Academic literature on the topic 'Theses – Agricultural extension and rural resource management'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the lists of relevant articles, books, theses, conference reports, and other scholarly sources on the topic 'Theses – Agricultural extension and rural resource management.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Journal articles on the topic "Theses – Agricultural extension and rural resource management"
1
Olayemi, Bakre, and Dorasamy Nirmala. "Creating economic viability in rural South Africa through water resource management in subsistence farming." Environmental Economics 7, no. 4 (December 9, 2016): 68–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.21511/ee.07(4).2016.07.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role water resources management can play in improving subsistence farming in rural South Africa, as well as reducing poverty. The study followed a mixed research approach where attributes of qualitative and quantitative methods were used. This paper indicates that due to water scarcity experienced amongst subsistence farmers in case study area, several farmers have opted out of farming. This has a negative consequence on food security and poverty among many subsistence farmers. The paper suggests the pathways for sustainable subsistence farming aimed at creating an economically viable rural community while addressing poverty through the implementation of an efficient water resources management practice. As highlighted in this paper, development is a gradual process, and water resources management can possibly be the first step in creating an economically viable community while alleviating poverty among subsistence farmers in water scarce rural areas of South Africa. Revamping the subsistence farming, as well as improving the standard of living amongst rural subsistence farmers requires a purposeful co-ordination and exchange of ideas between experienced agricultural extension workers, researchers in the field of context, policy makers, as well as other stakeholders. Such purposeful co-ordination should have an agenda of transforming the subsistence farming to a commercialized form of farming in the long term. The resultant effect will possibly result in an economically viable community; increase in household income, as well as food security, thereby reducing poverty. Keywords: subsistence farming, rural development, water resource management, economic viability, poverty eradication, agricultural extension. JEL Classification: Q12, N5
2
Jia, Hui Mian. "Research on the Increase of Agriculture Economy of China with the Development of Information Technology." Advanced Materials Research 926-930 (May 2014): 3914–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.926-930.3914.
Full textAbstract:
The contents, statistics, composition and challenge of agriculture-information are discussed in this paper. The influence of agriculture-information on the intensive growth of agriculture is analyzed empirically, which indicates that information has become an important production factor. Though without certain form, information promotes intensive growth of agricultural economy by increasing the quality of production factor including labor, land and capital. The mechanism in which agriculture-information influences the intensive growth of agricultural economy is promoting the accumulation, structure studied theoretically, which includes optimizing and of agriculture; accelerating agricultural knowledge technological progress and extension; creating transparent information environment to optimize the allocation of resource; promoting scientific management of agriculture and civilization of rural human resource; strengthening the function of agricultural cooperative organization and spurring on the improvement of agricultural economic environment.
3
Ridley, A. M. "Preparing Australian broadacre agriculture for environmental scrutiny using Environmental Management Systems: implications for extension services." Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47, no. 3 (2007): 367. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ea06030.
Full textAbstract:
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) have been trialled in the broadacre industries across Australia. This paper outlines the trends in extension service provision, comments on changes needed if environmental issues are to become higher priority and discusses institutional issues. For EMS in Australia to become a mainstream farm business management activity there needs to be sufficient private good outcomes for land managers to adopt them and sufficient public good outcomes for public money to be invested in their implementation. As there are few market drivers at present, extension and incentives are likely to be needed to facilitate their uptake. Evaluation of likely cost-effective public good outcomes is needed for continued public sector investment. Regardless of whether EMS or similar schemes are provided by the public or private sector, if they are to become mainstream there needs to be a move from the dominant extension models used by the public sector (group facilitation and empowerment) to a programmed learning approach. Building on a ‘personalised consultant’ model is recommended for land managers prepared to pay for information to maintain their competitive edge. For more ‘traditional’ land managers, partnerships with the public sector through Landcare networks and regional natural resource management bodies and rural resellers are more realistic. There is large need for formalised training of both public and private extension providers. The institutional arrangements and current alignment and supportiveness for EMS between state agencies, farmer organisations and regional natural resource management bodies is highly variable across the states, but currently appears strongest in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. Australian broadacre industries are globally exposed in being prepared to take on increased environmental scrutiny. It will take many years to reduce this risk given the large and dispersed nature of the broadacre industries. All players, especially governments, regional organisations, peak farmer and peak industry groups need to take a more proactive role in funding and implementing EMS or similar type schemes if they believe there are long-term benefits in doing so. The alternative is to wait for a crisis and be limited to taking a reactive approach to environmental accountability.
4
Murray, Mike. "521 The Effects of Privatization of British and Scottish Public Extension Programs on Agricultural Information Delivery and Technology Transfer." HortScience 35, no. 3 (June 2000): 485A—485. http://dx.doi.org/10.21273/hortsci.35.3.485a.
Full textAbstract:
The British and Scotish public extension programs are currently “privatized,” after a decade-long process aimed at this objective. While the British system is owned by a private corporation, the Scotish one is still operated by a public entity. In both situations, information is not freely dispensed, but sold through a subscription process. For a fee, a basic level of service, including newsletters, production/marketing/farm management bulletins, and a limited amount of telephone time with disciplinary/commodity experts, is provided. For an additional fee, farm visits or problem diagnostic services can be secured. The government is one of the largest customers in both systems, funding major “public good” natural resource projects, rural reviatization projects, and agricultural sector job re-training programs. This has significantly impacted the way that information is obtained and delivered to primary producers. These issues, and their implications, will be discussed in this presentation.
5
Faruqee, Rashid. "Strategic Reforms for Accelerated Agricultural Growth in Pakistan (Distinguished Lecture)." Pakistan Development Review 38, no. 4I (December 1, 1999): 537–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.30541/v38i4ipp.537-572.
Full textAbstract:
Agricultural growth rates in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s show that strong growth during the 1960s was driven by several factors, including greater certainty in the use of irrigation water (as a result of an agreement with India), the introduction of productivityenhancing fertiliser-seed packages, the introduction of tubewells and the electrification of rural areas, and policy changes that improved the profitability of farming. Growth during the 1970s dropped to 2.3 percent as a result of the uncertainty created by land reforms in 1972 and 1977, severe climatic shocks, a cotton virus that depressed production for most of the decade, and political instability. The recovery in the 1980s and early 1990s can be attributed to the introduction of new cotton varieties and improved management techniques, as well as to a gradual improvement in economic incentives. Closer inspection of the nature and sources of this growth raises concerns about its sustainability and casts doubt on the ability of the sector to grow by more than 3-4 percent a year in the future. Many of the past sources of agricultural growth in Pakistan appear to have been fully exploited. Strategy for the future must effectively address the followings. Allowing the market to Operate, policy reforms that support the ongoing structural adjustment should be given top priority. To address the crisis in irrigation management market-determined incentives must be allowed to determine resource allocation within the irrigation system. Reform in extension should include establishing closer links with research institutions and reducing the number of front-line extension workers and replacing them with fewer, bettertrained workers who are more responsive to the needs of farming systems. Full-fledged land reform is difficult to enact and can be considered only after a comprehensive study of costs and benefits. Some important measures can be implemented immediately, however. Foremost is providing security of tenure to many farmers, especially tenants-at-will, thereby improving responsiveness to incentives and creating better incentives for long-term investments.
6
Foster, S. S. D., and P. J. Chilton. "Groundwater: the processes and global significance of aquifer degradation." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences 358, no. 1440 (November 5, 2003): 1957–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2003.1380.
Full textAbstract:
The exploitation of groundwater resources for human use dates from the earliest civilizations, but massive resource development has been largely restricted to the past 50 years. Although global in scope, the emphasis of this paper is on groundwater–based economies in a developing nation context, where accelerated resource development has brought major social and economic benefits over the past 20 years. This results from groundwater's significant role in urban water supply and in rural livelihoods, including irrigated agriculture. However, little of the economic benefit of resource development has been reinvested in groundwater management, and concerns about aquifer degradation and resource sustainability began to arise. A general review, for a broad–based audience, is given of the mechanisms and significance of three semi–independent facets of aquifer degradation. These are (i) depletion of aquifer storage and its effects on groundwater availability, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; (ii) groundwater salinization arising from various different processes of induced hydraulic disturbance and soil fractionation; and (iii) vulnerability of aquifers to pollution from land–use and effluent discharge practices related to both urban development and agricultural intensification. Globally, data with which to assess the status of aquifer degradation are of questionable reliability, inadequate coverage and poor compilation. Recourse has to be made to ‘type examples’ and assumptions about the extension of similar hydrogeological settings likely to be experiencing similar conditions of groundwater demand and subsurface contaminant load. It is concluded that (i) aquifer degradation is much more than a localized problem because the sustainability of the resource base for much of the rapid socio–economic development of the second half of the twentieth century is threatened on quite a widespread geographical basis; and (ii) major (and long overdue) investments in groundwater resource and quality protection are urgently needed. These investments include appropriate institutional provisions, demand–side management, supply–side enhancement and pollution control.
7
Leha, Ernesta. "PENGEMBANGAN KAWASAN PEDESAAN BERBASIS AGRIBISNIS DI KECAMATAN KELIMUTU, KABUPATEN ENDE, PROPINSI NUSA TENGGARA TIMUR." AGRICA 3, no. 2 (July 22, 2020): 123–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.37478/agr.v3i2.500.
Full textAbstract:
The sector of agriculture experienced significant growth at the national level during 2008. This lead to the betterment of rural society or urban society. So does the Province of Nusa Tenggara Timur. The development of the sector of agriculture is significant enough but it is not quite optimal. It could be seen from the decreasing capability of absorbing manpower. This is the strong reason why rural areas need developing as agribusiness based-areas because the majority of the people who live in a rural area are a farmer. Knowing the prospect of an area if developed as an agribusiness based-areas needs specific research which can formulate priority of right strategies to develop agribusiness-based rural areas. This research was performed in the sub-district of Kelimutu, the regency of Ende, Province of Nusa Tenggara Timur. The internal factors which constitute the strength and the weakness are the availability of resources and land, farmer group, agricultural extension doer, cooperation, government official, human resources, socio-culture, technology, management, constitute the chance and barrier are tourism, stakeholder cooperation, foreign people, marketing, strategic location, the emergence of the new agricultural centre area, transportation problems, partnership, public demand, social problems, opposition, and rivalry. This research was used was qualitative ones which are obtained by in-depth interview, observation, questionnaire and document analysis. Meanwhile, the method and analysis technique which was used were (1) Matrix analysis of EFAS and EFAS; (2) SWOT analysis and (3) analysis of QSPM. From the research, formulations of alternative strategy aggressive which could be applied in the village of Kelimutu are (a) To increase the quality of human resource of Kelimutu in working out agribusiness-based natural resources and land, (b) To elevate the cooperation of stakeholder in developing the sub-district of Kelimutu because this area is a tourism area having a great potency of agribusiness and (c) To increase the capability of farmer management in the effort of agriculture, the processing and marketing of the agricultural stuff. Meanwhile, strategic priorities of intensive growth which could be applied are (a) Market penetration strategy to increase the market share of the agricultural product of the area through an extensive marketing effort, (b) Market Development Strategy which is intended to introduce agricultural product (from sub-district of Kelimutu) to new areas and in a global perspective, as well as the development of the international-scale market and (c) Product development strategy which is intended to increase sale by improving or modifying the existing product.
8
Fatemi, Mahsa, Kurosh Rezaei-Moghaddam, Ezatollah Karami, Dariush Hayati, and Mathis Wackernagel. "An integrated approach of Ecological Footprint (EF) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in human ecology: A base for planning toward sustainability." PLOS ONE 16, no. 4 (April 16, 2021): e0250167. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250167.
Full textAbstract:
Environmental challenges to natural resources have been attributed to human behavior and traditional agricultural production techniques. Natural resource degradation in agriculture has always been a prime concern in agro ecological research and sustainability analysis. There are many techniques for assessing environmental performance; one of which, ecological footprint (EF), assesses human pressure on the environment and natural resources. The main purpose of this study was calculation of ecological indices including biocapacity (BC) and EF of rural areas of Fars province of Iran. The study was accomplished using survey and structured interviews consisting of three main questionnaires in two different steps. Different agricultural stakeholders, including farmers (for the first step) as well as the policymakers, extension managers and authorities (for the second step) were interviewed. Based on multi-stage stratified random sampling, 50 villages and 423 farmers were selected. Face validity and reliability of the questionnaires were assessed by a panel of specialists as well as conducting a pilot study, respectively. The paradigmatic perspectives of agricultural policy makers and managers (22 individuals) were also analyzed using another specific questionnaire by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Findings revealed that most of the studied villages faced a critical environmental condition due to the results of ecological indicator which was calculated in the study. According to the four main components of human ecology (POET model) including Population, Organization, Environment and Technology, village groups that differed in terms of sustainability level also showed significantly differences due to population, social participation, use of green technologies and attitude towards diverse environmental management paradigms. The causal model also revealed that population, green technology, social participation and attitude toward frontier economics, which were in accordance with the elements of human ecology model, were the main factors affecting the ecological index. Finally, AHP results determined the dominant economic perspectives of agricultural authorities. A paradigm shift toward the comprehensive paradigm of eco-development plus consideration of the results of the ecological indicator calculation as the base of agricultural planning at the local level were recommended.
9
Mellaku, Meselu, Travis Reynolds, and Teshale Woldeamanuel. "Linear Programming-Based Cropland Allocation to Enhance Performance of Smallholder Crop Production: A Pilot Study in Abaro Kebele, Ethiopia." Resources 7, no. 4 (November 23, 2018): 76. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/resources7040076.
Full textAbstract:
Smallholder farmer crop production is a mainstay of the Ethiopian economy. A series of agricultural extension programs have been implemented since the 1950s in an effort to improve smallholder productivity. In this study, we argue that the limited attention that is given to cropland allocation by smallholders is one key driver of low performance of crop production as well as a key factor in environmental degradation. Drawing on data from a household survey of 75 randomly selected households in Abaro Kebele, Ethiopia, combined with focus-group discussions, key informant interviews, and secondary data sources, we use linear programming to highlight the impact of cropland allocation decisions on the performance of rural smallholder crop production systems. We find that under current land use practices households are not able to meet their consumption needs. The average profitability of farms under the current cropland allocation is also significantly below the estimated level of profit that could be realized by reallocating cropland while using linear programming. Additionally, survey results suggest that low crop production performance (in terms of meeting both household food crop production needs and profit goals) is the primary reason why households do not participate in conservation efforts and sustainable resource management practices. This study suggests that linear programming-based cropland allocation modeling might be applied to enhance the profit performance of smallholder crop production, help meet household food crop production requirements, and thereby promote the sustainable utilization of environmental resources.
10
SINGH, K. M., BRAJESH SHAHI, and PUSHPA SINGH. "Role of Private Advisory Services in Agricultural Extension: A Review." Journal of AgriSearch 3, no. 3 (September 13, 2016). http://dx.doi.org/10.21921/jas.v3i3.11384.
Full textAbstract:
Services that make new knowledge available to farmers and assist the farmers to develop their farming and management skills are known as agricultural advisory services. Agricultural extension and advisory services which were traditionally funded, managed and delivered by the public sector are in transitory phase worldwide. They are under increased pressure to reform their purpose as the nature of the agricultural and rural sectors is changing leading to demand for broader support from extension and advisory services. Technology transfer system has to become more demand driven and responsive to farmers need and helping farmers to organize themselves as well as linking them to markets. The advisory services has to also support other pertinent areas besides production such as value addition, market access, trade, agribusiness management, natural resource management, gender, climate change etc. It is in this light that the private advisory services are complementing, supplementing or even replacing the public advisory services.Emergence of paid extension services in agriculture is a recent development, where, professionals have been providing paid consultancy to farmers on technical, especially in high value crops like fruits and flowers.These agri-consultant are mostly retired professors of State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), extension professionals, financial institutions and also provided by Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centers (ACABCs) trained by the MANAGE.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic "Theses – Agricultural extension and rural resource management"
1
Mahumani, Brian Kudzai. "The rural and agricultural value of groundwater as an economic resource in the Limpopo region." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/3026.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MScAgric (Agricultural Economics)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.This thesis constitutes a socio-economic study that centres on determining the economic value of groundwater in rural and agricultural uses. Limpopo Water Management Area (WMA1) and Luvuvhu/Letaba Water Management Area (WMA2) were studied in this thesis. In WMA1 table potato irrigation in the Polokwane agricultural area was studied, while Gaphago, Leokaneng, Kanana and Mohlajeng villages were studied for rural household groundwater use. In WMA2 tomato irrigation in the Mooketsi agricultural area was studied, while Lemondokop, Sereni and Hamashamba villages were studied for rural household groundwater use. Scoping field trips to the study area as well as secondary data revealed that groundwater was the dominant water source in all these selected study epicentres. In the Polokwane agricultural area, the farms typically relied on numerous boreholes. In the Mooketsi commercial farming area, groundwater was the dominant water source for most years, except when flush floods replenished farm dams. When flush floods occurred, farmers partially substituted surface water for groundwater because of economic reasons. This study determined the economic value of groundwater in two use sectors. First, determining the utility value of groundwater in selected rural households using the contingent valuation method. Utility value was defined by Dupuit (1844) and Marshall (1879) as the maximum sacrifice expressed in money terms which each consumer would be willing to make in order to acquire an object. Open-ended questions were used to determine willingness to pay during contingent household groundwater valuation. The overall mean willingness to pay for satisfactory household groundwater for the study area was R2.28 per kilolitre of groundwater.
2
Lee, Marisa Rene. "BICYCLE TOURISM PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A TEMPLATE FOR RURAL AGRICULTURAL TOWNS AND A CASE STUDY FOR THE CITY OF WINTERS, CALIFORNIA." DigitalCommons@CalPoly, 2015. https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/1383.
Full textAbstract:
Bicycling is a method of tourism transportation that is healthy, non-invasive, environmentally responsible, and economically sustainable. It allows freedom, mobility, and sightseeing potential that is not made possible by other modes of transit. Thousands of bicycle tourists travel from all over the globe annually to explore California on touring bikes via established cycling routes and robust determination. Thousands of additional domestic and international visitors take weekend trips, plan family vacations, travel for business, or tour California from abroad, many of whom are excellent candidates for local and regional bicycle touring at a more gentle intensity level.
The increasing popularity and prominence of bicycle tourism, among both domestic and international travelers, carries great potential for economic benefit to local communities. Rural and agricultural communities can particularly benefit from bicycle tourism, as these communities do not normally experience the benefits of tourism as significantly as their urban, coastal or mountainous neighbors. Tourism that is developed in accordance with the size, scale, constraints and character of a particular community can have a beneficial effect on the economics and industry of the area. Infrastructure projects to this effect, such as development of a town or regional trail system, wayfinding features, or other resources come with benefits for visitors and locals in the form of recreation, public health, mobility, and access to food, drink, amenities, scenic areas, jobs and commerce. Trails may further improve the economy of the local housing market, as proximity to trails has a positive effect on housing values. Incorporation of agricultural destinations into local tourism planning creates a draw for visitors and can become a mutually beneficial relationship – contributing to the economic stability of the agriculture industry, preserving local farm lands, increasing tourism revenue and educating the public on the importance of local farming. Through careful planning of the touristic components of the destination, rural communities can achieve multifaceted economic benefits of diverse and versatile tourism amenities.
3
Arowolo, Steven Alaba. "Implications of food value chain support structures for water resource management by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001027.
Full textAbstract:
Smallholder agriculture is faced with so many challenges despite all the policies and programmes that have been channelled towards ensuring improvement in this sector. Improving smallholder agricultural productivity requires that smallholder farmers gain access to reliable and adequate farmer support services such as physical infrastructures like good road network, functional irrigation facilities, extension services, finance and efficient marketing system. However, these support services are lacking in a vast majority of the rural communities in which the smallholder farmers live and work. This study is centred on governance within the food value chains, with specific focus on butternuts and chicken value chains;with a view to identifying those factors preventing smallholder farmers from accessing the mainstream market. Ciko and Mbozi villages in Mbashe local municipality were used as the research sites for the study. Data were collected across the two villages through sampling of 100 individual farming households based on random selection; questionnaires and checklist of questions were used as tools to access information from farmers through focus group discussions, personal interviews and key informants. In addition,Ciko Santrini project and foundation community project, which are the two agricultural community projects located within the study area were also investigated. Conceptual and analytical frameworks were employed in the research analysis. Williamson’s 4-level of social analysis and the sustainable livelihood frameworks were used to conceptualize the analysis. Inferential analysis was carried out using binary logistic regression and discriminant analysis with focus on butternuts and cSmallholder agriculture is faced with so many challenges despite all the policies and programmes that have been channelled towards ensuring improvement in this sector. Improving smallholder agricultural productivity requires that smallholder farmers gain access to reliable and adequate farmer support services such as physical infrastructures like good road network, functional irrigation facilities, extension services, finance and efficient marketing system. However, these support services are lacking in a vast majority of the rural communities in which the smallholder farmers live and work. This study is centred on governance within the food value chains, with specific focus on butternuts and chicken value chains;with a view to identifying those factors preventing smallholder farmers from accessing the mainstream market. Ciko and Mbozi villages in Mbashe local municipality were used as the research sites for the study. Data were collected across the two villages through sampling of 100 individual farming households based on random selection; questionnaires and checklist of questions were used as tools to access information from farmers through focus group discussions, personal interviews and key informants. In addition,Ciko Santrini project and foundation community project, which are the two agricultural community projects located within the study area were also investigated. Conceptual and analytical frameworks were employed in the research analysis. Williamson’s 4-level of social analysis and the sustainable livelihood frameworks were used to conceptualize the analysis. Inferential analysis was carried out using binary logistic regression and discriminant analysis with focus on butternuts and chicken production among the smallholder farmers in the study area to determine factors that could encourage farmers ‘access markets. The results showed that factors such as; assistance from government agency, partnerships with private and public institutions and farmers’ decision due to access to information were significant at 1% level for both butternuts and chicken production. On the other hand, factors such as provision of input subsidy and farmers’ membership of agricultural development projects are significant at 5% level. The findings suggest that adoption of any or combination of the significant factors could serve as good support structures for farmers and they could directly help them market their produce efficiently.
4
Zaqueu, Flavio Rafael. "Agricultural extension and natural resource management in Mozambique with particular reference to Cabo Delgado Province." 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/3515.
Full textAbstract:
The Agricultural Extension, within the context of Mozambique, is an important force· towards agricultural and rural development. Practically, the agricultural policy and programme of the government is implemented through these services. Mozambique has accepted agriculture as the foundation for the development of the country given that this activity sustains the livelihoods of almost the entire population. Moreover, Mozambique is a potential natural resource country, in where, its potential ranges from terrestrial to marine resources. For the purpose of this study, natural resource management refers mainly to the adequate management of the land, water, forests and wildlife by local communities. These facts imply that if the policy goals of the government are the agricultural and the rural development, than the Agricultural Extension role must be redefined to include promoting natural resource management. A most effective way of redefining this role is through supporting the relationship between agricultural extension and natural resource management. This relationship would provide stakeholders involved in the agricultural development scenario in Mozambique with a clear picture of the environment surrounding the Agricultural Extension service for future sound decisions. The relationship between Agricultural Extension and natural resource management was investigated through a survey conducted with extension workers and farmers in Cabo Delgado province in north of Mozambique. Key informants at district, provincial and national level assisted the study. The survey results are presented as three articles submitted for publication in the South African Journal of Agricultural Extension. It became evident that the relationship between agricultural extension and natural resource management is a prerequisite for agricultural and rural development in Mozambique. Further, several limiting factors adjoined. to the policy framework in agricultural development, Agricultural Extension approaches and farmers behaviour were identified as hampering that relationship, and therefore, need to be shifted or improved.Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.
5
Moore, Alexander Jackson. "African fungus-growing termites and other insects for human and poultry nutrition." Thesis, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/4531.
Full textAbstract:
Food insecurity can contribute to the advancement of diseases such as
growth stunting and HIV/AIDS. A holistic approach to addressing food
insecurity includes reviewing local resources; including indigenous food
stuffs. Six studies investigate the potential of insect nutrition to meet
dietary needs in rural South Africa. A novel trapping method for
Trinervitermes sp. is examined by parameters of time, sustainability and bait
used. Local grass (Themeda triandra Forssk.) seemed to be the most
effective bait, being significantly more attractive than loose mound soil
(p=0.01), wet maize stalks (p=0.01) or cardboard (p=0.05). The trapping
device was demonstrated as an effective tool in assessing the feeding
preferences of Trinervitermes sp., which compete directly with cattle for
grazing food resources.
The chemical composition of Macrotermes natalensis alates (winged,
wingless and fried), soldiers, and Odontotermes sp. alates (wingless) was
determined. Alates were rich in fat, ranging between 49.2-60.6% (dry
matter basis). The protein content ofM natalensis and Odontotermes sp.
alates compared favourably to pork and chicken. Alates were high in
glutamic, aspartic and alanine amino acids and low in methionine, serine
and threonine. Amino acid digestion for broiler chickens was high, ranging
between 87.6-96.1%.
In an era where rural and urban cultures are rapidly merging, entomophagy
may be discarded as an embarrassment or nonsensical practice. The high
nutritional content of M natalensis and Odontotermes sp. should be
publicised both to increase the awareness of their high quality as a food
source for both poultry and human consumption and to avoid the
abandonment of cultural practices that make sense.Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.
6
Ndoro, Jorine Tafadzwa. "Examining of knowledge management systems applied by extension workers supportive community gardens in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality." Thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/8539.
Full textAbstract:
South Africa as other African countries has not been spared from the rural poverty. The South African government is trying to address this problem through various government departments. One such ministry trying to address rural poverty is the Ministry of Agriculture, working together with the provincial Ministries of Agriculture in different provinces. The provision of appropriate agricultural extension services is regarded as a tool that may be used to address rural poverty and development in South Africa’s rural areas. Appropriate extension services will depend on the knowledge management system applied by the organisation making it innovative and responsive to the needs of the farmers. The objective of this research was therefore to identify knowledge management systems applied by extension workers to support community garden farmers in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. To address the objective, qualitative research methods, namely focus group discussion and semi-structured interviews, were used. In this research, it was evident that the extension workers were not efficiently managing knowledge within their department, among themselves as well as among the farmers. The extension workers have potential knowledge management methods in place, such as departmental meetings. However, the extension workers’ practices do not capture the true essence of knowledge management. There is no evidence that knowledge gained by extension workers during meetings and informal discussions in the organisation is translated into learning, which could lead to the development of new knowledge by the extension workers. The extension workers claimed that they are using appropriate methods to learn from the farmers and to share knowledge with them. However, the farmers do not believe that the extension workers make use of any methods to encourage knowledge sharing and learning. It is thus evident that extension workers do not integrate knowledge gained from the farmers into the improvement of their own agricultural extension practices. Agricultural extension organisations therefore need to adopt methods that encourage learning, reflection and engagement with the knowledge gained from the organisation and the farmers for real knowledge management to take place. This, in essence, will lead to the creation, sharing, utilization, absorption and transformation of knowledge.Thesis (M.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.
7
Rudd, Meghan O'Neal. "Aligning vision and action of a landcare ethos through systematic intervention : the case of the Farmer Support Group." 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/3598.
Full textAbstract:
The present context of community based natural resource management is characterized
by multiple stakeholder involvement, a situation that presents challenges in aligning
vision for common action. A 'systemic intervention' involved the staff and
stakeholders of the Farmer Support Group, a non-profit rural development organization
based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The 'creative design of methods' guided
inquiry in aligning vision of a Landcare ethos amongst the organization and their
stakeholders, and in directing action toward the vision. Critical Systems Thinking is
outlined as the framework in which the intervention methodology is encompassed. The
importance of applying a broad range of environmental education methods to Landcare
is established through drawing from present debates and contexts in environmental
education and community based natural resource management. The 'organization as
community' approach to organizational learning and development is highlighted as a
means of creating synergy of purpose across staff and stakeholder boundaries. The
intervention's methodology consisted of three phases: drawing out perspectives,
forming a common vision in a mission statement, and developing action plans based on
the mission statement. Outcomes included: identification of three schools of thought
that drove perspectives on the role of environmental education in natural resource
management strategies, formation of the FSG Landcare Ethos Mission Statement,
which was inclusive of all stakeholder perspectives, and integration of the mission
statement into FSG projects through action plans. The intervention found that
aligning staff members and stakeholders in common vision and action towards
developing a Landcare ethos could be accomplished through a blend of environmental
education approaches that facilitate sustainable decision making by building capacity in
individuals and communities in a participatory and locally relevant manner that is
attentive to predominant perspectives and adaptive to change.Thesis (M.Agric.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.
8
Guenha, Armando Uleva. "Towards understanding the impact of community-based natural resource management on household livelihoods : a case study of the Combomune Community Project, Mozambique." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/8561.
Full textAbstract:
Since 1998, the communities of Combomune in Southern Mozambique have participated in a project intended to improve the quality of their lives, while ensuring the natural resources they depend on are well managed and sustainably used. The approach employed is Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM). CBNRM is the resource conservation and management approach which has emerged as one of the models to involve local communities, previously excluded from conservation and management of natural resources and rural development programs. This model promotes community participation, responsibilities and benefit sharing among stakeholders involved in natural resource management programs. A case study was conducted to assess the impacts of the Combomune CBNRM project on household livelihoods and on the environment. The Combomune CBNRM project is meant to improve the household livelihoods of the Madliwa, Hochane and Chaves communities involved in the management of indigenous forest resources. The involved communities derive direct and indirect benefits from the CBNRM project. These benefits have impacts on household livelihoods and on the environment. The most noted benefits are social and economic changes. These changes have positively affected the living conditions of the involved communities. Further, the study revealed the Combomune CBNRM project charcoal production was the only activity generating monetary income to individual and to community development funds. Monetary income was invested in the improvement of homesteads, the purchase of domestic animals and the development of infrastructure with a high social impact. Water supply, education, health care and household homestead improvements were the major project achievements. The project encouraged environmental friendly practices such as sustainably agricultural activities and a fire management program. Local residents were also encouraged to plant trees on bare soil to protect it from being eroded. The study has not deeply explored the CBNRM project impacts, therefore more case studies are recommended to further explain effective CBNRM project contributions to household livelihoods, so it may be reasonably promulgated as a strategy not only devoted to involve local communities or merely for resource conservation, but as the approach which improves livelihoods of the rural poor.Thesis (M.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.
9
Matusse, Ricardina M. Guivala. "Understanding the impact of tourism revenue distribution on communities living in Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BANP), Mozambique." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/8562.
Full textAbstract:
The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BANP) is one of the two marine National Parks in Mozambique. It was established to protect marine and terrestrial resources and to provide a basis for social and economic develop of the communities associated with the park. However, after four decades of successful tourist-attracting operation, the communities are still struggling. Poverty, lack of diversified livelihoods, poor soil fertility, lack of education, unemployment and lack of income generation continue. These lead to a reduction of the very natural resources the park was established to protect. They lead also to less sustainable and more vulnerable community livelihoods and a decline in community development. This study, which is the first of its kind on Bazaruto Island, evaluated tourism revenue distribution on communities through assessing its social, economic and conservation impacts on the island. The study also investigated how tourism revenue is distributed and managed and the role of the various stakeholders. The study reveals that tourism revenue distribution has not yet demonstrated substantial tangible impacts on communities. Limited improvement was found in three areas: education, micro-finance for projects and community conservation. However, on the whole, the communities remain poor and jobless; their homes are still in poor condition and subject to weather damage. The study suggests that there are two key factors that have limited progress on Bazaruto Island. Communities have spent their tourism revenue on providing public goods (infrastructure and education) which are government responsibilities. Further, is a practical tension between conservation and livelihoods which is related to the use of tourism revenue for social infrastructure instead of expanding livelihoods. The primary message of the park is about conservation, but there is no real effort to create alternative livelihoods; communities are forced to set aside conservation in favor of basic survival. There is an urgent need to investigate alternative livelihoods for the communities and to formulate policy and programs to ensure that while the goal of conservation is met, communities also see substantial improvements to their livelihoods and general quality of life.Thesis (M.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.
10
Faure, Robert Rees. "An assessment of Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife's labour policies for unskilled temporary workers." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/10915.
Full textAbstract:
Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (EKZNW) is a Schedule 3C public entity that
is legally mandated by way of the KwaZulu Natal Nature Conservation
Management Act 9 of 1997 to conserve indigenous biodiversity within the
province of KwaZulu-Natal. During normal operations EKZNW employs
unskilled temporary workers. In compliance with the Basic Conditions of
Employment Act 32 of 1997 EKZNW’s Conservation Board approved the
adoption of human resource and labour relations based policies to apply
consistency in its dealings with human resource matters. Using International
Labour Organisation principles to provide context, this study aims to identify
the differences in conditions of employment between unskilled temporary
workers and unskilled permanent workers at EKZNW, to understand why
these differences exist, and what the implications are for the unskilled
temporary workers. The following objectives applied in realising the aim:
1. Review International Labour Organisation conventions to determine
internationally accepted employment principles for unskilled permanent
workers;
2. Establish to what extent South African Constitution and the Basic
Conditions of Employment Act complies with International Labour
Organisation employment principles for unskilled permanent workers;
3. Establish to what extent EKZNW complies with International Labour
Organisation employment principles, in relation to the South African
Constitution and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, with specific
reference to unskilled temporary workers;
4. Understand the reasons for the differences in the Condition of
Employment between unskilled temporary workers and unskilled
permanent workers;
5. Establish the resulting implications for unskilled temporary workers;
6. Suggest recommendations about making working conditions more
equitable between unskilled temporary workers and unskilled permanent
workers.
This study uses a combination of research techniques entailing document
examination, semi-structured interviews, personal observations and data
evaluation in realising the objectives. Descriptions of the study population,
sample and size are presented; whilst describing the data collection
instruments, data collection procedures, management and data analysis
methods employed in conducting the study.
Set against the International Labour Organisations 1988 Declaration on
Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, namely; freedom of association
and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; the
elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour; the effective abolition
of child labour; and, the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment
and occupation; Chapter 4 presents the results and discussion in combination
against Objective 2, 3, 4 and 5, with Objective 6 being presented in the final
Chapter. The study found that whilst EKZNW’s Conservation Board had
approved and adopted the 2006 Remuneration Packages Policy and the 2007
Employee Performance Management and Development System to ensure
‘justice’ in its dealings with human resource matters; the policies had not been
implemented on unskilled temporary workers.Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2014.
Books on the topic "Theses – Agricultural extension and rural resource management"
1
Vanclay, Frank, and David Pannell, eds. Changing Land Management. CSIRO Publishing, 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/9780643101739.
Full textAbstract:
There is a rich and extensive history of research into factors that encourage farmers to change their land management practices, or inhibit them from doing so. Yet this research is often under-utilised in practice. Changing Land Management provides key insights from past and cutting-edge research to support decision-makers as they attempt to influence or assist rural communities adapting to changed circumstances, such as new technologies, new environmental imperatives, new market opportunities or changed climate.
Understanding the process of practice change by rural landholders is crucial for policy makers, agricultural researchers, extension agents, natural resource management bodies, non-government organisations and agricultural consultants. For example, such understanding can assist with the design and implementation of environmental programs, with the prioritisation of agricultural research and with commercial ventures.
Common themes are the need for an appreciation of the diversity of land managers and their contexts, of the diversity of factors that influence land-management decisions, and of the challenges that face government programs that are intended to change land management.
2
(Editor), Cees Leeuwis, and Rhiannon Pyburn (Editor), eds. Wheelbarrows Full of Frogs: Social Learning in Rural Resource Management. Van Gorcum Ltd, 2002.
Find full text
3
Wheelbarrows full of frogs: Social learning in rural resource management : international research and reflections. Assen, Netherlands: Koninklijke Van Gorcum, 2002.
Find full textBook chapters on the topic "Theses – Agricultural extension and rural resource management"
1
Szilágyi, Róbert, and Miklós Herdon. "Augmented Reality (AR) Applications in Agriculture." In E-Innovation for Sustainable Development of Rural Resources During Global Economic Crisis, 65–79. IGI Global, 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-4550-9.ch007.
Full textAbstract:
The new ICT technologies are not only quickly developing but they are also giving birth to newer ICT systems and tools. Using the Internet by means of mobile appliances increases the possibilities. The Internet network has a become essential communication tool in business processes recently. Nowadays the Internet-based applications are more and more successful in agriculture and different parts of the food industry. There are several application areas, such as extension services, precision agriculture, e-commerce, and information services, where the Internet is essential. While studying the use of Augmented Reality technology, it can be concluded that different types of services offer different possibilities. Mobile systems develop very dynamically both in regards to the speed of data transmission and services. New devices like tablets and new services like Cloud Computing, Augmented Reality, and Near Field Communication (NFC) have great potential in agriculture. Cloud Computing provides better resource management and effective cost control. Augmented Reality expands the control, and the NFC gives better personalized information exchange. However, the business assessment of these technologies must not be done only on the basis of the technology and taken out of its environment randomly, since the whole area is very complex. In this chapter, the authors show Augmented Reality and try to highlight the possibilities in agriculture.
2
Ortloff, Charles R. "Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management Strategies ofAncient Societies." In Water Engineering in the Ancient World. Oxford University Press, 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780199239092.003.0007.
Full textAbstract:
Societies of widely different social, economic, political, religious, and technical innovation characteristics in opposing world hemispheres developed urban and rural population centres with water and agricultural systems to maintain stable economies and expanding populations. Despite vast historical, cultural, and world view differences between these societies, one common thread united them: the necessity for mastery of engineering skills to provide water for cities and agricultural systems. Although it may be thought that the technical basis to support water engineering practice is accompanied with pre-scientific concepts, many recent discoveries reveal the contrary: sophistication in the concept, design, and execution of water supply and distribution systems indicating knowledge of hydraulic principles beyond the scant hydraulics literature that survived the centuries. In the absence of ancient treatises on hydraulics practices, archaeological analysis of hydraulics works coupled with modern analysis methods provides a way to understand their technological accomplishments through ‘reverse engineering’ methodologies involving computer modelling techniques. Thus computer methodologies play a role to uncover the design intent, functionality, and operation of ancient water systems to provide insight into ancient engineering practices and their theoretical/empirical basis. In South American archaeology, the large variation in ecological conditions and landscape barriers provided the stage for the rise of civilizations and largely determined their agricultural practices. As an example, the Chimú civilization (800–1480 CE) occupied Peruvian coastal regions extending 500 km from the southern Chillon Valley to the northern Lambeyeque Valley. The desert coastal zone extends only a few kilometres inland from the Pacific Ocean before being bounded by the Cordillera Negra mountain chain. Agriculture was possible in coastal alluvial valleys through networks of canal systems originating from intermittent seasonal rivers. The temperature near the equator is near constant throughout the year while coastal rainfall averages about 2mm/year; occasional massive El Niño events which can deposit up to 150cm of rainfall in a few days occasionally break this pattern and cause extensive flooding and Weld erosion. Clearly, hydraulic practices related to the control of limited (and sometime excessive) water resources were vital for survival. Defensive measures to protect fill aqueduct structures against excessive El Niño rainfall and flooding events are expected to appear in the technology base as flood control was vital to sustainability.
3
Tolosa Fulasa, Tadele, and Feyissa Begna Deressa. "Bovine Mastitis in Ethiopia." In Mastitis [Working Title]. IntechOpen, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99235.
Full textAbstract:
Ethiopia is located in tropical region and livestock production represents a major national resource and forms an integral part of the Agricultural production system and livelihood of the society. Dairy farming being one of the agricultural production in Ethiopia, is practiced mainly as an extensive type of management system, which involves smallholder farmers in rural areas and semi-intensive and intensive managements in per urban and urban areas. Despite a large number of milking cows, there is low milk production because of many factors, including low genetic potential of indigenous breeds, extensive and poor husbandry practices, and widespread livestock diseases. Among the dairy cows’ diseases, mastitis is prevalent in the dairy production system incurring high economic losses and social burden. Several reports on mastitis in Ethiopia are present but are scattered. We focused on reviewing articles published in indexed journals reporting bovine mastitis to summarize its common etiologies, prevalence, and risk factors in Ethiopia. The common pathogens reported from different parts of Ethiopia are Staphylococcus aureus (Staph. aureus), non-aureus staphylococci, Streptococcus spp. (Strep. agalactiae, Strep. dysgalactiae, Strep. uberis), coliforms (E. coli, Klebsiella pneumonae), Trueperella pyogenes and Mannheimia haemolytica (M. haemolytica), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeroginosa), Enterobater aerogenes, Bacillus species, Micrococcus species. Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli are the most common isolates from clinical mastitis (CM). Staphylococcus aureus is also the most frequently isolated pathogen from sub-clinical mastitis (SCM). Sub-clinical mastitis which usually ranges from 25.4% to 73.3%, is highly prevalent than the clinical cases of mastitis which ranges from 3.2% to 26.5%. Several mastitis risk factors were reported. These were breed of animals, parity number, stage of lactation, presence of teat/udder lesion and hygiene measure of the farms. Thus, it is essential to plan and implement control measures including maintenance of good dairy farm environment, udder and milking hygiene at farm level; regular monitoring of udder health with special attention to exotic, crossbred and lactating cows and culling of older cows. Isolation, characterization and conducting antibacterial sensitivity test should be integral part of mastitis control strategy for effective control of the mastitis causing pathogens.