Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Agriculture - Namibia'

Shortly after independence, Namibia embarked on a major process of educational reform. It was in this reform that the apartheid educational legacy was redressed. Namibians viewed the apartheid educational system as being irrelevant and that it did not meet their needs and expectations. One of the reform aims was to involve education in the development of knowledge and skills for self sufficiency and sustainable development, therefore Agriculture was incorporated into the school curriculum as a key area to achieve this aim. Learners taking the subject are expected to be equipped with relevant theoretical and practical skills that provide a sound foundation in this discipline. This case study was undertaken to gain a better understanding about how the participating teachers perceived and implemented the Agriculture curriculum at the senior secondary school level in their schools. In carrying out the case study a qualitative research method was employed using semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis for data collection. It would appear from this study that Agriculture is unable to fully achieve the reform ideals at the senior secondary school level, as sixteen years after independence these teachers are still teaching the subject to learners with very limited resources and academic support. This scenario shows that there are marked inconsistencies between policy and praxis, between the stated goals and aims of the reform and the curriculum designed to achieve these. In this half-thesis I therefore argue that without well qualified teachers, suitable resources and infrastructure to implement the curriculum in these schools, the pre-vocational nature of the subject as suggested in the subject policy document will be compromised. The study concludes by proposing certain teaching strategies and possibilities for systemic development that can be used to effect quality curriculum implementation in the region where the research was situated.

Thesis (MTech (Nature Conservation))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009
Carnivore species globally are on the decline and population extinctions continue despite intensive conservation efforts. In Namibia, although 13.6 % of the country falls under the protection of national parks or game reserves, most of these protected areas are situated along the coastline and are desert habitat. The majority of Namibia's cheetah population (over 90 %), which is also the world's largest free-ranging population, occurs on privately owned farmland situated primarily in the north-central cattle-farming region of the country. Also occurring here are leopard, brown hyaena, caracal, and jackal and in some areas African wild dog, spotted hyaena and lion. Given the extensive nature of livestock and wildlife farming in Namibia, the low human density in rural areas and the persistence of wildlife outside protected areas, there is still considerable scope for carnivore conservation on the Namibian freehold farmlands, provided human-carnivore conflict can be managed. Great strides have been made in Namibia in developing strategies to address human carnivore conflict issues with formerly advantaged freehold farmers. However, since Namibia's independence in 1990, land reform has resulted in a new category of farmer entering the freehold farming sector, the emerging commercial farmer. No data has been gathered regarding emerging commercial farmers' attitudes and perceptions towards carnivores, the levels of camivore-conflict and livestock management practices in relation to livestock losses to carnivores.

This paper examines the concept of environmental scarcity and the risk of conflict, in particular agriculturalscarcity and the risk of conflict. This paper compares the neighbouring countries Angola and Namibia, andinvestigates why Angola has had a conflict and why Namibia has had peace. This paper investigates if the conflict inAngola is caused by agricultural scarcity and if this is the explanation for the lasting Peace in Namibia.

Food security and food safety go hand-in-hand, where consumers of meat products demand to know whether the meat products they have bought are safe for human consumption. Livestock traceability systems are now mandatory if one wants to export meat, especially after recent food scares and the risk of eating meat from cattle with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), more commonly known as mad cow disease. Europe has a beef shortage and imports large quotas of meat from developing countries, such as Swaziland and Namibia, but their strict regulations and legislation make the effectiveness of the two countries’ traceability systems non-negotiable. Swaziland upgraded their paper-based system to a modern computerised system, called the Swaziland Livestock Information and Traceability System (SLITS), started tagging communal farmers’ cattle free of charge in 2010 and implemented SLITS fully in 2014. The system is widely adopted and the success of the project is seen throughout Swaziland. Namibia expanded their traceability system, the Namibian Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS) to trace the cattle of communal farmers in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs), an area excluded from any exporting of meat products because of the high risk of exposure to foot-and-mouth disease. Their cattle were ear-tagged and captured on NamLITS, ensuring that full traceability is in place. The new, expanded NamLITS and upgraded SLITS systems enabled the researcher to investigate the impact that traceability systems have on communal farmers, the benefactors of the two traceability systems. Two visits to Namibia and four visits to Swaziland were made, where the rich traceability culture was experienced, key stakeholders and system developers interviewed and questionnaires completed by the Swazi veterinary assistants and the Namibian animal technicians, the first point of contact with the communal farmers, but also fulfilling the role of key informants. Creating sustainable projects remained important to the researcher, and the element of sustainability became interwoven with the impact of the traceability systems on communal farmers. This thesis explores all the aspects of the data gathered, keeping in mind all the legislative requirements of traceability and its different aspects, and combines the two key elements of development projects, sustainability and making a real impact into a single framework, called the impact-for-sustainable-agriculture framework. This new framework is then applied to two case studies, concluding that the more layers of the three-layered framework one understands to be of importance and implements, the greater the probability of creating sustainable agricultural projects. Two case studies are discussed in parallel to create a consistent approach. The different layers are discussed in separate sections, enabling the reader to follow the build-up of the evidence to support the final framework. The thesis concludes by highlighting the main theoretical contributions: the design and application of the new framework; the methodological contributions in the data collection process, the documentation of the evidence and the final full picture of both countries, and the practical contributions: the witnessing of a rural dipping event, cattle dehorning and branding, attending a meeting with a group of anxious animal technicians in the midst of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the NCAs, and telling the story of the communities from the perspective of having been there. Finally, possible future research aimed at investigating traceability systems in other parts of Southern Africa and applying the proposed framework to other developmental projects is suggested, as well as further enhancements to the proposed framework.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Informatics
PhD
Unrestricted

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Approximately three out of four people in developing countries such as Namibia live in rural areas. The majority of these rural poor’s livelihoods depend directly or indirectly on agriculture. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design agricultural programmes that focus on rural communities in order to reduce incidences of poverty. Although the Namibian Government invests in the agricultural sector, hunger for both humans and animals were evident in 2012. The starvation situation was worsened by high food prices, compounded with a high unemployment rate that meant the majority of the population could not afford to pay for food. Evidence shows that Namibia is a net food importer; meaning that less local food production is taking place. Therefore, the government is trying to reverse the situation of relying on imported food, by enhancing local production, and one of the ways of achieving this goal is through the Green Scheme Programme. The research problem of this study is defined as follows: “An evaluation of the Green Scheme Programme: A case of the Kalimbeza Rice Project”. The study commences by exploring the literature on the role of the state in improving the socioeconomic status of its citizens. Many developing countries have weak private sectors; therefore, governments remain with the responsibility to spearhead development. With unrestrained unemployment, poverty and inequality, state-led development is the solution in uplifting the socio-economic status of people, especially the rural poor. Since the rural poor depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, it is necessary for Government to devise Sustainable Livelihood programmes in the sector, which many people rely upon for survival. Reducing incidences of rural poverty calls for Sustainable Livelihood programmes that the Namibian Government came up with, such as the approximately N$ 1.2 billion per annum Green Scheme Programme. This is an irrigation programme that aims at increasing agricultural production, contribute to the Gross Domestic Product, promote food security, create jobs and promote skills development. The study sought to establish whether the Green Scheme Programme is effective in achieving its intended, and at times, unintended goals. The Kalimbeza Rice Project, under the Green Scheme Programme was chosen as a case study. Evidence from the study shows that employment creation took place, because many locals have secured temporary jobs at the farm, and the salaries earned have had a positive impacts on their lives. Food security has not been fully achieved, as only about 25 per cent of the total farm area is cultivated yearly. Finally, the study suggests that there is an urgent need for the Green Scheme Programme and all its projects to speed operations in order to achieve the country’s Vision 2030.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ongeveer drie uit elke vier mense in ʼn ontwikkelende land soos Namibië is woonagtig in landelike gebiede. Die meerderheid van landelike armes se inkomste is direk of indirek afhanklik van lanbou aktiwiteite. Dus, is daar ʼn dringende behoefte aan lanbou ontwikkelingsprogramme wat spesifiek fokus op landelike gemeenskappe om sodoende die voorkoms van armoede te verminder. Alhoewel die Namibiese regering belê in die lanbousektor, was lae vlakke van voedselsekuriteit vir beide mens en dier nogsteeds sigbaar in 2012. Die kroniese hongerte situasie in Namibië word grotendeels verger deur hoë voedselpryse. ʼn Hoë werkloosheidsyfer dra ook daartoe by dat die meerderheid armes nie voedsel kan bekostig nie. Navorsing toon dat Namibië ʼn netto invoerder is van kos. Dit beteken dat Namibië minder plaaslik voedsel produseer. Gevolglik, probeer die Namibiese regering die afhanklikheid op ingevoerde voedsel verminder deur die verbetering van plaaslike produksie vermoëns. Een van die maniere wat hulle gebruik om dit te bewerkstellig is deur die regering se Green Scheme Program. Die navorsingsprobleem van dié studie word as volg gedefinieer: ʼn Evaluering van die Green Scheme Program: Die Kalimbeza Rice Project as gevallestudie. Die vertrekpunt van dié studie begin deur die verkenning van literatuur wat spesifiek handel oor die rol van die staat in die verbetering van die sosio-ekonomiese status van sy burgers. Baie ontwikkelende lande het swak of klein privaat sektore, dus bly regerings verantwoordelik om ontwikkeling moontlik te maak. Ongebreidelde werkloosheid, armoede en ongelykheid noodsaak staat geleide ontwikkeling as die enigste oplossing vir die opheffing van die sosio-ekonomiese status van mense, veral landelike armes. Die feit dat landelike armes grotendeels afhanklik is van landbou vir inkomstes en oorlewing, is dit nodig vir die regering om ʼn Volhoubare Lewensbestaan Program te ontwikkel in die sektor, waarop baie mense aangewese is vir oorlewing. Die vermindering van voorvalle van landelike armoede kan toegeskryf word aan die Volhoubare Lewensbestaan Program wat deur die Namibiese regering geïmplementeer word, soos die ongeveer N$ 1.2 biljoen per jaar Green Scheme Program. Dit is ʼn besproeiingstelsel program wat verhoogde lanbouproduksie ten doel het, as ook bydra tot die Bruto Binnelandse Produk, bevordering van voedselsekuriteit, werkskepping en die bevordering van vaardigheidsontwikkeling. Dié studie sal poog om vas te stel of die Green Scheme Program effektief is in die bereiking van beoogde doelwitte, en by tye, die bereiking van onvoorsiene doelwitte. Die Kalimbeza Rice Project, as deel van die Green Scheme Program, sal dien as n gevallestudie. Getuienis van die studie toon dat werkskepping wel plaasgevind het, omdat baie plaaslike inwoners tydelik in diens geneem is op die plaas, en die salarisse ontvang het alreeds ʼn positiewe effek gehad op hul lewens. Voedsel sekuriteit is nog nie ten volle verwesenlik nie, omdat slegs 25% van die totale plaas oppervlakte onder verbouing is. Gevolglik, dui die studie daarop dat daar ʼn onmiddelike behoefte bestaan vir die Green Scheme Program en al sy onderskeie projekte om sodoende pogings te versnel in die bereiking van die land se Visie 2030.

This study investigated the information-seeking behaviour of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources' (FANR) students at Neudamm Campus, University of Namibia (UNAM). It determined their information needs, informationseeking patterns, information use and information evaluation including preferences for information resources. In addition, it considered the challenges students encountered when accessing and using information at Neudamm Library. This was done in order to improve the delivery of information services. Taking a qualitative research approach, this study was guided by Kuhlthau's (2004) Information Search Process model which served as a theoretical framework. Data were collected from a purposively selected sample through focus group discussions that were held with undergraduate students and interviews with postgraduate students and academic staff. The key findings from this analysis are that FANR students need information to write assignments, class tests, examinations and research projects. They value both printed and online resources. However, they are frustrated by the outdated resources, shortage of printed materials, and the limited and restricted access to e-resources. When in the library, they mainly browse for books on library shelves and search for information on the internet, and rarely use library electronic databases. There is a need to train students on the formulation of search strategies and the use of library e-resources. It transpired that students seldom use advanced search strategies, instead they either type short keywords or long sentences on Google search engine. Their challenges include very noisy library study area, ineffective interlibrary loan systems and fellow students' unwillingness to share facilities such as computers. The findings indicate that the library needs to acquire the latest e-resources, provide robust information literacy training and redesign its space to increase study space that students can use to access quality information. Additionally, the university should source funds from external donors to build a state of the art library to accommodate the increasing number of FANR students.

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Namibia by nature is very well suited for livestock production and is a net exporter of beef. Beef is currently exported to South Africa, the European Union (EU) and Japan while market access to the United States of America is being explored. Food safety, traceability and lately animal welfare are all aspects which are requested by Namibians trading partners when exporting meat to those countries. The first two aspects have been addressed with the introduction of the Farm Assured Namibian Beef scheme (FAN Meat) which also provides basic guidelines for animal welfare. Beef in Namibia is produced from extensively managed enterprises which are privately owned and managed, or state owned and communally utilized. The events of handling and transport are considered stressful to all animals but especially so to extensively raised animals and their reaction to these events has the potential to severely infringe on their welfare. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pre-, during, and post-transportation handling on animal welfare status under Namibian transport conditions. The study also investigated the influence of breed on the meat quality of Namibian beef. The level of bruising recorded on slaughter was used to measure animal welfare. Interviews with producers were conducted to describe the pre-transport handling. Questionnaires that included variables considered as important indicators of animal welfare during transport were distributed to truck drivers. Observations of the off-loading event and animal behaviour were completed in lairage at the export abattoir in Windhoek. The variables that were identified as high risk factors and had a significant influence on the level of bruising under Namibian transport conditions include animal factors (i.e. breed type, age, sex, condition and subcutaneous fat cover), pre-transport handling (i.e. re-branding of animals), transport related risks (loading density and animals lying down during transit) as well as lairage factors (i.e. fit of truck floor to off-loading ramp, the way animals moved to holding pens, pen size and minimum environmental temperatures). The influence of breed on meat tenderness and water-holding capacity of the Longissimus dorsi muscle of the four main beef breeds (i.e. Brahman, Bonsmara, Simbrah and Simmental), as well as the effect of different aging periods on meat quality (i.e. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & 37 days post mortem) were investigated. The Brahman differed significantly (p < 0.05) from the other three breeds in terms of all aging treatments; with higher Warner-Bratzler shear force values reported for this breed. Interactions between days post mortem and breed were found for the Simbrah, and Simmental breeds, which may be indicative of a delayed response to aging of meat samples obtained from Simbrah animals. This can possibly be ascribed to an increased calpastatin activity in these animals. Meat samples obtained from the Bonsmara steers showed the highest rate of tenderization, with this effect retained until day 30 post mortem. Recommendations as pertaining to the ante mortem handling of cattle are made.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Namibië word gekenmerk deur toestande wat uitstekend vir diereproduksie is, met die land wat as ‘n netto uitvoerder van beesvleis beskou word. Vleis word na Suid-Afrika, die Europese Unie (EU) en Japan uitgevoer, met die moontlikheid van die Verenigde State van Amerika wat as ‘n uitvoermark ondersoek word. Voedselveiligheid, naspeurbaarheid en dierewelsyn is drie vereistes wat deur die invoerders van Namibiese vleis daargestel word. Die eerste twee vereistes is reeds deur die implementering van die Farm Assured Namibian beesvleis skema (FAN Meat) aangespreek, met die skema wat basiese riglyne vir dierewelsyn voorskryf. Namibiese beesvleis word geproduseer onder grootskaalse ekstensiewe boerdery omstandighede, wat of privaat besit en bestuur word, of aan die regering behoort en deur plaaslike gemeenskappe benut word. Die invloed van hantering en vervoer is besonder stresvol vir diere en in besonder vir diere wat onder ekstensiewe omstandighede geproduseer word. Omdat diere onder ekstensiewe omstandighede ongewoond aan hantering en vervoer is, kan dié twee aksies ‘n ernstige impak op die welsyn van sulke diere hê. Die doelwit van die studie was om die invloed van hantering voor-, tydens en na-vervoer onder Namibiese vervoertoestande te ondersoek. Die invloed van ras op Namibiese beesvleiskwaliteit is ook ondersoek. Die mate van kneusing waargeneem met slagting was as standaard gebruik om die welsynstatus van diere te bepaal. Onderhoude is met produsente gevoer om inligting oor die pre-vervoer toestande in te win. Vraelyste wat veranderlikes wat as belangrike indikators van dierewelsyn tydens vervoer beskou kan word, ingesluit het, is aan vragmotorbestuurders versprei. Waarnemings van die aflaai en verwante diergedrag was by die houfasiliteite van die uitvoer abattoir in Windhoek, waarnatoe die diere vervoer is, gedoen. Verskeie hoë risiko faktore wat ‘n betekenisvolle invloed op die mate van kneusing wat tydens vervoer opgedoen is, gehad het, is in die studie geïdentifiseer. Hierdie faktore het dierverwante eienskappe (d.i. ras, ouderdom, geslag, liggaamskondisie en onderhuidse vetvoorsiening), voorvervoer hantering (d.i. herbrandmerk van diere), vervoerverwante risiko’s (d.i. aantal diere per trok kompartement en diere wat tydens vervoer gaan lê), asook ontwerp van houfasiliteite (d.i. verbinding tussen trokvloer en laaibrug, die manier wat diere na houkampies beweeg het, grootte van houkampies en lae omgewingstemperature), ingesluit. Die invloed van ras op die sagtheid en waterhouvermoë van die Longissimus dorsi spier van die vier hoof vleisbeesrasse (d.i. Brahman, Bonsmara, Simbrah en Simmentaler), asook verskillende verouderingstydperke op vleiskwaliteit (d.i. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 en 37 dae post mortem) van die vier rasse is ondersoek. Die Brahman het betekenisvol (p < 0.05) van die ander drie rasse in terme van die effek van veroudering op vleiskwaliteit verskil, met hoë Warner-Bratzler skeursterkte waardes wat vir dié ras aangeteken is. ‘n Interaksie tussen aantal dae post mortem en ras is gevind vir die Simbrah en Simmentaler rasse, wat dui op ‘n vertraagde effek van vleisveroudering vir die Simbrah ras, moontlik as gevolg van ‘n hoër mate van kalpastatien aktiwiteit. Vleismonsters bekom van jong Bonsmara bulle het die grootste mate van versagting getoon, met die voordeel wat waargeneem is tot dag 30 van die post mortem vleisveroudering. Aanbevelings betreffende die voorslag hantering van beeste word gemaak.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2009.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Division of Aquaculture, Stellenbosch University (SU) was commissioned jointly by Namdeb Diamond Corporation (Pty) Ltd (Namdeb) and the Oranjemund Town Management Company Limited (OTMCo) to assess the aquaculture potential of the mining area at Oranjemund in Namibia. This document provides a proposal for the establishment of a marine finfish (yellowtail, Seriola lalandi) farm at Oranjemund. There appears to be considerable potential and as such this document provides a proposal for the establishment of a marine finfish (yellowtail, Seriola lalandi) farm at Oranjemund. A 5 000 metric ton (mt) yellowtail farm would have a turnover of about N$ 115 million per year and provides direct employment for about 200 people. Oranjemund is located immediately north of the Orange River at the most south-western corner of Namibia, approximately 1000 kilometers southwest of the capital, Windhoek. Namdeb currently operates an alluvial diamond mining operation along a 160 kilometer (km) stretch of the southern Namibia coastline, but is expected to downscale their activities significantly over the next 5 to 10 years. Aquaculture, the cultivation of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants, is the fastest growing food producing industry in the world and has considerable potential to contribute to the establishment of a vibrant post-mining economy in Oranjemund. The marine finfish industry is the most important and valuable aquaculture sector in many countries and is expected to grow significantly over the medium term, thereby also offering exciting opportunities for investment and business participation. The yellowtail farm venture is part of a greater plan to develop a vertically integrated aquaculture cluster at Oranjemund. The yellowtail development will be conducted in two phases, with Phase 1 the establishment of a pilot project to assess and confirm technical and financial feasibility. Phase 2 is the development of a 1 000 mt commercial farm. Other species being considered for development at Oranjemund include abalone (Haliotis midae), turbot (Psetta Maxima), rock lobster (Jasus lalandi) and oysters (Crassostria gigas). Several companies in South Africa are currently actively pursuing aquaculture expansion opportunities along both the west and east coasts of South Africa. Key amongst these is the development of abalone farms at Hondeklip Bay and Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa by HIK Abalone Farm (Pty) Ltd (HIK) and NewFarmers Development Company Limited (NewF). The development of abalone and yellowtail farming at Oranjemund has been positioned as a further extension of the abovementioned initiative with HIK, NewF and a finfish fingerling supplier as potential operating, investment and development partners. The proposed business structure of the project provides investment opportunities for both institutional and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) investors as well as employee equity instruments. Namibia’s economic prospects for the future are bright given its stable economic performance, good regulatory framework, and robust private sector. The country has experienced steady growth, moderate inflation, strong external surpluses and low indebtedness over the past several years as a result of generally prudent fiscal policies, a stable political environment, a fairly developed infrastructure, and a strong legal and regulatory environment. Economic growth since independence (1991) has averaged 4.3% per annum, and the World Bank’s Investment Climate Assessment Report currently notes that Namibia has a relatively attractive investment climate. The Government of Namibia has identified aquaculture as a prime priority development area. Both Vision 2030 and the NDP2 documents summon the country’s urgency to develop aquaculture and as such the Namibian Government has created an enabling environment for investment in aquaculture.
Namdeb Diamond Corporation (Pty) Ltd (Namdeb) and the Oranjemund Town Management Company Limited (OTMCo)

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The declaration of Namibia’s independence from South Africa in 1990 has seen the Namibian government aim to plan and implement development programmes that enhance a growing agricultural sector. The new government is facing challenges regarding the addressing of inequalities of income and the allocation and distribution of resources, which have resulted in implementation of the land reform programmes. On the international front, Namibia is a member country of various trade arrangements, such as the WTO, the SADC and SACU. The main driving force behind Namibia’s joining the international communities chiefly has been market access and trade policy reforms. The country’s agricultural sector, in particular the horticultural industry, in regards to table grape production, has been significantly affected by both domestic and regional policies, as well as by the WTO rules. The aim of this study is to determine the environmental factors that create a competitive advantage for the Namibian table grape industry in the international market. A detailed supply-chain analysis, augmented by Porter’s ‘diamond’ model, is used in this study to assess the determinants of the competitiveness of fresh table grapes. Interviews were conducted in informal, semi-structured questions. The questionnaires were mailed to several producers within the table grape-growing industry. Secondary information was obtained from reports, articles and research publications, among other sources. An expert assessment was used to verify information based on the reference methods. Consultations took place in the form of office visits and, in some cases, telephone interviews were held with different experts. The finding of the study shows that Namibia can supply the European markets during the northern hemisphere off-season with quality fresh table grapes. However, industry growth in the European Union (EU) market is constrained by limited free import quotas and high tariffs, specifically as regards seeded fresh table grapes, which are not exempt from such duties. Such constraints are in place despite Namibia’s meeting of international set quality standards, such as EUREPGAP. Moreover, there is potential for increasing supplies to the regional and Asian markets as well as the US market albeit to the lesser extent. Finally, Namibian fresh table grapes profitability is significantly affected by the high production and transaction costs incurred, as well as by the decline in business and the depreciation of the US Dollar against the Namibian Dollar. The study makes the general recommendation that producers should significantly reduce their transaction costs within the chain, by means of vertical co-ordination and integration.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Met die verklaring van Namibië se onafhanklikheid van Suid-Afrika in 1990 het die Namibiese regering hulle dit ten doel gestel om ontwikkelingsprogramme te beplan en in werking te stel ten einde daardie land se groeiende landbousektor te versterk. Die nuwe regering moet tans uitdagings met betrekking tot inkomsteongelykhede en die toekenning en verspreiding van hulpbronne die hoof bied wat tot die inwerkingstelling van grondhervormingsprogramme aanleiding gegee het. Internasionaal is Namibië 'n lidland van verskeie handelsreëlings soos die Wêreldhandelsorganisasie (WHO), die Suider-Afrikaanse Ontwikkelingsgemeenskap (SAOG) en die Suider-Afrikaanse Doeane-unie (SADU). Die twee hooffaktore wat daartoe gelei het dat Namibië hom by die internasionale gemeenskappe skaar, is marktoegang en handelsbeleidhervormings. Die land se landbousektor, in besonder die tuinboukundige bedryf met die klem op tafeldruifproduksie, is aansienlik deur binnelandse en streeksbeleid asook deur die WHO-reëls geraak. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die omgewingsfaktore te bepaal wat in die internasionale mark aan die Namibiese tafeldruifbedryf 'n mededingende voordeel gee. Derhalwe gebruik die navorser 'n gedetailleerde aanvoerkettingontleding, ondersteun deur Porter se “diamantmodel”, om die beslissende faktore vir die mededingendheid van vars tafeldruiwe te evalueer. Onderhoude is met behulp van informele, semigestruktureerde vrae gevoer. Die vraelyste is aan verskeie produsente op die gebied van tafeldruifboerdery gepos. Sekondêre inligting is ook onder andere uit verslae, artikels en navorsingspublikasies verkry. Met behulp van 'n kundige evaluering is inligting op grond van die verwysingsmetodes geverifieer. Oorlegpleging met verskeie kundiges het in die vorm van kantoorbesoeke en in sommige gevalle deur middel van telefoononderhoude plaasgevind. Die studiebevinding toon dat Namibië die Europese markte gedurende die noordelike halfrond se tussenseisoen van gehalte- vars tafeldruiwe kan voorsien. Die uitbreiding van die bedryf in die Europese Unie (EU-) mark word egter deur beperkte gratis invoerkwotas en hoë tariewe aan bande gelê, in besonder met betrekking tot pitlose, vars tafeldruiwe wat nie van invoerbelasting vrygestel is nie. Hierdie beperkinge word opgelê ten spyte daarvan dat Namibië aan vasgestelde internasionale gehaltestandaarde soos EUREPGAP voldoen. Die moontlikheid bestaan boonop om lewering aan die streeks- en Asiatiese markte asook die VS-mark te verhoog, hoewel in 'n mindere mate. Laastens word die winsgewendheid van Namibiese vars tafeldruiwe beduidend deur hoë produksie- en transaksiekoste, asook deur die afname in sake en die waardevermindering van die Amerikaanse teenoor die Namibiese dollar geraak. Die studie maak die algemene aanbeveling dat produsente hulle transaksiekoste binne die ketting aansienlik met behulp van vertikale koördinering en integrasie moet verminder.

The recent threat of climate change has exacerbated the inherent risks in smallholder farming such as soil degradation, resulting in an unprecedented decline in agricultural yields in developing countries. This has threatened the livelihoods of large segments of populations that are heavily dependent on agriculture for survival in these regions. This dissertation focuses on identifying barriers and enablers of effective management of these risks, with an aim of coming up with potential policy interventions that can reduce vulnerability to the mentioned risks. To achieve this, the dissertation utilizes various methods and approaches as well as diverse datasets in two countries in sub Saharan Africa i.e. Namibia and Kenya. Diversification into non-farm activities is seen by many as a risk management strategy in rural areas where highly variable low farm incomes are transformed into stable high non-farm incomes, thus improving the welfare of the rural populations. While this theory of change is uncontested, the importance that the agricultural sector plays as a source of livelihood for rural populations, as well as food provisioning for urban populations, cannot be downplayed. This is more so given the limited non-farm opportunities in developing countries and the exponential population growth in these countries. The two factors combined impede on the envisioned transformation of rural production sectors and also create a sub-population of food insecure urban poor due to rural-urban migration. To mitigate these problems, rural agricultural development is still paramount and strategies that enhance resilience to risks in the sector are still vital. Chapter 2 of this dissertation focuses on this issue and addresses how farm diversification can be leveraged for improved food security in the rural areas, which has potential spill-over effects to other segments of the population. Focusing on northern Namibia, the study evaluates how different levels of diversification in both crop and livestock farming affect household food security outcomes i.e. per capita food expenditure and dietary diversity score. The study employs relatively new econometric methods in these type of studies to evaluate the joint determinants to both crop and livestock diversification, as well as their singular and joint effect on mentioned food security outcomes. The results show that high levels of diversification in either enterprise leads to high food security outcomes. Combined with climate change adaptation strategies that create resilience of agricultural production to climatic shocks, the use of sustainable agricultural intensification practices can further enhance productivity in the sector. Inputs like inorganic fertilizer, organic manure and improved seeds can further build on resilient systems to improve yields. Chapter 3 of this dissertation addresses this issue by looking at whether changes in the larger agri-food systems can be used to incentivize take up of such practices at the farm level. The study evaluates how the emergence of large traders in smallholder grain markets can drive the uptake of inorganic and organic fertilizer and improved seeds. The study thus expands the intervention space available to policy makers who have in the past resorted to potentially distortionary direct policies in the input markets e.g. through subsidy provision, as well as in the output markets e.g. through regulation of prices. To achieve this, the study uses a large panel dataset from Kenya spanning over a decade to evaluate how engagements between farmers and these market actors can be leveraged to drive adoption of these sustainable intensification inputs. Results show that engagements between large grain traders and farmers enhance use of inorganic fertilizer. There is no evidence that these engagements lead to enhanced use of improved seeds or manure. However, past use of improved seeds and manure are shown to affect their subsequent use, implying path dependency in the use of these sustainable inputs hence low dis-adoption rates. Traditional technology adoption studies show that access to information is a critical success factor for the uptake of new technology. Proxy variables for information access, for example proximity to extension services or frequency of extension contact, have consistently been shown to be positively correlated with technology adoption. In the context of climate change, access to weather information can be a critical factor to adoption of adaptation technology. Chapter 4 of this dissertation deals with this issue and assesses whether provision of weather information to farmers can enhance adoption of improved farming technologies that are resilient to climatic shocks. The study focuses on northern Namibia where access to such information, as the study shows, is very limited. A framed experiment approach is utilised to evaluate how climate change-induced uncertainty affects farmers' decision making in a farming season, based on their elicited behavioural attitudes towards risk and uncertainty. Further, the study tests whether providing weather information that reduces this uncertainty leads to adoption of technologies that are welfare improving. Lastly, the demand for weather information is assessed by eliciting the willingness to pay for information under various levels of weather uncertainty. Results indicate that high levels of uncertainty dampen uptake of welfare improving technologies, regardless of individual attitudes towards uncertainty. Availing of weather information leads to welfare improving technology choice, given the prevailing levels of weather uncertainty. There is also a high demand for weather information which is shown to increase with increase in the level of weather uncertainty. The chapters in the dissertation therefore identify key policy variables that can be used to manage vulnerability to risks emanating from climate change and unsustainable production in smallholder farming. Access to comprehensive climate information encompassing weather information and climate change-specific management information on both crop and livestock farming is shown to be a key factor in the uptake of adaptation strategies like use of resilient inputs and farm diversification. Interventions along the value chain like teaming up with large market actors in a private-public engagement is shown to be a potential pathway towards enhancing uptake of sustainable intensification inputs. Other policy variables like credit provision, high education and access to off-farm incomes are also key in explaining uptake of risk management strategies by smallholder farmers in Namibia and Kenya.

Thesis (MAgricAdmin)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Transaction cost economics has travelled a difficult and long path to general acceptance in current economic opinion. The general theory of transaction cost has however developed in various paradigms with little or no empirical backing. It is mostly the difficulty of measurement that caused economists to shy away from empirical testing and rather, to quote Coase (1992), "to write in prose". The last 10 years there has been a renewed thrust for the empirical measurement of transaction cost. This study is an attempt to measure transaction cost by using case study data gathered in the run of the NOLIDEP study in the meat markets of the Northern Communal areas of Namibia. Until recently the method of data analysis that has been used in most empirical studies was variations of the regression technique. Regression as a tool is most useful in economics, giving quick answers and general trends to the researcher. It is however a technique that is linear in nature and therefore some information in the data will always be sacrificed. In general- and multi industry surveys this do not pose a great problem as general trends can usefully be applied in making policy recommendations. In smaller and especially rural industries this is not the case. The dynamic interactions within the industry and its dynamic linkages with the rest of the economy will surely be underrated when using a linear method. Consequently, a non-linear technique was applied in this study - the Non-linear Dynamic Model. This model gave the interactions between all variables enabling one to describe the dynamics of the market. As mentioned elsewhere the first aim of this study was to measure transaction cost so that the second aim could be fulfilled. The second aim of this study was to prove that transaction cost has an important influence on marketing channel decision. The analysis of the data satisfied the above two aims: Firstly it showed that it was possible to measure transaction cost. Secondly that transaction cost has a large and sometimes overriding influence on marketing channel decisions. A third and last point that became apparent was that a non-linear method of data analysis allows for better description of a dynamic market.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit het 'n lang tyd gevat vir transaksie koste om as konsep in ekonomie aanvaar te word. Die algemene teorie van transaksie koste het egter ontwikkel binne verskeie paradigmas sonder werklike empiriese ondersteuning. Dit is meestal die meting van transaksie koste wat empiriese werk in die rigting belemmer het. Daar is egter in die laaste 10 jaar hernude pogings gewees om transaksie koste empiries te meet. Hierdie studie is 'n poging om transaksie koste te meet deur gebruik te maak van data wat verkry is gedurende die NOLIDEP studie in die noordelike kommunale gebiede van Namibia. Tot onlangs was die metode van data analise vir empiriese studies variasies op die regressie tegniek. As 'n hulpmiddel is regressie baie bruikbaar in ekonomie waar vinnige antwoorde en algemene tendense verwag word. Die tegniek is egter inhirent liniêr en daarom sal daar altyd interpretasies rondom data opgeoffer word. In algemene studies is dit egter nie 'n probleem nie en kan voldoende beleids aanbevelings gedoen word. Dit is egter nie die geval in kleiner en plantelandse industriëe nie. Die dinamiese interaksies binne die industrie en die dinamiese skakels met die res van die ekonomie word dan onderskat met die gebruik van 'n liniêre metode. Daarom is 'n nie-liniêre metode gebruik, die Non-linear Dynamic Model. Die model neem die interaksie tussen veranderlikes in ag wat die beskrywing van dinamika moontlik maak. Soos reeds genoem is die eerste doel van die studie om transaksie koste te meet sodat die tweede doelwit van die studie bereik kan word. Die tweede doel is om te bewys dat transaksie koste bemarkingskanaai besluite bëinvloed. Die data analise het beide bogenoemde doelwitte bevredig. Eerstens dat transaksie koste meetbaar is. Tweedens dat transaksie koste 'n groot en selfs oorweldigende effek het op bemarkingskanaai besluite. 'n Derde punt wat sterk na vore gekom het is dat nie-liniêre metodes 'n beter beskrywing van dinamika toelaat.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Livestock production forms a significant part of the agricultural activities in Namibia. This study is an analysis of the red meat (beef and mutton) supply chain in the country, south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence. The supply chain from production of animals on the farms through processing to placing of meat on the market is analyzed. The red meat supply chain is split into three sectors for the purpose of the study. The three sectors are the supply sector involved in the production of animals on the farms, the processing sector involved with the slaughtering and value addition on the livestock products and the demand sector that is involved in the placing on the market of the livestock and livestock products. Each of the sectors is then analyzed as an entity. The three tools that are used to analyze the sectors are: a) The market competitiveness done using the Porter’s 5 force analysis; b) The SWOT analysis for determination of intrinsic and extrinsic environments of the respective sectors and c) Trend review of the activity in each sector for the years 2000-2005. The aim of the analysis is to create a deeper insight into the forces and the impact these forces are having on the meat supply chain.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Veeboerdery vorm ‘n vername deel van landbou-aktiwiteite in Namibië. Hierdie navorsingsverslag is ’n analise van die rooivleis (bees en skaap) leweringsketting in die land suid van die veeartsafbakeningsheining. Die studie ondersoek die leweringsketting van produksie van vee op plase tot by die plaas van vleis op die markte. Die rooivleis leweringsketting is, vir die doeleindes van hierdie studie, in drie dele verdeel. Hierdie drie dele is die lewerings-sektor wat verantwoordelik is vir die produksie van vee op die plase, die prosesserings-sektor wat verantwoordelik is vir die slag en waardetoevoeging tot die vee-produkte, en die vraag-sektor wat verantwoordelik is vir die plasing van vee en vee-produkte op die mark. Elk van hierdie sektore word ontleed as ’n entiteit. Die drie instrumente wat gebruik word om die sektore te analiseeer is: a) Die markkompeterendheid word gedoen aand die hand van Porter se 5 kragte analise; b) Die “SWOT” analise vir die bepaling van die intrinsieke en ekstrinsieke omgewings van die onderskeie sektore, en c) Tendens oorsig van die aktiwiteite in elke sektor vir die jare 2000-2005. Die doel van die analises is om dieper insig te skep van die kragte en die impak wat hierdie kragte het op die vleis leweringsketting.

Prior to independence, Namibia's marine fisheries had suffered over-fishing, typical of open access exploitation of a common pool resource where there is excess demand. The Namibian Government's policy objectives seek optimal sustainable use of Namibia's fisheries resources and a substantial increase for Namibians of benefit from these resources. In assessing the appropriateness of Namibia's fisheries management system for meeting these objectives, state involvement in the management of the resource is considered, the biological and ecological constraints of the resource are examined and the degree to which national management of fisheries is nested in a global system of fisheries governance is defined. Empirical evidence establishes the critical importance of successfully managing these resources through environmental shocks and the importance for the industry of sufficient economic flexibility, often hindered by overcapacity, to cope with those shocks. Even at low, sub-optimal biomass levels, evidence suggests that substantial resource rent accrues to industry as abnormal profit, or finances overcapacity. Government attempts to redistribute benefit from the resource have been only partly successful. These findings establish the importance of state intervention to ensure that capacity is reduced as close as possible to a bio-economic optimal level, thus maximising resource rent. Collection by the state of a larger proportion of available resource rent would make it less possible for abnormal profits to be earned and make rent less available for financing over-capacity. The additional state finance, representing benefit from the resource, could be directed by the state towards more effective usage in the development process. The management of Namibia's marine fisheries will best be achieved by working towards a system of co-management between the state and industry, providing a framework for nested institutions tailored to the conditions of each fishery, in a joint endeavour to generate a socially optimal use of the resource.

Namibia has the third lowest population density in the world and a large part of the population are dependent on small-scale subsistence farming for survival. What was found during the study is that large distances between communities has created challenges in terms of infrastructure, logistics and communication. These factors needsto be taken into consideration when conducting or starting business. This research examined success factors in existing business initiatives by and for rural farmers in northern Namibia with focus on the implementation of new technology that supports everyday work. Previous literature shows that the best way to implement and startbusiness in scarcely populated areas has not eectively been addressed. The purpose of this study is to gain a general understanding of the context and identify business model success. An eight-week eld study was performed in Namibia during spring of2018. Empirical data was gathered through qualitative interviews and workshops with farmers and business initiative takers that focus on the cultivation and processing of the staple grain mahangu. The main ndings from the research is that more businesses are forming in these rural areas and farmers are slowly adapting to the benets thatnew technology entails, although, full acceptance of new tools is slower due to the long distances, low income, and deeply rooted traditions. A major success-factor is to increase availability through small-scale empowerment of many farmers. Having many smaller businesses in a large area will increase the availability which in turn will lead to increased spread and adaption of technology. The long term benets of new businesses can support the development of the country and also increase quality of life for rural people. It was also identied that a large part of the population conduct business on the informal markets, which implies that no taxes are paid. For future research it is recommended to investigate how a transition from the informal to formal market can aect the lives of the farmers but also the national development of the country.
Namibia har den tredje lägsta befolkningstätheten i världen och en stor del av befolkningen är beroende av småskaligt lantbruk för att överleva. Det som konstaterats under studien är att stora avstånd mellan befolkningen skapar nya utmaningar när det gäller infrastruktur, logistik och kommunikation. Dessa faktorer måste beaktas vid genomförande eller påbörjande av nya verksamheter. Denna forskning undersökte framgångsfaktorer inom befintliga affärsverksamheter, av och för lantbrukare i norra Namibia med fokus på implementering av ny teknik som stödjer och underlättar det dagliga arbetet. Tidigare litteratur påvisade att nuvarande forskning, gällande det bästa sättet att genomföra och starta verksamheter i områden med låg befolkningstäthet för självförsörjande bönder är begränsad. Syftet med denna studie är att skapa en generell förståelse för sammanhanget och identifiera framgångsfaktorer för existerande affärsmodeller. En 8-veckor lång fältstudie utfördes i Namibia under våren 2018. Empirisk data samlades genom kvalitativa intervjuer och workshops med bönder och affärsinitiativtagare som fokuserar på odling och bearbetning av basgrödan mahangu. Resultat visar att ny teknologi är på uppgång och bönder anpassar sig, om än långsamt, till de fördelar som ny teknik innebär. Full acceptans av nya verktyg är emellertid långsam. Detta på grund av långa avstånd, låg inkomst och djupt rotade traditioner. En viktig framgångsfaktor vore att stötta småskaliga jordbruksentreprenörer. Att ha många mindre företag i ett stort område ökar tillgängligheten vilket i sin tur leder till ökad spridning, acceptans och anpassning av ny teknik. De långsiktiga fördelarna med nya företag är att de kan öka livskvaliteten för landsbygden därmed stödja Namibias övergripande utveckling. Det identfierades också att en stor del av befolkningen bedriver verksamhet påde informella marknaderna, vilket innebär att inga skatter betalas. För framtida forskning rekommenderas att undersöka hur en övergång från den informella till den formella marknaden kan påverka böndernas liv, men också landets nationella utveckling.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Management (in the field of Governance and Public Leadership). October, 2016
There is mounting evidence that the effective functioning of any organisation or public sector is determined by the quality of leadership. The author of the research investigated the challenge of leadership in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry. More than 70 percent of the Namibian population directly or indirectly subsist on Agriculture for their livelihood. Agriculture remains the backbone of the Namibian economy. Hence the relevance of great and strong leadership. Evidence from the investigation, observes that communication, lack of policy enforcement, co-ordination, change management, leadership styles and strategic alignment are the major leadership challenges and thus cause lack of performance in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry. The author observed pockets of excellence in the quality of leadership too. There have been investments in the aspects of human development and policy formulation, but there is more work that needs to be done in the aspects of sectoral unification of strategies, enhanced sectoral co-ordination, policy enforcement and to ensure effective communication between the public and private sector. There are endless possibilities in improving agricultural production, productivity and competitiveness in the sector if it adopts new economic values such as collaboration and co-creation. There is a need to induct board members and senior management in the legislative instruments such as acts, policies and strategies so that the leadership team can subscribe to common policies with shared values and meaning. Investing in capacity development will drive the sector to be a leaderful sector that delivers public value; a sector that delivers to an extent where stakeholder expectations are mate. The research findings show that great leaders are those who have the ability to build strong teams, manage change, alter organisational values, craft leaders across all levels of the organisation, inspire trust and respect from the team, are able to create thinking environments in the workplace and build strong sustainable organisations.
GR2018

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, .Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
An Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) has been developed for rangeland condition assessment in arid northwestern Namibia. The usefulness of termites as bio-indlcators has been tested and reliable sampling protocol for termite diversity in an arid ervlronrnent has been developed. The study was conducted mainly at a high- and low-intensity site on each of three farms. Two of the farms were communally owned; the other was commercially owned. (Abbreviation abstract)
Andrew Chakane 2019

The objectives of the study were to analyse rural youth poverty alleviation in the Zambezi Region, problems, and possibilities in order to determine how rural youth agricultural and non-agricultural livelihood activities have improved their livelihood and alleviated poverty. The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework has helped the researcher to understand and explain rural youth poverty alleviation, problems, and possibilities in the study area. The study employed a mixed-method approach, with more emphasis on qualitative research. The study had a total size sample of 223, respondents, including focus group discussions. The findings indicate that no livelihood analysis was carried out for rural youth in agriculture and non-agricultural activities in the Zambezi Region. For this reason, agricultural and non-agricultural programmes and projects have not addressed rural youth poverty alleviation. The findings also show that rural youth in agriculture and non-agricultural activities are exposed to numerous factors affecting their livelihood, as most of them cannot efficiently affect the vulnerability context. Furthermore, rural youth depends on their families and friends for livelihood support since they lack access to most livelihood assets. Despite livelihood improvement, rural youth faces problems that impede poverty alleviation in both agriculture and non-agricultural livelihood activities; lack of participation in policy deliberations, access to markets, Information Communication Technologies, training in both agriculture and non-agricultural activities, limited access to financial services and limited access to land. The study demonstrates that successful agricultural and non-agricultural programmes need to take rural youth sincerely to influence rural youth poverty alleviation. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the limited literature on rural youth poverty alleviation and also provide a rural youth critique in agriculture and non-agricultural activities in Namibia.
Development Studies
D. Phil. (Development Studies)

Arid and semi-arid regions have increasingly become the subject of much research and debate by scientists. By their very nature, these regions characteristically exhibit extremes which complicate the implementation of effective management strategies that ensure sustainable productivity and economic output. Namibia is one such region where low and highly variable rainfall conditions and fluctuating productivity pose a challenge to managers of commercial livestock enterprises, / who seek to optimise economic benefits while controlling the negative effect on herd production and income of unpredictable and unfavourable climatic events. Various management approaches are proposed as a means of exploiting periods of abundant productivity and so optimising income from herd production, while controlling for the effects of drought conditions. To analyse the effects of these various offtake strategies, a rainfall-driven plant-herbivore simulation model is used. The model comprises components simul~tihg vegetation and herbivore dynamics. The vegetation component incorporates soil moisture and nutrient allocation to plant parts. The herbivore dynamics sub-model comprises age and sex classes, population dynamics and animal energy requirements which govern accumulated fat reserves. The model is adapted to account for climatic and vegetation attributes specific to Namibia. An economic component including a seasonal monthly price structure is developed, and a dynamic feedback governing management decisions is incorporated. The much debated issue of whether to maintain a constant stocking rate or to track climatic variation by employing a variable stocking level is investigated, with the performance of management strategies incorporating these approaches ranked according to various factors, including annual returns, associated risk and annual stock mortality. The economic consequences of the timing of offtake are investigated, with the simulation of management strategies that implement destocking in the face of anticipated drought conditions. A dynamic projection of expected income allows the impact of forecasting potential economic gains on decision-making to be analysed. Results indicate that the performance of management strategies is not as dependent on climatic and seasonal price variability as was originally expected, with the application of a constant stocking level proving to be the most favourable strategy in terms of economic gain and variability of income. Tracking climatic variation by adapting stocking levels does not provide the improvement in economic returns from a livestock production system that was anticipated, although this approach is successful in effecting a significant reduction in annual stock mortality. Further results show the sensitivity of income to the long-term average stocking level characterising the management strategies investigated, as well as to the elasticity of the underlying price structure. The results of this study indicate that the implementation of management strategies designed to track climatic variation does not offer significant economic advantages over the application of a constant stocking approach.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

In agrarian societies, HIV/AIDS extends far beyond the realm of healthcare into agricultural production and food security as well. Namibia is a developing country with a large portion of its population involved in agriculture; the average HIV/AIDS infection rate of 21.3% in the country leaves a large portion of agricultural workers living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study was to further evaluate the impact of HIV/AIDS on national and community level food security in northern Namibia by ascertaining the perceptions and experiences of local farmers living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, this research aims to define the specific training needs for this population, and to identify possible barriers to access. Four focus groups and four key informant interviews were conducted in northern Namibia, and participants were asked a variety of questions relating to People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in agriculture. Qualitative analysis drew out prevailing themes and ideas from the data. This study found that there is a greater need for HIV/AIDS specific education and programs targeted to HIV/AIDS infected agrarian workers. Additionally this study found there were barriers to education present in the current system, and identified needs for joint programming initiatives between the ministries of health and agriculture.

The research problem of this mini-dissertation involves the conflicts between human and wildlife populations and the trialing of ‘compensation’ payouts that are emerging as a critical test within the conservancy. Crop raiders such as elephants, buffaloes, hippopotamus, bush pigs and small rodents, diminish farmers’ resource bases and cash crops, while carnivores are responsible for livestock losses. The aim of the research is to assess the level of community understanding of the compensation scheme and the impact of human wildlife interaction within the conservancy. This mini-dissertation investigated the level of community understanding about the Human Animal Conservancy Self-Insurance Scheme (HACSIS), and the impact of human-wildlife conflicts within the Kwandu Conservancy. Some of the research data were obtained from the conservancy game guards’ event book system, and the actual field research data were collected from the 1st August to 20th August 2006. The researcher conducted a total of 35 interviews, whereby 32 involved face-to-face interviews with single individuals, and 3 separate focus group discussions that consisted of four, five and two conservancy members. The interviews averaged 30 minutes in length. Each interview was preceded by a careful explanation of the purposes of the work, stressing that the intent was to evaluate their understanding and perceptions on HACSIS, the impact of human-wildlife conflicts and to explore better management strategies. The researcher has taken into account that the communities might exaggerate the wildlife problem based on his previous experience with the adjacent conservancy, in the hopes of gaining more compensation – they also use the researcher as a way to vent their frustration at the problem. On the assumption that there may be an element of exaggeration verification of these was obtained from the Event Book System (a manual book used by the Community Game Guards for recording both crops and livestock incidents on daily basis). This mini-dissertation reveals that 74.3 % (n = 26) of respondents are aware of the existence of the HACSIS program and its role, while 17.1 % of respondents had no idea about the scheme’s presence and its involvement to minimize the impact felt by communities when they lose livestock to predators. The percentage of respondents who claimed that they had heard of the scheme’s existence but had no knowledge of its role was 8.6 %. In addition, most respondents (n = 15) claimed that the conservancy committee did not explain to them why their claim forms were rejected. In contrast, some respondents (n = 6) did received feedback on rejected claim forms. HACSIS was not formed to compensate livestock losses based on market value, nor was it intended as a ‘compensation’ scheme. Its aim was to test a conservancy-run process – local verification of claims and monitoring by conservancy committee and traditional authority. In addition, the authorization of payments for a type of ‘self-insurance’ is drawn from conservancy income to partially offset the losses of conservancy members versus the overall gains that wildlife brings to the conservancy (direct conservancy income and local jobs through tourism, trophy hunting, own use game harvesting). Conservancy committees and the support NGO, IRDNC, agreed on the amount to be refunded for animal losses before the scheme was started, initially using donor funding in the trial phases. The amount was deliberately kept low as it was acknowledged from the start that conservancies themselves would take over the repayments from their own income. Once the conservancy was used to its own income to finance the scheme, conservancy members could vote to increase amounts paid for predator losses. The crucial aspect, according to IRDNC, was that the process itself be tested and that the scheme be run by the conservancy, with Ministry of Environment and Tourism and IRDNC merely monitoring and providing assistance as needed. Compensation is based on this pre-determined amount that is less than the livestock value. However, the research reveals that respondents (n = 19) were dissatisfied with the amount paid (N$ 800-00 per ox killed), because they claim that the amount paid to relieve the immediate impact from wildlife is too little to sustain the affected member. In contrast, some respondents (n = 8) were satisfied with the amount paid as compensation. Despite criticisms about the amount paid for livestock losses, none of the respondents (n = 22) who were familiar with the scheme wanted it to be abolished. The respondents emphasized the need for the conservancy committee to review the amount paid as compensation, especially for cattle. They suggested an increase from the current N$ 800-00 to N$ 1000-00 per ox loss. The research reveals that community livestock management practices have not changed to deliberately benefit from the compensation. In fact community management strategies have improved because of the condition set by the review committee dealing with the compensation scheme. Wildlife incidents have increased because animals are habituated to techniques used by communities to deter them and this has contributed to high livestock incidents. For human-wildlife conflicts, the research acknowledges that the conflict exists. Between 2003-2005, the Kwandu Conservancy reported 1508 incidents of damage to crops by wildlife. Species that were responsible included elephants with 30.2 % damage, bush pigs (29.8 %), hippopotamus (12.7%), antelopes (12.7 %), porcupine (7.5 %), and baboons/monkeys (7.2 %). Most of the crops destroyed by crop raiders, as suggested by the respondents, were maize (30 %), sorghum (26 %), millet (17 %), groundnuts (14 %), pumpkins (8 %) and beans (5%). During the same period of crop losses, the conservancy reported 98 livestock incidents. Animals responsible for livestock incidents were crocodile with 32 incidents (32.7 %), then hyena (23 incidents, 23.5 %), leopard (22 incidents, 22.4 %) and lion (21 incidents, 21.4%). The role of community game guards was found to be extensive. From a total 35 responses, 74.3 % (n = 26) of members stated that community game guards effectively record incidents, chased problem-causing animals from the community crop fields by shouting or shooting in the air, and assessed or verified killed livestock for compensation purposes. In addition, community game guards conduct crop assessment for record-keeping purposes. The scheme for crop compensation is to be introduced in 2007. Currently there is no proper formula to use in assessing the value of crops and the method to use to compensate the affected members. Other methods used by communities to deter wildlife include sleeping in the field to guard crops, cracking a whip, construction of human statues, hanging tins on the fence, chilli coils, watchtowers and digging trenches. Respondents had different views on the best management practices for problem-causing animals. The response was generally based on the degree of threat that the animal posed. Most (43.8 %, n = 14) preferred the monitoring of problem-causing animals that are sighted in an area as a best practice, while 40.6 % (n = 13) of respondents preferred the animal to be captured and relocated to parks. Only 25.6 % (n = 5) of respondents preferred that the animal be destroyed. The management practices preferred by respondents when an animal kills a person are different from when an animal is simply sighted in the area. If an animal kills a person, only 12.5 % (n = 4) of respondents preferred that the animal be captured and relocated to parks, while 87.5 % (n = 28) of respondents preferred the problem-causing animal to be destroyed. None of the respondents suggested monitoring as the best management option for this degree of threat. In conclusion, the research revealed that Human Animal Conservancy Self Insurance Scheme does not treat the cause of the problem but the symptom. This approach does not decrease the level of the problem given that the cause of the problem is not addressed. Therefore, the researcher stressed the need to fully explore and implement the recent piloted lion, crocodile fencing, and elephant proof fencing and elephants chilli coil to address and reduce the problem within Kwandu Conservancy. In addition, the research revealed that the scheme has very lengthy delays before compensation is paid and the review panel does not arrange meetings on the stipulated dates. This causes a back-log in the number of claims that need to be reviewed and approved. On Human Wildlife Conflict the research findings recommend the need to strengthen and improve existing problem-causing animal management strategies that are in place. Innovative strategies include reducing the number of stray livestock at night and developing static fences. Communities should be advised, as is being done by IRDNC, to herd their livestock during the day and to build strong kraals. This is the most effective and cheapest way to prevent livestock from being taken by predators at night. Further more the research revealed that the combination and rotation of the methods yield high success rather than deploying a single method over a long period, for the prevention of crop losses methods include guarding the crop field, cracking a whip, shooting in the air, watchtowers, human statues and beating drums.
Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

The goal of this study was to develop a framework for improving coordination in the provision of Agricultural Support Services (ASS) in the Oshikoto region of Namibia. The research questions that were addressed were: Who are the current role players in the Agricultural Support Services (ASS)? Are there any official linkages structures for coordinated agricultural support services? What are the required capacities and skills for coordinated ASS and what are the perceptions and attitudes of the stakeholders towards ASS? The conceptual framework of the study was framed by extension and decentralisation policies that need to be in place for ASS work to take place. The research further examined the internal factors that lead to outputs of coordination and ultimately to a framework for improving coordination. A mixed method research design was used to obtain data. The study used qualitative techniques to interview 11 active ASS providers from different organisations such as Government, Parastatal, FBO, Input Supply and Educational Institutions in the Oshikoto region who work with farmers. The ASS providers were selected using the snowball-sampling technique. Although the results revealed that the majority of the ASS providers indicated that they would like to work with other organisations, there was no formal coordination structure put in place allowing them to do so. As a result of no official linkages, the ASS providers plan activities individually and report to different supervisors. It is, however, very clear that ASS providers want to work together, as 72.7% were of the opinion that good coordination is when all ASS providers assist one another and work together in a complementary way so that they are more effective, efficient and avoid duplication of the same activities. Regarding ASS providers education, out of the 84 ASS provider field workers, only 36 had a Secondary School Certificate and only 28 had diplomas in agriculture-related courses. Some of the ASS providers indicated that, according to them, the higher education institutions were too theoretical and not practical enough, and did not consult organisations on the ground when developing their curricula. Higher education institutions such as UNAM were more research oriented, concentrating more on trials and demonstrations and not on farmers needs. The Supply/Traders had very little knowledge of agriculture yet they sometimes vaccinate livestock on request. Most of the ASS providers use top-down approaches such as the T&V approach rather than participatory approaches. The problems can only be solved if an enabling environment is created whereby all the ASS providers belong to one umbrella organisation and are accountable to one supervisor. In addition to qualitative techniques, the study also utilised quantitative research techniques, which included structured and semi-structured questionnaires that were administered to (N=200) randomly selected farmers from eight constituencies in the Oshikoto region. The quantitative data were entered into the SAS statistical software program and tables of descriptive statistics and test of significant differences were generated. Some of the quantitative data revealed that government institutions such as the DEES and DVS were in contact with many of the farmers, but the farmers did not seem very satisfied with their services. The few farmers who were contacted by the Private Extension Services Providers, NGOs, and Agricultural Mentors perceived their services as being more relevant and adequate as compared to the DEES and DVS. An estimated 86% (171) of the farmers indicated the radio as their primary source of information. From the 200 farmers interviewed, only 65 (35%) of the farmers belonged to a Farmer-Based Organisation (FBO). There were 42.3% farmers who belonged to a cooperative, 43.1% to a farmers association, and 24% to community projects. There is a need for increased formation of FBOs in the Oshikoto region. Sixty-two per cent (62%) of the farmer respondents indicated that coordination and collaboration of activities were an extremely serious problem in the Oshikoto region, while only 5% of the farmers indicated that it was not an issue. The study results informed the development of the framework for improving coordination in the provision of Agricultural Support Services in the Oshikoto region.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2016.
tm2016
Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development
PhD
Unrestricted