Effects of climatic variability on maize productivity in South Africa from 1937-2018
- Awum Awum, Rudin https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-8740-6163
- Authors: Awum Awum, Rudin https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-8740-6163
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Crops and climate , Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21410 , vital:48576
- Description: Climate is an important factor in agricultural production. The world is facing climate change and variability, which result in high temperatures, low rainfall patterns, shortage of water and persistent droughts. Climate change poses a significant threat to South Africa’s water resources, food security, health, infrastructure, ecosystem services and biodiversity. Negative impacts of climate variability on agriculture, especially on maize the staple crop, will worsen the food security status of the nation as most of South Africa’s maize crop is produced in summer and highly depends on rainfall. This study attempted to assess the impact of climate on maize production in South Africa using secondary time series data for the period 1937 to 2018. Rainfall and temperature were used as proxies for climate variability. The Granger Causality Model was used to examine the causal linkages between climatic variables (temperature or rainfall) and maize output in South Africa for the study period. The major outcome of the analysis was that there is a two-way causal relationship between maize production and temperature. The results also indicated that there is uni-directional causality between maize yield and rainfall. Furthermore, the Variance Decomposition Model was used to forecast the relationship between climatic elements and maize production in South Africa. The result showed that all variables have an effect on maize yield, with temperature having the least effect. The last objective of the study was to profile the maize output trend for the period from 1937 to 2018. The main findings from the analysis indicate that maize production in South Africa has a general upward slope. The study recommends that the government should intensify the provision of irrigation systems for the farmers in the most vulnerable areas to mitigate the climate change. Government should also embark on massive campaigns using a variety of media to create the needed public awareness on climate change and its impact on food security. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Awum Awum, Rudin https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-8740-6163
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Crops and climate , Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21410 , vital:48576
- Description: Climate is an important factor in agricultural production. The world is facing climate change and variability, which result in high temperatures, low rainfall patterns, shortage of water and persistent droughts. Climate change poses a significant threat to South Africa’s water resources, food security, health, infrastructure, ecosystem services and biodiversity. Negative impacts of climate variability on agriculture, especially on maize the staple crop, will worsen the food security status of the nation as most of South Africa’s maize crop is produced in summer and highly depends on rainfall. This study attempted to assess the impact of climate on maize production in South Africa using secondary time series data for the period 1937 to 2018. Rainfall and temperature were used as proxies for climate variability. The Granger Causality Model was used to examine the causal linkages between climatic variables (temperature or rainfall) and maize output in South Africa for the study period. The major outcome of the analysis was that there is a two-way causal relationship between maize production and temperature. The results also indicated that there is uni-directional causality between maize yield and rainfall. Furthermore, the Variance Decomposition Model was used to forecast the relationship between climatic elements and maize production in South Africa. The result showed that all variables have an effect on maize yield, with temperature having the least effect. The last objective of the study was to profile the maize output trend for the period from 1937 to 2018. The main findings from the analysis indicate that maize production in South Africa has a general upward slope. The study recommends that the government should intensify the provision of irrigation systems for the farmers in the most vulnerable areas to mitigate the climate change. Government should also embark on massive campaigns using a variety of media to create the needed public awareness on climate change and its impact on food security. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
The role of decent rural employment in counteracting food insecurity in Bindura rural district, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chimberengwa, Patronella
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Poverty -- Prevention , Food security , Food relief
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26324 , vital:65238
- Description: Despite many initiatives that are being implemented by the governments of different nations and the international community to minimize hunger and poverty in rural areas, several households continue to suffer from food insecurity. The World Food Programme (WFP) and the government in Zimbabwe are providing food aid to approximately 1.6 million people across the 37 districts in the country. Measures have been undertaken to counter food insecurity in Zimbabwe but to no avail. Food related public policies such as donor aid and government subsidies have also been unworkable for such a long time. In this study a comprehensive analysis of the role of decent rural employment in counteracting food insecurity will be provided. The study also seeks to assess how humanitarian work psychologists can work together with various stakeholders in society so as to curb household food insecurity. The Study population included all the households in Bindura rural district in Zimbabwe. Both quantitative and qualitative research designs were used. The researcher used cluster sampling procedure in which households were divided into groups (clusters) and a sample of the groups was selected. A random sample was then drawn from the elements within each selected group. The results confirmed that those that are not decently employed face a broad range of decent work deficits, exploitation at work and are food insecure, a finding that is similar to other countries. Thus, the researcher concluded that Decent Rural employment do have an impact on food security. Taking a look at the basic tenets of decent employment such as full time employment, a decent income, reasonable working hours and employee benefits among others, the results showed that they all impact on food security. The information obtained will be fundamental for communities at risk and dealing with the issue may help improve food insecurity situation in the country. This information will also help in formulating special measures in the form of tailor made strategies specifically made for the district and helps in doing away with what is called a one size fits all approach to food security as it pays particular attention to the households in that particular district. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Chimberengwa, Patronella
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Poverty -- Prevention , Food security , Food relief
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26324 , vital:65238
- Description: Despite many initiatives that are being implemented by the governments of different nations and the international community to minimize hunger and poverty in rural areas, several households continue to suffer from food insecurity. The World Food Programme (WFP) and the government in Zimbabwe are providing food aid to approximately 1.6 million people across the 37 districts in the country. Measures have been undertaken to counter food insecurity in Zimbabwe but to no avail. Food related public policies such as donor aid and government subsidies have also been unworkable for such a long time. In this study a comprehensive analysis of the role of decent rural employment in counteracting food insecurity will be provided. The study also seeks to assess how humanitarian work psychologists can work together with various stakeholders in society so as to curb household food insecurity. The Study population included all the households in Bindura rural district in Zimbabwe. Both quantitative and qualitative research designs were used. The researcher used cluster sampling procedure in which households were divided into groups (clusters) and a sample of the groups was selected. A random sample was then drawn from the elements within each selected group. The results confirmed that those that are not decently employed face a broad range of decent work deficits, exploitation at work and are food insecure, a finding that is similar to other countries. Thus, the researcher concluded that Decent Rural employment do have an impact on food security. Taking a look at the basic tenets of decent employment such as full time employment, a decent income, reasonable working hours and employee benefits among others, the results showed that they all impact on food security. The information obtained will be fundamental for communities at risk and dealing with the issue may help improve food insecurity situation in the country. This information will also help in formulating special measures in the form of tailor made strategies specifically made for the district and helps in doing away with what is called a one size fits all approach to food security as it pays particular attention to the households in that particular district. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A pastoral-theological approach to teenage pregnancy of the church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Blantyre Synod in Malawi
- Authors: Stephens, Chaplain N
- Date: 2014-01
- Subjects: Teenage pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26403 , vital:65302
- Description: Unwanted teenage pregnancy is one of the ongoing challenges affecting society. This issue affects the unborn child, the teenage mother, the family and the wider society. It is a problem of both the developed and developing countries. Thirty six per cent of girls in Malawi become mothers before twenty years. Among other factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy are curiosity, pressure from peers, economic survival, coercion and cultural practices. The aim of the study was to establish a pastoral-theological approach to teenage pregnancy in the C.C.A.P Blantyre Synod, in Malawi.- The study revealed that teenage mothers are faced with many challenges such as lack of financial, social and spiritual support. They also curtail their education and although some do return to school, many do not. Teenage mothers are regarded as outcasts by society and the church and as such they feel stigmatized. The stigma has in some cases ensued in unsafe abortion. Although the church disciplines the teenage mothers for falling pregnant out-of-wedlock the responsible man is left free. The following five major themes emerged from the data: Social factors, social problems, economic problems and social and spiritual support. Nine focus groups with parents of teenage mothers were conducted. Twenty (Official church elders and counsellors) were interviewed in the three Presbyteries of Thyolo Highlands, Blantyre North and Blantyre City. , Thesis (MTh) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-01
- Authors: Stephens, Chaplain N
- Date: 2014-01
- Subjects: Teenage pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26403 , vital:65302
- Description: Unwanted teenage pregnancy is one of the ongoing challenges affecting society. This issue affects the unborn child, the teenage mother, the family and the wider society. It is a problem of both the developed and developing countries. Thirty six per cent of girls in Malawi become mothers before twenty years. Among other factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy are curiosity, pressure from peers, economic survival, coercion and cultural practices. The aim of the study was to establish a pastoral-theological approach to teenage pregnancy in the C.C.A.P Blantyre Synod, in Malawi.- The study revealed that teenage mothers are faced with many challenges such as lack of financial, social and spiritual support. They also curtail their education and although some do return to school, many do not. Teenage mothers are regarded as outcasts by society and the church and as such they feel stigmatized. The stigma has in some cases ensued in unsafe abortion. Although the church disciplines the teenage mothers for falling pregnant out-of-wedlock the responsible man is left free. The following five major themes emerged from the data: Social factors, social problems, economic problems and social and spiritual support. Nine focus groups with parents of teenage mothers were conducted. Twenty (Official church elders and counsellors) were interviewed in the three Presbyteries of Thyolo Highlands, Blantyre North and Blantyre City. , Thesis (MTh) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-01
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