however the workforce analytic skills have found to be the major difficulty to foster its successful implementation and adoption by organisations. Because of its qualitative nature, this study had a limitation that it lack representativeness hence the findings cannot be generalised. Research opportunities for future can be quantitative and longitudinal research to objectively ascertain the extent future employability of people analytics.
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Yield responses, mineral levels of forages and soil in old arable land planted to four legume pasture species in Lushington communal area, South Africa
- Authors: Gulwa, Unathi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Forage plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Minerals in animal nutrition Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2799 , vital:28091
- Description: This study was conducted in the old arable land located in Lushington communal area in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of legume introduction on biomass yield, forage and soil mineral levels of the arable lands planted to four leguminous pastures in four seasons. Planting was done in March and October 2008 in Lushington. All legumes were subjected to grow under rain fed conditions. Trifolium vesiculosum (arrowleaf clover), Lespedeza cuneata (sericea lespedeza), Trifolium repens (white clover) and Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) are the four forage legume species that were sampled for the purposes of this study. The four legume species persisted out of the fourteen species that were initially tested for adaptability and persistence in the environmental conditions of Lushington communal area. The legumes, grasses and soils from these legume plots were sampled to determine the effect of legume introduction on the forage yield, mineral contents of the companion grasses and soils over four seasons. Plant and soil samples were collected once in spring (November) 2013, summer (February), autumn (March) and winter (May) 2014 for biomass production, macro and micronutrients determination. Results indicated that legume inclusion and season affected (P < 0.05) the total dry matter (TDM) yield production. Plots with Lespedeza cuneata had the highest TDM (1843 kg/ha) and control plots had the least dry matter production (1091 kg/ha). Summer season provided the highest (P < 0.05) TDM compared to the other seasons. Both legume and grass quality was also affected (P < 0.05) by legume inclusion in different seasons. Accordingly, grasses harvested from Trifolium repens plot showed higher CP level (10.90 percent) than those harvested from other plots whereas the lowest grass CP content (6.90 percent) was measured in the control treatment. L. cuneate had the highest (P < 0.05) CP level (11.00 percent) and T. repens had the least CP (6.63 percent) level. Grasses harvested in autumn had the highest (P < 0.05) CP level (12.50 percent) and those harvested in winter had the least CP level (4.60 percent). Similarly, all legume pastures harvested in spring had superior (P < 0.05) CP (10.80 percent) levels and those harvested in winter had the least CP (3.50 percent) level. Legume inclusion had an effect (P < 0.05) on both grass and legume macro nutrient contents. Trifolium repens plot had the highest grass K (1.07 percent), Ca (1.50 percent) and Mg (1.83 percent), whereas there were lower K (0.12 percent), Ca (1.25 percent) and Mg (1.08 percent) contents in grasses harvested from the control and T. vesiculosum plots, respectively. In legumes, macro nutrient concentrations: K (0.68 percent), Ca (1.75 percent) were superior in the T. vesiculosum plot in comparison to other plots. Season also affected (P < 0.05) both grass and legume macro nutrient content. There was higher K (0.90 percent), Ca (1.30 percent) and Mg (0.94 percent) content in grasses harvested in autumn whereas there were lower levels in winter harvests. In legumes, superior K (0.74 percent) and Mg (1.87 percent) content were attained during spring while the least were measured in winter (0.07 percent) and autumn (0.75 percent), respectively. Likewise, both legume inclusion and season had an significant effect (P < 0.05) on the forages micronutrient levels. During spring, there was superior soil P content (36.28 mg/kg) while during autumn; there was less P (22.58 mg/kg) content. The highest SOC level (1.49 percent) was measured in the T. repens plot whereas the lowest SOC (1.15 percent) was attained in the control plot. The results of this study showed that grass legume mixtures produced forages with high nutrient content and herbage yield. Legume planting in the old arable lands has a potential to improve soil quality parameters such as soil P and SOC content.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gulwa, Unathi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Forage plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Minerals in animal nutrition Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2799 , vital:28091
- Description: This study was conducted in the old arable land located in Lushington communal area in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of legume introduction on biomass yield, forage and soil mineral levels of the arable lands planted to four leguminous pastures in four seasons. Planting was done in March and October 2008 in Lushington. All legumes were subjected to grow under rain fed conditions. Trifolium vesiculosum (arrowleaf clover), Lespedeza cuneata (sericea lespedeza), Trifolium repens (white clover) and Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) are the four forage legume species that were sampled for the purposes of this study. The four legume species persisted out of the fourteen species that were initially tested for adaptability and persistence in the environmental conditions of Lushington communal area. The legumes, grasses and soils from these legume plots were sampled to determine the effect of legume introduction on the forage yield, mineral contents of the companion grasses and soils over four seasons. Plant and soil samples were collected once in spring (November) 2013, summer (February), autumn (March) and winter (May) 2014 for biomass production, macro and micronutrients determination. Results indicated that legume inclusion and season affected (P < 0.05) the total dry matter (TDM) yield production. Plots with Lespedeza cuneata had the highest TDM (1843 kg/ha) and control plots had the least dry matter production (1091 kg/ha). Summer season provided the highest (P < 0.05) TDM compared to the other seasons. Both legume and grass quality was also affected (P < 0.05) by legume inclusion in different seasons. Accordingly, grasses harvested from Trifolium repens plot showed higher CP level (10.90 percent) than those harvested from other plots whereas the lowest grass CP content (6.90 percent) was measured in the control treatment. L. cuneate had the highest (P < 0.05) CP level (11.00 percent) and T. repens had the least CP (6.63 percent) level. Grasses harvested in autumn had the highest (P < 0.05) CP level (12.50 percent) and those harvested in winter had the least CP level (4.60 percent). Similarly, all legume pastures harvested in spring had superior (P < 0.05) CP (10.80 percent) levels and those harvested in winter had the least CP (3.50 percent) level. Legume inclusion had an effect (P < 0.05) on both grass and legume macro nutrient contents. Trifolium repens plot had the highest grass K (1.07 percent), Ca (1.50 percent) and Mg (1.83 percent), whereas there were lower K (0.12 percent), Ca (1.25 percent) and Mg (1.08 percent) contents in grasses harvested from the control and T. vesiculosum plots, respectively. In legumes, macro nutrient concentrations: K (0.68 percent), Ca (1.75 percent) were superior in the T. vesiculosum plot in comparison to other plots. Season also affected (P < 0.05) both grass and legume macro nutrient content. There was higher K (0.90 percent), Ca (1.30 percent) and Mg (0.94 percent) content in grasses harvested in autumn whereas there were lower levels in winter harvests. In legumes, superior K (0.74 percent) and Mg (1.87 percent) content were attained during spring while the least were measured in winter (0.07 percent) and autumn (0.75 percent), respectively. Likewise, both legume inclusion and season had an significant effect (P < 0.05) on the forages micronutrient levels. During spring, there was superior soil P content (36.28 mg/kg) while during autumn; there was less P (22.58 mg/kg) content. The highest SOC level (1.49 percent) was measured in the T. repens plot whereas the lowest SOC (1.15 percent) was attained in the control plot. The results of this study showed that grass legume mixtures produced forages with high nutrient content and herbage yield. Legume planting in the old arable lands has a potential to improve soil quality parameters such as soil P and SOC content.
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