An assessment of the impact of animal traction on rural household food security: a case of Damane rural community of Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Manzana, Sihle
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Animal traction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11208 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016162 , Animal traction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This dissertation assesses the impact of animal traction on rural household food security. Since rural communities do not have sufficient agricultural capital to purchase improved agricultural technologies for better crop production, and often lack knowledge and skills to apply improved technologies low-cost alternatives must be sought. For these reasons, animal traction has been seen by researchers as an affordable, easy-to-use, sustainable and appropriate operation for crops production in rural areas. Animal traction has been long used and it continues to be used in rural areas to improve food insecurities. But the system confronts a number of constraints that impede the development of its full potential and these should be addressed in order to reap the full benefits of agricultural restructuring in the rural areas. A study was carried out in Damane rural village under Ntsika Yethu Municipality in the Eastern Cape where animal traction is very popular. A total of 80 small-scale farmers were interviewed by means of structured questionnaires to collect data from adopters and non-adopters of animal traction. A wide range of analytical techniques were employed to assess the impact of animal traction on household food production. Descriptive statistics was employed for analyses of demographic, agricultural production process of the surveyed households and challenges encountered by households. Multiple Linear Regression was applied to determine the factors affecting animal traction use and the extent to which they contribute to gross farm production. The results of the multiple linear regressions showed that animal traction played a significant role in the total output of all the crops produced last season. The results of the t- tests showed that animal traction was the most effective technology compared to the simple hand-tools such as fork, fork spade and hoes. The binary logistic regression was employed to test the probability that resource poor households would adopt animal traction technology. It is therefore recommended that government should support animal traction users by providing all the necessary resources for development of animal in rural South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Manzana, Sihle
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Animal traction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11208 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016162 , Animal traction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This dissertation assesses the impact of animal traction on rural household food security. Since rural communities do not have sufficient agricultural capital to purchase improved agricultural technologies for better crop production, and often lack knowledge and skills to apply improved technologies low-cost alternatives must be sought. For these reasons, animal traction has been seen by researchers as an affordable, easy-to-use, sustainable and appropriate operation for crops production in rural areas. Animal traction has been long used and it continues to be used in rural areas to improve food insecurities. But the system confronts a number of constraints that impede the development of its full potential and these should be addressed in order to reap the full benefits of agricultural restructuring in the rural areas. A study was carried out in Damane rural village under Ntsika Yethu Municipality in the Eastern Cape where animal traction is very popular. A total of 80 small-scale farmers were interviewed by means of structured questionnaires to collect data from adopters and non-adopters of animal traction. A wide range of analytical techniques were employed to assess the impact of animal traction on household food production. Descriptive statistics was employed for analyses of demographic, agricultural production process of the surveyed households and challenges encountered by households. Multiple Linear Regression was applied to determine the factors affecting animal traction use and the extent to which they contribute to gross farm production. The results of the multiple linear regressions showed that animal traction played a significant role in the total output of all the crops produced last season. The results of the t- tests showed that animal traction was the most effective technology compared to the simple hand-tools such as fork, fork spade and hoes. The binary logistic regression was employed to test the probability that resource poor households would adopt animal traction technology. It is therefore recommended that government should support animal traction users by providing all the necessary resources for development of animal in rural South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
An assessment of the quality of family planning services rendered to adolescents by health workers at Mdantsane clinics, Mdantsane, Eastern Cape Province, S.A.
- Authors: Ndlebe, Siphokazi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sex instruction for youth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11892 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/407 , Health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sex instruction for youth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Family planning services are rendered at no cost in all clinics in Mdantsane. Mdantsane is situated in the Eastern Cape and falls under Amathole District Municipality. The high rate of adolescent pregnancy in the area raises a question as to whether the family planning services are adequate. This issue reflects on the quality of family planning service delivery. According to Roux (1995:94), a quality service is a safe, easily available and readily acceptable service, delivered by well trained family planning personnel through well planned programmes. Aims and Objectives: To assess the quality of family planning service delivery by health providers to adolescents; determine the opinions of adolescents regarding accessibility, friendliness of staff, privacy, confidentiality, reproductive health information and resources at Mdantsane clinics from June to July 2009. Method: A questionnaire was designed to collect data. The questionnaire was administered on the adolescents utilizing the reproductive health services at eleven primary health clinics in Mdantsane. A sample consisting of 110 adolescent youth between 19 and 24 years was selected by using random sampling. A response of “yes” will indicate that the participant is satisfied with the specific item, while a response of “no” will indicate dissatisfaction with that item. A specially designed spreadsheet was developed to analyze the data. Data was analyzed by using the Microsoft Excel 2007 Version 6. Results: The results from this research study suggest that there is a definite need for improvement of adolescent reproductive health services at Mdantsane clinics. It is clear that the current available maternal and child health programmes, school health services and reproductive health services are not able to meet the adolescent sexual and reproductive needs. Conclusion: The research findings from this study indicated the constraints to good quality family planning health care service delivery. Satisfaction responses from the five categories: health facility amenities, accessibility, staff characteristics, availability of sexual and reproductive health services and availability of educational material accessibility were mostly below 70%. The responses regarding the question on the “full information about the available contraceptives”showed the least level of satisfaction. Deficiencies in physical facilities and equipment, disruptions in supplies, insufficient information provided to clients and providers‟ insensitivity to the feelings and needs of the clients are issues that discourage adolescents from utilizing contraceptive services. Recommendations: Adolescents need a safe and supportive environment that offers information and skills to equip them on all aspects related to sexual and reproductive health issues. To satisfy adolescent reproductive needs, the following key elements should be improved: accessibility of reproductive health services, friendliness of clinic staff, availability of information about reproduction and sexuality and maintenance of issues regarding confidentiality and anonymity. Quality requires the presence of trained personnel in well-equipped clinics where clients are treated courteously. To avoid issues of courtesy bias, there is a need to conduct a similar survey utilizing alternative community settings, namely homes of participants or a school.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ndlebe, Siphokazi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sex instruction for youth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11892 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/407 , Health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sex instruction for youth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Family planning services are rendered at no cost in all clinics in Mdantsane. Mdantsane is situated in the Eastern Cape and falls under Amathole District Municipality. The high rate of adolescent pregnancy in the area raises a question as to whether the family planning services are adequate. This issue reflects on the quality of family planning service delivery. According to Roux (1995:94), a quality service is a safe, easily available and readily acceptable service, delivered by well trained family planning personnel through well planned programmes. Aims and Objectives: To assess the quality of family planning service delivery by health providers to adolescents; determine the opinions of adolescents regarding accessibility, friendliness of staff, privacy, confidentiality, reproductive health information and resources at Mdantsane clinics from June to July 2009. Method: A questionnaire was designed to collect data. The questionnaire was administered on the adolescents utilizing the reproductive health services at eleven primary health clinics in Mdantsane. A sample consisting of 110 adolescent youth between 19 and 24 years was selected by using random sampling. A response of “yes” will indicate that the participant is satisfied with the specific item, while a response of “no” will indicate dissatisfaction with that item. A specially designed spreadsheet was developed to analyze the data. Data was analyzed by using the Microsoft Excel 2007 Version 6. Results: The results from this research study suggest that there is a definite need for improvement of adolescent reproductive health services at Mdantsane clinics. It is clear that the current available maternal and child health programmes, school health services and reproductive health services are not able to meet the adolescent sexual and reproductive needs. Conclusion: The research findings from this study indicated the constraints to good quality family planning health care service delivery. Satisfaction responses from the five categories: health facility amenities, accessibility, staff characteristics, availability of sexual and reproductive health services and availability of educational material accessibility were mostly below 70%. The responses regarding the question on the “full information about the available contraceptives”showed the least level of satisfaction. Deficiencies in physical facilities and equipment, disruptions in supplies, insufficient information provided to clients and providers‟ insensitivity to the feelings and needs of the clients are issues that discourage adolescents from utilizing contraceptive services. Recommendations: Adolescents need a safe and supportive environment that offers information and skills to equip them on all aspects related to sexual and reproductive health issues. To satisfy adolescent reproductive needs, the following key elements should be improved: accessibility of reproductive health services, friendliness of clinic staff, availability of information about reproduction and sexuality and maintenance of issues regarding confidentiality and anonymity. Quality requires the presence of trained personnel in well-equipped clinics where clients are treated courteously. To avoid issues of courtesy bias, there is a need to conduct a similar survey utilizing alternative community settings, namely homes of participants or a school.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An estimation of the effects of food aid on domestic food production and commercial food imports in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chiweta, Chenai
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Food relief -- Zimbabwe , Food crops -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural productivity -- Zimbabwe , Humanitarian assistance -- Zimbabwe , Foreign exchange -- Zimbabwe , Food supply -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11175 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/478 , Food relief -- Zimbabwe , Food crops -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural productivity -- Zimbabwe , Humanitarian assistance -- Zimbabwe , Foreign exchange -- Zimbabwe , Food supply -- Zimbabwe
- Description: Food aid and domestic food production capacities in Zimbabwe have been compromised by the poor performance in the country’s agricultural sector, which has necessitated an increase in and a continual need for humanitarian assistance over the past decade. The country’s commercial cereal food import capacity has not been an exception as it has also been greatly affected by the poor performance of the agricultural sector and the shortage of foreign currency that hit the country in the past few years. Secondary data on food aid, commercial cereal imports and cereal food production was obtained from World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) of Zimbabwe and from Zimbabwe Statistics (ZimSTATS) databases. This time series data was then analysed in the Vector Autoregression (VAR) analysis. Trends observed in the time series data reveal that commercial cereal food imports and cereal food aid inflows to Zimbabwe had been increasing between 1988 and 2008. Domestic cereal food production levels however were observed to have been declining within the same period. The restricted VAR model which was specified to investigate the short and long term effects of food aid on food production and on commercial food imports in the country revealed a low statistically significant positive relationship between domestic food production and food aid volumes. Results from the model also indicated a negative relationship between commercial food imports and food aid volumes. This means that as food aid volumes to Zimbabwe increase, the volume of commercial cereal food imported into Zimbabwe falls. This result therefore suggests that food aid in the country had a displacement effect on commercial cereal food imports in the short term. The results of the Granger causality test and the estimation of the Impulse Response Functions also helped to confirm and reinforce these findings from the vector error correction model. The conclusions drawn from the study were that the responsiveness of domestic food supply, that is, cereal production, to food aid inflows in the short term has been elastic. That is to say, an increase in food aid inflows would influence an increase in the level of domestic food production in the short term. However, in the long term, findings confirm that food aid does indeed discourage domestic food production in the country. Also, for the relationship between food aid and commercial food imports, it can be concluded from the study findings that food aid in the short term has caused a reduction in commercial food imports whereas in the long term, food aid inflows have actually stimulated the commercial food import capacity. In recommendation, the Government of Zimbabwe, the private and public institutions as well as the Non-Governmental Organisations should partner and work together in defining the criteria for vulnerability assessment, food aid targeting and distribution, and in the implementation of strategies for ensuring national food availability. Such partnerships would help in ensuring the sustainability of food aid and food security in Zimbabwe, which is the main goal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Chiweta, Chenai
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Food relief -- Zimbabwe , Food crops -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural productivity -- Zimbabwe , Humanitarian assistance -- Zimbabwe , Foreign exchange -- Zimbabwe , Food supply -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11175 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/478 , Food relief -- Zimbabwe , Food crops -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural productivity -- Zimbabwe , Humanitarian assistance -- Zimbabwe , Foreign exchange -- Zimbabwe , Food supply -- Zimbabwe
- Description: Food aid and domestic food production capacities in Zimbabwe have been compromised by the poor performance in the country’s agricultural sector, which has necessitated an increase in and a continual need for humanitarian assistance over the past decade. The country’s commercial cereal food import capacity has not been an exception as it has also been greatly affected by the poor performance of the agricultural sector and the shortage of foreign currency that hit the country in the past few years. Secondary data on food aid, commercial cereal imports and cereal food production was obtained from World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) of Zimbabwe and from Zimbabwe Statistics (ZimSTATS) databases. This time series data was then analysed in the Vector Autoregression (VAR) analysis. Trends observed in the time series data reveal that commercial cereal food imports and cereal food aid inflows to Zimbabwe had been increasing between 1988 and 2008. Domestic cereal food production levels however were observed to have been declining within the same period. The restricted VAR model which was specified to investigate the short and long term effects of food aid on food production and on commercial food imports in the country revealed a low statistically significant positive relationship between domestic food production and food aid volumes. Results from the model also indicated a negative relationship between commercial food imports and food aid volumes. This means that as food aid volumes to Zimbabwe increase, the volume of commercial cereal food imported into Zimbabwe falls. This result therefore suggests that food aid in the country had a displacement effect on commercial cereal food imports in the short term. The results of the Granger causality test and the estimation of the Impulse Response Functions also helped to confirm and reinforce these findings from the vector error correction model. The conclusions drawn from the study were that the responsiveness of domestic food supply, that is, cereal production, to food aid inflows in the short term has been elastic. That is to say, an increase in food aid inflows would influence an increase in the level of domestic food production in the short term. However, in the long term, findings confirm that food aid does indeed discourage domestic food production in the country. Also, for the relationship between food aid and commercial food imports, it can be concluded from the study findings that food aid in the short term has caused a reduction in commercial food imports whereas in the long term, food aid inflows have actually stimulated the commercial food import capacity. In recommendation, the Government of Zimbabwe, the private and public institutions as well as the Non-Governmental Organisations should partner and work together in defining the criteria for vulnerability assessment, food aid targeting and distribution, and in the implementation of strategies for ensuring national food availability. Such partnerships would help in ensuring the sustainability of food aid and food security in Zimbabwe, which is the main goal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An evaluation of security issues in cloud-based file sharing technologies
- Authors: Fana, Akhona
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Security measures Computer networks -- Security measures Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1841 , vital:27565
- Description: Cloud computing is one of the most promising technologies for backup and data storage that provides flexible access to data. Cloud computing plays a vital role in remote backup. It is so unfortunate that this computing technique has flaws that thrilled and edgy end users in implementing it effectively. These flaws include factors like lack of integrity, confidentiality and privacy to information. A secure cloud is impossible unless the computer-generated environment is appropriately secured. In any form of technology it is always advisable that security challenges must be prior identified and fixed before the implementation of that particular technology. Primarily, this study will focus on finding security issues in cloud computing with the objective of finding concerns like credential theft and session management in the ―Cloud‖. Main arguments like HTTP banner disclosure, Bash ―ShellShock‖ Injection and password issues were discovered during the stages of study implementation. These challenges may provide information that will permit hackers in manipulating and exploiting cloud environment. Identifying credential theft and session management in cloud-based file sharing technologies a mixed method approach was implemented throughout the course of the study due to the nature of study and unity of analysis. Penetration tests were performed as security testing technique. Prevention and guideline of security threats leads to a friendly and authentic world of technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Fana, Akhona
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Security measures Computer networks -- Security measures Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1841 , vital:27565
- Description: Cloud computing is one of the most promising technologies for backup and data storage that provides flexible access to data. Cloud computing plays a vital role in remote backup. It is so unfortunate that this computing technique has flaws that thrilled and edgy end users in implementing it effectively. These flaws include factors like lack of integrity, confidentiality and privacy to information. A secure cloud is impossible unless the computer-generated environment is appropriately secured. In any form of technology it is always advisable that security challenges must be prior identified and fixed before the implementation of that particular technology. Primarily, this study will focus on finding security issues in cloud computing with the objective of finding concerns like credential theft and session management in the ―Cloud‖. Main arguments like HTTP banner disclosure, Bash ―ShellShock‖ Injection and password issues were discovered during the stages of study implementation. These challenges may provide information that will permit hackers in manipulating and exploiting cloud environment. Identifying credential theft and session management in cloud-based file sharing technologies a mixed method approach was implemented throughout the course of the study due to the nature of study and unity of analysis. Penetration tests were performed as security testing technique. Prevention and guideline of security threats leads to a friendly and authentic world of technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An evaluation of the effects of land tenure security in on-farm investment and on-farm productivity: a case of the smallholder farmers in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Zwelendaba, Vincent Vusumzi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11230 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021282 , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Smallholder agriculture contributes to poverty alleviation through food price reduction and employment creation. Smallholder farmers have the potential of creating employment because they are labour-intensive. Most small holder farmers in the Amathole District practices dual farming system i.e. crops and livestock production. However these farmers are faced by a number of constraints amongst these are land tenure security, lack of capital, drought, diseases, lack of access to markets and production inputs. The objectives of this study were: to investigate land tenure security impact on-farm investment and on-farm productivity by the smallholder farmers; to assess constraints encountered by the smallholder farmers, to identify factors influencing on-farm investment by the smallholder farmers and to identify factors influencing on-farm productivity by the smallholder farmers. Eighty smallholder farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages) and regression analyses. Data was for coded and processed for analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed that generally, the household demographic characteristics have an influence on the decision to investment in the farm thus on farm productivity. These included age, gender, marital status, educational level and household size of the smallholder farmers. However the findings revealed that smallholder farmers were not much concerned with the land tenure security of the land as they see themselves as owners of these lands. The reason being that they always had access to their land and there were no perceived tenure insecurity threats. The majority of the smallholder farmers were not worried that they might lose their land in the future as they felt that their land tenure was secured. Although, the majority of farmers had some sense of security they still preferred a freehold tenure system as form of land tenure security. This suggests that there was a sense of insecurity among some of the smallholder farmers caused by their current tenure forms. Majority (66%) of the farmers held their land under freehold whilst leasehold and communal hold farmers constituted 5 % and 29 % respectively. Even though majority had freehold tenure system, they could not use their land as collateral when required for funding from the lending institutions because the title deeds were not registered in their names but those of deceased family members. As a result the majority was constrained by lack of credit and had low income. Lack of cash suggests that the farmers have difficulties in purchasing farm of the survey suggest that the household demographics and socio-economic variables may have an influence on the on-farm investment and on-farm productivity by the smallholder farmers. Furthermore, besides the challenges with land tenure, there are other factors that are likely to influence on-farm investment and on-farm productivity. The results of the survey revealed that smallholder farmers were faced with lot of challenges. These included lack of access to markets, grazing land, credit, farm implements, productions inputs and irrigation water. In addition to this the smallholder farmers were faced with both crops and livestock production constraints. Crop production constraints included lack of access to labour, transport, capital, storage facilities, pests, diseases, lack of management skills and severe drought. Livestock production was constrained by diseases, theft, attack by wild animals, lack of fence in the camps, labour, vaccines, dipping facilities too far and severe drought. For both crop and livestock production diseases and drought were major concerns for smallholder farmers since they were dependent on rainfall for their farming activities. With regards to improvements and investment there was little or not much investment that has been made by the smallholder farmers. One of the reasons mentioned by the farmers as the main cause for little or no investments is the lack of capital to make such improvements or investments. The study also employed empirical analysis through employing on-farm investment and on-farm productivity models of the study on the factors influencing the on-farm investment and on-farm productivity by the smallholder farmers in the study area. In both models, the independent variables were tested for their significance and it was found that some variables were significant whilst others were not. With regards to the dependent variable on-farm investment, household socio-economic factors such as household size, educational levels and farm size, had a positive influence in on-farm investment and were also statistically significant. On the other side, factors such as land tenure security, age, gender, household income and access to markets did not have any influence and were not statistically significant. From the perspective of on-farm productivity variables such as farm size, access to credit and access to extension services had a positive influence. However, variables such as land tenure security, age, household income, educational levels, access to implements, were negatively influencing onfarm productivity by the smallholder farmers. Key words: Land tenure security, smallholder farmers, on-farm investment & on-farm productivity
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Zwelendaba, Vincent Vusumzi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11230 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021282 , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Smallholder agriculture contributes to poverty alleviation through food price reduction and employment creation. Smallholder farmers have the potential of creating employment because they are labour-intensive. Most small holder farmers in the Amathole District practices dual farming system i.e. crops and livestock production. However these farmers are faced by a number of constraints amongst these are land tenure security, lack of capital, drought, diseases, lack of access to markets and production inputs. The objectives of this study were: to investigate land tenure security impact on-farm investment and on-farm productivity by the smallholder farmers; to assess constraints encountered by the smallholder farmers, to identify factors influencing on-farm investment by the smallholder farmers and to identify factors influencing on-farm productivity by the smallholder farmers. Eighty smallholder farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages) and regression analyses. Data was for coded and processed for analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed that generally, the household demographic characteristics have an influence on the decision to investment in the farm thus on farm productivity. These included age, gender, marital status, educational level and household size of the smallholder farmers. However the findings revealed that smallholder farmers were not much concerned with the land tenure security of the land as they see themselves as owners of these lands. The reason being that they always had access to their land and there were no perceived tenure insecurity threats. The majority of the smallholder farmers were not worried that they might lose their land in the future as they felt that their land tenure was secured. Although, the majority of farmers had some sense of security they still preferred a freehold tenure system as form of land tenure security. This suggests that there was a sense of insecurity among some of the smallholder farmers caused by their current tenure forms. Majority (66%) of the farmers held their land under freehold whilst leasehold and communal hold farmers constituted 5 % and 29 % respectively. Even though majority had freehold tenure system, they could not use their land as collateral when required for funding from the lending institutions because the title deeds were not registered in their names but those of deceased family members. As a result the majority was constrained by lack of credit and had low income. Lack of cash suggests that the farmers have difficulties in purchasing farm of the survey suggest that the household demographics and socio-economic variables may have an influence on the on-farm investment and on-farm productivity by the smallholder farmers. Furthermore, besides the challenges with land tenure, there are other factors that are likely to influence on-farm investment and on-farm productivity. The results of the survey revealed that smallholder farmers were faced with lot of challenges. These included lack of access to markets, grazing land, credit, farm implements, productions inputs and irrigation water. In addition to this the smallholder farmers were faced with both crops and livestock production constraints. Crop production constraints included lack of access to labour, transport, capital, storage facilities, pests, diseases, lack of management skills and severe drought. Livestock production was constrained by diseases, theft, attack by wild animals, lack of fence in the camps, labour, vaccines, dipping facilities too far and severe drought. For both crop and livestock production diseases and drought were major concerns for smallholder farmers since they were dependent on rainfall for their farming activities. With regards to improvements and investment there was little or not much investment that has been made by the smallholder farmers. One of the reasons mentioned by the farmers as the main cause for little or no investments is the lack of capital to make such improvements or investments. The study also employed empirical analysis through employing on-farm investment and on-farm productivity models of the study on the factors influencing the on-farm investment and on-farm productivity by the smallholder farmers in the study area. In both models, the independent variables were tested for their significance and it was found that some variables were significant whilst others were not. With regards to the dependent variable on-farm investment, household socio-economic factors such as household size, educational levels and farm size, had a positive influence in on-farm investment and were also statistically significant. On the other side, factors such as land tenure security, age, gender, household income and access to markets did not have any influence and were not statistically significant. From the perspective of on-farm productivity variables such as farm size, access to credit and access to extension services had a positive influence. However, variables such as land tenure security, age, household income, educational levels, access to implements, were negatively influencing onfarm productivity by the smallholder farmers. Key words: Land tenure security, smallholder farmers, on-farm investment & on-farm productivity
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
An explosive study of factors leading to students drop out at Lilitha College of Education in Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mnikina, Thandazwa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016148
- Description: This study is about exploring the factors that contribute to nursing students’ dropout at a public college. Lilitha College examination policy states that for a student to complete the Four Year Comprehensive Diploma Course, the student shall have passed all the four year courses. An increased student dropout rate has been identified to be affecting nursing student’s progress at Lilitha College of Nursing, East London Campus. This is a cause for concern and the researcher decided to investigate and explore the factors contributing to students’ dropout. This situation paralyzes the attempt by government to deal effectively with the shortage of trained nurses. The purpose of the study was to investigate and explore the factors that contribute to students’ dropout at Lilitha College of Nursing East London Campus. The objectives of this study were: To explore and describe experiences of students who dropped out from Lilitha College before course completion, to identify contributory factors related to increased students’ dropout rate, to come up with recommendations as how to curb the problem of student dropout and to ensure an increase of nursing students who complete at the end of the programme. This study followed a qualitative approach and explorative descriptive design. The population was all the students that have dropped out at Lilitha College of Nursing, East London Campus in the four year basic comprehensive programme from 2007 – 2011 at all levels of study. The sample size in this study was determined by data saturation, meaning that the data were collected to the point where no new information was obtained (Polit & Beck 2004: 308). A purposive sample of 15 former Lilitha students now working as Enrolled nursing assistants participated in this study. Data collection was divided into two sections, namely, demographic characteristics and face to face interviews. Demographic characteristics of the participants were obtained by asking questions related to age, sex, race, marital status, number of children per participant and the year of study at the time of dropping out. In section two of the study the interview guide was used for the purposes of data collection for this study, where four questions were formulated to guide the interview that was followed by probing questions. All tape recordings were listened to and transcribed verbatim. Field notes that were taken during unstructured interview were interpreted. The ideas that emerged from the interview sessions were then consolidated. Questions in the interview guide and their responses were drawn up and similar responses that arose from the interviews were grouped together. The identified major themes and sub themes were coded and categorized. Data belonging to each category were grouped together and analyzed and then the final remarks on the data analysis were completed. For most participants the course was frightening and difficult. They explained that they were exposed to a lot of information in a short space of time. In class, there was a lot of theory and in the wards there were skills to be learnt. Learners had to compile all the information and try to make sense out of it. Students follow up and support in the clinical facilities was reported as inadequate. The college should employ full time facilitators. This can improve teaching in the clinical area. The student should have mentors so that whenever they encounter a problem there will be people to assist and give them guidance. Through mentoring and support, student absenteeism can be controlled and students can gain self-confidence and learn more.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mnikina, Thandazwa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016148
- Description: This study is about exploring the factors that contribute to nursing students’ dropout at a public college. Lilitha College examination policy states that for a student to complete the Four Year Comprehensive Diploma Course, the student shall have passed all the four year courses. An increased student dropout rate has been identified to be affecting nursing student’s progress at Lilitha College of Nursing, East London Campus. This is a cause for concern and the researcher decided to investigate and explore the factors contributing to students’ dropout. This situation paralyzes the attempt by government to deal effectively with the shortage of trained nurses. The purpose of the study was to investigate and explore the factors that contribute to students’ dropout at Lilitha College of Nursing East London Campus. The objectives of this study were: To explore and describe experiences of students who dropped out from Lilitha College before course completion, to identify contributory factors related to increased students’ dropout rate, to come up with recommendations as how to curb the problem of student dropout and to ensure an increase of nursing students who complete at the end of the programme. This study followed a qualitative approach and explorative descriptive design. The population was all the students that have dropped out at Lilitha College of Nursing, East London Campus in the four year basic comprehensive programme from 2007 – 2011 at all levels of study. The sample size in this study was determined by data saturation, meaning that the data were collected to the point where no new information was obtained (Polit & Beck 2004: 308). A purposive sample of 15 former Lilitha students now working as Enrolled nursing assistants participated in this study. Data collection was divided into two sections, namely, demographic characteristics and face to face interviews. Demographic characteristics of the participants were obtained by asking questions related to age, sex, race, marital status, number of children per participant and the year of study at the time of dropping out. In section two of the study the interview guide was used for the purposes of data collection for this study, where four questions were formulated to guide the interview that was followed by probing questions. All tape recordings were listened to and transcribed verbatim. Field notes that were taken during unstructured interview were interpreted. The ideas that emerged from the interview sessions were then consolidated. Questions in the interview guide and their responses were drawn up and similar responses that arose from the interviews were grouped together. The identified major themes and sub themes were coded and categorized. Data belonging to each category were grouped together and analyzed and then the final remarks on the data analysis were completed. For most participants the course was frightening and difficult. They explained that they were exposed to a lot of information in a short space of time. In class, there was a lot of theory and in the wards there were skills to be learnt. Learners had to compile all the information and try to make sense out of it. Students follow up and support in the clinical facilities was reported as inadequate. The college should employ full time facilitators. This can improve teaching in the clinical area. The student should have mentors so that whenever they encounter a problem there will be people to assist and give them guidance. Through mentoring and support, student absenteeism can be controlled and students can gain self-confidence and learn more.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An integrated approach for the delineation of arable land and its cropping suitability under variable soil and climatic conditions in the Nkonkobe municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Manyevere, Alen
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Soils -- Classification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ethnoscience -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Soil Science)
- Identifier: vital:11965 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019856 , Soils -- Classification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ethnoscience -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Arable crop production in Nkonkobe Municipality is low due to abandonment of potentially productive land and low productivity of the cultivated land. Little attention has been given to farmers perspectives with regards to crop production and land abandonment. Understanding the relationships of indigenous knowledge systems, where local approaches to soil classification, appraisal, use and management and land evaluation, and scientific approaches could be important for the effective use of available soil resources while avoiding those resources that are vulnerable to degradation. In addition, the interactions between soil factors and climate could be useful in understanding the erodibility of soils. The intergration of scientific research and indigenous knowledge systems could help in the identification and delineation of high potential land and on crop suitability evaluation. The objectives of the study were: (i) to determine farmers‟ perspectives with regards to land utilisation and abandonment, constraints on crop production and crop preferences, (ii) to integrate and compare indigenous knowledge systems with scientific approaches of soil classification and potential, (iii) to determine the effect of climate and soil factors on erodibilities of soils in the Municipality (iv) to delineate arable land and evaluate its suitability for maize, potato, sorghum and cowpea under rainfed agriculture. Using semi-structured and open-ended interviews, information on limitations to crop production, cropping preferences, indigenous soil classifications, cropping potential ratings and erosion was captured. Descriptive and correlation statistics were used to analyse farmers‟ responses. The information was later used for a pilot participatory mapping and the determination of the agricultural potential of the soils in three selected villages of the Municipality. Field boundaries of soil texture, colour, depth, and slope position were captured using global positioning systems (GPS). The relationship between the degree of erosion and soil and slope factors was analysed by step-wise regression. Crop suitability for rainfed agriculture was done using the FAO guidelines for Land evaluation for rainfed agriculture. The spatially referenced crop suitability classes were produced by applying the Law of Limiting Combinationusing GIS Boolean Logic. The major biophysical factors, affecting crop production and land utilisation were soil degradation and low and erratic rainfall, while other factors included lack of farming equipment and security concerns. Maize, spinach and cabbage were the main crops grown, with maize sorghum and wheat the most abandoned crops. While it was difficult to accurately correlate indigenous classification with international scientific classification, the importance of colour, texture and soil depth for both classification and soil potential, suggests that some form of correlation is possible which enabled communication and other extension information to be conveyed. The shallow and stony soil (urhete) correlated well with the Leptosols in World Reference Base (WRB) or Mispah and shallow Glenrosa soils in the South African system. The red structured clays (umhlaba obomvu) matched the Nitisols in WRB or Shortlands in the South African system. The non-swelling black clayey soils (umhlaba omnyama) matched soils with melanic A horizons in both the WRB and South African soil classification systems. The dongwe and santi soils developed in alluvial sediments belonged to the Dundee, Oakleaf or Augrabies soils in the South African classification system and fluvisols or Cambisols in the WRB system. There was good agreement between farmers assessment of the cropping potential and scientific approaches but scientifically high potential red soils were rated lowly by the farmers due to difficulties in management caused by shortages of farm machinery, especially under dryland farming. Overall, the soil factors affecting erosion were influenced largely by climate, while parent material was also important. Climate had a dominant influence on soil factors most notably fine sand and very fine sand fractions and exchangeable sodium percentage being more important on soil forms occurring in arid and semi-arid climate and less in the sub-humid and humid areas, where clay mineralogy, particularly kaolinite and sesquioxide dominated. Dolerite derived soils were the most stable and should be given the highest priority for cropping development while mudstone and shale derived soils had a lower cropping potential. While slope gradient and length had some effect on soil erosion in arid and semi arid environments its influence was generally overshadowed by soil factors especially in humid zones. Cow pea and sorghum were the most adapted crops in the region while potato and maize were marginally suitable under rainfed agriculture. The study revealed that most adapted crops were not necessarily the most preferred crops by the farmers. A small percentage of the land was delineated as arable and therefore optimisation of this available land should be prioritized.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Manyevere, Alen
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Soils -- Classification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ethnoscience -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Soil Science)
- Identifier: vital:11965 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019856 , Soils -- Classification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ethnoscience -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Arable crop production in Nkonkobe Municipality is low due to abandonment of potentially productive land and low productivity of the cultivated land. Little attention has been given to farmers perspectives with regards to crop production and land abandonment. Understanding the relationships of indigenous knowledge systems, where local approaches to soil classification, appraisal, use and management and land evaluation, and scientific approaches could be important for the effective use of available soil resources while avoiding those resources that are vulnerable to degradation. In addition, the interactions between soil factors and climate could be useful in understanding the erodibility of soils. The intergration of scientific research and indigenous knowledge systems could help in the identification and delineation of high potential land and on crop suitability evaluation. The objectives of the study were: (i) to determine farmers‟ perspectives with regards to land utilisation and abandonment, constraints on crop production and crop preferences, (ii) to integrate and compare indigenous knowledge systems with scientific approaches of soil classification and potential, (iii) to determine the effect of climate and soil factors on erodibilities of soils in the Municipality (iv) to delineate arable land and evaluate its suitability for maize, potato, sorghum and cowpea under rainfed agriculture. Using semi-structured and open-ended interviews, information on limitations to crop production, cropping preferences, indigenous soil classifications, cropping potential ratings and erosion was captured. Descriptive and correlation statistics were used to analyse farmers‟ responses. The information was later used for a pilot participatory mapping and the determination of the agricultural potential of the soils in three selected villages of the Municipality. Field boundaries of soil texture, colour, depth, and slope position were captured using global positioning systems (GPS). The relationship between the degree of erosion and soil and slope factors was analysed by step-wise regression. Crop suitability for rainfed agriculture was done using the FAO guidelines for Land evaluation for rainfed agriculture. The spatially referenced crop suitability classes were produced by applying the Law of Limiting Combinationusing GIS Boolean Logic. The major biophysical factors, affecting crop production and land utilisation were soil degradation and low and erratic rainfall, while other factors included lack of farming equipment and security concerns. Maize, spinach and cabbage were the main crops grown, with maize sorghum and wheat the most abandoned crops. While it was difficult to accurately correlate indigenous classification with international scientific classification, the importance of colour, texture and soil depth for both classification and soil potential, suggests that some form of correlation is possible which enabled communication and other extension information to be conveyed. The shallow and stony soil (urhete) correlated well with the Leptosols in World Reference Base (WRB) or Mispah and shallow Glenrosa soils in the South African system. The red structured clays (umhlaba obomvu) matched the Nitisols in WRB or Shortlands in the South African system. The non-swelling black clayey soils (umhlaba omnyama) matched soils with melanic A horizons in both the WRB and South African soil classification systems. The dongwe and santi soils developed in alluvial sediments belonged to the Dundee, Oakleaf or Augrabies soils in the South African classification system and fluvisols or Cambisols in the WRB system. There was good agreement between farmers assessment of the cropping potential and scientific approaches but scientifically high potential red soils were rated lowly by the farmers due to difficulties in management caused by shortages of farm machinery, especially under dryland farming. Overall, the soil factors affecting erosion were influenced largely by climate, while parent material was also important. Climate had a dominant influence on soil factors most notably fine sand and very fine sand fractions and exchangeable sodium percentage being more important on soil forms occurring in arid and semi-arid climate and less in the sub-humid and humid areas, where clay mineralogy, particularly kaolinite and sesquioxide dominated. Dolerite derived soils were the most stable and should be given the highest priority for cropping development while mudstone and shale derived soils had a lower cropping potential. While slope gradient and length had some effect on soil erosion in arid and semi arid environments its influence was generally overshadowed by soil factors especially in humid zones. Cow pea and sorghum were the most adapted crops in the region while potato and maize were marginally suitable under rainfed agriculture. The study revealed that most adapted crops were not necessarily the most preferred crops by the farmers. A small percentage of the land was delineated as arable and therefore optimisation of this available land should be prioritized.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
An integrated study of coal geology and potential environmental impact assessment at Mchenga Coal Mine in Livingstonia Coalfield in Malawi
- Authors: Maneya, George Jameson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Coal -- Geology -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- Malawi , Environmental degradation -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11518 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/480 , Coal -- Geology -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- Malawi , Environmental degradation -- Malawi
- Description: This study was carried out on the main coal-producing and the extensively block-faulted area of Mchenga Coal Mine, southeast of the 90 km2 intracratonic Livingstonia Coalfield in the north of Malawi. It was initiated against the background of indistinct information on coal geology, shortage of energy and potential environmental threats due to mine activities. The study aimed at integrating investigations of characterization of the lithostratigraphy, coal seam correlation, coal quality determination, examination of the mineralogy and geochemistry of coal and hosts rocks, assessment of water quality and providing information for mining and potential environmental and water quality impact assessment in the study area. The methodologies used in this study include literature review, field visits, mapping, sites selection and characterization, borehole logging, geochemical analyses, data processing and interpretation. The geochemical analyses include proximity analysis of coal quality, microscopy and X-ray Diffraction for mineralogy and petrology, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for rock geochemistry and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for determination water geochemistry. The results have shown that a) The Coal Measures comprises of four to six coal seams in different localities, and the occurrence is flat and gently dipping southeast and are correlated. Thicknesses of the coal seams vary from 0.10m to 3.0m with some notable lateral and horizontal variations. Thick and workable seams occupy the lower portion of the Coal Measures and are exposed along the North Rumphi River bank; b) Coal quality belongs to sub-bituminous ‘A’ to ‘C’ on ASTM classification (1991), being characterised by low moisture content (0.8 to 1.3 wt percent) and sulphur content (0.49 to 0.85 wt percent), high ash content (9.0 to 17 wt percent) and volatile matter (24 to 32.9 wt percent), fixed carbon (53.6 to 62.6 wt percent), calorific value (7,015 to 7,670 kcal/kg); c) Mineral matters constitute approximately 9.55 to 38.34 wt percent of the coal samples, predominantly clays (interstratified illite/smectite and kaolinite) with varying proportions of quartz, mica and feldspars, as well as minor calcite and pyrite and their geochemistry, being characterised by enrichment of SiO2 from 5.37 to 20.56 wt percent, Al2O3 (2.63 to 11.21 wt percent) and K2O (0.32 to 3.65 wt percent) with trace concentrations of CaO (0.04 to 0.41 wt. percent), MgO (0.08 to 0.65 wt percent) and P2O5 (0.018 to 0.037 wt percent) and Na2O concentration notably below 0.01 wt percent; d) Calcite and pyrite constitute minor concentration in both sandstones and shales; e) Water quality in the area is characterised as two groups of acidic (pH 3.3-6.4) and near-neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6.9-7.3) and low pH, high TDS, SO42- and EC are noted at the coal crusher plant which points out to high leaching of trace elements such as Pb and Fe. Na++K+ are dominant in upper sections of North Rumphi and Mhlepa Rivers. Ca2+ cations are dominant at crusher plant, underground mine and lower section of Mhlepa; f) Based on the geochemistry analysis, Na and trace elements such as Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sr and Zr from coal and host rocks have the ability to contribute significantly to deterioration in the ground and surface water quality in the study area. It can be concluded that the coals of the Livingstonia Coalfield belong to Gondwana group deposited in sub-basin with multiple seams embedded in sandstone and shale host rocks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Maneya, George Jameson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Coal -- Geology -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- Malawi , Environmental degradation -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11518 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/480 , Coal -- Geology -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Malawi , Coal mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- Malawi , Environmental degradation -- Malawi
- Description: This study was carried out on the main coal-producing and the extensively block-faulted area of Mchenga Coal Mine, southeast of the 90 km2 intracratonic Livingstonia Coalfield in the north of Malawi. It was initiated against the background of indistinct information on coal geology, shortage of energy and potential environmental threats due to mine activities. The study aimed at integrating investigations of characterization of the lithostratigraphy, coal seam correlation, coal quality determination, examination of the mineralogy and geochemistry of coal and hosts rocks, assessment of water quality and providing information for mining and potential environmental and water quality impact assessment in the study area. The methodologies used in this study include literature review, field visits, mapping, sites selection and characterization, borehole logging, geochemical analyses, data processing and interpretation. The geochemical analyses include proximity analysis of coal quality, microscopy and X-ray Diffraction for mineralogy and petrology, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for rock geochemistry and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for determination water geochemistry. The results have shown that a) The Coal Measures comprises of four to six coal seams in different localities, and the occurrence is flat and gently dipping southeast and are correlated. Thicknesses of the coal seams vary from 0.10m to 3.0m with some notable lateral and horizontal variations. Thick and workable seams occupy the lower portion of the Coal Measures and are exposed along the North Rumphi River bank; b) Coal quality belongs to sub-bituminous ‘A’ to ‘C’ on ASTM classification (1991), being characterised by low moisture content (0.8 to 1.3 wt percent) and sulphur content (0.49 to 0.85 wt percent), high ash content (9.0 to 17 wt percent) and volatile matter (24 to 32.9 wt percent), fixed carbon (53.6 to 62.6 wt percent), calorific value (7,015 to 7,670 kcal/kg); c) Mineral matters constitute approximately 9.55 to 38.34 wt percent of the coal samples, predominantly clays (interstratified illite/smectite and kaolinite) with varying proportions of quartz, mica and feldspars, as well as minor calcite and pyrite and their geochemistry, being characterised by enrichment of SiO2 from 5.37 to 20.56 wt percent, Al2O3 (2.63 to 11.21 wt percent) and K2O (0.32 to 3.65 wt percent) with trace concentrations of CaO (0.04 to 0.41 wt. percent), MgO (0.08 to 0.65 wt percent) and P2O5 (0.018 to 0.037 wt percent) and Na2O concentration notably below 0.01 wt percent; d) Calcite and pyrite constitute minor concentration in both sandstones and shales; e) Water quality in the area is characterised as two groups of acidic (pH 3.3-6.4) and near-neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6.9-7.3) and low pH, high TDS, SO42- and EC are noted at the coal crusher plant which points out to high leaching of trace elements such as Pb and Fe. Na++K+ are dominant in upper sections of North Rumphi and Mhlepa Rivers. Ca2+ cations are dominant at crusher plant, underground mine and lower section of Mhlepa; f) Based on the geochemistry analysis, Na and trace elements such as Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sr and Zr from coal and host rocks have the ability to contribute significantly to deterioration in the ground and surface water quality in the study area. It can be concluded that the coals of the Livingstonia Coalfield belong to Gondwana group deposited in sub-basin with multiple seams embedded in sandstone and shale host rocks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An investigation into the implementation of the basic antenatal care programme by midwives in Mdantsane clinics
- Authors: Dyeli, Nolwando
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwifery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Childbirth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Prenatal care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnant women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/425 , Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwifery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Childbirth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Prenatal care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnant women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Basic Antenatal Care (BANC) is a way of training or upgrading the knowledge and skills of all nurses, midwives and doctors involved in antenatal care at the primary health care level so that the minimum care can be provided effectively. This study was conducted to investigate the implementation of the BANC program by midwives in the Mdantsane clinics during February 2009. Methods: A descriptive study design was undertaken targeting midwives providing antenatal care to pregnant women, in 14 clinics of Mdantsane. Data was collected from 25 midwives in the clinics, and from 140 ANC cards of women attending ANC on the day of their visit to the clinic. Results: The majority of midwives providing BANC in Mdantsane clinics were not trained in BANC. There were 10 trained midwives and 15 not yet trained. A total of twenty five midwives were involved in the study. The number of visits according to the BANC schedule was well known by the midwives in the study. The content of the visits was well known for the first visit, but for subsequent visits, the participating midwives could not state exactly what they do on these visits. They perceived BANC as something beneficial for both midwives and pregnant women with 24 of the participating midwives rating BANC as advantageous. In completing an ANC card, the midwives scored between 48 percent and 100 percent. Under examination, they scored between 52 percent and 100 percent. Lastly on interpretation and decision making, they scored between 0 percent and 92 percent. This could have troubling consequences for the health status of the mother and baby. Weaknesses in providing antenatal care identified in the study included participating midwives failing to fill in the last normal menstrual period (LNMP) and the estimated date of delivery (EDD), which was a worrying observation. Plotting of the gestational age at first visit was also not carried out well as only 47 percent of the midwives in the study did this, meaning that there would be a miscalculation of the gestational age thereafter throughout the pregnancies. The body mass index (BMI) was not calculated as the maternal height and weight were not written on the ANC card. This should be completed in order to check the nutritional status of the pregnant woman to help supplement, if malnourished, and educate on diet, if overweight. Only 17 percent of the midwives in the study plotted the foetal presentation. Failure to plot foetal presentation could lead to complications during delivery because women with abnormal presentations could end up delivering in a clinic instead of the hospital.Conclusion: This study showed that even though midwives are implementing BANC among pregnant women, it is not being carried out correctly. Therefore the programme will not be as beneficial as it would be if put into practice correctly. This is highlighted by the lack of knowledge from the untrained midwives regarding the content of care on subsequent visits. Thus there is an urgent need for BANC training to be conducted and monitored at various sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Dyeli, Nolwando
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwifery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Childbirth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Prenatal care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnant women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/425 , Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwifery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Childbirth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Prenatal care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnant women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Basic Antenatal Care (BANC) is a way of training or upgrading the knowledge and skills of all nurses, midwives and doctors involved in antenatal care at the primary health care level so that the minimum care can be provided effectively. This study was conducted to investigate the implementation of the BANC program by midwives in the Mdantsane clinics during February 2009. Methods: A descriptive study design was undertaken targeting midwives providing antenatal care to pregnant women, in 14 clinics of Mdantsane. Data was collected from 25 midwives in the clinics, and from 140 ANC cards of women attending ANC on the day of their visit to the clinic. Results: The majority of midwives providing BANC in Mdantsane clinics were not trained in BANC. There were 10 trained midwives and 15 not yet trained. A total of twenty five midwives were involved in the study. The number of visits according to the BANC schedule was well known by the midwives in the study. The content of the visits was well known for the first visit, but for subsequent visits, the participating midwives could not state exactly what they do on these visits. They perceived BANC as something beneficial for both midwives and pregnant women with 24 of the participating midwives rating BANC as advantageous. In completing an ANC card, the midwives scored between 48 percent and 100 percent. Under examination, they scored between 52 percent and 100 percent. Lastly on interpretation and decision making, they scored between 0 percent and 92 percent. This could have troubling consequences for the health status of the mother and baby. Weaknesses in providing antenatal care identified in the study included participating midwives failing to fill in the last normal menstrual period (LNMP) and the estimated date of delivery (EDD), which was a worrying observation. Plotting of the gestational age at first visit was also not carried out well as only 47 percent of the midwives in the study did this, meaning that there would be a miscalculation of the gestational age thereafter throughout the pregnancies. The body mass index (BMI) was not calculated as the maternal height and weight were not written on the ANC card. This should be completed in order to check the nutritional status of the pregnant woman to help supplement, if malnourished, and educate on diet, if overweight. Only 17 percent of the midwives in the study plotted the foetal presentation. Failure to plot foetal presentation could lead to complications during delivery because women with abnormal presentations could end up delivering in a clinic instead of the hospital.Conclusion: This study showed that even though midwives are implementing BANC among pregnant women, it is not being carried out correctly. Therefore the programme will not be as beneficial as it would be if put into practice correctly. This is highlighted by the lack of knowledge from the untrained midwives regarding the content of care on subsequent visits. Thus there is an urgent need for BANC training to be conducted and monitored at various sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An investigation of skills and knowledge of women participating in water and food security projects in the Eastern Cape Province: a case of Mbekweni village, Sirhosheni and Lutengele villages
- Authors: Makeleni, Maliviwe
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11235 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021306 , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The South African government initiated programmes to ensure that women in agriculture are empowered with sufficient agricultural skills and knowledge to engage in agriculture in order to alleviate poverty for their families and communities. Studies argue that within the agricultural sector, women are not capacitated adequately enough in terms of the skills and knowledge they need to acquire, and particularly as this relates to their ability to have knowledge about more advanced technologies in farming. This includes the most up to date knowledge related to sustainable-development. This study has attempted to investigate skills and knowledge possessed by women participating in water and food security projects in the Eastern Cape. Selected study areas were Mbekweni village located in Whittlesea, Sirhosheni village which is situated in Willowvale and Lutengele village in Port St Johns. The thesis was also aiming to find the skills/knowledge gap amongst the sample so as to come up with recommendations. The data was collected using two semi-structured questionnaires. The first questionnaire was for the main survey which mainly concentrated on the socio-economic information of the respondents. This data were collected from 163 households across three sites using systematic sampling. The second questionnaire was mainly used to gain more in-depth analysis. The data were collected from 30 households across three sites using purposive sampling. Both questionnaires were administered through face-to-face interviews. The majority of respondents have stated that they have basic knowledge and skills in farming, however they need further training on appropriate planting methods for various crops, irrigation scheduling and frequency, application of pesticides and marketing skills. Econometric analysis, through the use of the binomial regression model revealed that education affects the level of knowledge of farmers in selecting appropriate planting methods as well as farmers’ knowledge in determining seed depth of a crop. Gender influences the level of knowledge farmers have when selecting appropriate planting methods. Having extension assistance was recognised to affect farmers’ knowledge in determining irrigation scheduling and intensity. All variables were statistically significant showing a 5% level. The thesis ultimately argues that encouraging support to agricultural extension that respects local-level indigenous farming will increase the food-security potential of residents within the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Makeleni, Maliviwe
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11235 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021306 , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The South African government initiated programmes to ensure that women in agriculture are empowered with sufficient agricultural skills and knowledge to engage in agriculture in order to alleviate poverty for their families and communities. Studies argue that within the agricultural sector, women are not capacitated adequately enough in terms of the skills and knowledge they need to acquire, and particularly as this relates to their ability to have knowledge about more advanced technologies in farming. This includes the most up to date knowledge related to sustainable-development. This study has attempted to investigate skills and knowledge possessed by women participating in water and food security projects in the Eastern Cape. Selected study areas were Mbekweni village located in Whittlesea, Sirhosheni village which is situated in Willowvale and Lutengele village in Port St Johns. The thesis was also aiming to find the skills/knowledge gap amongst the sample so as to come up with recommendations. The data was collected using two semi-structured questionnaires. The first questionnaire was for the main survey which mainly concentrated on the socio-economic information of the respondents. This data were collected from 163 households across three sites using systematic sampling. The second questionnaire was mainly used to gain more in-depth analysis. The data were collected from 30 households across three sites using purposive sampling. Both questionnaires were administered through face-to-face interviews. The majority of respondents have stated that they have basic knowledge and skills in farming, however they need further training on appropriate planting methods for various crops, irrigation scheduling and frequency, application of pesticides and marketing skills. Econometric analysis, through the use of the binomial regression model revealed that education affects the level of knowledge of farmers in selecting appropriate planting methods as well as farmers’ knowledge in determining seed depth of a crop. Gender influences the level of knowledge farmers have when selecting appropriate planting methods. Having extension assistance was recognised to affect farmers’ knowledge in determining irrigation scheduling and intensity. All variables were statistically significant showing a 5% level. The thesis ultimately argues that encouraging support to agricultural extension that respects local-level indigenous farming will increase the food-security potential of residents within the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An investigation of skills, knowledge and farmer support programmes of land reform beneficiaries :a case study of Forest Hill farmers in Kenton-on-Sea in the Ndlambe Local Municipality
- Authors: Tshuma, Mengezi Chancellor
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Land reforms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11205 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013109 , Land reforms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: black owners by white colonialists. Even though whites made up less than 20% of the nation‟s population, they took more than 80% of the agriculturally productive land and drove the original owners to the unproductive reserves where they were cramped and could not practice agriculture at all. Various acts such as the Black Land Act of 1913, Development Trust Act of 1936 and the Native Laws Amendment Act of 1937 were introduced which further frustrated the displaced black population thereby plunging it deeper and deeper into poverty. The main objective behind the introduction of these acts was to restrain the black population from earning livelihoods through agriculture thus forcing them to offer their labour to white farmers for low wages just to earn some form of livelihood. Such unfair practices and distribution of land prompted the first democratically elected government of South Africa to embark on a drive to redistribute the nation‟s land equitably amongst its citizens to foster national reconciliation, stimulate economic growth and compensate those that were forced out or lost their land during the apartheid era. This initiative was called the Land Reform Programme (LRP) and was implemented with three prongs namely (i) land redistribution; (ii) restitution; and (iii) land tenure. Among the beneficiaries of the LRP were farmers from a community called Marselle in Kenton-on-sea. In addition to getting land for farming purposes, the Marselle farmers also obtained financial support from the government‟s Land Bank to help them kick-start their farming activities. However, in spite of such interventions, they have struggled to turn their activities into sustainable livelihood sources. One most likely cause for this is the lack of farming knowledge and skills needed to make them more efficient and productive. This study was thus geared towards evaluating the knowledge and skills gap in Marselle which, when addressed, could make the Marselle farmers more productive. Its focus was limited to the 32 livestock and 8 chicory farmers that are recognized members of their respective projects. Focus was limited only to these farmers since the next phase of this study will involve building their capacity based on the skills gaps identified through this study. The findings showed that the two projects benefited at least 130 individuals belonging to the farming households, with 67.5% of these households headed by males. The age of these farmers was equally shared at 40% each between those above 65 years and those that only went as far as fourth grade. No one went to tertiary at all. At least 75% of the investigated farmers were unemployed and 42% of this population was pensioners. In terms of income though, 64.98% of it was from external sources. The Masakhane Silime (Chicory) project was implemented to generate income and provide job opportunities for the locals but neither of these objectives had been met at the time the data for this study was collected due to various challenges like lack of funds and infrastructure to enhance productivity. Just like the chicory project, the livestock project had its own objectives, namely; to remove animals from the residential areas, provide the animals with a safe place, reduce road accidents and also to provide a livelihood source for local farmers. Due to overgrazing the pastures, lack of proper camps and other challenges, some effort still needs to be put to achieve these objectives. Even though the livestock project was formed with these objectives in mind, the farmers themselves reared livestock either for personal consumption, selling, ritual purposes, store of wealth or all these combined. Regarding technical skills, livestock farmers were found to rely mostly on indigenous knowledge sources to attain farming knowledge. Only animal healthcare knowledge was popular to more than half the respondents. This was said to be due to the focus group meetings held on the farm every other Wednesday to share information with local extension officers. In spite of these information sharing events, livestock farmers identified training on how to feed; market; handle; and treat their livestock as key intervention knowledge areas. Attendance to these focus group meetings was limited to livestock farmers only. Various socio-economic factors were also found to have some form of influence on the acquisition of livestock knowledge. Education was the most dominant factor, with a significant association with the farmers‟ feeding (p=0.033); animal healthcare (P=0.038); marketing (p=0.009); veld management (p=0.036); and cattle slaughtering (p=0.027) knowledge. Other variables most influential include the gender and age of the household head. The former was significant at 95% confidence level for farmers‟ feeding knowledge (p=0.021); animal healthcare (p=0.039); marketing (p=0.043); livestock housing and handling (p=0.023); veld management (p=0.018); and cattle slaughtering (p=0.043). The dominance of males in acquiring these skills could be explained by the fact that the majority of the livestock project members were males. The majority of the few female members became members by default after the passing on of their husbands but their participation in the project was done through other project members who looked after their animals on their behalf. The number of farming years also had some positive and significant influence on other knowledge areas such as feeding (p=0.021) and livestock housing and handling (p=0.013). The logic supporting this association is that farmers tend to accumulate new and more skills the longer they stay in the same enterprise. In addition, most of the interviewed farmers were farm labourers prior to relocating to Marselle hence they acquired the necessary knowledge long before the project started. Concerning the chicory project, its members also relied heavily on indigenous knowledge sources for farming knowledge. Soil preparation (24.1%); planting (20.7%); land care (24.1%); and mechanical weed control (48.3%) were the knowledge areas lacked by more than half the respondents. The farmers identified land preparation (75%); communication skills (25%); marketing (100%); financial management (62%); and harvesting (88%) as the key crucial intervention areas they needed prioritized. As a study meant to inform the capacity building phase of the Land Bank project, this study identified the existing skills gaps in the two projects implemented in Forest Hill. When implementing the Capacity Building (CB) phase, various socio-economic factors will have to be considered. For example, the proposed intervention should not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of gender or physical abilities. The skills introduced should also be simple enough to be accepted and acquired even by the illiterate, especially when one considers the high illiteracy levels amongst the respondents. Efforts should also be made to create partnerships with the right organizations or groups of people so that they provide the required expertise and resources for the benefit of the farmers as and when required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Tshuma, Mengezi Chancellor
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Land reforms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11205 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013109 , Land reforms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: black owners by white colonialists. Even though whites made up less than 20% of the nation‟s population, they took more than 80% of the agriculturally productive land and drove the original owners to the unproductive reserves where they were cramped and could not practice agriculture at all. Various acts such as the Black Land Act of 1913, Development Trust Act of 1936 and the Native Laws Amendment Act of 1937 were introduced which further frustrated the displaced black population thereby plunging it deeper and deeper into poverty. The main objective behind the introduction of these acts was to restrain the black population from earning livelihoods through agriculture thus forcing them to offer their labour to white farmers for low wages just to earn some form of livelihood. Such unfair practices and distribution of land prompted the first democratically elected government of South Africa to embark on a drive to redistribute the nation‟s land equitably amongst its citizens to foster national reconciliation, stimulate economic growth and compensate those that were forced out or lost their land during the apartheid era. This initiative was called the Land Reform Programme (LRP) and was implemented with three prongs namely (i) land redistribution; (ii) restitution; and (iii) land tenure. Among the beneficiaries of the LRP were farmers from a community called Marselle in Kenton-on-sea. In addition to getting land for farming purposes, the Marselle farmers also obtained financial support from the government‟s Land Bank to help them kick-start their farming activities. However, in spite of such interventions, they have struggled to turn their activities into sustainable livelihood sources. One most likely cause for this is the lack of farming knowledge and skills needed to make them more efficient and productive. This study was thus geared towards evaluating the knowledge and skills gap in Marselle which, when addressed, could make the Marselle farmers more productive. Its focus was limited to the 32 livestock and 8 chicory farmers that are recognized members of their respective projects. Focus was limited only to these farmers since the next phase of this study will involve building their capacity based on the skills gaps identified through this study. The findings showed that the two projects benefited at least 130 individuals belonging to the farming households, with 67.5% of these households headed by males. The age of these farmers was equally shared at 40% each between those above 65 years and those that only went as far as fourth grade. No one went to tertiary at all. At least 75% of the investigated farmers were unemployed and 42% of this population was pensioners. In terms of income though, 64.98% of it was from external sources. The Masakhane Silime (Chicory) project was implemented to generate income and provide job opportunities for the locals but neither of these objectives had been met at the time the data for this study was collected due to various challenges like lack of funds and infrastructure to enhance productivity. Just like the chicory project, the livestock project had its own objectives, namely; to remove animals from the residential areas, provide the animals with a safe place, reduce road accidents and also to provide a livelihood source for local farmers. Due to overgrazing the pastures, lack of proper camps and other challenges, some effort still needs to be put to achieve these objectives. Even though the livestock project was formed with these objectives in mind, the farmers themselves reared livestock either for personal consumption, selling, ritual purposes, store of wealth or all these combined. Regarding technical skills, livestock farmers were found to rely mostly on indigenous knowledge sources to attain farming knowledge. Only animal healthcare knowledge was popular to more than half the respondents. This was said to be due to the focus group meetings held on the farm every other Wednesday to share information with local extension officers. In spite of these information sharing events, livestock farmers identified training on how to feed; market; handle; and treat their livestock as key intervention knowledge areas. Attendance to these focus group meetings was limited to livestock farmers only. Various socio-economic factors were also found to have some form of influence on the acquisition of livestock knowledge. Education was the most dominant factor, with a significant association with the farmers‟ feeding (p=0.033); animal healthcare (P=0.038); marketing (p=0.009); veld management (p=0.036); and cattle slaughtering (p=0.027) knowledge. Other variables most influential include the gender and age of the household head. The former was significant at 95% confidence level for farmers‟ feeding knowledge (p=0.021); animal healthcare (p=0.039); marketing (p=0.043); livestock housing and handling (p=0.023); veld management (p=0.018); and cattle slaughtering (p=0.043). The dominance of males in acquiring these skills could be explained by the fact that the majority of the livestock project members were males. The majority of the few female members became members by default after the passing on of their husbands but their participation in the project was done through other project members who looked after their animals on their behalf. The number of farming years also had some positive and significant influence on other knowledge areas such as feeding (p=0.021) and livestock housing and handling (p=0.013). The logic supporting this association is that farmers tend to accumulate new and more skills the longer they stay in the same enterprise. In addition, most of the interviewed farmers were farm labourers prior to relocating to Marselle hence they acquired the necessary knowledge long before the project started. Concerning the chicory project, its members also relied heavily on indigenous knowledge sources for farming knowledge. Soil preparation (24.1%); planting (20.7%); land care (24.1%); and mechanical weed control (48.3%) were the knowledge areas lacked by more than half the respondents. The farmers identified land preparation (75%); communication skills (25%); marketing (100%); financial management (62%); and harvesting (88%) as the key crucial intervention areas they needed prioritized. As a study meant to inform the capacity building phase of the Land Bank project, this study identified the existing skills gaps in the two projects implemented in Forest Hill. When implementing the Capacity Building (CB) phase, various socio-economic factors will have to be considered. For example, the proposed intervention should not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of gender or physical abilities. The skills introduced should also be simple enough to be accepted and acquired even by the illiterate, especially when one considers the high illiteracy levels amongst the respondents. Efforts should also be made to create partnerships with the right organizations or groups of people so that they provide the required expertise and resources for the benefit of the farmers as and when required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An investigation of the atmospheric wave dynamics in the polar region using ground based instruments
- Authors: Khanyile, Bhekumuzi Sfundo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Gravity waves , Atmospheric physics -- South Africa , Riometer , Gravity -- Measurement , Rossby waves
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Physics)
- Identifier: vital:11592 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/447 , Gravity waves , Atmospheric physics -- South Africa , Riometer , Gravity -- Measurement , Rossby waves
- Description: Abstract This study presents the characteristics of small-scale gravity waves in the mesosphere region as derived from the imaging riometer data at high altitude (~90 km) over SANAE (72˚S, 3˚W). Wavelet analysis and FFT (Fast Fourier transform) have been applied to extract short period gravity wave parameters for the year 2000. The horizontal wavelength, phase speed and observed period of gravity waves are typically 10-100 km, 5-60 m.s-1 and 3-60 minutes, respectively. The horizontal propagation direction is north-eastward throughout the year. This could probably be due to selective filtering by the zonal wind. Zonal and meridional winds in the region of the MLT (mesosphere and lower thermosphere) have been measured using HF radars at high latitudes in the southern hemisphere. Data from January 2000 to December 2003 have been used with the aim of investigating the characteristics of planetary wave activity at ~90 km. For SANAE and Halley stations, 2-, 5-, 10-, 16- and 20-day planetary waves are dominant in summer and winter. The results show the seasonal variations of the mean winds, which are caused by the internal variability of the quasi stationary planetary waves. Planetary wave coupling processes between UKMO assimilated and mesospheric data have also been investigated. The cross wavelet results show a strong coupling during winter months. The results suggest that planetary waves are generated at lower atmospheric heights and propagate upwards into mesospheric heights. However, not all observed disturbances in mesospheric heights can be explained by the propagation of planetary waves from lower atmospheric heights.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An investigation of the atmospheric wave dynamics in the polar region using ground based instruments
- Authors: Khanyile, Bhekumuzi Sfundo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Gravity waves , Atmospheric physics -- South Africa , Riometer , Gravity -- Measurement , Rossby waves
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Physics)
- Identifier: vital:11592 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/447 , Gravity waves , Atmospheric physics -- South Africa , Riometer , Gravity -- Measurement , Rossby waves
- Description: Abstract This study presents the characteristics of small-scale gravity waves in the mesosphere region as derived from the imaging riometer data at high altitude (~90 km) over SANAE (72˚S, 3˚W). Wavelet analysis and FFT (Fast Fourier transform) have been applied to extract short period gravity wave parameters for the year 2000. The horizontal wavelength, phase speed and observed period of gravity waves are typically 10-100 km, 5-60 m.s-1 and 3-60 minutes, respectively. The horizontal propagation direction is north-eastward throughout the year. This could probably be due to selective filtering by the zonal wind. Zonal and meridional winds in the region of the MLT (mesosphere and lower thermosphere) have been measured using HF radars at high latitudes in the southern hemisphere. Data from January 2000 to December 2003 have been used with the aim of investigating the characteristics of planetary wave activity at ~90 km. For SANAE and Halley stations, 2-, 5-, 10-, 16- and 20-day planetary waves are dominant in summer and winter. The results show the seasonal variations of the mean winds, which are caused by the internal variability of the quasi stationary planetary waves. Planetary wave coupling processes between UKMO assimilated and mesospheric data have also been investigated. The cross wavelet results show a strong coupling during winter months. The results suggest that planetary waves are generated at lower atmospheric heights and propagate upwards into mesospheric heights. However, not all observed disturbances in mesospheric heights can be explained by the propagation of planetary waves from lower atmospheric heights.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An investigation on patient's perceptions regarding commencement of treatment following diagnosis with breast cancer at Frere Hospital, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape Province
- Ntombekaya, Matwele Caroline
- Authors: Ntombekaya, Matwele Caroline
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021305
- Description: The aim of the study was to: explore and describe patient’s perceptions regarding commencement of treatment following diagnosis with breast cancer at Frere Hospital in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Reasons why patients diagnosed with breast cancer delay in the commencement of the treatment were to be elicited and strategies for curbing the problem were looked into. A qualitative approach was used, with an exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. The purposive sampling technique was used. The sample comprised 15 participants, 14 Black Africans and 1 Coloured lady. Data were collected using an interview guide from female patients diagnosed with breast cancer whose age ranged from 18-72 years. Interviews were recorded on a tape. Tesch’s (1990) steps of qualitative data analysis guided the analysis process. The results revealed that being diagnosed with breast cancer is perceived as a traumatic and painful experience with negative emotional, social, physical impact and unbearable side effects of from the treatment. Fear of undergoing treatment emerged as a barrier for taking prompt treatment. In exploring, one needs to use empathy, particularly that the researcher engaged in bringing to surface painful information. With the use of understanding and broad mindedness, participants opened up. Recommendations were made regarding strategies for care.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ntombekaya, Matwele Caroline
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021305
- Description: The aim of the study was to: explore and describe patient’s perceptions regarding commencement of treatment following diagnosis with breast cancer at Frere Hospital in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Reasons why patients diagnosed with breast cancer delay in the commencement of the treatment were to be elicited and strategies for curbing the problem were looked into. A qualitative approach was used, with an exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. The purposive sampling technique was used. The sample comprised 15 participants, 14 Black Africans and 1 Coloured lady. Data were collected using an interview guide from female patients diagnosed with breast cancer whose age ranged from 18-72 years. Interviews were recorded on a tape. Tesch’s (1990) steps of qualitative data analysis guided the analysis process. The results revealed that being diagnosed with breast cancer is perceived as a traumatic and painful experience with negative emotional, social, physical impact and unbearable side effects of from the treatment. Fear of undergoing treatment emerged as a barrier for taking prompt treatment. In exploring, one needs to use empathy, particularly that the researcher engaged in bringing to surface painful information. With the use of understanding and broad mindedness, participants opened up. Recommendations were made regarding strategies for care.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
An investigation on the effectiveness of lifestyle modification interventions for hypertensive patients in a public health clinic, in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Katiya, Lulama Pearl
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Community Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11926 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021131
- Description: The continued increase in morbidity and mortality of hypertensive patients in Alice in the Eastern Cape Province, prompted the researcher to investigate the effectiveness of lifestyle modification intervention on hypertensive patients. High morbidity and mortality rates of hypertensive patients are occuring in spite of hypertensive patients being taught about lifestyle modification (De Haan, 2006:55). According to the fifth South African Guidelines (2011:60), hypertension is a global health burden affecting developed and developing countries including South Africa. In 2003, the South African District Health Statistics showed that in the Eastern Cape, 221 females over 15 years of age and 101 males over 15 years of age had moderate hypertension and 92 males over 15 years had severe hypertension. Hypertension is a `silent killer` because it seldom gives rise to any symptoms (De Haan, 2006:66). The objectives of the study were to: investigate the effectiveness of lifestyle modification intervention on hypertensive patients, and to determine the strategies used in order to ensure the effectiveness of lifestyle modification by hypertensive patients. The research question was: what is the level of effectiveness of lifestyle modification on hypertensive patients in Alice? A descriptive quantitative research design was used in this study. This design allowed the researcher to investigate the effectiveness of lifestyle modification of hypertensive patients in Alice area. A convenience sample was used to sample the target population for the study on the criteria and a total of 169 respondents served as a size of the sample. A pre-test of the tool was carried out on 16 participants to validate the tool before the actual data collection commenced. Ethical approval was obtained from University of Fort Hare, the Department of Health, as well as Victoria Hospital and clinics. Data were collected by means of self-administered questionnaires. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0 software for windows reference was used to analyse the data. The results were presented in tables, graphs and pie charts. The results revealed that 77% (n=125) reported to know nothing about hypertension. Twenty three percent of the participants (n=37) knew about hypertension, they mentioned that it is when the heart has too much blood that is overloading the heart due to problems of the heart, then the blood flow through the heart is disturbed. Furthermore participants stated that it is important that every hypertensive patient engage in lifestyle modification. The study recommended that the Department of Health should emphasise the use of Hypertension Guidelines where all nurses in public clinics should be trained in educating and doing counselling to all hypertensive patients, including those who are pre-hypertensive that are visiting the clinics. Health education about risk factors and complications of hypertension must be done. All patients visiting public clinics must be educated regardless of their problems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Katiya, Lulama Pearl
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Community Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11926 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021131
- Description: The continued increase in morbidity and mortality of hypertensive patients in Alice in the Eastern Cape Province, prompted the researcher to investigate the effectiveness of lifestyle modification intervention on hypertensive patients. High morbidity and mortality rates of hypertensive patients are occuring in spite of hypertensive patients being taught about lifestyle modification (De Haan, 2006:55). According to the fifth South African Guidelines (2011:60), hypertension is a global health burden affecting developed and developing countries including South Africa. In 2003, the South African District Health Statistics showed that in the Eastern Cape, 221 females over 15 years of age and 101 males over 15 years of age had moderate hypertension and 92 males over 15 years had severe hypertension. Hypertension is a `silent killer` because it seldom gives rise to any symptoms (De Haan, 2006:66). The objectives of the study were to: investigate the effectiveness of lifestyle modification intervention on hypertensive patients, and to determine the strategies used in order to ensure the effectiveness of lifestyle modification by hypertensive patients. The research question was: what is the level of effectiveness of lifestyle modification on hypertensive patients in Alice? A descriptive quantitative research design was used in this study. This design allowed the researcher to investigate the effectiveness of lifestyle modification of hypertensive patients in Alice area. A convenience sample was used to sample the target population for the study on the criteria and a total of 169 respondents served as a size of the sample. A pre-test of the tool was carried out on 16 participants to validate the tool before the actual data collection commenced. Ethical approval was obtained from University of Fort Hare, the Department of Health, as well as Victoria Hospital and clinics. Data were collected by means of self-administered questionnaires. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0 software for windows reference was used to analyse the data. The results were presented in tables, graphs and pie charts. The results revealed that 77% (n=125) reported to know nothing about hypertension. Twenty three percent of the participants (n=37) knew about hypertension, they mentioned that it is when the heart has too much blood that is overloading the heart due to problems of the heart, then the blood flow through the heart is disturbed. Furthermore participants stated that it is important that every hypertensive patient engage in lifestyle modification. The study recommended that the Department of Health should emphasise the use of Hypertension Guidelines where all nurses in public clinics should be trained in educating and doing counselling to all hypertensive patients, including those who are pre-hypertensive that are visiting the clinics. Health education about risk factors and complications of hypertension must be done. All patients visiting public clinics must be educated regardless of their problems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Analysis of decision making in smallholder irrigation practice: a case study of Shiloh and Zanyokwe irrigation schemes in Central Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Isaac, Agholor Azikiwe
- Subjects: Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019766 , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study was conducted in Zanyokwe and Shiloh smallholder irrigation schemes located in Eastern Cape Province at Amathole and Chris Hani districts respectively. The choice of Zanyokwe and Shiloh smallholder irrigation scheme for this study is mainly supported by the fact that it had a substantial level of crop farming activity taking place especially at Zanyokwe while the Shiloh smallholder irrigation specialises dairy farming. The study examined decision making in smallholder irrigation practice with particular reference to Shiloh and Zanyokwe irrigation schemes. The general objective of the thesis was to analyse and model the determinants of SIS farmer‟s decision making. The specific objectives of the study are as follows: to investigate the determinants of decision making among smallholder irrigation farmers; to examine the relationship between household and farm characteristics and institutional factors that explain decision making in smallholder irrigation scheme; assess the contribution of smallholder irrigation farming to household food security; and determine the production and marketing constraints of smallholder farmers‟ in both schemes. The theoretical and conceptual framework of the study gave a detailed discussion on the determinants of decision making of households. The theories used to understand household behaviour under different assumptions were variously discussed. Comprehensive illustrations of analytical framework of the study were also conceptualised. This study used a survey design, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies involving the use of questionnaires and focus group discussions. The data was coded and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). However, frequencies, percentages, bar and pie chart was also computed to describe the data. In consideration of the conceptual framework of the study, the agricultural household model was adopted to analyse smallholder farmer‟s household decision making. Twenty one explanatory variables identified in the conceptual framework of the study were discussed and some of these identified variables were incorporated into the model. The logistic regression model was used as a method of analysis because it can estimate the probability of a certain event occurring and it accommodates a lot of variables which can be ranked in order to illustrate which variables are significant. In the binary logistic model used, seven variables (farm experience, size of farmland, land rights/PTO, water sufficiency, farm asset, market information and production variation) out of the twelve predictor variables were found to have significant effect on influencing household decision making in Shiloh smallholder irrigation scheme, while five variables (gender, age, education, road distance and extension access) were not significant. Of the seven significant variables, four had positive signs (land rights/PTO, water sufficiency and market information); which means that an increase in either of these variables may be associated with an increase in household decision making in Shiloh. The other three predictor variables (farm experience, farm asset and product variation) had negative signs; this means an increase in either of these variables may be associated with a decrease in decision making. In Zanyokwe, six variables (farm experience, land rights/PTO, water sufficiency, farm asset, market information and production variation) out of the twelve predictor variables were found to have significant impact on influencing household decision making, while six variables (gender, age, education, size of farm land, road distance and extension access) were not significant. Of the six significant variables, two had positive signs (water sufficiency and farm asset); which means that an increase in either of these variables may be associated with an increase in household decision making in Zanyokwe. The other four predictor variables (farm experience, land rights/PTO, market information and product variation) had negative signs; this means an increase in either of these variables may be associated with a decrease in decision making. The study concludes that smallholder agriculture is essential for employment generation and food security of households. It is apparent that household food security will not be achieved without giving attention to the role played by smallholders‟ farmers in South Africa. It is pertinent to promulgate an efficient policy programme to address the diversity of smallholders‟ situations and identify the main constraints on investment. Therefore, all spheres of government, the private sector and NGOs should consider investment in smallholder agriculture through coordinated strategies and political support. This study also recommends that government should develop a strategic Smallholder Investment Plan which would improve investments in smallholder agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Isaac, Agholor Azikiwe
- Subjects: Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019766 , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study was conducted in Zanyokwe and Shiloh smallholder irrigation schemes located in Eastern Cape Province at Amathole and Chris Hani districts respectively. The choice of Zanyokwe and Shiloh smallholder irrigation scheme for this study is mainly supported by the fact that it had a substantial level of crop farming activity taking place especially at Zanyokwe while the Shiloh smallholder irrigation specialises dairy farming. The study examined decision making in smallholder irrigation practice with particular reference to Shiloh and Zanyokwe irrigation schemes. The general objective of the thesis was to analyse and model the determinants of SIS farmer‟s decision making. The specific objectives of the study are as follows: to investigate the determinants of decision making among smallholder irrigation farmers; to examine the relationship between household and farm characteristics and institutional factors that explain decision making in smallholder irrigation scheme; assess the contribution of smallholder irrigation farming to household food security; and determine the production and marketing constraints of smallholder farmers‟ in both schemes. The theoretical and conceptual framework of the study gave a detailed discussion on the determinants of decision making of households. The theories used to understand household behaviour under different assumptions were variously discussed. Comprehensive illustrations of analytical framework of the study were also conceptualised. This study used a survey design, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies involving the use of questionnaires and focus group discussions. The data was coded and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). However, frequencies, percentages, bar and pie chart was also computed to describe the data. In consideration of the conceptual framework of the study, the agricultural household model was adopted to analyse smallholder farmer‟s household decision making. Twenty one explanatory variables identified in the conceptual framework of the study were discussed and some of these identified variables were incorporated into the model. The logistic regression model was used as a method of analysis because it can estimate the probability of a certain event occurring and it accommodates a lot of variables which can be ranked in order to illustrate which variables are significant. In the binary logistic model used, seven variables (farm experience, size of farmland, land rights/PTO, water sufficiency, farm asset, market information and production variation) out of the twelve predictor variables were found to have significant effect on influencing household decision making in Shiloh smallholder irrigation scheme, while five variables (gender, age, education, road distance and extension access) were not significant. Of the seven significant variables, four had positive signs (land rights/PTO, water sufficiency and market information); which means that an increase in either of these variables may be associated with an increase in household decision making in Shiloh. The other three predictor variables (farm experience, farm asset and product variation) had negative signs; this means an increase in either of these variables may be associated with a decrease in decision making. In Zanyokwe, six variables (farm experience, land rights/PTO, water sufficiency, farm asset, market information and production variation) out of the twelve predictor variables were found to have significant impact on influencing household decision making, while six variables (gender, age, education, size of farm land, road distance and extension access) were not significant. Of the six significant variables, two had positive signs (water sufficiency and farm asset); which means that an increase in either of these variables may be associated with an increase in household decision making in Zanyokwe. The other four predictor variables (farm experience, land rights/PTO, market information and product variation) had negative signs; this means an increase in either of these variables may be associated with a decrease in decision making. The study concludes that smallholder agriculture is essential for employment generation and food security of households. It is apparent that household food security will not be achieved without giving attention to the role played by smallholders‟ farmers in South Africa. It is pertinent to promulgate an efficient policy programme to address the diversity of smallholders‟ situations and identify the main constraints on investment. Therefore, all spheres of government, the private sector and NGOs should consider investment in smallholder agriculture through coordinated strategies and political support. This study also recommends that government should develop a strategic Smallholder Investment Plan which would improve investments in smallholder agriculture.
- Full Text:
Analysis of entrepreneurial behaviour of smallholder irrigation farmers: empirical evidence from Qamata Irrigation scheme
- Authors: Chitsa, Gilbert
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Water requirements -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11216 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019769 , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Water requirements -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Albeit much effort having been put to review the performance trend of smallholder irrigation farmers in South Africa. However, there seems to be a paucity of information regarding the level of entrepreneurship on these farmers. Most research works on smallholder irrigation farmers have mainly focused on livelihoods trajectory providing a review on how the welfare of the rural poor has been transformed after the introduction of irrigation schemes. With most research evidence indicating a high degree of underperformance on most smallholder irrigation schemes, this research attempted to investigate the level of entrepreneurship among the small holder irrigation farmers. In order to achieve the main research objective, a sample of 110 farmers drawn from Qamata irrigation scheme was interviewed and each farmer’s performance on the nine components of entrepreneurship was assessed. The aspects assessed to determine the farmer’s entrepreneurial behaviour were: planning ability, risk taking, achievement motivation, leadership ability, Cosmo politeness, decision making, and innovativeness and farming knowledge. Basing on previous studies which indicated entrepreneurial behaviour to be influenced by several factors the study also analysed the determinants of entrepreneurship among the irrigation farmers and a binary logistic regression model was used to establish the connection between various independent variables and the farmers’ entrepreneurial performance given as a total score of the nine components. Though the findings of the study revealed a prevalently low level of entrepreneurship among the smallholder irrigation farmers on Qamata irrigation scheme, a high proportion of the respondent farmers (65.5% and 60.5%) showed to have a high degree of achievement motivation and decision making ability, respectively. The observed trend thus reflected that smallholder farmers have a potential to become entrepreneurs and are willing to succeed. The binary model results revealed that the prevailing land tenure system will be a strong determinant of the farmer’s level of entrepreneurship. Equally, levels of training in farming, motive for farming and information seeking tendency also proved to have a significant influence on the degree of farmer entrepreneurship. Based on the results of this study recommendations have thus been drawn on the need for policies and practices aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and not dependency among farmers. Key focus areas identified include: the need to revise the current land ii tenure system on irrigation schemes, intensify on entrepreneurship training for both farmers and extension officers and regular on-farm training on new technologies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Chitsa, Gilbert
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Water requirements -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11216 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019769 , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Water requirements -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Albeit much effort having been put to review the performance trend of smallholder irrigation farmers in South Africa. However, there seems to be a paucity of information regarding the level of entrepreneurship on these farmers. Most research works on smallholder irrigation farmers have mainly focused on livelihoods trajectory providing a review on how the welfare of the rural poor has been transformed after the introduction of irrigation schemes. With most research evidence indicating a high degree of underperformance on most smallholder irrigation schemes, this research attempted to investigate the level of entrepreneurship among the small holder irrigation farmers. In order to achieve the main research objective, a sample of 110 farmers drawn from Qamata irrigation scheme was interviewed and each farmer’s performance on the nine components of entrepreneurship was assessed. The aspects assessed to determine the farmer’s entrepreneurial behaviour were: planning ability, risk taking, achievement motivation, leadership ability, Cosmo politeness, decision making, and innovativeness and farming knowledge. Basing on previous studies which indicated entrepreneurial behaviour to be influenced by several factors the study also analysed the determinants of entrepreneurship among the irrigation farmers and a binary logistic regression model was used to establish the connection between various independent variables and the farmers’ entrepreneurial performance given as a total score of the nine components. Though the findings of the study revealed a prevalently low level of entrepreneurship among the smallholder irrigation farmers on Qamata irrigation scheme, a high proportion of the respondent farmers (65.5% and 60.5%) showed to have a high degree of achievement motivation and decision making ability, respectively. The observed trend thus reflected that smallholder farmers have a potential to become entrepreneurs and are willing to succeed. The binary model results revealed that the prevailing land tenure system will be a strong determinant of the farmer’s level of entrepreneurship. Equally, levels of training in farming, motive for farming and information seeking tendency also proved to have a significant influence on the degree of farmer entrepreneurship. Based on the results of this study recommendations have thus been drawn on the need for policies and practices aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and not dependency among farmers. Key focus areas identified include: the need to revise the current land ii tenure system on irrigation schemes, intensify on entrepreneurship training for both farmers and extension officers and regular on-farm training on new technologies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Analysis of food value chains in smallholder crop and livestock enterprises in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Muchara, Binganidzo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Stochastic processes , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11158 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000983 , Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Stochastic processes , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study was conducted in Mbozi and Ciko villages in Mbhashe Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Two irrigation projects in the area were studied. Consumers and agricultural commodity traders in Willowvale Town, Dutywa, Butterworth and East London were also interviewed. The major objective of the study is to profile and map cabbage, maize and cattle food value chains broadly, and to understand their nature, constraints and opportunities in smallholder agriculture. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting the local government areas. This was followed by the selection of the district and then the respondents. A total of 168 participants were sampled in the proportion of 82 smallholder farmers, 41 consumers, 26 hawkers and 20 agricultural commodity traders. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also used during the data collection process. Value Chain mapping was done using the commodity based approach. All value chains under study indicated that they are short and commodities were transacted in unprocessed form. As cabbages and maize move from the farm to retail outlets, value addition start to take place through transportation to the market and processing in supermarkets. The cattle value chain however does not have a forward linkage beyond the two administrative boundaries of the two communities. Less than 3% of the farmers traded livestock, and this was mostly through private sales to neighbours. The farmers‘ major goal in agricultural production is assumed to be an important aspect in lengthening the value chain. As such, results of a Pearson‘s correlation exercise indicated that there is a significant relationship at 0.05% level between goals of the farmers and the village of origin. Some factors that showed significance (p=0.05) in influencing farmers‘ goals are membership of an irrigation project and household sources of income. An analysis of determinants of technical efficiency at farm level was performed using the stochastic frontier model for cabbage, maize and cattle enterprises. The results showed that rainfall adequacy, input costs, market channels and quantity sold are important determinants of cabbage production efficiency. On the other hand, maize production efficiency is positively determined by market price, area under production and rainfall adequacy. Market related variables are major drivers of the cattle value chain efficiency and these include cattle prices, market satisfaction, market channel and farm labour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Muchara, Binganidzo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Stochastic processes , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11158 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000983 , Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Stochastic processes , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study was conducted in Mbozi and Ciko villages in Mbhashe Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Two irrigation projects in the area were studied. Consumers and agricultural commodity traders in Willowvale Town, Dutywa, Butterworth and East London were also interviewed. The major objective of the study is to profile and map cabbage, maize and cattle food value chains broadly, and to understand their nature, constraints and opportunities in smallholder agriculture. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting the local government areas. This was followed by the selection of the district and then the respondents. A total of 168 participants were sampled in the proportion of 82 smallholder farmers, 41 consumers, 26 hawkers and 20 agricultural commodity traders. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also used during the data collection process. Value Chain mapping was done using the commodity based approach. All value chains under study indicated that they are short and commodities were transacted in unprocessed form. As cabbages and maize move from the farm to retail outlets, value addition start to take place through transportation to the market and processing in supermarkets. The cattle value chain however does not have a forward linkage beyond the two administrative boundaries of the two communities. Less than 3% of the farmers traded livestock, and this was mostly through private sales to neighbours. The farmers‘ major goal in agricultural production is assumed to be an important aspect in lengthening the value chain. As such, results of a Pearson‘s correlation exercise indicated that there is a significant relationship at 0.05% level between goals of the farmers and the village of origin. Some factors that showed significance (p=0.05) in influencing farmers‘ goals are membership of an irrigation project and household sources of income. An analysis of determinants of technical efficiency at farm level was performed using the stochastic frontier model for cabbage, maize and cattle enterprises. The results showed that rainfall adequacy, input costs, market channels and quantity sold are important determinants of cabbage production efficiency. On the other hand, maize production efficiency is positively determined by market price, area under production and rainfall adequacy. Market related variables are major drivers of the cattle value chain efficiency and these include cattle prices, market satisfaction, market channel and farm labour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Analysis of marketing channels used by smallholder crop farmers in Vryheid (Abaqulusi) Municipality, Kwazulu-Natal
- Ntshangase, Muziwandile Gift
- Authors: Ntshangase, Muziwandile Gift
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Marketing channels -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Farm management -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11222 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019823 , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Marketing channels -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Farm management -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: A total of 120 structured questionnaires were administered to analyse marketing channels used by smallholder crop farmers, at Abaqulusi Municipality, Vryheid and KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa. Research methodology consisted of research design, sample frame, sampling procedure, data collection and data analysis which were used in the study. Descriptive statistics analysis was used, where frequencies and percentages of the variables were indicated. Variables which were measured included demographic socio-economic profile of survey household heads where age, marital status, educational level, occupation other than farming, land ownership, household size and gender of the household heads.The results show that the statistically significant variables (gender, household size) at 5% level positively affect smallholder crop farmers’ access to market information, expertise on grades and standards, availability of contractual agreements, existence of extensive social capital, availability of good market infrastructure, group participation and reliance on tradition. These findings suggest that an adjustment in each one of the significant variables can significantly influence the probability of participation in either formal or informal marketing, and hence their marketing channels. In the light of the foregoing research findings, several policy options were suggested. These include encouraging collective action, promotion of contract farming, ensuring the availability of market information to all farmers, encouraging value addition and investment in rural infrastructure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ntshangase, Muziwandile Gift
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Marketing channels -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Farm management -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11222 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019823 , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Marketing channels -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Farm management -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: A total of 120 structured questionnaires were administered to analyse marketing channels used by smallholder crop farmers, at Abaqulusi Municipality, Vryheid and KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa. Research methodology consisted of research design, sample frame, sampling procedure, data collection and data analysis which were used in the study. Descriptive statistics analysis was used, where frequencies and percentages of the variables were indicated. Variables which were measured included demographic socio-economic profile of survey household heads where age, marital status, educational level, occupation other than farming, land ownership, household size and gender of the household heads.The results show that the statistically significant variables (gender, household size) at 5% level positively affect smallholder crop farmers’ access to market information, expertise on grades and standards, availability of contractual agreements, existence of extensive social capital, availability of good market infrastructure, group participation and reliance on tradition. These findings suggest that an adjustment in each one of the significant variables can significantly influence the probability of participation in either formal or informal marketing, and hence their marketing channels. In the light of the foregoing research findings, several policy options were suggested. These include encouraging collective action, promotion of contract farming, ensuring the availability of market information to all farmers, encouraging value addition and investment in rural infrastructure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Analysis of technical efficiency of small-scale maize producers: a case study in Tsolo magisterial district in O.R Tambo district in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
- Authors: Avuletey, Richard
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Corn -- Fertilizers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11210 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016191 , Corn -- Fertilizers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Maize is the most important cereal crop grown in South Africa. This crop is produced throughout the country under diverse conditions and in diverse environments. The study only focuses on technical efficiency because it is an important subject in developing agriculture where resources are limited, but high population growth is very common. In such a setting, increased output will depend more on efficiency improvements and assessing the scope for such efficiency improvements within the system is a crucial need. The objective of the study was to determine the level of technical efficiency and to identify the socio-economic and institutional characteristics as well as the entrepreneurial spirit that influence the technical efficiency of small-scale maize producers in the Tsolo magisterial district. Purposive and Snowball sampling techniques were used to collect primary data from 120 small-scale farmers. The stochastic frontier model was used to determine the level of technical efficiency. The Multivariate OLS was used to analyze the socio-economic factors and institutional characteristics that have influenced the technical efficiency of maize production. A similar linear regression model was used to estimate the influence of positive psychological capital and entrepreneurial spirit on the technical efficiency of maize production. The stochastic results revealed that small-scale farmers in Tsolo are technically efficient at 98 percent in maize production and experience increasing return to scale (1.37), which means that increase in the use of inputs, will as well increase their productivity and efficiency. The inefficiency model results indicated that age, years in farming, household size and extension contact significant and 3 variables, namely, as years in farming, extension contact and farm size are significant in the OLS model. Lastly the results of the linear regression indicated that, out of the 4 variables estimated in the entrepreneurial spirit, self-efficacy and resilience were significant with respect to its responsiveness to total maize output.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Avuletey, Richard
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Corn -- Fertilizers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11210 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016191 , Corn -- Fertilizers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Maize is the most important cereal crop grown in South Africa. This crop is produced throughout the country under diverse conditions and in diverse environments. The study only focuses on technical efficiency because it is an important subject in developing agriculture where resources are limited, but high population growth is very common. In such a setting, increased output will depend more on efficiency improvements and assessing the scope for such efficiency improvements within the system is a crucial need. The objective of the study was to determine the level of technical efficiency and to identify the socio-economic and institutional characteristics as well as the entrepreneurial spirit that influence the technical efficiency of small-scale maize producers in the Tsolo magisterial district. Purposive and Snowball sampling techniques were used to collect primary data from 120 small-scale farmers. The stochastic frontier model was used to determine the level of technical efficiency. The Multivariate OLS was used to analyze the socio-economic factors and institutional characteristics that have influenced the technical efficiency of maize production. A similar linear regression model was used to estimate the influence of positive psychological capital and entrepreneurial spirit on the technical efficiency of maize production. The stochastic results revealed that small-scale farmers in Tsolo are technically efficient at 98 percent in maize production and experience increasing return to scale (1.37), which means that increase in the use of inputs, will as well increase their productivity and efficiency. The inefficiency model results indicated that age, years in farming, household size and extension contact significant and 3 variables, namely, as years in farming, extension contact and farm size are significant in the OLS model. Lastly the results of the linear regression indicated that, out of the 4 variables estimated in the entrepreneurial spirit, self-efficacy and resilience were significant with respect to its responsiveness to total maize output.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Analysis of the impact of Smallholder Irrigation Schemes on the choice of rural livelihood strategy and household food security in Eastern Cape
- Authors: Christian, Mzuyanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4813 , vital:28526
- Description: Since the end of Apartheid, the South African government has invested substantially in smallholder irrigation schemes, particularly in the former homeland areas. One of the primary goals for establishment of these schemes was to solve food security problems. Sadly, these efforts have not produced the desired results, and poverty has deepened. The question that can be asked is: What is it that makes South African smallholder agricultural sector seemingly impervious to the interventions that government has made in targeting smallholder farmers since the dawn of democracy in 1994? In order to address such a question, a set of structured questionnaires was used to interview 100 smallholder irrigators and 100 non-irrigators using multistage stratified random sampling technique in the Amatole, Chris Hani and OR Tambo District municipalities. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics of smallholder irrigators and non-irrigators around Qamata, Pendu, Tyhefu, Merelles and Ntshongweni irrigation schemes were measured using descriptive statistics. Profitability between the two groups was measured using gross margin analysis (GM). The Probit model was used to determine the factors that affect smallholder farmer‘s choice of participation in irrigation schemes. The impact of irrigation participation on yields, crop sales and food security was estimated using the propensity score matching (PSM) technique. The impact of irrigation participation of smallholder farmer‘s choice of livelihood strategy was estimated using the multinomial regression model. The results showed that male respondents were dominant with a representation of 63 percent and average mean household size of 4 persons with the household head having spent at least 7 years at school. Farming was found to be the major (64 percent) occupation in the study area with an average income of R2 944.52 per cropping season. Both irrigating and non-irrigating smallholder farmers in the study area used improved, fertilizer and tractor for production. Overall, smallholder farmers spent 30.9 percent of their household income on food with irrigators‘food spending lower than those of non-irrigators. The gross margin analysis suggests that the irrigated farmers were in a better position to afford enough food in order to satisfy their household requirement. Findings from the Probit regression and Propensity Score Matching are consistent across the methods, indicating that irrigation participation has a positive influence on crop yields, income and consumption expenditure. Probit regression further showed that age, quality of land, access to credit, access to market, distance to the scheme and membership of another society/association have a positive impact on access and use of irrigation and are significant at p < 0.05 percent level. The Propensity Score Matching using Nearest Neighbour and Kernel Matching Methods of the outcome variables, total farm income and food consumption patterns, shows a positive and statistically significant result at p < 0.05 percent level. The nearest neighbour matching method shows that irrigators received higher farm income R2044.01 than non-irrigating farmers R622.12. The Average Treatment Effect on total food expenditure was negative both in the case of NNM and KM algorithms, indicating that participation in irrigation can decrease the expenditure levels on food from R933.30 to R926.70. This could be due to the fact that irrigating farmers produced enough for home consumption than non-irrigators. The multinomial regression model shows that irrigation participation influences smallholder farmers choice of livelihood strategy and these variables were statistically significant at p < 0.05 percent level. These results provide insights to address the question as to the appropriate development path for transition from homestead to irrigation. Continued support to smallholder farmers in the forms of funding, extension services and improved technologies is certainly needed to enhance food security.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Christian, Mzuyanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4813 , vital:28526
- Description: Since the end of Apartheid, the South African government has invested substantially in smallholder irrigation schemes, particularly in the former homeland areas. One of the primary goals for establishment of these schemes was to solve food security problems. Sadly, these efforts have not produced the desired results, and poverty has deepened. The question that can be asked is: What is it that makes South African smallholder agricultural sector seemingly impervious to the interventions that government has made in targeting smallholder farmers since the dawn of democracy in 1994? In order to address such a question, a set of structured questionnaires was used to interview 100 smallholder irrigators and 100 non-irrigators using multistage stratified random sampling technique in the Amatole, Chris Hani and OR Tambo District municipalities. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics of smallholder irrigators and non-irrigators around Qamata, Pendu, Tyhefu, Merelles and Ntshongweni irrigation schemes were measured using descriptive statistics. Profitability between the two groups was measured using gross margin analysis (GM). The Probit model was used to determine the factors that affect smallholder farmer‘s choice of participation in irrigation schemes. The impact of irrigation participation on yields, crop sales and food security was estimated using the propensity score matching (PSM) technique. The impact of irrigation participation of smallholder farmer‘s choice of livelihood strategy was estimated using the multinomial regression model. The results showed that male respondents were dominant with a representation of 63 percent and average mean household size of 4 persons with the household head having spent at least 7 years at school. Farming was found to be the major (64 percent) occupation in the study area with an average income of R2 944.52 per cropping season. Both irrigating and non-irrigating smallholder farmers in the study area used improved, fertilizer and tractor for production. Overall, smallholder farmers spent 30.9 percent of their household income on food with irrigators‘food spending lower than those of non-irrigators. The gross margin analysis suggests that the irrigated farmers were in a better position to afford enough food in order to satisfy their household requirement. Findings from the Probit regression and Propensity Score Matching are consistent across the methods, indicating that irrigation participation has a positive influence on crop yields, income and consumption expenditure. Probit regression further showed that age, quality of land, access to credit, access to market, distance to the scheme and membership of another society/association have a positive impact on access and use of irrigation and are significant at p < 0.05 percent level. The Propensity Score Matching using Nearest Neighbour and Kernel Matching Methods of the outcome variables, total farm income and food consumption patterns, shows a positive and statistically significant result at p < 0.05 percent level. The nearest neighbour matching method shows that irrigators received higher farm income R2044.01 than non-irrigating farmers R622.12. The Average Treatment Effect on total food expenditure was negative both in the case of NNM and KM algorithms, indicating that participation in irrigation can decrease the expenditure levels on food from R933.30 to R926.70. This could be due to the fact that irrigating farmers produced enough for home consumption than non-irrigators. The multinomial regression model shows that irrigation participation influences smallholder farmers choice of livelihood strategy and these variables were statistically significant at p < 0.05 percent level. These results provide insights to address the question as to the appropriate development path for transition from homestead to irrigation. Continued support to smallholder farmers in the forms of funding, extension services and improved technologies is certainly needed to enhance food security.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017