Choice of market channels by smallholder vegetable farmers in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Yokwana, Aphelele Lucia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Vegetables -- Marketing Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vegetable trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11906 , vital:39117
- Description: The study investigates the choice of market channels by smallholder vegetable farmers in King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Vegetables as a group of horticultural crops are important for their contribution as an income support to a large proportion of the rural households. However, enhancing vegetable farmers to reach markets and actively engage in the markets is a key challenge influencing vegetable production in South Africa. The perishable nature of vegetables demands effective marketing channels. The main objective of the study was to investigate factors affecting vegetable farmers’ choice of market channels in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. The study adopted a multistage stratified sampling method. Multi-stage sampling was done in which the first stage involved selecting respondents from the different wards in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. This was done through stratification by separating vegetable smallholder farmers and homesteads within that area (different villages within the area). This was followed by employing quota sampling through the different households and smallholder farmers within those areas in order to determine households and smallholder farmers that are able to provide the needed information concerning the choice of market channels. By stratified random sampling based on village, project membership and smallholder farmers, a sample of 110 heads of households was chosen for the study in eight different wards of KSD. The sampling for this study was based on a large sampling technique of n ≥ 30 as there is no information regarding the population of the total number of homesteads and smallholder farmers that are under each traditional leader (chief) in these study sites. This sample comprises homesteads and smallholder farmers that took part in vegetable production. A structured questionnaire together with field observations and measurements were adopted for obtaining information from household respondents. Descriptive statistics (percentages, means, frequency tables and figures) and a Multinomial logistic regression model have been used to analyze the data. From the Multinomial logistic regression results, farming experience is positively related to choice of farm gate market channel at 1percent level of significance. The age of vegetable farmers was positively related to the choice of direct to consumer market channel at 5percent significance level. The level of education of the vegetable farmers was positively related to the choice of direct to consumer market channel at 5percent significance level. Moreover, the results also showed that the inputs used are positively related to the choice of farm-gate as well as direct to consumer market channels at 5percent significance level. Similarly, means of transportation used and choice of marketing channel of the vegetable farmers are positively related at 1percent significance level at the direct to consumer choice of market channel. Furthermore, access to extension services indicated a positive relationship to the choice of market channel amongst the smallholder vegetable farmers for the direct to consumer at 5percent level of significance which is insignificant for that of the farm-gate. There is therefore, need for strong extension support in assisting the farmers to diversify their production, provide market information thereby enhancing production and opening up channels for market accessibility. This is seen to enhance rural households’ livelihood outcomes in agricultural production thereby improving the choice of market channels by smallholder vegetable farmers and alleviating poverty and improving food security. More so, the government and research institutes need to organize workshops and extension programs in famer’ training for more efficiency in their vegetable production and marketing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Yokwana, Aphelele Lucia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Vegetables -- Marketing Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vegetable trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11906 , vital:39117
- Description: The study investigates the choice of market channels by smallholder vegetable farmers in King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Vegetables as a group of horticultural crops are important for their contribution as an income support to a large proportion of the rural households. However, enhancing vegetable farmers to reach markets and actively engage in the markets is a key challenge influencing vegetable production in South Africa. The perishable nature of vegetables demands effective marketing channels. The main objective of the study was to investigate factors affecting vegetable farmers’ choice of market channels in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. The study adopted a multistage stratified sampling method. Multi-stage sampling was done in which the first stage involved selecting respondents from the different wards in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. This was done through stratification by separating vegetable smallholder farmers and homesteads within that area (different villages within the area). This was followed by employing quota sampling through the different households and smallholder farmers within those areas in order to determine households and smallholder farmers that are able to provide the needed information concerning the choice of market channels. By stratified random sampling based on village, project membership and smallholder farmers, a sample of 110 heads of households was chosen for the study in eight different wards of KSD. The sampling for this study was based on a large sampling technique of n ≥ 30 as there is no information regarding the population of the total number of homesteads and smallholder farmers that are under each traditional leader (chief) in these study sites. This sample comprises homesteads and smallholder farmers that took part in vegetable production. A structured questionnaire together with field observations and measurements were adopted for obtaining information from household respondents. Descriptive statistics (percentages, means, frequency tables and figures) and a Multinomial logistic regression model have been used to analyze the data. From the Multinomial logistic regression results, farming experience is positively related to choice of farm gate market channel at 1percent level of significance. The age of vegetable farmers was positively related to the choice of direct to consumer market channel at 5percent significance level. The level of education of the vegetable farmers was positively related to the choice of direct to consumer market channel at 5percent significance level. Moreover, the results also showed that the inputs used are positively related to the choice of farm-gate as well as direct to consumer market channels at 5percent significance level. Similarly, means of transportation used and choice of marketing channel of the vegetable farmers are positively related at 1percent significance level at the direct to consumer choice of market channel. Furthermore, access to extension services indicated a positive relationship to the choice of market channel amongst the smallholder vegetable farmers for the direct to consumer at 5percent level of significance which is insignificant for that of the farm-gate. There is therefore, need for strong extension support in assisting the farmers to diversify their production, provide market information thereby enhancing production and opening up channels for market accessibility. This is seen to enhance rural households’ livelihood outcomes in agricultural production thereby improving the choice of market channels by smallholder vegetable farmers and alleviating poverty and improving food security. More so, the government and research institutes need to organize workshops and extension programs in famer’ training for more efficiency in their vegetable production and marketing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The broadcasting of criminal trials : upholding the freedom of expression or undermining the right to fair trial?
- Authors: Nunu, Sukoluhle Belinda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Free press and fair trial -- South Africa Freedom of expression -- South Africa Freedom of the press -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2832 , vital:28102
- Description: This study investigated the tension between the right to freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial in the context of the public broadcasting of criminal trials. The aim of the study was to determine whether the right of the media to broadcast criminal trials can be reconciled with the right of an accused person to a fair trial. To accomplish the above aim, the research undertook a review of the case law relating to televised criminal trials in order to determine how the courts have addressed the fair trial-free expression conflict. The study concluded that the ‘balancing exercise’ employed by the courts does not seem to have addressed this tension. Given that televised criminal trials are prone to sensationalism and the danger of fabrication of evidence, the study concludes that the broadcasting of criminal trials undermines the right to a fair trial. The study makes recommendations that are designed to ensure a proper balance between the freedom of expression as exercised by the media through the broadcasting of criminal trials on the one hand and the right of accused persons to a fair trial on the other.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nunu, Sukoluhle Belinda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Free press and fair trial -- South Africa Freedom of expression -- South Africa Freedom of the press -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2832 , vital:28102
- Description: This study investigated the tension between the right to freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial in the context of the public broadcasting of criminal trials. The aim of the study was to determine whether the right of the media to broadcast criminal trials can be reconciled with the right of an accused person to a fair trial. To accomplish the above aim, the research undertook a review of the case law relating to televised criminal trials in order to determine how the courts have addressed the fair trial-free expression conflict. The study concluded that the ‘balancing exercise’ employed by the courts does not seem to have addressed this tension. Given that televised criminal trials are prone to sensationalism and the danger of fabrication of evidence, the study concludes that the broadcasting of criminal trials undermines the right to a fair trial. The study makes recommendations that are designed to ensure a proper balance between the freedom of expression as exercised by the media through the broadcasting of criminal trials on the one hand and the right of accused persons to a fair trial on the other.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Seasonal physiological and behavioural responses of a small bird in a hot, arid habitat
- Authors: Pattinson, Nicholas Bruce
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Birds -- Behavior Birds -- Physiology , Birds -- Ecophysiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19728 , vital:28948
- Description: The role that climate plays in the ecology of organisms is perhaps the most pronounced where the earth’s environments are most extreme. In arid-zones, organisms have to deal with large seasonal shifts and/or extremes in temperature and/or moisture levels. As a result, arid-zone species are sensitive to climatic changes. I assessed the physiological and behavioural adjustments of an arid-zone endemic passerine, the rufous-eared warbler (Malcorus pectoralis), to seasonal changes in the Karoo semi-desert of South Africa. Respirometry measurements in the field showed that the warblers’ basal metabolic rate was lower and set point body temperature (Tb) was higher in summer compared to winter. At high air temperatures (Ta) evaporative water loss (EWL) rate was significantly lower in summer compared to winter, while Tb showed a clear pattern of heterothermy that was similar in both seasons. Compared to winter, the warblers in summer were able to remain calm, and tolerate higher Ta’s, before their Tb’s increased to potentially detrimental levels. Behavioural observations showed that free-living warblers exhibited significant temperature-dependence in their behaviour; they increased panting behaviour, and reduced activity levels, time spent preening, and foraging effort at high Ta’s in summer. The warblers also displayed a considerable decrease in foraging success, and a shift in microsite use, at high Ta’s in summer. I hypothesise that the flexible responses the rufous-eared warblers show are aimed at increasing their heat tolerance in summer, and help them balance their energy and water demands in an arid environment that exhibits wide seasonality in Ta, in addition to high summer Ta. My findings emphasise the importance of identifying, as well as understanding, the associated costs of physiological and behavioural responses to environmental variables. This information is valuable in terms of predicting biologically meaningful responses (and hence, vulnerability) of arid-zone avian communities to climactic shifts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Pattinson, Nicholas Bruce
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Birds -- Behavior Birds -- Physiology , Birds -- Ecophysiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19728 , vital:28948
- Description: The role that climate plays in the ecology of organisms is perhaps the most pronounced where the earth’s environments are most extreme. In arid-zones, organisms have to deal with large seasonal shifts and/or extremes in temperature and/or moisture levels. As a result, arid-zone species are sensitive to climatic changes. I assessed the physiological and behavioural adjustments of an arid-zone endemic passerine, the rufous-eared warbler (Malcorus pectoralis), to seasonal changes in the Karoo semi-desert of South Africa. Respirometry measurements in the field showed that the warblers’ basal metabolic rate was lower and set point body temperature (Tb) was higher in summer compared to winter. At high air temperatures (Ta) evaporative water loss (EWL) rate was significantly lower in summer compared to winter, while Tb showed a clear pattern of heterothermy that was similar in both seasons. Compared to winter, the warblers in summer were able to remain calm, and tolerate higher Ta’s, before their Tb’s increased to potentially detrimental levels. Behavioural observations showed that free-living warblers exhibited significant temperature-dependence in their behaviour; they increased panting behaviour, and reduced activity levels, time spent preening, and foraging effort at high Ta’s in summer. The warblers also displayed a considerable decrease in foraging success, and a shift in microsite use, at high Ta’s in summer. I hypothesise that the flexible responses the rufous-eared warblers show are aimed at increasing their heat tolerance in summer, and help them balance their energy and water demands in an arid environment that exhibits wide seasonality in Ta, in addition to high summer Ta. My findings emphasise the importance of identifying, as well as understanding, the associated costs of physiological and behavioural responses to environmental variables. This information is valuable in terms of predicting biologically meaningful responses (and hence, vulnerability) of arid-zone avian communities to climactic shifts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of how geogebra can be used as a visualisation tool by selected teachers to develop conceptual understanding of the properties of geometric shapes in grade 9 learners: a case study in Namibia
- Authors: Mwiikeni, Eramus
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6989 , vital:21207
- Description: According to Rosken & Rolka (2006), learning mathematics through visualisations can be a powerful tool to explore mathematical problems and give meaning to mathematical concepts and relationships between them. “Visualisation can reduce the complexity of mathematical problems when dealing with a multitude of information” (p.458). This case study focused on using GeoGebra as a visualisation tool to teach angle properties in Grade 9 geometry. This study set out to analyse how GeoGebra visualisations can be used by selected teachers to teach for conceptual understanding. The research is based on a constructivist view of learning and is oriented within an interpretive paradigm. The methodology used is a qualitative case study. The study was conducted in one school and involved 3 mathematics teachers who were purposefully selected because they showed willingness to use technology in their teaching. I used classroom observations and interviews to collect the data. The study identified a number of factors from the participants that related to using GeoGebra in teaching for conceptual understanding. These include the effective use of dynamic visuals to build on prior knowledge, using multiple representations through image generation and image transformation to make connections and using visuals to justify mathematics ideas. The results from this study indicated that GeoGebra can indeed be used effectively as a teaching tool to teach for conceptual understanding in mathematics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mwiikeni, Eramus
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6989 , vital:21207
- Description: According to Rosken & Rolka (2006), learning mathematics through visualisations can be a powerful tool to explore mathematical problems and give meaning to mathematical concepts and relationships between them. “Visualisation can reduce the complexity of mathematical problems when dealing with a multitude of information” (p.458). This case study focused on using GeoGebra as a visualisation tool to teach angle properties in Grade 9 geometry. This study set out to analyse how GeoGebra visualisations can be used by selected teachers to teach for conceptual understanding. The research is based on a constructivist view of learning and is oriented within an interpretive paradigm. The methodology used is a qualitative case study. The study was conducted in one school and involved 3 mathematics teachers who were purposefully selected because they showed willingness to use technology in their teaching. I used classroom observations and interviews to collect the data. The study identified a number of factors from the participants that related to using GeoGebra in teaching for conceptual understanding. These include the effective use of dynamic visuals to build on prior knowledge, using multiple representations through image generation and image transformation to make connections and using visuals to justify mathematics ideas. The results from this study indicated that GeoGebra can indeed be used effectively as a teaching tool to teach for conceptual understanding in mathematics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
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