This thesis historicizes the conceptualisations of large-scale farms, smallholder farmers, and the role of the state in the Ethiopian national development plans from 1957 to 2015. It engages with the food regime framework in discussing the role of the state in contemporary agrarian change and places itself within the debate of the corporate food regime. In providing a meso-level analysis of the Ethiopian state, this thesis works to nuance the role of the state in a research field that increasingly argues that the state has become redundant as global agri-food corporations are controlling food production. This thesis also problematises how researchers writing about Ethiopia focus either on changes in agricultural policies or recent development trends, lacking the longer historical understanding and not using continuities to contrast the changes with. Using tools from Critical Discourse Analysis and the Discourse-Historical Approach in combination with a theoretical understanding of how multiple temporal layers interacts in the meaning-making process of conceptualisations within the discourse, the empirical material which constitutes of Ethiopia’s Five Year Development Plans is analysed to understand how the orders of discourse giving meaning to the concepts of large-scale farms, smallholder farmers, and the role of the state is reacting to discourses in new development plans and the long-term goals of agricultural development. This thesis concludes that although the state’s conceptualisations of the three concepts has endured changes throughout the years, orders of discourses from earlier plans are still relevant to give meaning to the concepts, thus revealing how changes, continuities, and changes within the continuities and multiple temporal layersare interacting in the meaning-making process of the development plans.

<p>   </p> <p>Biochar and charcoal cannot properly be discussed without understanding the diverse technologies available for their production. This is because approximately 70% of wood harvested worldwide is burned for energy and this, in addition to unstainable agricultural activities, has caused a massive increase in deforestation and contributed to climate change. Due to this, current global interventions are focused on promoting sustainable approaches through the expansion of agricultural technologies in countries where the deforestation rate keeps increasing due to overdependency on unsustainable and inefficient conversion technologies. It is therefore obvious that African regions cannot be left out when talking about the impact of global agriculture and charcoal production. Not only is 95% of all household energy used in Africa derived from burning wood in the form of charcoal and firewood, but sub-Saharan Africa regions also contribute 62% to global charcoal production. Since sustainability approaches are of global concern and must be understood from different perspectives and regions, this work analyzed sustainable agriculture and climate mitigation strategies using charcoal and biochar production as indicators. From a sustainability point of view, the study categorized this assessment into three chapters to help understand the preferences of local producers in relation to technologies used and the necessary actions or interventions needed for future improvements.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In the first chapter, 492 charcoal producers from Ghana were interviewed with semi-structured questionnaires to understand the demographics of charcoal producers, species used for charcoal, and how these producers intend to sustain the charcoal industry in terms of acquisition of wood resources/raw materials. This helped to analyze how the demographics of charcoal producers influence the charcoal production industry, characterize some wood species suitable and acceptable for sustainable charcoal production, and to recommend some necessary interventions toward sustainability.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In the second chapter, the heating characteristics of the most common indigenous species and exotic species identified in the first chapter were examined for their charcoal production properties (yield and calorific values) using the most common conversion technology available in the study area (earth mound). The heating/calorific values of these species were also determined using a ballistic bomb calorimeter. This also helped in examining the impact of the common charcoal production technologies on the qualities of charcoal produced and their corresponding impacts on the environment. Additionally, this chapter identified that most charcoal production species have longer rotation times with added values other than being used for charcoal. Furthermore, inappropriate conversion technologies minimize charcoal yield and quality; therefore, developing more efficient and affordable conversion kilns would increase charcoal production efficiency and improve the sustainable production of charcoal.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Based on the recommendation from chapter two, chapter three focused on building transferable skills and knowledge to help smallholder farmers and charcoal producers to fabricate cost-effective retorts/kilns for biochar and charcoal production. Through the process, we reviewed, selected, redesigned, and manufactured three common global conversion technologies and tested their potential for sustainable biochar and charcoal production using wood and crop stubbles (corn husk, corn cob, and sorghum residues). This helped in proposing best techniques and technologies suitable for biochar and charcoal production based on their production and use variables. It was therefore concluded that when farmers gain more knowledge and skills in manufacturing relevant and cheap technologies at their convenience, they could make the right subsequent choices towards sustainable agricultural practices.</p> <p>  </p>

This thesis is a work of theory; it is also historical. It attempts to provide a critique of the categories through which the phenomena of agricultural development and land reform are habitually grasped. It is divided into three parts. In the first part three main theoretical orientations to the study of capitalist agrarian development are discussed, both abstractly and with reference to their accounts of Latin American rural society in the 1960's. It is argued that all three are unable to explain adequately the process of social and agrarian change. This inability is traced to the fact that all three reduce social totalities to two or more distinct sub-entities or sub-totalities. The author calls this general position the social problematic of dualism. Its inability. to account for social change is, he argues, traceable to the fact that the existence of the sub-entities into which social totalities are divided, is posited as theoretically prior to the relations which connect them. These points are pursued in the second and third parts of the thesis. In the second part an alternative to dualism' with pärticular reference to its variants of the separation of a realm of' industry from a realm of*agriculture, and of the separation of a realm of the economic from a realm of the social, is provided through a detailed theorisation of capitalist social relations. It is argued that the existence of distinct realms of agriculture, industry, economy and society is a real effect of the essential relations of capitalist society, and that these divisions must be transcended through an elucidation of the character of such relations. This is done by distinguishingi; three forms of capitalist development which are produced by these essential relations. Further examples of a dualist analysis in contemporary theorisations of petty commodity production, the world economy and the articulation of modes of production are discussed. In the third part the author returns to an examination of the Latin American context through a discussion of the case of Chile. The theoretical insights developed in the earlier parts are systematically applied to various aspects of Chilean history from the conquest of Latin America to the 1960's, and to the processes of land reform which covered the decade 1962-1973. It is suggested that the agrarian social transformations which this country experienced are only explicable in terms of a position which systematically transcends all dualist assumptions. / University of Bradford

“Greening Golf” explores how and why many golfers and tourists have come to see Pinehurst, and thousands of courses like it, as naturally-occurring landscapes and to what degree they should. It examines the tightly bound environmental and cultural history of the Sandhills to explain both the rise of the resort within a very particular environmental context in the post-Civil War rural South, and the surprising ways that golf came to have intense influence over it. Rather than viewing the growth of the sport as the result of cultural and environmental changes in American history, this dissertation treats golf as a historical force of its own. It has shaped individuals like golfers, caddies, and tourists, groups like country clubs, labor organizations, and political parties, and broad entities like economies, agriculture, and ecology. Golf as a force molded every input needed to create the physical space where it was played. Golf not only shaped the golf course but those who constructed it, maintained it, and enjoyed it. It simultaneously normalized and mystified the environment, especially at Pinehurst. Golf imposed new ideas about how landscapes should look, yet, obscured their making. Golf insisted that a course should be wherever its owner decided to build it and disassociated the intensive agricultural practices needed to maintain it. This process of shaping, imposing, and obscuring transformed the Sandhills landscape and its occupants. In the process, golf naturalized grass, the golf course, and Pinehurst in the North Carolina Sandhills.

This thesis analyzes factors affecting adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques by Kenyan vegetable farmers, including the role of their risk preferences. It also analyzes factors affecting their pesticide applications and expenditures. A survey was administered to 450 Kenyan vegetable growers to identify their pest management practices, and a behavioral experiment was run to elicit their risk preferences utilizing. Cumulative Prospect Theory. Loss aversion was found to be correlated with higher likelihood of IPM adoption while risk aversion was associated with higher pesticide application rates and expenditures. The influence of IPM adoption on pesticide use differed by IPM technique. / Master of Science / Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques can improve small holder farmers' livelihoods by lowering production costs and decreasing dependence on chemical pesticides. Even though some IPM techniques have been available to Kenyan vegetable farmers since the 1990's, IPM adoption remains relatively low while chemical pesticide use remains high. A farm-household survey and behavioral experiment were conducted to identify factors that influence farmer decisions to adopt IPM and to apply pesticides. Factors that influence IPM adoption were found to differ from those that influence pesticide decisions. Furthermore, IPM adoption by Kenyan farmers does not decrease use of chemical pesticides for all IPM techniques.

<p dir="ltr">Agricultural diversification stands out as a critical strategy for addressing challenges and seizing opportunities within the agricultural landscape, especially in regions like the Midwest of the U.S. This research delves into the dynamics, opportunities, challenges, and key success drivers associated with agricultural diversification in the Midwest, focusing on three primary crops: oats, peas, and wheat. Employing a case study methodology grounded in empirical and contextual inquiry principles, the research aims to grasp the nuances of diversified agriculture. Data collection integrates primary and secondary sources, including semi-structured interviews and participation in field days. The data collection period spanned from October 2022 to February 2024. Interviews with 29 stakeholders, including farmers, industry representatives, agricultural cooperatives, and non-profits, provided insights into diversified agriculture practices.</p><p dir="ltr">Each case study provides in-depth insights into the opportunities, challenges, and key drivers of success associated with promoting diversified agriculture initiatives. These case studies underscore the significance of innovation, market access, sustainability, and collaboration in driving success within the industry. The cross-case analysis offers a comprehensive examination of the potential for agricultural diversification in the US Midwest. Through a comparative analysis of the three case studies, commonalities and key themes emerge, shedding light on stakeholder dynamics, business strategies, operational aspects, and scalability factors.</p><p dir="ltr">In summary, this research significantly contributes to the body of knowledge on agricultural diversification, offering insights that can guide future decisions, agricultural practices, and research endeavors aimed at promoting sustainability and resilience in the agricultural sector in the US Midwest.</p>

No description available.

Thesis (MPhil) Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis was to investigate if the Conservation Agriculture (CA) project being implemented by Zimbabwe Farmers Alliance Trust, a non-governmental organisation, has improved the livelihoods of participant farmers. The research was done in the Mazowe, Chiweshe area where the organisation has been working with farmers with the key objectives of improving food security, livelihoods and stabilising production for the rural households. The research also looked at production trends and adoption levels of CA in the area. Yields were viewed as an important element since food security of rural communities is constantly under threat because of droughts. A key element of the thesis was primary research done in Mazowe Chiweshe Ward 4, where farmers were interviewed to get information on their experiences with the CA project. The study was informed by both primary and secondary data. A literature review was conducted to give a background on sustainability and multifaceted problems facing the globe; dubbed as a polycrisis. In order to assess the impact of the project, a framework was developed to define sustainability at global level and also at small-scale farmer level. The Sustainable Livelihoods Approach framework was used as the assessment tool that looks at capital assets as given by Conway and Chambers. The framework goes beyond financial gains and looks at capabilities, assets and activities required for a means of living. The CA project was thus assessed according to this framework as a yardstick for improvement of livelihoods in the area. Primary data was gathered from a sample of 25 farmers randomly selected from a total of 250 farmers involved in the project under ZFAT. The data was gathered through questionnaires, key informant interviews and participant observation techniques. With regards to the adoption of CA and its principles, the research suggested that farmers are eager to practice sustainable agriculture, but the scale of the project is too small to expand the project to more than the 250 farmers already in this project. It was also found that non-governmental organisations have played a significant role in introducing sustainable farming and that the government now need to step up efforts in supporting the projects. The study concluded that the CA project has improved livelihoods and is helping to stabilise production through sustainable land use and advanced farm management practices. The project has not only benefited the direct project beneficiaries or key participant farmers but also the environment as soil fertility is improving and biodiversity is being protected and enhanced. The programme has managed to create a mind-set in the community that; what we have today is a result of the way past generations operated and that we should feel challenged to leave behind a better-managed and flourishing environment for the next generation. This was concluded as a significant number of farmers in the interviews showed that they have changed perceptions since joining the project. The study concluded with recommendations for up-scaling of the project as well as the need for collaboration between relevant stakeholders. This would promote projects of similar nature that promote sustainability and sustainable livelihoods. However, the case study was specific to the Mazowe Chiweshe area and the findings presented in this thesis cannot be viewed as representative of the larger smallholder farming sector though it may provide relevant and positive pointers for similarly beneficial projects to be implemented elsewhere. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis was om te bepaal of die bewaringslandbouprojek van die nie-regeringsorganisasie Zimbabwe Farmers Alliance Trust (ZFAT) die deelnemende boere se lewens verbeter het. Die navorsing is in die Mazowe Chiweshe-gebied onderneem, waar die organisasie boere bystaan om landelike huishoudings se voedselsekerheid en lewensgehalte te verbeter en landbouproduksie te stabiliseer. Die navorsing het ook aandag geskenk aan produksietendense en die vlakke van aanvaarding van bewaringslandbou in die streek. Opbrengste is as ’n belangrike element beskou, aangesien droogte voortdurend die landelike gemeenskappe se voedselsekerheid bedreig. ’n Kerndeel van die tesis was primêre navorsing wat in Wyk 4 van Mazowe Chiweshe onderneem is, in die vorm van onderhoude met boere om inligting in te samel oor hul ervarings van die bewaringslandbouprojek. Die studie is deur sowel primêre as sekondêre data gerig. ’n Literatuuroorsig is onderneem vir agtergrond oor volhoubaarheid, sowel as oor die veelsoortige probleme waarmee die wêreld te kampe het en wat as die ‘polikrisis’ bekend staan. Om die impak van die projek te beoordeel, is ’n raamwerk ontwikkel om volhoubaarheid op algemene sowel as kleinboervlak te omskryf. Conway en Chambers se ‘volhoubare bestaan’-benadering is as assesseringsinstrument gebruik om kapitaalbates te beoordeel. Die raamwerk strek egter verder as finansiële gewin en ondersoek ook die vermoëns, bates en aktiwiteite wat nodig is vir ’n volhoubare bestaan. Aan die hand van hierdie raamwerk is daar dus beoordeel tot watter mate die bewaringslandbouprojek plaaslike mense se lewens verbeter het. Primêre data is ingesamel uit ’n steekproef van 25 boere wat aan die ZFAT-projek deelneem. Die data is met behulp van vraelyste, onderhoude met sleutelinformante sowel as deelnemerwaarnemingstegnieke bekom. Wat die aanvaarding van bewaringslandbou en die beginsels daarvan betref, toon die navorsing dat boere gretig is om volhoubare landbou te bedryf, maar dat die skaal van die projek te klein is om meer as die bestaande 250 boere in die projek te help. Daar is ook bevind dat nie-regeringsorganisasies ’n beduidende rol gespeel het in die inwerkingstelling van volhoubare boerdery, maar dat die regering nou sy pogings ter ondersteuning van die projek moet versterk. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat die bewaringslandbouprojek, deur volhoubare grondgebruik en gevorderde bestuurspraktyke, lewensgehalte verbeter en produksie gestabiliseer het. Nie net die deelnemende boere het by die projek baat gevind nie, maar ook die omgewing, aangesien grondvrugbaarheid verbeter en biodiversiteit beskerm en versterk word. Die studie sluit af met aanbevelings oor die uitbreiding van die projek, sowel as die behoefte aan samewerking met tersaaklike belanghebbendes. Dit sal ander soortgelyke projekte vir volhoubaarheid en ’n volhoubare bestaan bevorder. Tog het die gevallestudie bepaald op die Mazowe Chiweshe-omgewing betrekking gehad en kan die bevindinge in hierdie tesis nie as verteenwoordigend van die groter kleinboersektor beskou word nie. Nietemin kan dit relevante en positiewe wenke bied vir soortgelyke voordelige projekte wat elders in werking gestel word.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In an effort to reduce its dependency on mining, (since independence at 1966) the successive governments of Botswana (GoB) have continued to foster national development by diversifying the country’s economy, with agribusiness development strategies at the forefront of discussions. Over decades, a significant number of policies on agri-support have been developed towards this mission. Nevertheless, the performance of the sector continues to decline considerably. Despite its potential to promote and develop small-scale farmers, literature on agri-support programmes has indicated that without scrutiny and continuous evaluation of the programmes in place, the strategy can be another way of which governments lose money. This study examines the Botswana Young Farmers Fund programme that finances aspiring young farmers to start up or expand their agri projects. More particularly, the study investigates how this model in the context of young farmers, impacts and contribute to the development of the agricultural sector in Botswana. The study identified challenges and opportunities of the YFF programme. The major challenge which is also applicable to the general sector, identified by the case study suggests that the agricultural environment in Botswana is fragile, therefore seeks relevant agribusiness development strategies that are tailor-made for specific challenges faced by the sector.

The problem with which this study is concerned is the description of changes in Nigeria that result from agricultural developments during the precolonial period to the present time. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between agriculture and other institutions, and the effect of agricultural change upon social phenomena such as population growth, family, industrialization, urbanization, and education. The Nigerian agricultural institution may be divided into three periods: the precolonial, the colonial, and the Republican agricultural eras. The data were obtained from published research reports, United Nations reports, government documents, newsletters, and economic journals. Primarily descriptive in nature, the thesis consists of six chapters. Emphasis was placed upon the historical development of Nigerian agriculture and the reciprocal impact between it and other Nigerian institutions.