Tourism and economic growth in the Republics of Botswana and Madagascar: an empirical investigation of causal links
- Authors: Masvingise, Kudzai
- Date: 2023-09
- Subjects: Tourism -- Botswana , Economic development -- Botswana , Econometric models
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28334 , vital:74267
- Description: This study investigated the Granger causality of tourism and economic growth in the Republics of Botswana and Madagascar during the period 1995 2019. The study was inspired by speculation regarding the influence of tourism on the economic growth of the two countries, given that the literature cautions that the relationship is not always direct and obvious, but rather depends on the country and changes over time. The ARDL-bounds F-test was used to test for co-integration and for Granger causality, with the ECM-based multivariate Granger-causality test used. The results confirm that tourism and economic growth have a prevailing stable, long-run co-integration in both countries, with a unidirectional causation, in that tourism is propelled by economic growth. These findings support the growth-led tourism GDP TOR hypothesis for both countries, and do not corroborate the popular tourism-led growth TPR GDP hypothesis. The study findings imply that both countries’ rich natural resources are insufficient to propel tourism growth and drive GDP in the absence of a supportive economic environment. The study therefore recommends that investment and policy efforts in Botswana and Madagascar focus more on overall economic development than at tourism per se. This would create an environment conducive for attracting and retaining visitors to these countries, and thus boost tourism. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Masvingise, Kudzai
- Date: 2023-09
- Subjects: Tourism -- Botswana , Economic development -- Botswana , Econometric models
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28334 , vital:74267
- Description: This study investigated the Granger causality of tourism and economic growth in the Republics of Botswana and Madagascar during the period 1995 2019. The study was inspired by speculation regarding the influence of tourism on the economic growth of the two countries, given that the literature cautions that the relationship is not always direct and obvious, but rather depends on the country and changes over time. The ARDL-bounds F-test was used to test for co-integration and for Granger causality, with the ECM-based multivariate Granger-causality test used. The results confirm that tourism and economic growth have a prevailing stable, long-run co-integration in both countries, with a unidirectional causation, in that tourism is propelled by economic growth. These findings support the growth-led tourism GDP TOR hypothesis for both countries, and do not corroborate the popular tourism-led growth TPR GDP hypothesis. The study findings imply that both countries’ rich natural resources are insufficient to propel tourism growth and drive GDP in the absence of a supportive economic environment. The study therefore recommends that investment and policy efforts in Botswana and Madagascar focus more on overall economic development than at tourism per se. This would create an environment conducive for attracting and retaining visitors to these countries, and thus boost tourism. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
Perceptions and determinants of genetically modified (GM) maize production among rural households: The case of Ngqushwa Local Municipality, South Africa
- Zamisa, Owethu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7303-4469
- Authors: Zamisa, Owethu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7303-4469
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Genetically modified foods , Agricultural biotechnology , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22479 , vital:52343
- Description: Rural South Africa is faced with immense challenges including poverty, unemployment, low agriculture productivity, food and nutritional insecurity and inequalities. Against this background, enhancing rural agricultural productivity using proven technologies such as genetically modified (GM) maize production is suggested as a pathway to economic development and poverty reduction. Literature suggests that GM technology can increase crop yields, drought tolerance, reduced weeding labour costs and chemical spray costs. However, GM maize varieties available on the market currently were created to fit large-scale, capital-intensive, industrialised, and economically oriented agricultural systems. As a result, their uptake has been significantly slow especially in rural areas where several stakeholders are now questioning the potential of GM technology. With that background, this study aimed to understand determinants of gm maize production among rural farming households and their perceptions using the case of Ngqushwa Local Municipality. Specifically, the study sought to analyse types of maize varieties grown by rural households, associated yields, area allocation, rural households’ perceptions of GM maize, and to estimate factors that influence GM maize awareness, participation and intensity of production among this subsector. Using a cross-sectional survey research design, a sample size of 400 households was randomly selected and interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The types of maize varieties grown by rural households, associated yields, area allocation and rural households’ perceptions of GM maize were analysed using descriptive statistics. Factors that influence GM maize awareness, participation, and intensity of production were estimated using a triple hurdle model where the 1st and 2nd hurdle were estimated using Probit regression, and 3rd hurdle a Tobit regression. The study revealed that landrace maize varieties are currently the most popular maize varieties grown by the majority of rural farming households from the study area producing higher yields (0.6t/ha) as compared to other hybrids (GM – 0.5t/ha, conventional hybrids -0.3t/ha and improved OPVs – 0.1t/ha). Descriptive statistics results also indicated that farming households from the study area allocated more land to landrace maize varieties (42percent) compared to other maize varieties (GM maize (30percent), hybrids (21percent) and improved OPVs (7percent) further supporting the notion that landrace maize varieties dominate the rural farming subsector. Perception results revealed that the majority (57percent) of the households perceived GM maize as an expensive variety which, however, has a potential to produce relatively higher yields than other hybrids on the market and eliminates several production problems (manual weeding, pest spraying) making farm management easier. Findings further indicate that the majority (52percent) of the farming households from the study area did not have sufficient knowledge of GM maize. Econometrics results revealed that GM maize awareness is negatively influenced by age and gender and positively influenced by marital status, employment status and number of years in school. Conditional on awareness of GM maize varieties, both participation and intensity of participation in GM maize production are positively influenced by land size, gender, group membership, size of arable land and negatively influenced by employment status and income. Against this background, the study concludes that farming households from the study area produced more compared to the other varieties. Furthermore, the study concludes that households get higher yields from landrace maize varieties and allocate more of their land to landrace maize production. In addition, the study also concludes that most rural farmers perceive participation in GM maize as beneficial especially towards elimination of farm management problems, produces higher yields, and makes farm management easier. Lastly, the study concludes that GM maize awareness is negatively influenced by age and gender and positively influenced by marital status, employment status and number of years in school. Both participation and intensity of participation in GM maize production are positively influenced by land size, gender, group membership, arable land and negatively influenced by employment status and income. The study recommends that priority should be given to these socio-economic and institutional factors and this may be addressed by targeting GM maize awareness campaigns and platforms more suited to female-headed, older, lowly educated and unemployed rural farming households. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Zamisa, Owethu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7303-4469
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Genetically modified foods , Agricultural biotechnology , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22479 , vital:52343
- Description: Rural South Africa is faced with immense challenges including poverty, unemployment, low agriculture productivity, food and nutritional insecurity and inequalities. Against this background, enhancing rural agricultural productivity using proven technologies such as genetically modified (GM) maize production is suggested as a pathway to economic development and poverty reduction. Literature suggests that GM technology can increase crop yields, drought tolerance, reduced weeding labour costs and chemical spray costs. However, GM maize varieties available on the market currently were created to fit large-scale, capital-intensive, industrialised, and economically oriented agricultural systems. As a result, their uptake has been significantly slow especially in rural areas where several stakeholders are now questioning the potential of GM technology. With that background, this study aimed to understand determinants of gm maize production among rural farming households and their perceptions using the case of Ngqushwa Local Municipality. Specifically, the study sought to analyse types of maize varieties grown by rural households, associated yields, area allocation, rural households’ perceptions of GM maize, and to estimate factors that influence GM maize awareness, participation and intensity of production among this subsector. Using a cross-sectional survey research design, a sample size of 400 households was randomly selected and interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The types of maize varieties grown by rural households, associated yields, area allocation and rural households’ perceptions of GM maize were analysed using descriptive statistics. Factors that influence GM maize awareness, participation, and intensity of production were estimated using a triple hurdle model where the 1st and 2nd hurdle were estimated using Probit regression, and 3rd hurdle a Tobit regression. The study revealed that landrace maize varieties are currently the most popular maize varieties grown by the majority of rural farming households from the study area producing higher yields (0.6t/ha) as compared to other hybrids (GM – 0.5t/ha, conventional hybrids -0.3t/ha and improved OPVs – 0.1t/ha). Descriptive statistics results also indicated that farming households from the study area allocated more land to landrace maize varieties (42percent) compared to other maize varieties (GM maize (30percent), hybrids (21percent) and improved OPVs (7percent) further supporting the notion that landrace maize varieties dominate the rural farming subsector. Perception results revealed that the majority (57percent) of the households perceived GM maize as an expensive variety which, however, has a potential to produce relatively higher yields than other hybrids on the market and eliminates several production problems (manual weeding, pest spraying) making farm management easier. Findings further indicate that the majority (52percent) of the farming households from the study area did not have sufficient knowledge of GM maize. Econometrics results revealed that GM maize awareness is negatively influenced by age and gender and positively influenced by marital status, employment status and number of years in school. Conditional on awareness of GM maize varieties, both participation and intensity of participation in GM maize production are positively influenced by land size, gender, group membership, size of arable land and negatively influenced by employment status and income. Against this background, the study concludes that farming households from the study area produced more compared to the other varieties. Furthermore, the study concludes that households get higher yields from landrace maize varieties and allocate more of their land to landrace maize production. In addition, the study also concludes that most rural farmers perceive participation in GM maize as beneficial especially towards elimination of farm management problems, produces higher yields, and makes farm management easier. Lastly, the study concludes that GM maize awareness is negatively influenced by age and gender and positively influenced by marital status, employment status and number of years in school. Both participation and intensity of participation in GM maize production are positively influenced by land size, gender, group membership, arable land and negatively influenced by employment status and income. The study recommends that priority should be given to these socio-economic and institutional factors and this may be addressed by targeting GM maize awareness campaigns and platforms more suited to female-headed, older, lowly educated and unemployed rural farming households. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
The use of information and communication technologies in agricultural development in rural areas: case of smallholder farmers in Umzimvubu Local Municipality
- Authors: Makaula, Zimasa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Agricultural extension work , Information technology , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Agric (Agric Extension)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11994 , vital:39125
- Description: Proper and timeous communication amongst different social development participants is one of the main driving factors for successful human progress. Different platforms have been used by different industries across the globe to ensure that useful information is shared with relevant structures at appropriate times. The global increase on use and availability of Information Communication Technologies (ICT’s) has prompted a thorough analysis and study of their relevance on different industries. Much of the increase has been observed mainly on highly urbanized areas, where the majority of the population is literate and who are above the poverty line. Some researchers have argued that the language used in some of the ICT’s is limited to the elite few, while others highlight cost implications in the use of these ICTs. The agricultural industry is not immune to the debates that relate to the development of ICTs, it is in most cases at the center, due to its diverse nature (in terms of participation) and close linkage to human development. There seems to be a correlation between ICT usage and the economies of scale in agricultural development, where smallholder farmers tend to use less of highly modernized ICTs, while commercial large scale farmers use more of the modernized ICTs. This disparity amongst farmers is exacerbated in many areas by the differing support systems employed by the public extension services. This study was initiated in order to study the usage and relevance of the ICTs by the smallholder farmers of the Umzimvubu Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The research address the following research questions: 1. Which ICTs are owned by smallholder farmers of Umzimvubu local municipality? 2. Do smallholder farmers use ICTs to communicate agricultural information? 3. What are the types of ICT devices and services used by smallholder farmers for vi agricultural development? 4. What are the challenges faced by smallholder farmers when using ICTs to communicate agricultural information? A survey questionnaire was then developed to collect the relevant data from randomly selected six villages of Umzimvubu Local Municipality. The questionnaires structure employed both closed and open-ended questions that were administered using a face to face interview, conducted on the sample population in each village. The results indicated that the most common ICTs that were owned by smallholder farmers in the study area were: mobile phones (33%), televisions (TV) (28%), and radio (20%). The results also showed that communication amongst farmers (35%) and extension officers (35%) was the most notable use of mobile phone from the study area. The results also revealed that most smallholder farmers faced the following challenges when using ICTs to retrieve agricultural information; poor signal (40%), inconsistent broadcasting times for TV and radio agricultural programmes (35%), language barrier (15%) and lack of electricity (10%). The study, therefore, concludes that a majority of smallholder farmers from the study area own ICT devices necessary for rural agricultural development (mobile phones, TV and radio) that can be targeted by extension officers, policy makers, rural development implementing agencies and agro-industries to promote rural development. However, several challenges (language barrier, poor network signal and no electricity) limit the potential of these ICT devices and services from fully benefiting smallholder farmers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makaula, Zimasa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Agricultural extension work , Information technology , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Agric (Agric Extension)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11994 , vital:39125
- Description: Proper and timeous communication amongst different social development participants is one of the main driving factors for successful human progress. Different platforms have been used by different industries across the globe to ensure that useful information is shared with relevant structures at appropriate times. The global increase on use and availability of Information Communication Technologies (ICT’s) has prompted a thorough analysis and study of their relevance on different industries. Much of the increase has been observed mainly on highly urbanized areas, where the majority of the population is literate and who are above the poverty line. Some researchers have argued that the language used in some of the ICT’s is limited to the elite few, while others highlight cost implications in the use of these ICTs. The agricultural industry is not immune to the debates that relate to the development of ICTs, it is in most cases at the center, due to its diverse nature (in terms of participation) and close linkage to human development. There seems to be a correlation between ICT usage and the economies of scale in agricultural development, where smallholder farmers tend to use less of highly modernized ICTs, while commercial large scale farmers use more of the modernized ICTs. This disparity amongst farmers is exacerbated in many areas by the differing support systems employed by the public extension services. This study was initiated in order to study the usage and relevance of the ICTs by the smallholder farmers of the Umzimvubu Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The research address the following research questions: 1. Which ICTs are owned by smallholder farmers of Umzimvubu local municipality? 2. Do smallholder farmers use ICTs to communicate agricultural information? 3. What are the types of ICT devices and services used by smallholder farmers for vi agricultural development? 4. What are the challenges faced by smallholder farmers when using ICTs to communicate agricultural information? A survey questionnaire was then developed to collect the relevant data from randomly selected six villages of Umzimvubu Local Municipality. The questionnaires structure employed both closed and open-ended questions that were administered using a face to face interview, conducted on the sample population in each village. The results indicated that the most common ICTs that were owned by smallholder farmers in the study area were: mobile phones (33%), televisions (TV) (28%), and radio (20%). The results also showed that communication amongst farmers (35%) and extension officers (35%) was the most notable use of mobile phone from the study area. The results also revealed that most smallholder farmers faced the following challenges when using ICTs to retrieve agricultural information; poor signal (40%), inconsistent broadcasting times for TV and radio agricultural programmes (35%), language barrier (15%) and lack of electricity (10%). The study, therefore, concludes that a majority of smallholder farmers from the study area own ICT devices necessary for rural agricultural development (mobile phones, TV and radio) that can be targeted by extension officers, policy makers, rural development implementing agencies and agro-industries to promote rural development. However, several challenges (language barrier, poor network signal and no electricity) limit the potential of these ICT devices and services from fully benefiting smallholder farmers.
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Household's perceptions and determinants of participation in harvesting rangeland products :|bthe case of Dyamala community, Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mdiya, Lwandiso
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9187 , vital:34303
- Description: The study reviews the household’s perceptions and determinants of sustainable products harvesting. Communal rangelands are vast natural landscapes in the form of grasslands, shrubs, woodlands, wetlands and deserts with multiple functions to the rural households. Most rural communities share boundaries and interact with rangelands for multiple socioeconomic and environmental reasons. Since most of these interactions are external to the price mechanism, the actual contribution of rangelands to communities has largely been missed. In an effort to appraise and explore the communal rangeland contribution to households, a study from Dyamala community in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality under Amathole District in Eastern Cape was conducted using cross-sectional data. Descriptive results revealed that the majority of the respondents (71 percent) from the study area positively perceived communal rangelands as safety nets. however, there also emerged a fair share of challenges namely, (bad spirit, host predators, compete with arable land) leading to negative perceptions towards communal rangelands. It was also evident that, the majority of respondents from the study area use communal rangelands for fuel wood, construction poles, traditional medicine, with minor harvests of wild food (flora and fauna) and thatch grass. The results of the study also revealed that, rural people depend more on social grants for their income followed by incomes from remittances, agricultural activities and communal rangelands. However, it was established from the results that though communal rangelands provided commercial products capable of generating household income, rangeland users trading such products were receiving meagre incomes. This might be caused by the lack of institutional support to rural households thus, the low incomes received from communal rangelands. To that effect, main communal rangeland products such as, fuel wood, poles and medicine were cited as being more valuable for local domestic use than for the external market. Regression estimates further indicated that participation in communal rangeland products harvesting is more conditioned by perception-related factors as compared to socioeconomic attributes of rural households worth understanding for strategic targeting to promote their conservation. The extant literature and the study results, evidently show that communal rangelands provide a livelihood among rural households although it has a low direct household income potential. Therefore, the respondents were of the view that the use of campaigns targeting several perceptions (such as communal rangelands act as a source of medicinal plants, arable land and income etc) as suggested by the regression estimates may be very useful. The support from the extension department and further research may be necessary for purposes of quantifying harvestable rangeland products capable of enhancing rural livelihoods. Moreover, the observed low income potential of communal rangeland products suggests several technical and institutional challenges worth addressing to promote value addition of rangeland products.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mdiya, Lwandiso
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9187 , vital:34303
- Description: The study reviews the household’s perceptions and determinants of sustainable products harvesting. Communal rangelands are vast natural landscapes in the form of grasslands, shrubs, woodlands, wetlands and deserts with multiple functions to the rural households. Most rural communities share boundaries and interact with rangelands for multiple socioeconomic and environmental reasons. Since most of these interactions are external to the price mechanism, the actual contribution of rangelands to communities has largely been missed. In an effort to appraise and explore the communal rangeland contribution to households, a study from Dyamala community in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality under Amathole District in Eastern Cape was conducted using cross-sectional data. Descriptive results revealed that the majority of the respondents (71 percent) from the study area positively perceived communal rangelands as safety nets. however, there also emerged a fair share of challenges namely, (bad spirit, host predators, compete with arable land) leading to negative perceptions towards communal rangelands. It was also evident that, the majority of respondents from the study area use communal rangelands for fuel wood, construction poles, traditional medicine, with minor harvests of wild food (flora and fauna) and thatch grass. The results of the study also revealed that, rural people depend more on social grants for their income followed by incomes from remittances, agricultural activities and communal rangelands. However, it was established from the results that though communal rangelands provided commercial products capable of generating household income, rangeland users trading such products were receiving meagre incomes. This might be caused by the lack of institutional support to rural households thus, the low incomes received from communal rangelands. To that effect, main communal rangeland products such as, fuel wood, poles and medicine were cited as being more valuable for local domestic use than for the external market. Regression estimates further indicated that participation in communal rangeland products harvesting is more conditioned by perception-related factors as compared to socioeconomic attributes of rural households worth understanding for strategic targeting to promote their conservation. The extant literature and the study results, evidently show that communal rangelands provide a livelihood among rural households although it has a low direct household income potential. Therefore, the respondents were of the view that the use of campaigns targeting several perceptions (such as communal rangelands act as a source of medicinal plants, arable land and income etc) as suggested by the regression estimates may be very useful. The support from the extension department and further research may be necessary for purposes of quantifying harvestable rangeland products capable of enhancing rural livelihoods. Moreover, the observed low income potential of communal rangeland products suggests several technical and institutional challenges worth addressing to promote value addition of rangeland products.
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Perceptions, determinants and consumption patterns of indigenous fruits and vegetables in rural areas : evidence from Mutale Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa
- Authors: Nengovhela, Rudzani
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Vegetables in human nutrition Indigenous crops Food security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10123 , vital:35356
- Description: Rural households across South Africa experience food and nutrition insecurity. Given the fact that indigenous fruits and vegetables (IF&Vs) have numerous health benefits including their wide availability and accessibility in rural areas, these indigenous varieties can significantly contribute to food and nutrition security in rural household. However, the consumption of IF&Vs in recent years has generally remained low and has been declining. The present study investigated the perceptions of IF&Vs, consumption patterns and determinants of IF&V consumption among 200 rural households (n = 200) from 10 villages within the Mutale Local Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The results revealed that, respondents held overwhelmingly positive perceptions of IF&Vs. The majority of the respondents believed that IF&Vs were healthier, less expensive and more visually attractive than exotic varieties. Consumption of the selected IF&Vs was generally high among the sample size. There were more households that consumed each of the selected IF&Vs than those that did not consume. Most of the selected IF&Vs were consumed only in summer and consumed on a weekly basis rather than daily or monthly basis. Age, marital status, occupation, education level and household size, as well as, perceptions of indigenous fruits’ longevity promotion, health beneficiation and relative visual attractiveness were found to be significant determinants of indigenous fruit consumption. On the other hand, the education level, in addition to perceptions of indigenous vegetables’ comparative healthiness, longevity promotion, health beneficiation and preparative ease were significant determinants of respondents’ indigenous vegetable consumption.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nengovhela, Rudzani
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Vegetables in human nutrition Indigenous crops Food security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10123 , vital:35356
- Description: Rural households across South Africa experience food and nutrition insecurity. Given the fact that indigenous fruits and vegetables (IF&Vs) have numerous health benefits including their wide availability and accessibility in rural areas, these indigenous varieties can significantly contribute to food and nutrition security in rural household. However, the consumption of IF&Vs in recent years has generally remained low and has been declining. The present study investigated the perceptions of IF&Vs, consumption patterns and determinants of IF&V consumption among 200 rural households (n = 200) from 10 villages within the Mutale Local Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The results revealed that, respondents held overwhelmingly positive perceptions of IF&Vs. The majority of the respondents believed that IF&Vs were healthier, less expensive and more visually attractive than exotic varieties. Consumption of the selected IF&Vs was generally high among the sample size. There were more households that consumed each of the selected IF&Vs than those that did not consume. Most of the selected IF&Vs were consumed only in summer and consumed on a weekly basis rather than daily or monthly basis. Age, marital status, occupation, education level and household size, as well as, perceptions of indigenous fruits’ longevity promotion, health beneficiation and relative visual attractiveness were found to be significant determinants of indigenous fruit consumption. On the other hand, the education level, in addition to perceptions of indigenous vegetables’ comparative healthiness, longevity promotion, health beneficiation and preparative ease were significant determinants of respondents’ indigenous vegetable consumption.
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Smallholder farmers' selection criteria of maize varieties in Eastern Cape Province (Implications for adoption of GM maize) : the case of Port St. Johns, Flagstaff and Mqanduli
- Authors: Ngcinela, Siphokazi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Genetically modified foods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10178 , vital:35372
- Description: Different maize varieties are produced by smallholder farmers in Eastern Cape Province in different agro ecological zones. Government cropping programmes have been promoting the production of GM maize varieties by smallholder farmers to enhance food security. However, there is no evidence to show how smallholder farmers are selecting the maize varieties they want to produce. On the other hand, smallholder farmers are slowly adopting GM maize due to number of factors affecting them. The study adopted Cross sectional design to collect the data from smallholder farmers from the three study sites. The sample size was 704 respondents. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from smallholder farmers in Mqanduli (Lowest rainfall), Flagstaff (moderate rainfall) Port St. Johns LM (highest rainfall), under OR Tambo DM. Multistage sampling was utilised. SPSS version 24 was used to analyse descriptive statistics and Multinomial logistic regression model. STATA version 13 was used to analyse Crag’s double hurdle model. The results showed that, farmers were producing GM maize (Ht and Bt), unimproved OPV (landrace) and improved OPV (Sahara). The majority of farmers were producing OPVs. The findings further showed that, the selection of GM maize varieties is positively related to maize threat stalk borer damage. The results indicated that, most of the respondents were not aware of the GM permit conditions thus, they failed to comply with the expected conditions. The following variables influenced the adoption and intensity of adoption of GM maize: gender, highest educational level, household size, employment status, access to land, access to market, access to credit, membership to farmers group, main source of income, farm size, and access to extension services. It was concluded that from the three study areas different maize varieties were produced. Adoption of GM maize was influenced by the number of factors. GM maize permit condition were not met by smallholder farmers. It was recommended that, research should be done on OPVs which are the most preferred varieties by smallholder farmers. Extension officers and those who are adopting GM maize should be educated and trained about GM maize permit conditions.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ngcinela, Siphokazi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Genetically modified foods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10178 , vital:35372
- Description: Different maize varieties are produced by smallholder farmers in Eastern Cape Province in different agro ecological zones. Government cropping programmes have been promoting the production of GM maize varieties by smallholder farmers to enhance food security. However, there is no evidence to show how smallholder farmers are selecting the maize varieties they want to produce. On the other hand, smallholder farmers are slowly adopting GM maize due to number of factors affecting them. The study adopted Cross sectional design to collect the data from smallholder farmers from the three study sites. The sample size was 704 respondents. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from smallholder farmers in Mqanduli (Lowest rainfall), Flagstaff (moderate rainfall) Port St. Johns LM (highest rainfall), under OR Tambo DM. Multistage sampling was utilised. SPSS version 24 was used to analyse descriptive statistics and Multinomial logistic regression model. STATA version 13 was used to analyse Crag’s double hurdle model. The results showed that, farmers were producing GM maize (Ht and Bt), unimproved OPV (landrace) and improved OPV (Sahara). The majority of farmers were producing OPVs. The findings further showed that, the selection of GM maize varieties is positively related to maize threat stalk borer damage. The results indicated that, most of the respondents were not aware of the GM permit conditions thus, they failed to comply with the expected conditions. The following variables influenced the adoption and intensity of adoption of GM maize: gender, highest educational level, household size, employment status, access to land, access to market, access to credit, membership to farmers group, main source of income, farm size, and access to extension services. It was concluded that from the three study areas different maize varieties were produced. Adoption of GM maize was influenced by the number of factors. GM maize permit condition were not met by smallholder farmers. It was recommended that, research should be done on OPVs which are the most preferred varieties by smallholder farmers. Extension officers and those who are adopting GM maize should be educated and trained about GM maize permit conditions.
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Forest resources income, poverty and income inequality: evidence from rural households in South-western Nigeria.
- Authors: Azeez, Fatai Abiola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty--Nigeria http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2010107919 , Rural poor--Nigeria , Income distribution--Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19454 , vital:43119
- Description: This thesis explores economic contributions of forest resources in relation to rural households’ welfare and inequality as well as forest resources management. The thesis consists of an introductory chapter, study locations, literature review on major concepts of the study and findings on different forest extraction activities impacts on rural households livelihood in South-western region Nigeria, which make up the rest of the thesis chapters. , Thesis (PhD) (Agric Econs) -- University of Fort Hare, 2017
- Full Text:
- Authors: Azeez, Fatai Abiola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty--Nigeria http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2010107919 , Rural poor--Nigeria , Income distribution--Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19454 , vital:43119
- Description: This thesis explores economic contributions of forest resources in relation to rural households’ welfare and inequality as well as forest resources management. The thesis consists of an introductory chapter, study locations, literature review on major concepts of the study and findings on different forest extraction activities impacts on rural households livelihood in South-western region Nigeria, which make up the rest of the thesis chapters. , Thesis (PhD) (Agric Econs) -- University of Fort Hare, 2017
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Determinants of participation in beekeeping and its contribution to rural household income: the case of O. R. Tambo Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Ncetani, Nelisiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Beekeepers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable living -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Home economics, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1486 , vital:27299
- Description: This dissertation explores determinants and perceptions to participation in beekeeping by households’ as well as its contribution to household income. This is in a context that smallholder farmers’ participation is reported to be very low, despite several claimed benefits of beekeeping. Moreover, despite receiving substantial endorsements as a resilient climate-smart rural livelihood, off-farm, forest, non-timber diversification strategy; the uptake of beekeeping by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa still remains very low. Against this background, this study used cross-sectional survey data to gauge smallholder farmers’ perceptions and factors that influence their participation in beekeeping using a binary regression model; further, it measured the contribution of beekeeping to rural household income using a linear regression model. Descriptive statistics revealed that majority of the people from the study area have positive perceptions regarding beekeeping. Regression estimates further indicate that beekeeping is mostly conditioned by shared perceptions, institutional and socio-economic factors that are worth targeting to promote the uptake of beekeeping as a livelihood. Public policies that influence the institutional framework (extension, credit and market) in favour of beekeeping are more likely to promote participation in beekeeping activities. Also, more research on the documentation and benefits of beekeeping supported by investments targeting educational campaigns towards promoting positive attitudes and dispelling fears and myths surrounding beekeeping as an enterprise, will also promote the participation of smallholder farmers in beekeeping. Regression estimates for determinants of household income revealed a significant positive contribution of beekeeping to household income, education, gender and age. Promotion of beekeeping may therefore address household income that is worth targeting to address rural poverty. The study therefore concludes that to fully unlock the income potential of beekeeping for smallholder farmers, development agencies need to address several negative perceptions and institutional factors that affect beekeeping participation, while more research is required to quantify the claimed benefits of beekeeping, given their positive potential to promote farmers’ interests in beekeeping.
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- Authors: Ncetani, Nelisiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Beekeepers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable living -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Home economics, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1486 , vital:27299
- Description: This dissertation explores determinants and perceptions to participation in beekeeping by households’ as well as its contribution to household income. This is in a context that smallholder farmers’ participation is reported to be very low, despite several claimed benefits of beekeeping. Moreover, despite receiving substantial endorsements as a resilient climate-smart rural livelihood, off-farm, forest, non-timber diversification strategy; the uptake of beekeeping by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa still remains very low. Against this background, this study used cross-sectional survey data to gauge smallholder farmers’ perceptions and factors that influence their participation in beekeeping using a binary regression model; further, it measured the contribution of beekeeping to rural household income using a linear regression model. Descriptive statistics revealed that majority of the people from the study area have positive perceptions regarding beekeeping. Regression estimates further indicate that beekeeping is mostly conditioned by shared perceptions, institutional and socio-economic factors that are worth targeting to promote the uptake of beekeeping as a livelihood. Public policies that influence the institutional framework (extension, credit and market) in favour of beekeeping are more likely to promote participation in beekeeping activities. Also, more research on the documentation and benefits of beekeeping supported by investments targeting educational campaigns towards promoting positive attitudes and dispelling fears and myths surrounding beekeeping as an enterprise, will also promote the participation of smallholder farmers in beekeeping. Regression estimates for determinants of household income revealed a significant positive contribution of beekeeping to household income, education, gender and age. Promotion of beekeeping may therefore address household income that is worth targeting to address rural poverty. The study therefore concludes that to fully unlock the income potential of beekeeping for smallholder farmers, development agencies need to address several negative perceptions and institutional factors that affect beekeeping participation, while more research is required to quantify the claimed benefits of beekeeping, given their positive potential to promote farmers’ interests in beekeeping.
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Factors that influence smallholder farmers maize varietal choice: the case of Mhlontlo Local Municipality Eastern Cape
- Authors: Nkohla, Siviwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Agricultural productivity , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3121 , vital:28263
- Description: In South Africa, maize is grown all over the country under various environments including both dry and irrigated agriculture. The majority of maize farmers are smallholders farming on small pieces of land with low input technologies. Additionally, South Africa`s smallholder maize farmers are characterised by low maize productivity, this is despite of the availability of many improved maize varieties on the market. It is clear that professional maize breeders are continuously developing many superior maize varieties with traits more suitable for the commercial farming sector than the smallholder sector. Against this background, this study used a descriptive statistics approach to find out maize varieties and traits preferred by smallholder farmers. The study also evaluated factors that influence smallholder farmers` maize varietal selection choice using descriptive statistics and multinomial regression. The data used for the empirical analysis was obtained from a survey of 200 smallholder farmers in Mhlontlo Local Municipality, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nkohla, Siviwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Agricultural productivity , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3121 , vital:28263
- Description: In South Africa, maize is grown all over the country under various environments including both dry and irrigated agriculture. The majority of maize farmers are smallholders farming on small pieces of land with low input technologies. Additionally, South Africa`s smallholder maize farmers are characterised by low maize productivity, this is despite of the availability of many improved maize varieties on the market. It is clear that professional maize breeders are continuously developing many superior maize varieties with traits more suitable for the commercial farming sector than the smallholder sector. Against this background, this study used a descriptive statistics approach to find out maize varieties and traits preferred by smallholder farmers. The study also evaluated factors that influence smallholder farmers` maize varietal selection choice using descriptive statistics and multinomial regression. The data used for the empirical analysis was obtained from a survey of 200 smallholder farmers in Mhlontlo Local Municipality, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
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Production of Indigenous Leafy Vegetables (ILVs) and their contribution to household food security: evidence from Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Mayekiso Anele
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Food security , Edible greens , Vegetable gardening -- South Africa , Food -- Preservation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/712 , vital:26490 , Food security , Edible greens , Vegetable gardening -- South Africa , Food -- Preservation
- Description: This study used cross-sectional survey data to estimate farmers` perceptions of, and commonly cultivated ILVs, factors that influence the participation of smallholder famers in the production of Indigenous Leafy Vegetables and its contribution to household food security]. With regard to farmers` perceptions of ILVs, descriptive results reveal that a majority of the people from the study area share positive perceptions with respect to ILVs. Regression estimates for determinants of participation indicate that the production of ILVs is primarily conditioned by shared perceptions and institutional factors rather than the socio-economic attributes of farmers. Public policies that address the institutional framework (extension, credit, market and social networks) in favour of ILVs are more likely to promote production. Also, more research on the documentation and benefits of ILVs, supported by investments targeting educational campaigns towards promoting positive attitudes and dispelling fears and myths surrounding ILVs, will further promote production. With reference to the contribution of ILVs to food security, descriptive results indicate that participation in the production of ILVs leads to a higher HDDS and a lower HFIAS. Regression estimates further revealed that participation positively contributes to a higher HDDS and a lower HFIAS, suggesting that households who participate in the production of ILVs are more likely to be food secure than non-participants. Therefore, participation in the production of ILVs has significant potential to address household food security.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mayekiso Anele
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Food security , Edible greens , Vegetable gardening -- South Africa , Food -- Preservation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/712 , vital:26490 , Food security , Edible greens , Vegetable gardening -- South Africa , Food -- Preservation
- Description: This study used cross-sectional survey data to estimate farmers` perceptions of, and commonly cultivated ILVs, factors that influence the participation of smallholder famers in the production of Indigenous Leafy Vegetables and its contribution to household food security]. With regard to farmers` perceptions of ILVs, descriptive results reveal that a majority of the people from the study area share positive perceptions with respect to ILVs. Regression estimates for determinants of participation indicate that the production of ILVs is primarily conditioned by shared perceptions and institutional factors rather than the socio-economic attributes of farmers. Public policies that address the institutional framework (extension, credit, market and social networks) in favour of ILVs are more likely to promote production. Also, more research on the documentation and benefits of ILVs, supported by investments targeting educational campaigns towards promoting positive attitudes and dispelling fears and myths surrounding ILVs, will further promote production. With reference to the contribution of ILVs to food security, descriptive results indicate that participation in the production of ILVs leads to a higher HDDS and a lower HFIAS. Regression estimates further revealed that participation positively contributes to a higher HDDS and a lower HFIAS, suggesting that households who participate in the production of ILVs are more likely to be food secure than non-participants. Therefore, participation in the production of ILVs has significant potential to address household food security.
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