To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Economic aspects of farming.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Economic aspects of farming'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Economic aspects of farming.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Lipai, Monica. "Socioeconomic comparisons of organic and conventional farms in Canada : results from the 2001 Census." Thesis, McGill University, 2007. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=101864.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis examines differences between organic and conventional farm and operators' characteristics, and identifies which characteristics explain whether a farm is organic or conventional. The data comes from the 2001 Canadian Census of Agriculture, which makes this study the first that is national in scope and includes detailed analysis of the differences between organic and conventional agriculture using a large sample size.Farms were divided into three groups: conventional, primarily organic, and mixed production (some organic production). Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to analyze farm and operator characteristics. Logistic regression was used to determine which variables explain whether a farm is organic, conventional or mixed. Results indicate that organic farmers are more likely to be younger, female, work less off farm and more on farm, when compared to conventional. Organic farms tend to be smaller, more profitable, more diversified, and have a higher dependency on hired labour. There were no differences in capital intensity. Mixed farms manifested the same patterns as organic when compared to conventional.
2
Shanmugam, Ramaradj. "Efficiency and productivity of Quebec dairy farms." Thesis, McGill University, 1998. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=20234.
Full textAbstract:
The analysis of cost and profit efficiencies of a sample of 588 Quebec dairy farms shows significant potential to reduce costs and increase profits. In general, the small farms were more cost efficient while large farms were more profit efficient. Increased use of farm grown feed was associated with higher efficiency while increased use of concentrates was associated with lower efficiency.The productivity of individual dairy farms were estimated using data envelopment analysis. The average annual growth rate of productivity was 0.70% with a standard deviation of 2.44% for the 1987--93 period. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient did not show any significant relationship between farm size and growth rate.
The Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) approach, used for the first time to estimate technical efficiency, performed equally as good as the regression models in modeling the technology especially at the higher levels of output. The efficiency values estimated using ANN were higher than that estimated by ordinary least squares method. The results indicate the existence of significant potential for improving the efficiency of resources on Quebec dairy farms.
3
Sipoko, Nomava. "Effect of irrigation farming potential on commercialization of smallholder farming in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019772.
Full textAbstract:
Enhancement of smallholder production to improve rural livelihood is an important policy goal in developing countries. Research findings indicate that smallholder production can be improved through establishment of new smallholder irrigation schemes, and the rehabilitation of abandoned ones. Smallholder irrigation has a potential to contribute significantly in shifting smallholder farming to commercial farming. Although the roles of irrigating farmers are clearly defined, smallholder farmer’s development results in South Africa have been disappointing. The performance of smallholder irrigation is unsatisfactory. Smallholder irrigation has failed to improve the standard of living and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in South Africa. The majority of farmers are still producing at subsistence level. This study, therefore, aimed to contribute to smallholder irrigation literature in two ways; firstly by evaluating the extent of irrigation participation of smallholder farmers towards commercialization in the study areas. The study also examined the determinants of irrigation participation among smallholder farmers. A sample of 80 households was drawn by random sampling of smallholders in four villages as follows: 40 respondents from Mgxabakazi and Dinizulu villages and 40 respondents from Ncorha flats and Tshatshu. The sample included both irrigators and non-irrigators. Descriptive analysis shows that irrigators had better production and wellbeing than non-irrigators. For the inferential analysis of the data, two models were employed namely, Binary Logistic Regression Model (BRM) and Truncated Regression Model (TRM). The Binary Regression model was used to predict the probability of farmers participating in irrigation schemes. Whether or not a farmer participated in irrigation was introduced as the binary dependent or response variable that could be explained by a range of explanatory or predictor variables such as source of water, land size, ability to sustain business, membership in the scheme, market access, availability of the irrigation system, willingness to irrigate, farming type commercial or subsistence and institutional support services. From these predictor variables, being part of the irrigation, ability to sustain business and market were found to be factors influencing farmer’s decision to participate. The second model required the in-depth investigation of the influence of irrigation participation as reflected by extent of commercialization. In order to do this, the level of commercialization was measured by calculating Household Commercialization Index. Then the truncated regression model (TR) was used to test the factors that affect the level of commercialization for the farmers who are participating in the irrigation schemes.Age, irrigated land, willingness to commercialize and gross value of production were found to exert strong influence on the level of commercialization among farmers participating in irrigation. The study recommends that investments in smallholder irrigation should receive high priority, with emphasis on collective action, promotion of contract farming and strengthening the support services from government and the private sector, and ensuring enhanced access to market to all farmers.
4
Rahman, Baishali. "Estimating the Economic Benefits of Automatic Section Control in the North Dakota Prairie Pothole Region." Thesis, North Dakota State University, 2018. https://hdl.handle.net/10365/28870.
Full textAbstract:
The impact of Automatic Section Control (ASC) as a tool of Precision Agricultural Technology as considered in the more efficient application of inputs to produce the four major crops, corn, soybean, HRSW, and canola in the North Dakota Prairie Pothole Region. Reduction in machinery overlap in the sample 105 fields was calculated by simulating the routing paths of a 60-feet wide planter with 24 sections controlled and a 120-feet wide boom sprayer with individual nozzle control. The dollar and percentage seed and chemical costs that a farm can save by reducing overlapping area were calculated. Impact of field parameters on net savings were estimated by developing and estimating an econometric model. Results show that ASC can save substantial cost in the sample fields while field shape had the highest significant impact on net cost savings.North Dakota State University. Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics
5
Forest, Jean-François. "The economics of conversion to organic agriculture : a rotational plan." Thesis, McGill University, 1992. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=60655.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis focused on the conversion period from conventional to organic agriculture for a Quebec dairy farm. The crucial problem resided in developing an economic framework to evaluate alternative crop rotations that would provide farmers in transition an optimal rotation plan compatible with organic farming practices.Two multi-period linear programming models were developed for that purpose, both models having different assumptions concerning effects that the transition might have on crop yield.
In both transitional models, two crop rotations were selected in the optimal solution. In addition, the establishment of crop rotations was comparable for both models, and this showed that the assumed drop in yield did not have a large impact on the selection of crop rotation. Also, the results support the notion that conversion to organic agriculture had a relatively less negative effect on farm profit if the transition was done gradually.
6
Wang, Dong. "Accessing the potential of dairy-beef production from dairy enterprises in China and the impacts of dairy-beef production on supply, demand and international trade." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2007. https://hdl.handle.net/2123/28143.
Full textAbstract:
The rapid expansion of China’s dairy herd in recent years, with a primary objective of increasing milk production, has given rise to speculation on the potential beef production from this Chinese black and white herd. This study examines whether or not economic incentives exist for dairy and beef producers in China to adopt dairy—beef production and the impact of dairy-beef production on Chinese beef supply, demand and international trade.
7
Summers, Carol Elizabeth 1959. "Assessing constraints to recession farming." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/276701.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to develop and field test an approach based upon soft systems methodology for assessing constraints and anxieties faced by farmers utilizing recession farming. The approach in this study was based on soft systems methodology with the intent of constructing root-definitions for recession farming systems. The field testing of the approach utilized three recession farming systems in northeast Thailand. The root-definitions obtained using this approach, characterized two of the recession farming systems as capitalistic using an intensive, high input mode of production with limited land and labor. The third system was characterize as subsistent agriculture with few inputs. It was concluded that the approach developed in this study accurately identified constraints and differences between recession farming systems. The rich picture developed from the farmer's information was adequate to construct the root-definitions. It is recommended that this approach be tested in another region, using indigenous personnel trained to conduct group interviews.
8
Drouet, Marc Philippe. "An economic analysis for subsurface irrigation of maize in Quebec /." Thesis, McGill University, 1989. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=59547.
Full textAbstract:
The purposes of this thesis are to examine experimental results obtained with subsurface irrigation of maize in 1988, and to provide preliminary plans and an economic analysis for the subsurface irrigation of maize in Richelieu County, Quebec. A mean increase in maize yield of 3.7 % was observed in 1988 on experimental plots with subsurface irrigation at the Charbonneau farm. However, a review of results obtained at the same experimental site from 1982 to 1988 indicated that the mean increase in maize yield with subsurface irrigation was 29 %.Plans for two possible water supply systems designed to provide 180 mm a year of irrigation water for the subsurface irrigation of 1,250 ha in Richelieu County were considered. An economic analysis indicates that subsurface irrigation using groundwater has the greatest net benefits with an internal rate of return of 22.92 % and benefit to cost ratios of 1.90, 1.72 and 1.56 for discount rates of 8 %, 10 % and 12 % respectively. However, much of the groundwater in this region is saline and its use for irrigation may need to be restricted. Subsurface Irrigation using surface water from the Yamaska River was also profitable with an internal rate of return of 17.31 % and benefit to cost ratios of 1.66, 1.46 and 1.30 for the same discount rates.
9
Mayorga, Maria Irles 1943. "Economic impacts of salinization in irrigated agricultural land : an Arizona case study." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/191135.
Full textAbstract:
The dynamics of salt accumulation in the soil over time is one of major important information input needed for decision-making in regard to irrigate with saline water. As all waters contain some dissolved salts, during the irrigation these salts tend to concentrate in the soil causing depressed plant growth. Saline irrigation water, low soil permeability, inadequate drainage conditions, low rainfall and poor irrigation management all contribute to the tendency of salt accumulation in the soil. The principal salt accumulation problem of economic importance arises when non-saline soils become saline as result of irrigation. The dynamics of salt accumulation in this study, is based on the model for tracing salt distribution in the soil affected by the quantity and quality of irrigation water, amount of nitrogen and initial soil salinity. To verify the model for tracing salt distribution in the soil and to statistically estimate a crop-production function and soil salinity relation, agronomic data were used from field experiment conducted at the University of Arizona, Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC), during the 1985 growing season and that utilized cotton variety Delta Pine 61. From the point of view of the response functions and salt accumulation in the soil, many assumptions were made before formulating the models. Results show that (1) no conclusions could be drawn with respect to the model of salt accumulation in the soil, (2) in the case of yield production function and soil salinity relation, the water quantity coeffient had an absolute value greater than one, (3) water quality and nitrogen coefficients had an absolute value less than one, (4) initial soil salinity coefficient had negative value, (5) looking for the best combination amoung the variables inputs, the marginal rate of substitution was greater than the ratio of prices, (6) the time path for soil salinity converge to a steady state conditions, and (7) the profitability of cotton irrigated with drip system is sensitive to yield increases and increases in the price of cotton.
10
Alarcón, Pablo López. "Optimizing post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome control taking into account economics aspects and management of information in decision making by farmers." Thesis, Royal Veterinary College (University of London), 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.572446.
Full text
11
Murwira, Epifania. "Contract farming in Zimbabwe : the Mutasa garlic project." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/95627.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.Contract farming is being given renewed attention on the African continent in the wake of reduced public expenditure for credit programmes. Many African countries have recognised the potential of contract farming in linking farmers to viable markets and stimulating agricultural production in the face of globalisation. In Zimbabwe prior to 1998, smallholder farmers were poorly integrated in the cash economy and had extremely low incomes, largely due to poor access to productivity-enhancing inputs. Small-scale farmers were marginalised as the economy focused on the larger commercial farms. Currently, mainstream banks have been unable to provide funding due to their own capital inadequacy and the view that smallholder farming is a risky and unprofitable sector. There is also a shift in roles as the government moves from direct participation in agricultural production and marketing towards facilitation, legislation and enforcement. The private sector is now participating more actively in the agricultural sector, providing credit to smallholder farmers. This research seeks to better understand the partnership between private and public sector players in Zimbabwe’s agricultural credit programmes, through a study of Leo Marketing and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Market Development initiative called the Agricultural Input Supply Programme (AISP). In this research, the Mutasa Garlic Project, implemented by the AISP, has been analysed to achieve the objective. One hundred smallholder farmers have been contracted to commercially produce garlic in the Mutasa district. Using a sample of 20 farmers, the study examined how this financing model contributes to improved access to productivity-enhancing inputs, viable markets and technical expertise for the farmers. The analysis indicates that farmers have access to inputs but the model still needs improvement in distributing them efficiently to ensure that all farmers have their inputs in time for the planting season. Marketing and extension services in the project are operating well. The study reveals that there is potential for growth in the number of farmers contracted to the programme. As the contracting model continues to improve, the same model can be used for similar projects in surrounding districts.
12
Gagnon, Suzanne. "We're swimming upstream...into the mainstream?, an overview of the social, economic, and institutional aspects of organic farming in Nova Scotia." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape8/PQDD_0007/MQ43307.pdf.
Full text
13
Gagnon, Suzanne (Suzanne Cora) Carleton University Dissertation Geography. ""We're swimming upstream" ... into the mainstream? An overview of the social, economic, and institutional aspects of organic farming in Nova Scotia." Ottawa, 1999.
Find full text
14
Duma, Moses. "Contract farming as a tool for the development of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/14909.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Zimbabwe’s land-reform process has been widely debated and severely criticised, yet seldom been analysed at greater depth. In the transition from startup small-holding farmer to the long-run goal of commercial farmer, Zimbabweans currently experience a phase of increasing “contract farming”. New farmers are producing for contractors who buy up their produce at predetermined prices. Ideally, these contractors or agribusinesses also help the smallholders to get the seeds and fertiliser, obtain the necessary equipment, help with the production technology and assist in other ways. On the basis of interviews with 25 farmers and 12 agribusinesses in different regions of the country, the study tries to asses the merits, risks and preconditions for success of contract farming. The responses from both sides of this contract farming system suggest that overall success will largely depend on the effective co-operation between the two sides and the facilitation of the process by relevant government departments and/or supportive NGOs. Ideally, the lessons to be learned from these transitional reform processes are directly relevant for land reform and agricultural development efforts in other African countries.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Zimbabwe se grondhervormingsstelsel is in die jongste tyd wyd bespreek en skerp gekritiseer, maar dit is selde in groter diepte ontleed. In die oorgang van beginners-kleinskaal-boerdery tot die lang-termyn oogmerk van kommersiele boerdery word die land tans gekenmerk deur ‘n vinnig toenemende proses van “kontrak-boerdery”. Nuwe boere produseer vir kontrakteurs wat hul produksie teen voorafonderhandelde pryse opkoop. Op hul beste voorsien dié kontrakteurs ook die saadgoed en kunsmis, verskaf die nodige toerusting, help met die produksie-tegnologie en voorsien ander take. Op die grondslag van diepte-onderhoude met 25 kleinboere en 12 landboubesighede in verskillende dele van die land, probeer die studie die meriete, risikos en suksesvoorwaardes van hierdie stelsel van kontrakboerdery te bepaal. Terugvoering van die twee kante van dié stelsel toon dat sukses grootliks afhang van die effektiewe samewerking en interaksie van die twee partye tot die stelsel asook ondersteuning deur die betrokke staatsdepartemente en ander ondersteunende organisasies. Lesse geleer uit hierdie studie van Zimbabwe se hervormingsproses behoort direk relevant te wees vir soortgelyke hervormingsprosesse in ander Afrikastate.
15
Nel, Jacobus E. "Successful integration of upcoming farmers in the commercial farming sector : a focus on the Western Cape." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/97355.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa, land reform and the development of upcoming farmers are part of the country’s transformation objectives. The development of upcoming farmers into commercial farmers therefore requires the growth of sustainable agri-businesses. Unfortunately, limited success has been achieved in terms of land reform and the country is far from its set targets. This study examined the factors that gave current successful, upcoming commercial farmers the advantage to grow their businesses up to a certain level. Data was collected through interviews with farmers, mentors, transformation managers and governing bodies such as Agri-West Cape. Interviews on the farms gave the researcher the opportunity to observe underlying factors that can influence their businesses. The objective of the study was to determine the critical success factors that relate to the success of upcoming commercial farmers in the Western Cape. The results identified a number of success factors, some of which were unexpected and in contrast with some of the literature sources. All the cases covered in this study – i.e. successful, upcoming commercial farmers in the Western Cape – used different business models and emphasised the importance of proper management. They also used their detailed business plans as a handbook for successful farming, and acknowledged the important role of mentors. Only a mentor-farmer relationship based on trust and respect worked in the end. The mentors took on coaching roles that were not limited to farming activities but included an equally important people development component. A sustainable market was identified as one of the critical success factors for successful upcoming commercial farmers. One of the biggest hurdles for upcoming farmers was financial management. Hence, they required dedicated financial management to be sustainable. One of the main outcomes of the study was the importance of the personal profile of the farmers and their understanding of the opportunity. Focusing on short-term financial gains resulted in failure. All the farmers in the case studies displayed a deep understanding of the long-term goal of their businesses and their role in that. Transformation, land reform and building an equal society in South Africa are burning points for the nation. The success of upcoming farmers helps to build confidence that the hard work is paying off.
16
Bouchard, Alexandra Karine. "The contribution of genetic parameters to the profitability of Canadian Holstein cows." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/tape16/PQDD_0003/MQ37096.pdf.
Full text
17
Xu, Qing Yun. "The competitiveness of Ontario dairy farms : a farm level analysis." Thesis, McGill University, 2009. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=116061.
Full textAbstract:
The Canadian supply managed dairy sector is likely to face more competitive pressure from challenges through the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the changing global trade environment. Therefore, it is highly prudent for Canadian dairy producers to focus their concern on their level of competitiveness and how to improve it. This study investigated the competitiveness of Ontario dairy sector based on a sample of farm level data with a Box-Cox transformed econometric cost model. The data were gathered by the Ontario Dairy Farm Accounting Project, for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007. The impacts of output, yield per cow and several farm-specific characteristics on the average cost of milk production were examined. Results support the presence of significant size economies and yield economies within Ontario milk production. Minimum costs were achieved for farms with approximately 125 cows. The results also indicated that some farm-specific characteristics, breed and region, also had significant impacts on the cost of Ontario milk production. However, it appears that Ontario farms may find it difficult to survive if they are forced to face international competition. Even at their minimum, average costs were above an indicator international dairy price.
18
Hassan, Sajjadul, University of Western Sydney, of Science Technology and Environment College, and School of Environment and Agriculture. "Evaluation of alternative farming systems with reference to income and gender in selected areas of Bangladesh." THESIS_CSTE_EAG_Hassan_S.xml, 2002. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/737.
Full textAbstract:
Farming systems in Bangladesh are characterised by a mixed culture of crop, livestock, poultry, fish and agro forestry sub systems of agricultural enterprise. Low productivity and inefficient resource use are the main constraints to farming in Bangladesh. It is necessary to improve the performance of all enterprises in existing farming systems which depends on the proper utilisation of the existing level of resources. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the alternative farming systems in terms of income and gender participation. To achieve the objectives, a study was conducted in four villages of Kaliakair Upazilla in the Gazipur district of Bangladesh. Thirty sample farmers were selected randomly from four dominant farming systems.Gender roles in farming systems were assessed in consideration to time spent in agricultural activities.In addition, time spent in household activities was also calculated. The conclusion is that there is no one right choice of selecting farming systems.Master of Science (Hons.)
19
Weigel, Daniel J. "Relationships among estimated net income, herdlife and linear type traits in dairy cattle." Diss., This resource online, 1993. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-06062008-165443/.
Full text
20
Sebolai, Bridget. "Rural women's participation in commercial farming in Tweespruit." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20466.
Full textAbstract:
This study assesses the challenges confronted by rural women participating in small-scale commercial farming in Tweespruit, a rural town of the Free State Province. A qualitative, descriptive and explorative study was used for the study, and data was collected using focus group discussions during August 2015. The study found that rural women farmers are extremely challenged, as they are inadequately equipped as farmers, and they do not receive adequate aid from government or other entities, to enable them to turn their form of farming from subsistence farming to a more beneficial, commercialized form of farming. As a result, the study made the following recommendations. Firstly, the government should intensify programmes and strategies aimed at assisting rural women involved in farming activities. Secondly, it should also assist these farmers with training, especially in modern farming technologies, so as to grow their business into a commercialized form of farming. Finally, it was recommended that government facilitates these farmers to obtain funding from foreign donors to further grow their business.
21
Adam, Katherine. "The future of farm animal practice in a changing veterinary business landscape." Thesis, Royal Veterinary College (University of London), 2015. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.669189.
Full text
22
St-Onge, Annie. "Economic values of traits for dairy cattle improvement estimated using field recorded data." Thesis, McGill University, 2000. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=31546.
Full textAbstract:
The objective of this study was to compute economic values of traits for dairy cattle improvement using an empirical approach. Field recorded data were obtained from the Programme d'Analyse des Troupeaux Laitiers du Quebec (PATLQ) and genetic evaluation data were obtained from the Canadian Dairy Network (CDN). After the editing procedure, the data set consisted of 195,001 lifetime records of Holstein, Ayrshire, Jersey, Brown Swiss and Canadienne cows which calved for the first time between January 1980 and December 1994.Different profitability measurements were computed and used as the dependent variables in covariance model to compute different sets of economic values. Since the majority of cows produced 5 lactations or less, results obtained by using lifetime profits and profits until the end of the fifth lactation are similar. A kilogram genetic increase in fat production had higher economic values than the same increase in milk production in all breeds. A unit genetic increase in conformation had the highest positive impact on profit while a same increase in capacity had a negative impact on profit. Results obtained by using lifetime profit adjusted for the opportunity cost of postponed replacement showed that this adjustement reduced the influence of type traits on profit. Finally, profits of first lactations were used to study consequences of changes in pricing systems occurred in Quebec in August 1992. Economic values attached to protein production changed drastically. A kilogram genetic increase in protein production had negative economic values in the 80's and positive economic values after August 1992.
23
Khapayi, Musa. "Commercialisation of emerging famers in the Eastern Cape province : identification of limiting factors that inhibit the progression from subsistence to commercial farming." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020067.
Full textAbstract:
The broad objective of the study was to investigate the limiting factors that prevent a breakthrough of emerging farmers to commercial agricultural farming industry. The research objectives were to describe the demographic characteristics such as age, education, farming skills and experience; determine the required support services needed; and inform the limiting factors that prevent breakthrough of emerging farmers to enter commercial agricultural industry. The study was conducted in King William’s Town area through structured questionnaires administered by the researcher. A sample of 50 emerging farmers was drawn in the area. The majority of households in the area depend on subsistence farming for household survival. Results indicated that emerging farmers are faced with poor physical infrastructure such as implements to better their production as well as low education levels which results as an inability to interpret market information to be used in production planning. It is also clear that the farmers face a lack of market infrastructure, poor roads, lack of market information, lack of transportation to markets and high transportation costs. The majority of the farmers were old and the youth was not engaged in agriculture. The findings showed that there is an insufficient role from government with regards to emerging farmer support and providing the required infrastructure to access markets or improving rural infrastructure. As a result the majority of the farmers are trapped in a cycle of poverty. The following policy recommendations are suggested: Financial services such as credit must be made available to emerging farmers at reasonable interest rates such as low interest rate subsidies to emerging farmers up until commercialisation. The requirements for emerging farmers to access loans, funding or credit should be restructured or adjusted to the ability of the farmer to repay the credit rather than the availability of title deeds or assets as collateral. Extension officers should regularly visit the localities were emerging farmers are farming have a better understanding of their farming areas, farming methods and improve their communication with the farmers. Lastly the land reform initiatives should be re-organised or developed if necessary to ensure efficient re-allocation of land. The policies should be developed to focus on both the individual farm plots and the collective rights.
24
Simonetti, Danieli. "Mudanças institucionais na produção de soja orgânica em Capanema, PR." Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, 2015. http://repositorio.utfpr.edu.br/jspui/handle/1/1499.
Full textAbstract:
A região de Capanema já foi polo nacional de produção orgânica, entretanto, enquanto a produção orgânica mantém uma elevada procura, a oferta está em crise hoje em dia. A partir da abordagem da Velha Economia Institucional esta dissertação procura perceber quais são as instituições presentes na produção orgânica de soja, quais mudanças ocorreram e levaram os produtores a uma mudança de comportamento, neste caso,o de abandonar a produção orgânica. Para tanto, procura-se neste trabalho: (1) identificar as diversas etapas históricas
da produção de soja orgânica na microrregião de Capanema; (2) diagnosticar as escolhas dos agricultores e os elementos que caracterizam a diminuição da produção de soja orgânica na região; e (3) analisar o papel da associação de produtores na mudança institucional dos produtores orgânicos. Para todos os agricultores dessa região, o reconhecimento como produtores orgânicos foi a reinterpretação de um comportamento técnico que habitualmente manifestavam no não uso que faziam de defensivos e adubos químicos na década de1980. As entrevistas revelam que foram requeridos poucos esforços para se adaptar aos primeiros selos orgânicos, pois, pesava mais na decisão o fator da remuneração. Nesta fase a agricultura orgânica era muito próxima da convencional e trabalhar mais de oito horas na lavoura sob o sol era atividade comum. Entretanto, o desenvolvimento tecnológico da agricultura convencional fez esse comportamento mudar. Os novos pacotes tecnológicos possibilitaram diminuir a penosidade do
trabalho agrícola, tornando-o mais fácil e ágil. O que antes era normal passou a ser considerado muito penoso. E a produção orgânica passou a se distanciar do habitual. Essa alteração levou muitos agricultores a abandonar a produção orgânica pela nova convenção tecnológica. Essa mudança de comportamento também se refletiu por uma mudança de percepção de gerações, pois, os agricultores se mantiveram orgânicos enquanto tinham força de trabalho suficiente para manter o hábito. Assim, no momento atual, percebe-se que o principal entrave à produção orgânica é sua menor praticidade e seu maior e inconveniente trabalho.The region of Capanema-PR was a national reference of organic production. Despite it keeps maintaining a high demand, supply is in crisis today. From the Old Institutional Economics approach, this dissertation seeks to understand what the institutions represent in organic soybean production, which changes occurred, and How they led producers to change their behavior, in this case, leaving the organic production. The aim of this work is: (1) Identify organic soybean production historical stages in the micro region of Capanema; (2) Identify farmers choices and the elements that characterize organic soybean production decrease,and; (3) Analyze the role of farmers associations in the institutional change of soybean organic production. For all farmers assessed, recognition as organic producers was a technical performance reinterpretation, that habitually was manifested in avoid pesticides and chemical fertilizers of the1980s.The interviews revealed that little effort was required to adapt to the 1st organic certification labels, once the remuneration factor was the major influence in the decision. In late agriculture, farmers needed to hard work more than eight hours in the fields, however, conventional agriculture technological development allowed this situation to change: new technological packages decreased conventional agriculture hardship, making it easier and faster. What once was considered normal, now is taken as very painful, and the organic production conditions started to distance from the common concept. This change led many farmers to leave organic production looking for the new technological convention. This habit change also reflected in a generation perception change, in which farmers just remained organic while they had sufficient manpower to maintain the production system. Thus, nowadays the major obstacle to organic production is lower practicality and its bigger and inconvenient work.
25
Khapayi, Musa. "Agribusiness challenges to effectiveness of contract farming in commercialisation of small-scale vegetable farmers." Thesis, Nelson Mandela University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13981.
Full textAbstract:
The spread of contract farming in South Africa in recent years has provoked an ideological debate in literature. Linking small-scale vegetable farmers with lucrative agricultural markets through agribusiness value chains is seen as one of the foremost emerging agricultural practices to develop the subsistence farming sector into a mainstream economic sector – thereby revitalising the rural economy and alleviating poverty levels in the developing rural areas of South Africa. However, the challenges agribusiness and small-scale farmers experience in contract farming engagement and the prospects for enhancing the inclusion of small-scale farmers into modern value chains remain open to debate – two decades after transition to democracy. Yet the factors and mechanisms influencing the effective application of contract farming in the transition to commercial farming by small-scale farmers have not been thoroughly explored in South African research. Despite the efforts and the substantial investments made and the various policies and initiatives instigated to fast-track the linkages of small-scale farmers into high-value markets, the success stories of previously disadvantaged farmers operating in commercial agri-food chains are rare. Given the millions of small-scale farmers in former homelands alone, the negligible number of small-scale farmers successfully operating in commercial agri-food chains shows that the objectives to enable small-scale farmers to improve their livelihoods through participation in commercial agri-food chains have not yet been met. The broad objectives of the study were therefore to investigate the agribusiness challenges inherent in contract farming and the conditions and incentives required by agribusiness firms to engage small-scale vegetable farmers in contract farming programmes. Furthermore, the study examined the role played by the South African government to reduce the high transaction costs incurred by agribusinesses when engaging small-scale farmers in contractual arrangements. The Amathole and Sarah Baartman (formerly Cacadu) district municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa were chosen as the composite survey area for this study. A predominantly qualitative research approach was applied to gather data on the phenomena under study. The following methodologies and research instruments and tools were selected. Firstly – as the secondary component of the research – a systematic review of literature to date was conducted to guide the empirical research and primary methodology. Secondly, the empirical component of the study comprised a questionnaire survey, unstructured interviews and focus group discussions. The questionnaire survey was used to collect data from the agribusiness firms in the area surveyed concerning the following aspects: the significant determinants of contract farming, the incentives required by the agribusiness firms to engage small-scale vegetable farmers in their contract farming programmes and the challenges faced by agribusiness firms in their interaction with small-scale farmers in contractual arrangements. Unstructured interviews were used to gather data from officials at each of the three levels of government – the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform nationally, Department of Agriculture and Land Reform provincially and (at local government level) two district municipalities – on the role played by government to reduce the high transaction costs incurred by agri-firms when procuring agricultural raw materials from small-scale vegetable farmers. Focus group discussions were conducted with small-scale farmers regarding their perspective on working with agribusiness firms and to establish the distinguishing characteristics of small-scale farmers in the area surveyed. Relevant policy documents collected from two of the three representative groups of the study population, i.e. agribusiness personnel and government officials, provided the essential context. The study revealed a limited number of contract farming business linkages between small-scale vegetable farmers and agribusiness firms in the survey area. Those that do exist are problematic to both the agribusiness firms and the small-scale farmers. It emerged that the contract farming environment in the area surveyed is highly polarised and characterised by a fundamental conflict of interest between agribusiness and farmer. Among the divergent key factors inhibiting contract farming engagement were a lack in terms of quality seeds, trust, entrepreneurial skills and formal contract agreements. Asset endowment (both land and non-land assets) was found to be significant pre-selection determinants in the farmer’s capacity to be contracted. Access to innovative technology, as well as government incentives such as production inputs, were found to be critical to agribusiness firms to engage smallscale farmers in their contract farming programmes. Government assistance in terms of high transaction costs to agribusiness firms working with large groups of small-scale farmers was found to be essential but inadequate under current policy. This impacts directly on the effectiveness and promotion of contract farming. Furthermore, the current results corroborate the findings of numerous South African studies in the vast body of worldwide research. Firstly, lack of land and non-land assets continue to be major impediments to the direct participa-tion of small-scale farmers in contract farming programmes and, secondly, the transaction and market information costs incurred by agribusiness prevent the participation of less endowed farmers in contract farming programmes. Conducted within the interpretivist paradigm, the explorative research identified wide-ranging challenges in the relationship between agri-business and small-scale farmers which directly impact the effective-ness of contract farming as a development and agrarian reform strategy. Despite their problematic relationship, however, agribusiness and small-scale contract farmers were in agreement that the government needs to expand its support for agri-firms to incentivise greater numbers of small-scale farmers having the opportunity to achieve commercial status through contract farming. The study therefore recommends a collaborative partnership between private firms and government, with state support through revised policies and development programmes. These amendments are crucial to enhancing the engagement of small-scale vegetable farmers in lucrative agri-food chains.
26
Kujinga, Krasposy. "The dynamics of stakeholder participation in water resources management in Zimbabwe: a case study of the agricultural sector." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2004. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&.
Full textAbstract:
The major aim of this study was to analyse the dynamics of stakeholder participation in the agricultural sector during the first five years of the water reform process in Zimbabwe. Specific reference is made to water allocation, conflict management and the payment of costs related to water use. Stakeholders investigated are those in communal smallholder irrigation schemes, large-scale commercial white and black farms and those resettled under the government's fast track land resettlement programme. The study was undertaken in the Middle Manyame Subcatchment area, which falls under the Manyame Catchment area.
27
Dürr, João Walter. "Genetic and phenotypic studies on culling in Quebec Holstein cows." Thesis, McGill University, 1997. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=34635.
Full textAbstract:
A series of studies were conducted to evaluate genetic and phenotypic aspects of culling, herd life and survival in Quebec Holstein herds. Data consisted of lactation records obtained from the Programme d'Analyse des Troupeaux Laitiers du Quebec (PATLQ) files, which included 2.2 Million records before the editing procedures. The average productive herd life in Quebec herds was approximately 33 months, corresponding to an average replacement rate of MIND, for both milk recording options. Herds enrolled in the PATLQ official option had cows with longer calving intervals and culled their heifers earlier than herds in the owner sampler option. The probability of being culled for each major reason for disposal was assessed by logistic regression models, and it was shown that culling for low production (voluntary) had a clearly descending trend from 1981 to 1994, while involuntary culling (assumed to include all the reasons other than production) increased in importance mainly because of the ascending trends observed for cuffing due to reproductive problems, mastitis and feet and legs problems. Proportion of cows culled for involuntary reasons increased with parity number, but the opposite occurred for culling due to low production. Herds in the official option culled less for mastitis and sold more cows for dairy purposes than owner sampler herds. After these preliminary studies, a sequence of Weibull models were fitted to analyze different aspects of the data. The genetic study of herd life traits focused on differences between sires regarding true and functional herd life, but also described the effect of different explanatory variables on the failure time variable. Heritability for true and functional herd life was, respectively, 0.09 and 0.08 in the log scale and 0.19 and 0.15 in the original scale. The difference in the median survival time of daughters of bulls with extreme proofs for functional herd life was 1.7 lactations. Quebec dairymen use classification fo
28
Riofrío, Ordóñez Carlos Andrés. "Economics of introducing forage and livestock into alternative crop rotation systems during the transition to organic agriculture." Thesis, McGill University, 2006. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=98779.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the economic feasibility of alternative crop rotations and to determine the economic implications of including forages and livestock during the transition to organic agriculture in Nova Scotia. The rotation systems were distinguished by: (i) frequency of forage in the rotation, (ii) source of nutrient supply, and (iii) type of farming operation. The economic analysis was divided in two parts. The first part analysed data from a four-year crop rotation experiment, using enterprise budgeting and statistical methods to compare differences among rotations under different treatments. The second part involved the development of a multi-period linear programming (LP) model to simulate a commercial operation.The results from the statistical analysis suggest that crop enterprise net returns tended to be higher in forage-based rotations and in the livestock systems compared to cash crop rotations and the stockless system. Results from the LP model suggest that including forages and beef cattle during the transition to organic agriculture can provide considerable economic benefits, especially when crops were grown under ruminant compost.
29
Campbell, Robert. "Understanding and disrupting institutional settings : using networks of conversations to re-imagine future farming lives." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2013. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/603.
Full textAbstract:
Farmers in Australia and elsewhere face the challenge of remaining profitable whilst dealing with adverse structural arrangements and public expectations to better manage environmental degradation. This thesis draws on arguments that dominant paradigms in agricultural science and environmental management have often been ineffective in addressing these apparently competing demands and appear poorly suited to ‘messy’ situations characterized by uncertainty and complexity, and in which diverse stakeholders are motivated by varying goals and values. Engaging with such situations requires a philosophy and methodology that accepts a multiplicity of perspectives and which seeks to learn about and reflect upon novel ways of thinking and acting. Among the underlying ideas that have shaped this project is the importance of recognising the assumptions and commitments that researchers bring to their practice in order that traditions are not uncritically reproduced and that the products of our thinking are not reified. Regarding farming as less a set of technical practices and more as a human activity taking place within broader economic, social, cultural and ecological contexts, I sought to engage a group of farmers in southern Western Australia in a process of taking action to address an issue of common concern that would help them to live and farm well in their district. My role as both researcher and facilitator of conversations was driven by a commitment to dialogue as a process of meaning making and relationship building. Together we explored some of the broader contexts within which the narrower conceptions of economic and ecological problems are often uncritically placed. Taking concrete action together however proved beyond the scope of my research. The challenge of feeding ourselves while better caring for the land and each other will require imaginative as well as technical resources. To this end I have also sought to sketch out some of the creative possibilities contained within the health metaphor as it is applied to soil, arguing that its use as a proxy for quality or condition fails to utilize its disruptive potential.
30
Usman, Abdullah. "Socio-economic factors influencing farmers' adoption of a new technology : the case study on the groundwater pump irrigation in Lombok, Indonesia." Title page, Abstract and Contents only, 1997. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09A/09au86.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Bibliography: leaves 146-153. This thesis analyses factors influencing farmers use of groundwater pump irrigation in Lombok, Indonesia. It aims to identify the determinants of the speed of technology adoption, to identify factors affecting the levels of water use and to estimate the state of water use by comparing the actual water use to the estimated optimal water use.
31
Mahieu, Alain. "Fish-farming in South Africa : a study of the market environment and the suitable species." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/96760.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Emerging global trends towards sustainable development have placed emphasis on the need to create sustainable food value chains. Many food value chains are becoming weakened through their reliance on eco-systems that are deteriorating. Furthermore, while food systems are under threat, global food consumption is on the rise. The conundrum seems inescapable. Humanity’s food supply methods have moved on from hunter-gatherer characteristics apart from the exception of the fishing industry. The current generation may be the last to witness the wide-spread practice of fishing. Aquaculture, and in particular fish-farming, has begun to show much potential as a method of producing sustainable sources of protein. Whether this can be utilized in the South African context is a challenge that needs to be verified. This research, presented as two articles, explores the potential for the development of the fish-farming sector in South Africa, and recommends suitable species. Although there is some literature on how fish-farming may have a place in South Africa’s sustainability quest, it is scarce. This research aims to enhance the literature base on fish-farming in South Africa, as well as provide further evidence on what the true potential is for fish-farming in South Africa. This was done through a series of primary and secondary data collection methods that allow for a thorough analysis of fish-farming in South Africa and the species involved. The analysis revealed that the fish-farming sector and the cultivatable species in South Africa are met with an array of opportunities and challenges. Overcoming these challenges will open the doors to exploit the opportunities available.
AFRIKAANS OPSOMMING: Opkomende globale tendense weerspieël dat dit noodsaaklik is dat klem gelê moet word op volhoubare ontwikkeling en dat dit van uitterste belang is om volhoubare voedsel waardekettings te skep. Verskeie voedsel waardekettings raak verswak deur hul afhanklikheid van eko-stelsels wat vernietig word. Verder, terwyl voedsel stelsels bedreig word, is globale verbruik van voedsel besig om te verhoog. Dié raaisel lyk onvermydelik. Mensdom se huidige voedselvoorraad metodes het aansienlik ontwikkel van dié van die jagter-versamelaars, met die uitsondering van die visbedryf. Die huidige generasie mag die laaste wees, wat die wyd verspreide praktyk van visvang beoefen, om daarvan te getuig. Akwakultuur, in besonder vis-boerdery, het begin om potensiaal te wys as 'n volhoubare bron in die vervaardiging van proteïen. Of dit in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks gebruik kan word, is 'n uitdaging wat geverifieer moet word. Hierdie navorsing, wat aangebied word as twee tydskrifartikels, ondersoek die potensiaal vir die ontwikkeling van vis-boerdery in Suid-Afrika, en beveel ook gepaste spesies aan. Alhoewel daar sommige artikels is oor hoe vis-boerdery kan in pas in Suid-Afrika se soeke na volhoubaarheid, is dit skaars te vinde. Die navorsing beoog om die literatuur basis van vis-boerdery in Suid-Afrika op te skerp, en ter selfde tyd verdere bewys te gee oor die ware potensiaal van vis-boerdery in Suid-Afrika. Dit was gedoen deur 'n reeks van primêre en sekondêre data-insameling metodes wat voorsiening maak vir 'n deeglike ontleding van visboerdery in Suid -Afrika en die spesies betrokke. Die ontleding het getoon dat die vis-boerdery bedryf en die aankweek spesies in Suid-Afrika verskeie geleenthede en uitdagings in die gesig staar. Oorwinning van hierdie uitdagings sal dit moontlik maak om die beskikbare geleenthede te ontgin.
32
Jiba, Phiwe. "Evaluation of the socio-economic performance of smallholder irrigation schemes in Idutywa Village of the Eastern Cape Province." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4705.
Full textAbstract:
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.
33
Cheung, Yuet-ming Jacthey, and 張月明. "The socio-economics of pond-fish farming and its implications on future land use in and around Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1999. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31254172.
Full text
34
Sibindi, Angels. "An analysis of the impact of contract farming on smallholding farming as a mechanism for value chain efficiency enhancement : the case of Mashonaland central province (Zimbabwe) smallholder tobacco farmers." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/95661.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research study has examined the impact of contract farming on enhancing efficiencies with the agricultural value chain for smallholder tobacco farmers in Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe. The major challenges facing smallholder farmers in Africa in general and Zimbabwe in particular relate to financial constraints, technical expertise and market access. Contract farming as a transactions-cost-focussed-model is considered more effectively responsive to those challenges than the pure market approach which insufficiently addresses the impact of information asymmetries, bounded rationality, uncertainty, governance challenges and infrastructure challenges, among others. It allows for closely monitored smallholder financing by agribusiness entities which reduces or eliminates the probability of loan default. Contract farming is seen as an important mechanism in transforming the fragmented, subsistence agriculture in rural Africa into high commercialised and viable business undertakings. In this study, extensive reference is made to literature on agriculture financing; empirical research data on smallholder productivity and loan recoverability is drawn and analysed using the quantitative research methodology. The analysis sought to test for relationships among a set of variables and in the process examined the impact of contract farming. A comparative analysis of national data on the contract and auction system of tobacco marketing was done with emphasis on production and sales volumes, crop quality, price stability and market access. The results from the quantitative analysis of farmer-level and country-level data indicated a strong correlation between smallholder farmer production, productivity and loan recoverability and contract farming value chain intervention mechanisms.
35
Kumbirai, Kaguru Tinashe. "Characterisation of the production and consumption of milk in the communal livestock production sector of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3066.
Full textAbstract:
The study was conducted in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa with the objective of characterising milk production and consumption among the communal households. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data through a single visit survey between June 2014 and May 2015. The study was undertaken in five randomly selected communal districts using a multi – stage area probability sampling method. Household sample size was calculated using a statistical methodology through a fixed formula based on a rural population size of 4410000, at a confidence level of 95 percent. A total of 500 households were selected with a sample size of 20 households in 5 communities within five different communal districts within the province. Half of the total sample size was used to represent the number of non-milk producing households (250) to get a true reflection on consumption profiles for nonproducers. Across the province the average communal family size was between 5-10 members with a monthly income of ZAR1340 per household. On average, pasture land size of the sampled households was 1 ha, with a range of 0.25-1.7 ha. The numbers of animals per species found in the studied province was highest for sheep (310) followed by cattle (227) and goat (87). Average livestock holding per household in the study area was 9.85 TLU (Tropical Livestock Unit). According to the respondents the predominant milking livestock numbers were between 1-3 animals milking per household. In the studied area traditional hand milking of livestock was the major milking practices at 12 percent in goats, 15 percent in sheep and 45 percent in cattle milk production. Consumption was the predominant reason for milk production recorded at 27 percent across the province. Milk production was 43 percent most preferred in cattle followed by 32 percent in goat and least at 29 percent in sheep across the province. In general, from the study it was noted that the majority (38 percent) of the respondents across the province indicated 0-5mins as the time it took to milk most milk producing livestock. The majority of the milking practices was done (37 percent) predominantly once a day, followed by 2 percent twice daily across the province. The daily milk production was on average (0.45±1.07) 2-5 litre in cattle, (4.86±0.814) 0-1litre in goats and (2.62±0.42) 0-1 litre sheep per producing house hold with in the province The monthly raw milk consumption in the province was (2.20± 1.42) 2-5 litres of cattle milk, (4.78±0.79) 2-5 litres of goat milk and (4.98±0.69) 2-5 litres of sheep milk per consuming household.
36
Feir, Abdulmuhssin Al. "Geographical analysis of farming systems in semiarid lands: Taif region case study." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/184707.
Full textAbstract:
This dissertation presents a case study of agricultural land use patterns and marketing aspects in the Taif region of Saudi Arabia. This area is one of importance to the overall agricultural future of Saudi Arabia, being a major producer of fruits, vegetables and dates in the Kingdom. In recent years, increases in personal income associated with oil production in the Kingdom have created significant changes in the types of crops grown as well as the way of life of the small farmer. These changes include the following: (1) Because better paying jobs and an enhanced lifestyle are luring farmers to the large urban areas, fewer workers are available for labor on the farms. (2) Large government subsidies have created a situation where the small farmer finds it no longer profitable to grow cereal crops as he traditionally did. (3) A lack of adequate refrigerated trucks and an increase in salinity in groundwater has caused farmers near the market centers of Makkah and Jeddah to cut fruit trees and replant with vegetables that can withstand more saline water and can be transported to the nearby markets more easily than those framers living in the farther areas of the region. What the author concludes is that increased attention to the problems of the small farmer in the region is necessary so that food supplies will be maintained to feed a growing population and so that self-sufficiency can be achieved. Additional support by the government in the way of subsidies and loans and more programs to educate farmers in marketing techniques and improved farm methods and management must be developed. And finally, the farmers should work together, sharing information and resources for the common good of all small farmers in the region.
37
Rumsha, Siphamandla. "Agricultural urbanism and urban agriculture : exploring the possible role of University of Fort Hare and Buffalo City Municipality in supporting small-scale urban farming in East London, South Africa." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5072.
Full textAbstract:
This study investigates the impact of urban agriculture in the city of East London as well as the possibility of adopting agricultural urbanism as an urban farming model to bolster food security. The study goes further to understand the role that could be played by University of Fort Hare and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in capacitating small scale urban farmers in the city of East London. Unemployment and food insecurity are the key challenges that are affecting many families in South Africa, including urban dwellers. The main objective of this study therefore is to investigate the contributions of urban farming in securing food security and livelihoods in East London. This study adopted a mixed methods research approach, where both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to harvest data. Statistical analysis (descriptive) was then used to analyse quantitative data. Thematic approach used to analyse qualitative data. The study shows that urban farming plays an important role in the livelihoods of urban dwellers. However, the sector still faces various challenges such as lack of recognition by authorities. The study also revealed that the city of East London has potential to establish agricultural urbanism as it has most of the essential aspects that are necessary to establish it. The study recommends strengthening of the partnership between University of Fort Hare, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and small scale urban farmers in East London.
38
Santos, Edimar Paulo 1980. "Produção orgânica e estratégia de comercialização e marketing verde em supermercados." [s.n.], 2014. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/257125.
Full textAbstract:
Orientador: Maria Angela FagnaniDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T22:57:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Santos_EdimarPaulo_M.pdf: 10764091 bytes, checksum: d5565293183613d10b2f5e37b522d31d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014
Resumo: Cresce significantemente o número de consumidores de produtos orgânicos, pela preocupação com os efeitos dos alimentos ingeridos no dia-a-dia, com relação à saúde e sua ação no meio ambiente. Percebe-se que há um lugar reservado aos produtos orgânicos em grandes redes de supermercados e que, apesar do preço superior aos similares produzidos sem a tecnologia orgânica, a demanda por este produto tem aumentado. O trabalho buscou explicitar as insuficiências e limitações das práticas de mercado dos produtos orgânicos em supermercados e o risco da adoção dos mesmos pelos pequenos agricultores orgânicos, como base para buscar melhorar este canal e/ou pensar em outros canais de comercialização. Para cumprir com esses objetivos foram analisadas diferentes estratégias de comercialização adotadas pelos supermercados. Foram selecionados para estudo 10 supermercados na região do Pólo Bandeirante do estado de São Paulo, onde os produtos orgânicos foram comparados com os não orgânicos: preços praticados e estratégias de mercado. Foi verificado que há uma diferença significativa de preço de produtos orgânicos quando comparado com os não orgânicos tornando o mesmo acessível a apenas uma parcela da população e tendo como conseqüência um desserviço ao movimento de agricultura orgânica
Abstract: Significantly increasing number of consumers of organic products , the concern with the effects of food intake on a day- to-day with regard to health and its action on the environment. It is noticed that there is a place reserved for organic products in large supermarket chains and that , despite the higher price to similar produced without organic technology , the demand for this product has increased. The study sought to explain the shortcomings and limitations of market practices organic produce in supermarkets and the risk of adopting the same by small organic farmers , as a basis for seeking to improve this channel and / or think of other marketing channels . To fulfill these objectives were analyzed different marketing strategies adopted by supermarkets . Were selected for study 10 supermarkets in the Bandeirante pole of São Paulo , where organic products were compared with non- organic region : prices and market strategies . It was found that there is a significant price difference of organic products compared with non- organic making it accessible to only a portion of the population and as a consequence having a disservice to the organic farming movement
Mestrado
Planejamento e Desenvolvimento Rural Sustentável
Mestre em Engenharia Agrícola
39
Manjengwa, George Munyaradzi. "Animal traction and small-scale farming : a Stellenbosch case study." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6542.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The main aim of this case study was to research the impact of the introduction of oxen for draught power on Eric Swarts’ Stellenbosch farm. The research objectives were designed to find out if the oxen helped to improve the quality of the soil, to determine their cost-effectiveness (compared to a tractor) and other social and managerial constraints and benefits associated with using them and also to make recommendations for small-scale farmers in developing countries. The literature review revealed that human society faces many serious sustainability challenges from ecosystem degradation and global warming, to massive poverty and social inequality. The global population is growing against a background of decreasing agricultural productivity due to degraded soils and the increased costs of farming. The adoption of farming methods that enhance ecosystem services and depend less on external inputs is therefore essential. Animal traction is still widely used among small-scale farmers in developing countries, but lacks policy and investment support to make it more efficient. There are currently widespread negative opinions about animal traction which regard it as a backward or old-fashioned technology. This research investigated the possibility of animal traction emerging as an affordable, environmentallyfriendly and appropriate technology for small-scale farming. The research is a case study with a qualitative, ethnographic research design in which participant observation was key in gathering research data. A cost-benefit analysis (CBA) was carried out to compare the cost-effectiveness of using oxen to either hiring or buying a tractor. The findings showed that oxen were a more cost-effective means of draught power than a tractor, not only in terms of capital costs but also maintenance and operational costs. The manure from the oxen was both an effective way of supplying crops with essential nutrients and improving soil biodiversity. The introduction of the oxen presented some challenges to the farmer concerning knowledge about how animals work and other managerial challenges, but these were overcome by learning through practice. It was found that the farmer will be able to make significant savings in soil-amendment costs and he can control the quality of the manure to suit his needs. It was concluded that small-scale farmers who choose animal traction over tractors as a means of draught power will realise many advantages in return.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoof doelwit van dié gevallestudie was om die impak van die ingebruikneming van osse as trekkrag op Eric Swarts se plaas te Stellenbosch na te vors. Die navorsingsteikens was ontwerp om uit te vind of die beeste gehelp het om die kwaliteit van die grond te verbeter, om hul lonendheid vas te stel (in vergelyking met ’n trekker) asook ander sosiale en bestuursbeperkings en -voordele wat met hul gebruik geassosieer word en ook met voorstelle vir kleinskaalboere in ontwikkelende lande voorendag te kom. Die literatuuroorsig navorsing het ontbloot dat die menslike samelewing met vele volhoubaarheidsuitdagings vanaf ekosistemiese agteruitgang en aardverhitting, tot swaar armoedigheid en sosiale ongelykhede gekonfronteer word. Die wêreld bevolking groei steeds ten spyte van die afname in landboukundige produktiwiteit as gevolg van verlaagde grondkwaliteit en die toenemende landboukoste. Die ingebruikneming van landboumetodes wat ekosistemiese dienste verhoog en minder staatmaak op eksterne insette is dus noodsaaklik. Dieretrekking word steeds algemeen in ontwikkelende landebenut, maar dit ontbreek beleids- en beggingsondersteuning om dit meer doeltreffend te maak. Daar is tans algemeen verbreide negatiewe sienswyse oor dieretrekksag wat dit as agterlike en oudmodiese tegnologie beskou. Dié navorsing het ondersoek ingestel om die moontlikheid van dieretrekking as ’n bekostigbare, omgewingsvriendelike en passende tegnologie vir kleinskaalboerdery vas te stel. Die navorsing is’n gevallestudie met kwalitatiwe, etnografiese navorsingsontwerp waarin deelnemerwaarneming kern is tot die insameling van data. ’n Kostewinsteanalise (KWA) was uitgevoer om die lonenheid van beeste te vergelyk met dié van of die huur of die koop van ’n trekker. Die bevindings het getoon dat beeste ’n lonender wyse van trekkrag as trekkers is, nie net in terme van kapitale koste nie, maar ook onderhouds en bedryfskoste. Die beesmis was beide ’n doeltreffende manier om die gevasse van nodige voedingstowwe te voorsien asook om grondbiodiversiteit te verbeter. Die ingebruikneming van beeste het sekere uitdagings vir die boere ingehou in verband met die kennis van hoe diere werk en ander bestuursuitdagings, maar dié was oorkom deur onderrig uit ondervinding. Daar was bevind dat die boer beduidende besparings kan maak aan grondaanvullingskoste hierdie jaar en dat hy die kwaliteit van die beesmis kan beheer om sy behoeftes dien. Die slotsom is dat kleinskaalboere wat kies om dieretrekking eerder as trekkers as trekkrag te gebruik, sal vele voordele hê.
40
Kibirige, Douglas. "Impact of human dimensions on smallholder farming in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007532.
Full textAbstract:
Considering the backward and forward linkages, the agro-industrial sector contributes about 12 percent of South Africa‘s GDP, and employs approximately 8.5 million people. In the Eastern Cape Province, the sector contributes about 1.9 percent of the Provincial GDP, and over 3 million people derive their livelihoods from subsistence smallholder farming. Despite its importance, agricultural productivity has stagnated for several years across the Eastern Cape rural communities. There have been several attempts by the government to improve the agricultural productivity on smallholder farms since the end of apartheid, especially through the establishment of small-scale irrigation schemes, subsidization of farm inputs, and provision of credit facilities and enacting a number of land reform policies. In spite of the government support, most rural communities like Qamata and Tyefu are still faced with high levels of poverty affecting 76 percent and 91 percent of the population, respectively. This research evaluated the current smallholders‘ production efficiency, and the link between smallholder farmers‘ human dimensions (entrepreneurial spirit and positive psychological capital, goals and social capital, and other efficiency related variables) with production efficiency and household commercialisation index/level. The study used participatory approaches for site selection, sample selection and data collection. The analysis was based on both information from informal interviews and formal primary data collection. The Data Envelopment Analysis and Stochastic Production Frontier techniques were used to determine the relative efficiencies of individual farmers and to identify the major factors that influence the efficiency of production. Overall, 158 farmers were interviewed both at Qamata and Tyefu irrigation schemes. Descriptive statistics of this study indicated that most of the farmers were men with an average age of 61 years, and mean household size of 4 persons with the household head having at least obtained some primary school education. Farming is the major source of livelihood for smallholders with an average income of R4527.49 per crop season. Smallholders use improved seeds, fertilizers and tractor for ploughing with less use of pesticides and herbicides. Although smallholder irrigators generate more gross margins from maize and cabbage enterprises, generally both categories of farmers exhibited a low average household commercialization index for maize and cabbage at 0.41 and 0.22, respectively. Both Data Envelopment Analysis and Stochastic Production Frontier results indicate that farmers are about 98 percent technically efficient in maize and cabbage enterprises, respectively. However, farmers were allocatively inefficient as they were under-utilizing seed and pesticides while over-utilizing inorganic fertilizers. Factors that are positively associated with technical efficiency in maize production included household size, farming experience, off-farm income, use of agro-chemical; gross margins and commercialisation level of maize output. Determinants of technical efficiency in cabbage enterprise included farming experience, amount of land owned, use of agro-chemicals, group membership and gross margins accrued to cabbage sales. Farmers‘ human dimensions that could be more positively and significantly associated with production, efficiency and household commercialisation level included risk taking (hope), innovativeness (confidence) and optimism for entrepreneurial/positive psychological capital. Farmers‘ goals included self-esteem and independence, and only external social capital which were identified to be more positively and significantly associated with farmers‘ production efficiency and commercialization level. The transition from homestead subsistence to commercial oriented small-scale irrigation farming is inevitable since smallholder irrigators earn more incomes from maize and cabbage and are relatively food secure. However, the key policy options that must be considered to address inefficiencies and improved commercialization level to aid the transition include: agricultural policies geared toward attracting youth in farming, improved quality of extension services, speeding up the land reform process, and formation of cooperatives and participatory policy formulation that takes full cognizance of the farmers‘ human dimensions. Since farmers‘ human dimensions as defined in the literature and this study are not things that are amenable to direct policy intervention, they can only be modified indirectly through policy actions that affect their determinants. This means that a number of the demographic and socio-economic characteristics such as age, sex and education level of household head, farming experience, size of land owned, crop incomes, source of water for irrigation and location of the irrigation scheme that govern the way people perceive reality and respond to them must be the focus of concerted policy actions over the medium to long term.
41
Hards, Adrian F. "Comparative engineering costing and implications of commercial and smallholder irrigator design for projects." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6501.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the study, six irrigation schemes based in the Eastern Cape have been considered and evaluated, according to two levels of supply (LOS) of irrigation water. The two levels of supply are that of a commercial irrigator and that of a smallholder irrigator. The irrigation infrastructure for each of the six schemes was designed, and the associated costs determined, for each level of supply. The primary objective of the study is to determine the impact of infrastructure costs and irrigation areas on the target user, either the commercial or the smallholder irrigator. This is related directly to the assumption that lower water volumes are used by the smallholder irrigator. The study addresses the impact of different designs on the amount of water used, land utilised and resultant costs of the infrastructure. The initial capital costs and the on-going operational and maintenance costs (O&M) for each level of supply for each of the schemes have been calculated. The evaluation of the two LOS has shown that the capital cost for the commercial LOS is approximately 18 % higher than for the smallholder LOS and the O&M costs 6 % to 36 % higher. The schemes that were investigated can be grouped into five general scheme types. The first type is gravity schemes, which need rehabilitation, while the bulk supply is in place with no augmentation or rehabilitation required. The second is pumped scheme which is in need of rehabilitation, while the bulk supply is in place with no augmentation or rehabilitation required. The third type includes run-of-river schemes where water is abstracted and pumped directly to the lands. The fourth type includes run-of-river schemes where water is abstracted and pumped to storage. The fifth type is the gravity scheme where the bulk supply needs to be installed as part of the scheme. These types are then grouped and can be used to give guidance on the anticipated costs dependant on the scheme type and the required level of service. A further objective of the research is to determine the impact on the smallholder irrigators who find themselves on a commercial LOS system. This can be either on a scheme that has already been designed, or on a new system. The evaluation of the commercial under-utilised LOS and the smallholder LOS has shown that the commercial capital cost is 18 % higher and the O&M costs 5 % to 29 % higher. The study further aligns the estimated costs with the farmer typology providing a broader understanding of the design to be adopted for different levels of supply. This provides the linkage between farmer types, the design to be implemented and the anticipated costs thereof.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: As deel van hierdie narvorsing word ses verskillende besproeiingsskemas in die Oos-Kaap ten opsigte van twee voorsieningsvlakke ondersoek. Die twee voorsieningsvlakke ter sprake is vir ‘n kommersiële en kleinboerdery opset. Die besproeiingsinfrastruktuur is vir elk van die ses besproeiingsskemas ontwerp en ‘n kosteberaming vir elk van voorsieningsvlakke gedoen. Die hoofdoelwit van hierdie verslag is om te bepaal wat die impak van kostes en besproeiingsareas op beide kommersiële- en kleinboerderye is. Dit is direk gebaseer op die aanname dat kleinboerderye minder water gebruik. Die verslag ondersoek die impak van verskillende ontwerpe op waterverbruik, besproeiingsoppervlak benodig en die gevolglike infrastruktuurkostes. Die aanvanklike kapitaalkostes asook bedryfs- en onderhoudsuitgawes (B&O) vir elk van die voorsieningsvlakke, is vir elk van die besproeiingskemas bereken. Die resultaat van die ondersoek van die twee voorsieningsvlakke het aangetoon dat die kapitaalkoste van kommersiële besproeiingskemas 18 % hoër as die van kleinboerderye is, en bedryfs- en onderhoudsuitgawes 6 tot 36 % hoër. Die skemas wat ondersoek is, kan in vyf algemene skema tipes verdeel word. Die eerste is die gravitasieskemas wat rehabilitasie benodig terwyl die hooftoevoer in plek is met geen uitbreidings- of rehabilitasiebehoeftes. Die tweede is pompskemas wat rehabilitasie benodig terwyl die hooftoevoer in plek is met geen uitbreidings- of rehabilitasiebehoeftes. Die derde is rivierskemas waar besproeiingswater direk uit die rivier na die landerye gepomp word. Die vierde is rivierskemas waar besproeiingswater direk uit die rivier na a reservoir gepomp word. Die vyfde skema tipe is die gravitasieskemas waar die hooftoevoer ook gebou moet word as deel van die skema. Die skema tipes kan gebruik word om leiding te verskaf ten opsigte van verwagte skema kostes afhangende van die skema tipe en vereiste voorsieningsvlak. ‘n Verdere doelwit van die studie is om die impak op kleinboere te bepaal wat op ‘n kommeriële voorsieningsvlak boer. So ‘n stelsel kan ‘n gevestigde of nuwe stelsel wees. Die resultaat van die ondersoek van die onderbenutte kommersiële voorsieningsvlak en die kleinboerdery voorsieningsvlak het gewys dat die kapitaalkoste van kommersiële besproeiingskemas 18 % hoër as die van kleinboerderye is, en bedryfs- en onderhoudsuitgawes 5 tot 29 % hoër. Die verslag vereenselwig die verwagte kostes met die tipe boerdery en verskaf ‘n beter begrip van die tipe ontwerp wat elk van die voorsieningsvlakke benodig. Dit verskaf dus die verband tussen die tipe boerdery, die ontwerp benodig en die verwagte projekkostes.
42
Masela, Zandile. "Socio-economic benefits of agricultural projects to surrounding communities: the case of Qamata Irrigation Scheme in the Eastern Cape, South Africa." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4716.
Full textAbstract:
The Qamata Irrigation Scheme (QIS) is one of the largest irrigation schemes in South Africa. Despite substantial state investment, community members have only derived limited benefits from the scheme, leading the government efforts to revitalize the scheme. Many studies have been conducted about QIS but none of them have analyzed the effects of the QIS on the surrounding communities. This study investigated the socio-economic benefits of QIS to surrounding communities. For the purposes of this study, the units of analysis were the surrounding household members, questionnaires were used to collect data. Probabilistic sampling of random sampling method was used to select the villages; respondents’ were availability selected with sample size of 197 households. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from the participants. To analyse data, descriptive statistics and multinomial logit regression model were used. The study found out that female-headed households constitute 63.45 percent compared to male-headed households at 36.55 percent. The average age of the households in the villages that are within the radius of 10km is 58 years, while it is 59 years in villages that are beyond the 10km radius. In villages within the radius of 10km, 86.08 percent of respondents are unemployed, 5.70 percent are employed at the scheme and 8.23 percent are self-employed. In villages beyond 10km, 84.62 percent of respondents are unemployed, 5.13 percent are employed at the scheme and 10.26 percent are self-employed. In both villages, 71 percent of respondents reported that that they do not get feed supply from the scheme while 29 percent of respondents reported that they get feed supply from the scheme. From the overall distribution of villages within and beyond the radius of 10km, 80 percent of respondents reported that they do not get job opportunities from the QIS while 20 percent of respondents reported that they get job opportunities from the QIS. The study shows that 53 percent of respondents from villages within the radius of 10km are low-benefitting, 33 percent of respondents are intermediate-benefitting and 14 percent of respondents are high-benefitting from the scheme, while in villages beyond the radius of 10km, 97 percent of respondents are low-benefitting, 3 percent of respondents are intermediate-benefitting and none of the respondents is high-benefitting from the scheme. Furthermore, the study, through the multinomial logit regression model, shows that gender for intermediate benefitting has a negative coefficient (-1.70) and shows a significance of 10 percent On the other hand, gender for high benefitting has a positive coefficient (2.57) and shows a significance of 1 percent. Distance from the scheme has a negative coefficient (-3.08) and shows a significance of 1 percent. Access to farmland has a positive coefficient (2.33) and shows a significance of 10 percent. The study recommends that surrounding communities should own home gardens so that they can grow fresh produce and create job opportunities. The surrounding communities are also encouraged to own more farmlands or produce their own crops so they can also learn from the skills of the scheme.
43
Parker, Joseph Lynn. "Beyond Sustainable Bounds: Changing Weather, Emigration, and Irrigation in a Farming Village of Sichuan, China, 1945-2012." PDXScholar, 2013. http://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1514.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis presents the results of research in a small village located in the mountains of Sichuan Province in southwestern China. The thesis argues that traditional irrigation practices vital to paddy-rice production in the village have been stressed by local weather events. It also argues that local villagers have not responded effectively to such changes, and that failure to adjust has contributed to social stress observed at the site.
During the earlier years of the study period (1945 to 2012), improvements were made in local irrigation, which seem to have helped farmers continue with traditional subsistence wet-rice farming in a fragile mountain environment. However, in later years of the period village social order showed two significant signs of collapse: first, because of emigration, fewer people were left to farm higher mountain levels so farm land was being abandoned; second, social crowding in lower level riverside farming areas, partly the result of highland emigration, began reducing the amount of land being farmed there. While reducing intensive cropping of highland farming areas can result in spontaneous recovery of natural resources such as soil and water, crowding in lower areas can contribute to deterioration of natural resources in the lower village farmland. Crowding can, in addition, have a bearing on community health problems.
The thesis results are of value to researchers concerned with the adaptive behavior of local farming communities trying to maintain their traditional irrigation-dependent way of life in a fragile mountain environment while experiencing the effects of changeable weather. Thesis results are of additional value to those who study the impact on society of earth-warming, especially if variable local weather in the Dabashan is shown to be related to global climate change.
44
Oosthuizen, Hamman Jacobus. "Modelling the financial vulnerability of farming systems to climate change in selected case study areas in South Africa." Thesis, Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/95831.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Numerous studies indicate that the agricultural sector is physically and economically vulnerable to climate change. In order to determine possible impacts of projected future climates on the financial vulnerability of selective farming systems in South Africa, a case study methodology was applied. The integrated modelling framework consists of four modules, viz.: climate change impact modelling, dynamic linear programming (DLP) modelling, modelling interphases and financial vulnerability assessment modelling. Empirically downscaled climate data from five global climate models (GCMs) served as base for the integrated modelling. The APSIM crop model was applied to determine the impact of projected climates on crop yield for certain crops in the study. In order to determine the impact of projected climates on crops for which there are no crop models available, a unique modelling technique, Critical Crop Climate Threshold (CCCT) modelling, was developed and applied to model the impact of projected climate change on yield and quality of agricultural produce. Climate change impact modelling also takes into account the projected changes in irrigation water availability (ACRU hydrological model) and crop irrigation requirements (SAPWAT3 model) as a result of projected climate change. The model produces a set of valuable results, viz. projected changes in crop yield and quality, projected changes in availability of irrigation water, projected changes in crop irrigation needs, optimal combination of farming activities to maximize net cash flow, and a set of financial criteria to determine economic viability and financial feasibility of the farming system. A set of financial criteria; i.e. internal rate of return (IRR), net present value (NPV), cash flow ratio, highest debt ratio, and highest debt have been employed to measure the impact of climate change on the financial vulnerability of farming systems. Adaptation strategies to lessen the impact of climate change were identified for each case study through expert group discussions, and included in the integrated modelling as alternative options in the DLP model. This aims at addressing the gap in climate change research, i.e. integrated economic modelling at farm level; thereby making a contribution to integrated climate change modelling.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fisiese sowel as ekonomiese kwesbaarheid van die landbousektor as gevolg van klimaatverandering word deur verskeie studies beklemtoon. ‘n Gevallestudie-benadering is gebruik ten einde die potensiële impak van klimaatsverandering op die finansiële kwesbaarheid van verskillende boerderystelsels te bepaal. Die geïntegreerde klimaatsveranderingmodel bestaan uit vier modelleringsmodules, naamlik: klimaatsverandering, dinamiese liniêre programmering (DLP), interfases en finansiële-kwesbaarheidsontleding. Empiries afgeskaalde klimatologiese data van vyf verskillende klimaatmodelle dien as basis vir die geïntegreerde klimaatsveranderingmodel. Die APSIM gewas-model word aangewend om die impak van klimaatsverandering op gewasse-opbrengs te bepaal. Vir sekere gewasse is daar egter nie modelle beskikbaaar nie en het gevolglik die ontwikkeling van ‘n nuwe model genoodsaak. Die Kritiese Gewasse Klimaatsdrempelwaarde (KGKD) modelleringstegniek is ontwikkel ten einde die impak van klimaatsverandering op die opbrengs en kwaliteit van gewasse te kwantifiseer. Die geïntegreerde klimaatsveranderingmodel neem ook die verwagte verandering in besproeiingswaterbeskikbaarheid (ACRU-hidrologiemodel) en gewas-besproeiingsbehoeftes (SAPWAT3-model) as gevolg van klimaatsverandering in ag. Die model lewer waardevolle resultate op, naamlik: geprojekteerde veranderinge in gewasse-opbrengs en -kwaliteit, geprojekteerde verandering in beskikbaarheid van besproeiingswater en gewasse-besproeiingsbehoeftes, die optimale kombinering van boerdery-aktiwiteite om netto kontantvloei te maksimeer, asook ‘n stel finansiële resultate wat die impak van klimaatsverandering kwantifiseer. Die finansiële kriteria sluit in: interne opbrengskoers, netto huidige waarde, kontanvloeiverhouding, hoogste skuldverhouding en hoogste skuldvlak. Deur middel van deskundige-groepbesprekings is aanpassingstrategieë vir elk van die gevallestudies geïdentifiseer en by die geïntegreerde model ingesluit as alternatiewe opsies in die DLP-model. Die studie poog om die gaping in die huidige klimaatsveranderingnavorsing met betekking tot ‘n geïntegreerde ekonomiese model op plaasvlak aan te spreek en sodoende ‘n bydrae tot geïntegreerde klimaatveranderingmodellering te maak.
45
Tshuma, Mengezi Chancellor. "A socio-economic impact assessment (SEIA) of the best management practices (BMP) project of the Zanyokwe irrigation scheme at farm level." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/139.
Full textAbstract:
The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Best Management Practices (BMP) project on social and economic wellbeing at Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme (ZIS) in central Eastern Cape Province. The BMP project is a knowledge-based initiative aimed at introducing management practices (mainly soft skills) in order to improve production and livelihoods in the study area. The study employed a survey to collect socio-economic data amongst farming households. The 2005 situation analysis, which was conducted amongst the same respondents before the introduction of the new practices allowed for comparisons in order to track changes or impacts after the implementation of the project. Also, the social and economic impact assessment (SEIA) framework was used to assess the impacts. The results of the impact assessment showed the BMP project to have an impact on social and economic well being of households. The skills introduced were in the areas of water management, agronomic practices, marketing and institutional arrangements. More than 90% indicated that there was improvement in agronomic practices and water management and 68% in marketing. More than half of farmers worked in their farms on a daily basis, which is a big change as none of the farmers worked during weekends in 2005. The average time spent on the farms also increased from four (in 2005) to seven hours (this investigation) on average per day. The BMP project also had a positive impact on social relationships and networks between farmers and the BMP project team as well as well as farmers and non-farmers. Land use intensity improved due to increases in acreage of main crops as well as cultivating at both seasons. More than 40% of farmers cropped their land at both seasons (winter and summer). In 2005, most of the land was fallow in winter. While some of the new practices introduced had a negative impact on input expenditures, the returns were positive. These extra efforts and expenditures resulted in improvement in incomes. Agricultural contribution to household income increased from 71% in 2005 to 81% in 2007. The increase in household incomes had a positive effect on poverty and food security status of households. The proportion of households earning incomes that are below poverty line dropped from 61% in 2005 to 38% in 2007. Changes in the diet of the households were noticed. In addition to the consumption of staples such as samp, maize meal and rice, people added a variety of vegetables. Own production was the main source of these vegetables as was indicated by 66% of respondents compared to only 25% in 2005. Food remained the main expenditure category though, as was the case in 2005. Improvements in marketing such as performing extra marketing functions and adopting a marketing strategy (collective action) also led to improvements in economic wellbeing.
46
Magqibelo, Sinovuyo. "Impact of smallholder irrigation schemes on rural livelihoods of farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: the case of Melani Irrigation Scheme." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1774.
Full textAbstract:
Irrigation farming is one of the most important rural development investments that can have both direct and indirect impacts on poverty and food security. The irregular and unreliable rainfall in the Eastern Cape Province has caused the smallholder farmers to deepen the irrigation farming systems as a strategy to cope with food shortage, income and poverty. South Africa has invested substantially in smallholder irrigation to benefit smallholder farmers in the less developed areas. Although the investment on small scale irrigation was to improve the welfare of the people, the performance and welfare impact of smallholder irrigation schemes has been poor and fall far short of the expectations of many stakeholders. The broad objective of the study was to examine the contribution of smallholder irrigation scheme on rural livelihoods of smallholder farmers at the project area. The null hypothesis was that smallholder irrigation schemes have no impact on farmer’s livelihoods. The alternative hypothesis for this study was that Melani irrigation scheme is contributing in improving rural livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the area. Cross study research design was used in the methodology. The purposive sampling was applied in order to choose a sample of 107 respondents that were interviewed using questionnaires, including both irrigating and non-irrigating farmers. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to find out whether the performance of the two groups of farmers is different and to what extent. To determine the specific role of irrigation an Independent T-Test was ran. Out of the selected sample 68 percent of households were farmers, 7.5 percent informal employed and 27 percent unemployed. It was found that the majority of participants were males and were uneducated. They depended on social grants for a living. The findings from the study showed that 84 percent of the respondents agreed that there is no market available in the village and farmers had limited access to credits. The crop income was the most contributing factor to household income. The results showed that whether the farmer is a non-irrigator or an irrigator the performance is not significant. Irrigation scheme improvement attained by smallholder farmers need to be maintained.
47
Aleknavičienė, Giedrė, and Jelena Rupšienė. "G. Žilėno ūkio veiklos ekonominė analizė Europos Sąjungos paramos gavimo aspektu." Master's thesis, Lithuanian Academic Libraries Network (LABT), 2008. http://vddb.library.lt/obj/LT-eLABa-0001:E.02~2008~D_20080926_175829-07304.
Full textAbstract:
Magistro darbe atlikta G. Žilėno ūkio veiklos analizė ir struktūrinės paramos priemonių poveikis ūkio restruktūrizavimui. Studijuojant Lietuvos ir užsienio autorių mokslinius veikalus, periodinę mokslinę literatūrą apie žemės ūkio gamybos įmones, Lietuvos Respublikos įstatymus, darbe nagrinėjama ūkio veiklos rezultatai bei ES paramos įtaka ūkininkavimo plėtotei bei ekonominės veiklos rodikliams. Apskaičiavus ūkio ekonominį dydį ir ūkininkavimo tipą, buvo palyginti augalininkystės ir gyvulininkystės sektorių veiklos rodikliai su žemės ūkio respondentinių įmonių veiklos rodikliais, siekiant nustatyti esminius dydžių ir sklaidos skirtumus. Naudojantis respondentinių įmonių finansinėmis bei veiklos ataskaitomis palyginti ir išsamiai išanalizuoti G. Žilėno ūkio finansiniai rodikliai. Siekiant įvertinti ES struktūrinių fondų ir valstybės paramos įtaką G. Žilėno ūkio konkurencingumui, esant skirtingoms valstybės paramos sąlygoms, apskaičiuotas daugiafunkcinis konkurencingumo indeksas. Apibendrinus gautus rezultatus, numatytos ūkio veiklos perspektyvos.Analysis of G. Žilėnas‘farming activity and impact of structural support measures to the farm restructurization were performed in this master thesis. When studying scientific works by Lithuanian and foreign authors, periodic scientific literature about agricultural production companies, laws of the Republic of Lithuania, farming activity results and the EU impact on farming development and economic activity indicators were analysed in the thesis. Having estimated economic size of the farm and farming type, activity indicators of plant-cultivation and stock-raising were compared with activity indicators of agricultural respondent companies in order to establish the substantial differences in sizes and dispersion. Using financial and activity reports of respondent companies, financial indicators of G. Žilėnas‘farm were compared and thoroughly analysed. Upon different state support conditions, multifunctional competitiveness index was calculated in order to assess the impact of the EU structural funds and state support to the competitiveness of G. Žilėnas‘farm. Having summarized the obtained results, farming activity perspectives were anticipated.
48
Norval, Alex. "Establishing an abalone venture in South Africa : a critical review of Aquamart." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/5546.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This report begins with a look at the ever increasing world population and the effect this is having on the world's food production. While the demand is increasing with the rise in population, the supply side is finding it difficult to produce enough food due to a number of pressures. The report then goes further by suggesting a source of food that holds great potential for the future which, if it reaches its full potential, could go a long way in providing a sustainable source of food for the next generation. This source is Aquaculture, which is discussed through a look at both the advantages it provides and the challenges involved within this industry. Furthermore, the report takes an in depth look at a sub-section of the aquaculture industry, namely the farming of abalone, firstly in general, but then also more specifically the farming of abalone in South Africa. Abalone are mostly sold in Asia as a high priced delicacy and occurs naturally off the coast of South Africa, however, due to over fishing and poaching over the past three decades, the South African government has now introduced a total ban on the diving and selling of wild abalone, or as it is commonly known in South Africa, Perlemoen. It is therefore now up to the small number of abalone farms on South Africa's coast to fill the void left in the international abalone market for Haliotis midae. The second half of this report looks at one company in particular, Aquamart, which was a company established in 2003 by 5 MBA students with an ambitious plan of setting up an abalone farming facility. All of Aquamart's aspects are discussed, including its business plan, financials, senior management and its strategy. These areas are then critically reviewed in order to try and establish what Aquamart succeeded in, but also what went wrong, and why the company ultimately had to be closed down in 2005. This report aims to identify some of the barriers within this industry and also for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in general, which can hopefully be used by future entrepreneurs in order not to repeat the mistakes made by Aquamart.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verslag begin deur te kyk na die al groeiende wereldbevolking en die druk wat dit plaas op die wereld se voedselvervaardiging. Saam met die druk van die groeiende vraag, is daar ook verskeie eksterne vorme van druk op die aanbod van voedsel. Die verslag gaan verder deur een moontlike bron van voedsel voor te stel wat sal kan help om aan die vraag te voldoen, maar slegs indien dit korrek aangewend word. Die bron is akwakultuur, en die verslag kyk na die industrie se voordele asook na van die uitdagings wat die sukses van die industrie kan beinvloed. Verder ondersoek die verslag oak een van akwakultuur se sub-industriee, naamlik die boer met perlemoen, eers op 'n globale skaal, en dan spesifiek in Suid-Afrika. Die perlemoen wat grotendeels as 'n luukse voedsel op die Asiatiese mark verkoop word kom natuurlik op die kus van Suid-Afrika voor, maar as gevolg van die swak bestuur van die natuurlike hulpbron, gepaard met die onwettige smokkeling van perlemoen, is die natuurlike perlemoen nou 'n bedreigde spesie in Suid-Afrika, en het die land se regering 'n verbod geplaas op die uithaal en verkoop van wilde perlemoen. Dit is dus in die hande van die Suid Afrikaanse perlemoenplase om in die wereld se vraag na H. midae te voorsien. Die tweede helfte van die verslag doen 'n gedetailleerde ondersoek op die maatskappy Aquamart, wat in 2003 gestig was deur 5 MBA studente met die oog om 'n perlemoenplaas in Suid-Afrika op te rig. Die vernaamste aktiwiteite van Aquamart word in die gedeelte bespreek, insluitende, onder andere, die besigheidsplan, finansies, algemene bestuur en Aquamart se besigheidstrategie. Die verslag doen dan 'n kritiese ondersoek op Aquamart om te probeer vasstel hoekom die bestuur in 2005 geforseer was om Aquamart se deure te sluit. Die hoop is om lesse te leer uit Aquamart se mislukking wat kan dien as 'n riglyn vir toekomstige perlemoenboere, asook klein en medium-besighede in die algemeen.
49
Hassan, Sajjadul. "Evaluation of alternative farming systems with reference to income and gender in selected areas of Bangladesh." Thesis, View thesis View thesis, 2002. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/737.
Full textAbstract:
Farming systems in Bangladesh are characterised by a mixed culture of crop, livestock, poultry, fish and agro forestry sub systems of agricultural enterprise. Low productivity and inefficient resource use are the main constraints to farming in Bangladesh. It is necessary to improve the performance of all enterprises in existing farming systems which depends on the proper utilisation of the existing level of resources. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the alternative farming systems in terms of income and gender participation. To achieve the objectives, a study was conducted in four villages of Kaliakair Upazilla in the Gazipur district of Bangladesh. Thirty sample farmers were selected randomly from four dominant farming systems.Gender roles in farming systems were assessed in consideration to time spent in agricultural activities.In addition, time spent in household activities was also calculated. The conclusion is that there is no one right choice of selecting farming systems.
50
Koranteng, Kweku Yeboah. "Contract farming model of financing smallholder farmers in South Africa : the case of the IDC-Kat River citrus development scheme." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/8579.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MDF)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.The constraints that impede the growth of smallholder farmers have been attributed to lack of access to markets and technical expertise. This has led to mainstream banks classifying smallholder farmers as high risk and therefore unwilling to finance smallholder farmers. Contract farming has developed as a model that may be able to link smallholder farmers with agribusinesses who have the expertise and have built marketing channels that can be utilised by the smallholder farmers. Despite its potential to bring smallholder farmers into the mainstream agriculture industry, literature on contract farming has indicated that contract farming can be skewed in favour of the agribusiness due to their superior bargaining power and information asymmetry in favour of the agribusiness. This study examines the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)’s Kat River Development Scheme to finance nine farmers through a contract farming arrangement with Riverside (Pty) Ltd. More particularly, the study examines how this financing model contributes to improved access to finance, markets and technical expertise for the farmers. It also examines how the arrangement contributes to reducing the risk of financing smallholder farmers for IDC. The empirical analysis indicates that, despite the fact that the farmers are able to obtain access to finance, market and technical expertise, the ability for the scheme to meet its objectives in the long term is dependent on improving transparency between the agribusiness and the farmers, providing appropriate incentives for the farmers to apply the required effort and the farmers buying into the long term strategic aim (or “big picture”) of the scheme.