An assessment of urban agriculture as a strategy for youth employment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) : the case of Kisenso/Kinshasa
- Authors: Mubiala, Wivin Luwakunu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Urban agriculture -- Congo (Democratic Republic) Youth -- Employment -- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14000 , vital:39759
- Description: In this study, urban agriculture was investigated as a strategy for youth employment and poverty alleviation in Kisenso / Kinshasa- DRC. The aim of the study was to identify the effect of urban agriculture on employment and job creation in the DRC. The specific objectives are to assess the sustainability of urban agriculture as an employment alternative for the youth in Kinshasa, to examine the extent of government support for the sector and evaluate the role urban agriculture plays in poverty reduction in the identified households. This study adopted a qualitative approach because of its strengths which facilitated a better understanding of the different data the study gathered. Indeed, by use of words such as why, when, how, and what, the study was able to explain many aspects that are not known on urban agriculture in Kinshasa. The quantitative approach has been used to present some results in the form of figures and graphs It was noted that income from urban agriculture is mainly used for needs such as: school fees (25percent), food (53percent), clothing (15percent), and health (7percent). Despite the fact that it does not satisfy all the needs of the workers, results from the study indicate that urban agriculture is making a contribution in the socio-economic development of Kisenso. It clearly appears that if the urban agriculture is funded and professionalised, it can significantly contribute towards creating jobs in Kinshasa. This study was focused only in Kisenso, meaning that more research should be conducted on the entire city of Kinshasa so that conclusions can be generalised on employment and poverty reduction. It will be interesting for the government to fund urban agriculture activity and make it profitable to the workers and the entire population of Kinshasa.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Community development and rural poverty in Zimbabwe : a policy perspective
- Authors: Chatindo, Annah
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Community development -- Zimbabwe Rural development -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe Poverty -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6092 , vital:29490
- Description: There is persistence of rural poverty in African countries despite efforts by governments to implement community development projects to curb poverty in impoverished rural communities. Zimbabwe adopted the Poverty Alleviation Action Plan (PAAP) under which community development programme was initiated. Community development projects by NGOs and government did not manage to meet the needs of the impoverished communities in Mvuma rural communities. More so, the incremental approach to policy making adopted by the government of Zimbabwe failed to embrace the principles of community development, for example, participation of community projects beneficiaries on everything that impact to their way of living. Despite all the efforts to alleviate rural poverty in Mvuma rural district there is still persistence of rural poverty, characterized by poor roads and struggling of most families to meeting basic needs. Mvuma rural communities are rich in mineral resources and water sources that can be utilized instead of relying on external resources through NGOs. This therefore, calls on the government and NGOs to collaborate towards capacitating Mvuma rural dwellers in order to help alleviate poverty. This study employed qualitative approach to research as it was aimed at describing and understanding rather than explaining human behaviour. Purposive or judgmental sampling was applied. This technique was used as the researcher wanted to get hold of the people who are directly or indirectly linked to implementation of community development projects. However, quantitative method was used to gather demographic information. The PAAP policy relevance to poverty reduction in Mvuma rural district and in Zimbabwe in general was the heart of this study.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Land and agrarian reform, and rural livelihoods in post-apartheid South Africa : a study on the Ehlanzeni District in Mpumalanga Province
- Authors: Maduna-Mafu, Nqobani
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga Land use, Rural -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4514 , vital:28346
- Description: The study examines land and agrarian reforms in democratic South Africa focusing on projects implemented under the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) since 2009. Focusing on Bushbuckridge municipal area, the study reviews wide ranging transformative efforts initiated to address agrarian sector inequalities and rural poverty. The review illustrates that modest achievements have been made in restructuring the apartheid political geography manifesting in high levels of asset poverty amongst rural populations and vulnerability to food insecurity. While several factors are explored to explain this, it is discernible that a disjuncture exists between the social justice imperatives and the neoliberal development ideology adopted since transition to democracy. Adopting the sustainable livelihoods approach, the study examines whether the CRDP is adequate to address the needs for land equity in redistribution and to improve rural livelihoods in Mpumalanga, with particular focus on Bushbuckridge municipal area. Furthermore, the study examines the extent to which the implementation of CRDP has met the objective of equitable land redistribution as specified in the policy and also explores the outcomes of implementation, whether necessary conditions to promote the small-scale agricultural sector have been created; for instance, investments in agricultural infrastructure, support services such as credit measures, inputs and capacity building programmes for subsistence sector farming. Through a qualitative inquiry challenges are identified regarding the achievement of equity in land distribution and sustainable livelihoods. The conclusive chapter argues for paradigm shifts in land acquisition, public engagement, gender equity, funding models for subsistence farming, intersectoral co-operation, funding of rural infrastructural projects particularly markets and agro-processing facilities.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The role of agricultural co-operatives in food security in the Eastern Cape, Province of South Africa: the case of the Nkonkobe Local Municipality
- Authors: Dyalvane, Ncumisa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2867 , vital:28110
- Description: This study highlights the contribution of agricultural co-operatives in promoting food security in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.Although the dawn of democracy saw the government making efforts to address food insecurity and provide solutions to the challenges related to it a lot remains to be done. As a result, food insecurity remains a fundamental concern in South Africa in particular among villagers in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality. Consequently, the study focuses on the state of Agricultural Co-operatives in the Nkonkobe Municipality and their role in food security. Therefore, this dissertation therefore discusses problems plaguing Agricultural Co-operatives in Nkonkobe. This study highlights the contribution of agricultural co-operatives in promoting food security in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.Although the dawn of democracy saw the government making efforts to address food insecurity and provide solutions to the challenges related to it a lot remains to be done. As a result, food insecurity remains a fundamental concern in South Africa in particular among villagers in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality. Consequently, the study focuses on the state of Agricultural Co-operatives in the Nkonkobe Municipality and their role in food security. Therefore, this dissertation therefore discusses problems plaguing Agricultural Co-operatives in Nkonkobe. The qualitative methodology was used because it seeks to dig out in-depth information so as to understand the causes of food insecurity despite agricultural co-operatives and government assistance being in place. The food security situation was analysed using the sustainable livelihoods and basic needs approaches. The findings of the study reveal that agricultural co-operatives face a number of challenges. These include inadequate funds, poor market places, transport problems, shortage of farming equipment and insufficient water supply. In addition, the ability of agricultural co-operatives to make a worthy contribution to food security is being adversely hindered by poor implementation capacity and financial management. This in turn makes them unable to strengthen and expand their business operations. The study suggests that the government or the municipality should build sustainable water sources like dams as well as provide taps in the community to boost productivity all year round in the agricultural cooperatives hence guaranteeing food security in Nkonkobe Local Municipality,the Eastern Cape and South Africa at large.
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- Date Issued: 2015