Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Liberia. Ministry of Agriculture'

The use of ICT in government institutions of the Republic of Liberia has been around for decades though very few institutions implemented it most especially in the old fashion EDP- Electronic Data Processing systems where large departments were created for centralized data processing tasks. The Old fashion EDP proof very costly, less effective, difficult to manage which provides the basis of establishing a more effective, user friendly, collaborative oriented systems in the form of Electronic government. Though in most other government institutions there is less usage or appreciation of the roles ICT in government. Liberia, just emerging from a long 14 years of civil crisis which destroyed its entire human and technical infrastructure, lacks behind most of the African countries and the world at large in the wagon of implementing ICT and its related research With the continuous and ever important requirement for transparency and accountability in the public sector services, With ICT been a tool to assist efficiency and accountability in the public sector, the government of Liberia has embarked on the implementation of ICT projects in governance, though there is limited research work so far done in use of ICT in governance in Liberia. There has been very little known research in ICT or e-government with specific focus on Liberia, with one limited research done by UN in 2010. Though there are records of research on E-government of developing countries including Kenya, Ghana and post war Rwanda, etc. There are lessons learnt from these research works that will be of good input for the Liberia case as per similarities in challenges and obstacles of implementing e-government developing countries. This thesis research is in support of identifying obstacles, challenges, and benefits of transforming the public sector by introducing ICT. There are few known ICT projects in government including the Finance Ministry‘s IFMIS and ASYCUDA projects, the CSA Biometric systems which were evaluated, partly to ascertain government readiness for e-government. The investigation included some key government ministries. The research results using international approved methodologies identified the e-readiness level of the government of Liberia, with given challenges, obstacles and benefits. The findings of the research show that Liberia can successfully implement e-government if the identified obstacles are removed or minimized.
ICT and e-Government are closely linked, the subject of this thesis. ICT is a broad terminology encompassing all that include communication devices such as radio, television, satellite systems, cellular phones, computer equipment and accessories, network equipment and software etc. ICT is a useful tool that enables public agencies to change from routine-based, command-and- control organizations that are inwardly focused on administration to knowledge-based, networked, learning organizations that are externally focused on service (OECD 2005).
C/O UNDP Liberia Mamba Point Monrovia, Liberia West Africa Cell +231-886581242

This dissertation is about commercial agriculture in nineteenth-century Liberia. Based primarily on the archives of the American Colonization Society (founder of Liberia), it examines the impact of environmental and demographic constraints on an agrarian settler society from 1822 to the 1890s. Contrary to the standard interpretation, which linked the poor state of commercial agriculture to the settlers' disdain for cultivation, this dissertation argues that the scarcity of labor and capital impeded the growth of commercial agriculture. The causes of the scarcity were high mortality, low immigration and the poverty of the American "Negroes" who began to settle Liberia in 1822. Emigration to Liberia meant almost certain death and affliction for many immigrants because they encountered a new set of diseases. Mortality was particularly high during the early decades of colonization. From 1822 to 1843, about 48 percent of all immigrants died of various causes, usually within their first year. The bulk of the deaths is attributed to malaria. There was no natural increase in the population for this early period and because American "Negroes" were unenthusiastic about relocation to Liberia, immigration remained sparse throughout the century. Low immigration, combined with the high death rate, deprived the fledgling colony of its potential human resource, especially for the cultivation of labor-intensive crops, like sugar cane and coffee. Moreover, even though females constituted approximately half of the settlers, they seldom performed agricultural labor. The problem of labor was compounded by the scarcity of draft animals. Liberia is in the region where trypanosomiasis occurs. The disease is fatal to large livestock. Therefore, animal-drawn plows, common in the United States, were never successfully transplanted in Liberia. Besides, the dearth of livestock obstructed the development of the sugar industry since many planters depended on oxen-powered mills because they could not afford to buy the more expensive steam engine mills. Finally, nearly half of the immigrants were newly emancipated slaves. Usually these former bondsmen arrived in Liberia penniless. Consequently, they lacked the capital to invest in large-scale plantations. The other categories of immigrants (e.g., those who purchased their freedom), were hardly better off than the emancipated slaves.

The aim of this study has been to explain the relationship between capital (development) expenditures and the growth of recurrent expenditures in the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture and Water Development (1975-1983). Three models were developed and tested. The first model tested the theory of incrementalism. Proponents of incrementalism advocate that the recurrent budget in a previous period is the most important explanatory variable in the determination of recurrent budget expenditures in the subsequent period. An extension on the first model included capital expenditures in the determination of recurrent budget expenditures. Theories have been advanced that capital expenditures cannot be undertaken without affecting the growth of recurrent expenditures. A third explanatory model included the stock of capital, the recurrent budget in the previous period, the rate of inflation, and the lagged price of copper as important variables in the determination of recurrent budget expenditures. Ordinary least squares (0LS) estimation techniques were used to obtain the coefficients and the magnitude of the variables in these three models. The third model explained 98% of the variation in recurrent budget expenditures. The results showed that the recurrent budget in the previous period and the rate of inflation were the most important explanatory variables in the determination of the recurrent budgets in Zambia. The price of copper and the stock of capital, although both having a positive relationship with the recurrent budget in the subsequent period, were weak determinants. The study noted that the weak relationship between the capital and recurrent budget may be due to the ad hoc transference of recurrent costs, created by capital projects, to the recurrent budget. The study suggests a policy for the transference of these costs to the recurrent budget.
Land and Food Systems, Faculty of
Graduate

Agricultural policy in the transition states of Central Eastern Europe is a very complex issue – ranging from privatisation of farm land, the establishment of agricultural markets to detailed questions of veterinary care, plant health and animal nutrition. Its main elements are the introduction of market liberalization, farm restructuring, privatisation, the reform of the sector and the creation of supporting market institutions and services.1 In this process central state agriculture administration plays a decisive role.

This paper is summing up the research of the author on Slovak agricultural administration between 2002 and 2004. This work was part of a DFG-funded research project on “Genesis, Organization and Efficiency of the central-state Ministerial Administration in Central and Eastern Europe”. The project was analysing the processes, results and efficiency of administrative structures at central-state level in Estonia, Poland and Slovakia with reference to public administration in the policy fields of agriculture and telecommunications. The paper is reflecting the situation in the sector and its administration at the beginning of 2004.

At first, an overview of the role of the agricultural sector in Slovak economy in the past and presence is provided (section I). Against this background, the development of the agricultural policy in the different periods since 1989 will be analysed, mainly what privatisation, accession to the EU and subsidy policy are concerned (section II). A detailed study of the developments in agricultural administration forms the next part of the paper (section III), i.e. the changes taking place in the ministry of agriculture and in the other institutions responsible for the implementation of agricultural policy. The role of interest groups in agriculture is briefly analysed (section IV). In the conclusions two different scenarios on the further development of Slovak agricultural administration will be deployed.

The diploma thesis deals with education and communication of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. The goal of this diploma thesis is to compare how both ministries educate their employees and how they communicate. The thesis will show if or what are the differences between the ministries in given areas. In the part that deals with the communication of the ministries attention will be paid to both, communication with the media and with the public. In the theoretical part methods and ways of education of employees that are used and theoretical bases will be generally given. In this part the thesis will also focus on regulations which the education of state employees should follow. In the practical part the expert interview method will be used to describe the system of education in both offices. In the area of communication the way, in which the ministries communicate with the media and with the public will be outlined and on the basis of media outputs in a certain interval a hypothesis that media are more interested in the Ministry of Finance topics will be verified. The thesis will compare both ministries in this way and make possible recommendations.

Gender mainstreaming to promote gender equality and include persons with disabilities is important because it can bring a huge impact to the organization and the country. It is not easy to accomplish gender equality as long as there are barriers against women's participation in all spheres. As a result, achieving gender equality is a challenge for not only developed countries but also developing countries. This thesis evaluates the implementation of gender mainstreaming to promote gender equality and the inclusion of persons with disabilities of the Division for the Advancement of Women in Lao PDR. This thesis discovers the perception of gender equality, the barriers that prevent women from achieving gender equality, and the impact of gender equality and lastly examines whether the inclusive approach to include persons with disabilities is implemented in the ministerial organization.

Due to the liberalization of the international trade, there is an increase in food imports to the Czech Republic. However, many producers are not able to face this competition and are forced to end up their business. This leads to the decrease in the production of agricultural commodities and foodstuffs which also reduces the food self-sufficiency of the Czech Republic. Therefore the Ministry of Agriculture (MA) runs activities in order to promote domestic food and the competition "Regionální potravina" is one of those activities. The related campaigns are aimed at both the producers and consumers. The aims of this thesis are to find out how producers perceive the competition Regionální potravina and activities of the MA and whether producers observe that competition and activities of MA have some positive effects. Another aim is to find out whether consumers know the competition Regionální potravina and activities of MA, whether they buy this food and whether they prefer to buy Czech food. The theoretical part concerns especially marketing and legislation related to the promotion of domestic food. The practical part is based on a survey among producers and consumers. Based on the results of this survey, the recommendations for the Ministry of Agriculture are set out.

Le processus de modernisation des services territoriaux de l'État, et tout particulièrement son volet managérial, s'inscrit dans une histoire déjà ancienne, même si la dynamique et les modalités du changement varient selon les départements ministériels. Dans ces histoires, la période 2003-2007, avec l'introduction d'une approche budgétaire différente (la LOLF), d'une recomposition des services départementaux de l'État (la RéaTE), et d'une rénovation des modalités de gestion des emplois et des compétences, constitue un tournant qui peut être compris comme la diffusion des principes du new public management. La thèse repose sur une analyse du travail des directeurs départementaux des ministères évoqués dans la réorganisation dans ce contexte de modernisation tout particulièrement autour du volet RH. Cette analyse est préparée par une présentation des histoires différenciées de la réforme dans les ministères de l'équipement, de l'agriculture et de l'inspection du travail, et une présentation de la perception de ces transformations par les agents. Ces deux aspects constituent en effet les contraintes essentielles de l'activité de conduite du changement. Ils permettent de montrer que la fonction " ressources humaines " joue un rôle central dans les transformations propres à chaque ministère. Étudier le travail de ces cadres, restituer leurs secrets de fabrique, c'est à la fois éclairer l'activité de cadres dirigeants dans une administration, qui se trouve mise à découvert par le changement durant cette période, et mettre en évidence les enjeux de ce moment de la réforme. L'analyse des marges de manœuvre qui leur permettent de conduire le changement, révèle aussi combien se concentrent sur eux les tensions générées par les contradictions d'une réforme tous azimuts. La manière dont ils expriment leur inquiétude pose la question des risques d'un affaiblissement trop important de ces acteurs, seuls en mesure de mettre en cohérence des missions, des hommes et leurs compétences, et une organisation du travail

The goal of master thesis is evaluation of efficiency of state aid in the agriculture focusing on food quality marks. At the beginning of the work are described state institutions supporting Czech producers and their products. Evaluation of efficiency is made based on telephone interview with producers and quantitative research among consumers. Telephone interview is conducted with producers who can use a logo Regionalni potravina on their foodstuff. The aim of this research is to find out, if the producers achieved positive results in their sales after obtaining food quality mark. Quantitative research is made among consumers, where the key question is what awareness consumers have about food quality marks, what is the key factor in buying decision and if consumers noticed promotional campaigns of the Ministry of Agriculture focusing on aid of Czech producers with food quality marks. After making research it will be easier to say if state aid is effective or if there are spotted flaws or what.

Ce travail est consacré à l'évaluation des performances de ciblage et à l'analyse d'impact de trois projets. La première étude porte sur l'accès à l'eau courante en République du Congo ; et l'auto-ciblage pratiqué à travers une tarification spécifique ne bénéficie qu'aux ménages connectés qui sont plutôt non pauvres. L'auto-ciblage fonctionne mieux pour le projet des travaux publics au Libéria ; la proportion de pauvres qui participent à ces travaux est élevée. En fait ce projet n'a aucune barrière à l'entrée, ce qui explique en partie ce bon résultat. Le ciblage du programme de modernisation agricole en RDC n'est pas très efficace non plus, les bénéficiaires n'étant souvent pas pauvres. L'impact en termes de réduction de la pauvreté est important dans les deux projets concernés par ce type d'analyse (modernisation agricole en RDC et travaux publics au Libéria), tout au moins pour les populations bénéficiaires. Le cas du projet de modernisation agricole en RDC montre néanmoins qu'il est important de prendre en compte d'autres facteurs pour obtenir un impact important, comme lever les contraintes liées au marché du crédit et à l'accès aux infrastructures

The thesis deals in its theoretical part of the Czech food market - their promotions and opportunities for improvement in the context of establishing the Marketing fund with the insipration taken from the Austrian and German models. It shows some of the proven mechanisms of applied Wine Fund of the Czech Republic. A separate chapter is devoted to the Federation of the Food and Drink Industries of the Czech Republic, which its 20 years of history inseparable part of the food market and one of the main promoters of establishing a Marketing fund in the Czech Republic. Other chapters are devoted to the Austrian model of Marketing fund (Agramarkt austriacus AMA) which works flawlessly since Austria's entry to the European Union and analysis of implementation of the Fund in the Czech environment.

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

碩士
國立屏東科技大學
熱帶農業暨國際合作系所
100
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) of Thailand has used internet as one of the means to disseminate its services to the general public. Since the websites act as an important means of communication platform for the face of government, governmental websites must be reliable and effective. Therefore, the MOAC web services are expected to be efficient, accurate and heuristic. The objective of this study is to evaluate the website quality factors within the official websites of MOAC by applying an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach. The website quality factors included information quality, system quality, service quality, and heuristic. These four factors are applied to construct the AHP hierarchy and evaluate the websites. The four most important websites within MOAC government agencies were selected to evaluate by AHP. The result is helpful to understand which factor is the most important to evaluate the government‟s websites and highlights a new way to design a high quality website.

The object of the work was to analyze the current status of advisory services supply and their assessment on the basis of demand from enterpreneurs in agriculture. Within the framework of the analysis investigation via questionnaire was conducted among enterpreneurs. The collected data then compared to find out whether the purpose of the advisory service has been fulfilled.

An increasing need for service efficiency has influenced the need for the adoption of e- government across all governmental departments and agencies. However, in many developing countries such initiatives face numerous challenges, which slowed their implementation down or reduced their effectiveness. This study assessed factors influencing the adoption of the Government Fiscal Management Information System (GFMIS), a Thai e-government initiative, by the employees of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC). Identification of such inhibitory factors may be used to reduce their influence on use of the GFMIS in the MOAC, and more generally, be used to improve performance of similar existing Thai e-government initiatives and improve adoption of future ones. An extended model was devised based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) devised by Ventakesh et al. 2003. This model was empirically tested using structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis with responses from a usable sample size of 315 (after deleting univariate and multivariate outliers, and excluding incomplete responses). SEM analysis on the Extended UTAUT model showed a poor fit. A modified version of the original UTAUT, the Adapted Original UTAUT, was tested in the same way and found to have a good fit. Path analysis of the Adapted Original UTAUT model showed a number of differences from the Original UTAUT model it was modified from. The Effort Expectancy construct had no significant effects on either Intention to Use Future Technologies or Use Behaviour. Since the effects of this construct are widely reported to decrease with experience of the system, this may indicate that the employees have become used to the GFMIS since its introduction in 2007. The Facilitating Conditions and Performance Expectancy constructs had significant positive influences on both Intention to Use Future Technologies and Use Behaviour. Oddly, the Social Influence construct had a significant positive effect on Intention to Use New Technologies while having a significant negative effect on Use Behaviour. This, combined with the lack of a significant relationship between the Intention to Use Future Technologies and the Use Behaviour constructs, suggests that there may be a gap between what employees of the MOAC say about the GFMIS and how they make use of it. Non-parametric tests showed Age, Gender and Education Level of respondents moderated the effects of the Social Influence construct. Similar tests showed that Age and Education Level of respondents moderated the effects of the Facilitating Conditions construct (which has a significant positive effect on both Intention to Use Future Technologies and Use Behaviour). None of the demographic factors moderated the effects of the Performance Expectancy construct, suggesting that the benefits of using the GFMIS are accepted by all employees. Regardless of the details learned about hesitancy in future research; workshops and training sessions to ameliorate problems are in order immediately. Educational aids need to be of high quality and continuous, which will enhance the integration of GFMIS into Thailand’s e- government system.