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This thesis looks at the role of wild pollinators in providing services to crops. Two data chapters (2 and 3) are accompanied by a modelling chapter (4) which build on the findings of the field studies. The thesis ends with an overview of the trends in pollinator populations and how these relate to the needs of farmers in the UK (chap-ter 5). It is often assumed that commercial pollinators are appropriate substitutes of wild pollinators on farms; however this view neglects the differing roles that particular pollinator taxa might play in providing pollination services. For example, crops with a long growing system may require multiple pollinators to ensure pollination throughout the season. Strawberries in Scotland have an extremely long growing season, flowering from April to August. Chapter 2 presents a study showing season-al complementarity between different pollinating taxa across strawberry farms in Scotland. Pollinators of strawberries also differed in their responses to weather pa-rameters indicating that preserving multiple pollinator taxa could ensure yields un-der different weather scenarios. The requirements of a long-growing season and ad-verse weather may be specific to strawberry production in Scotland, but the valua-tion of multiple taxa can be generalised to systems with differing needs, and also to different ecosystem services. Wild bees are not only valuable for providing complementary services to commercial pollinators, but are also valuable in the longer term as it is unknown whether com-mercial pollinators will be available in the future. There are threats to the supply of honeybees which have already triggered price rises; such supply shocks could force farmers to leave production or to seek other ways of providing pollination, including supporting wild pollinators. However farm management pressures, in particular pes-ticide use, could threaten the ability of wild pollinators to continue to support crop production. The interplay of pesticides and pollination is discussed in chapter 3 and 4. Chapter 3 presents an experiment undertaken on soft-fruit farms which had and had not used the neonicotinoid, thiacloprid, and shows that nests exposed to thia-cloprid had higher worker mortality, and lower male production than those at con-trol farms. This has implications both for pollination services now, as worker mor-tality will reduce the number of bees visiting farms, and also for the maintenance of future pollination services through decreased reproductive capacity of exposed nests. Chapter 4 uses a theoretical model to link pesticide use and habitat use to pollina-tion services, and shows that the use of commercial pollinators could mask the de-cline in wild populations, making local extinctions more likely. Chapter 5 sets out the status and extent of pollinators in the UK, along with popu-lation trends, trends in habitat and trends in pesticide use to provide an overview of how well pollination services are likely to meet the ongoing needs of crop farmers.

A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2016. / The economy of Bokoni was centred on farming, with terrace agriculture playing a fundamental role in the construction and location of village sites. This dissertation examined the recursive relationship between soil chemistry and site location at three Bokoni sites: Doornkop, Khutwaneng and Kranskloof. These sites represent the three different phases of occupation in Bokoni. Analysis focused on the correlation of Ca, Mg, K, P, NH4, NO3, CEC and %C to the site contexts. At a macro scale there are substantial similarities with regards to the geology and the soil chemistry; suggesting a strong preference for locating village sites on relatively nutrient rich clay soils. On a more localised scale chemical analysis of the different contexts of these sites (i.e. domestic areas, central enclosures, terraces and non-archaeological areas) explored the agricultural potential of the soil in the various areas. These analyses showed a distinct difference in agricultural potential of soils in stone walled areas. This profile was the result of the nutrient contribution from the underlying soils in combination with either enrichment at the time of occupation, or the ongoing influence of the stone walled structures on the soils. The enrichment of soil in residential sites, whether intentional or accidental, could explain why Bokoni villagers continually reused sites during the earlier part of the sequence, before violence repeatedly disrupted settlement, and thus choice of settlement location, in the area. / LG2017

Masters of Art research report prepared for the Department of Development Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, March 2017 / The current food system is contributing to the food insecurity of the urban poor. Local food systems and other food system alternatives benefit the urban poor in all four spheres in which the corporate food regime disadvantages them: accessibility, empowerment, sustainability and health. This research maps the overlap of poverty and types of agriculture in the City of Johannesburg to locate potential for urban farms to serve and benefit the urban poor. There are many areas where potential for food system alternatives is high, especially where smaller scale farms are growing vegetables in areas where there are many and mostly poor households concentrated over space. By engaging with farmers, from study areas in the City which meet at least some of these conditions, the research not only confirms that the potential identified in these areas is being realised and exceeded but suggests that the potential has been underestimated for all of the other areas of the municipality in which urban agriculture coexists with the urban poor. The combinations and variations of food system alternatives chosen by farmers, in the foodstuffs produced, nature of production and modes and channels of distribution, are evidence of the reciprocal influence of structure and their own agency. By reframing urban agriculture to recognize the diverse opportunities for farmers to do things differently, we can see that many are choosing to do so, and are thus making sustainably produced, healthy fresh produce locally available to the urban poor in ways that are accessible and empowering. / XL2018

The social and economic structure of Oregon was influenced by the Donation Land Law. The Congressional law conferred upon early settlers to Oregon 320 acres, 640 if married (and settled before December 1, 1850). Oregon attracted settlers who desired land and were uninterested in commercial agriculture. The Oregon settlers who took advantage of the law were in a position to create their own society and economy. The purpose of this thesis is to identify the social and economic structure created by the Donation Land pioneers and to identify their land disposition strategy. This thesis examined the fifty households that comprised the neighborhood of Fabritus R. Smith. The neighborhood is defined as the fifty households with whom Smith dealt in 1854 and 1855. The neighborhood of the 1850s was a communally based society in which production was geared for household consumption, not commercial purposes. Settlers exchanged goods locally on a market that functioned on the basis of barter and a personal monetary system. The progression of time brought changes to the social and economic structure. Lineal families working for themselves replaced nuclear families working in community as a productive force. Salem's growth, and the rise of a cash economy replaced exchange among households. Donation Land pioneers who deeded land to their children created the lineal family structure of society. The production of the lineal family remained geared for household consumption, not commercial purposes. The farmers of the second generation did not change their objective, only their strategy to meet the new economy. Two additional strategies were identified. Some Donation Land pioneers disposed of their land and used the money to pursue other ventures outside Oregon. Other Donation Land pioneers sold their land and moved to Salem.

Thesis (MSc. (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / There are few plant species commercialised significantly globally and food requirements are mainly met by only few species. However, there is an enormous number of under-utilised species that play a vital role in the livelihood of rural households. These species are referred to as indigenous crops. Indigenous crops are adaptable to local agro-ecological conditions even where there is unreliable rainfall, which is the case in many parts of the country, require a minimum production management, mature early, and are easy to harvest and preserve and require less capital investments. Despite all these, in South Africa indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) were not commercialised and most researchers did not pay much attention to do research on possibilities of commercialising these crops. Thus this study investigated the economic potential of commercialising indigenous leafy vegetables in the rural South African context in general and in the study area in particular. The objectives of the study were (1) to identify the socio-economic characteristics of ILVs producers in rural areas of Capricorn district, (2), to investigate constraints faced by farmers in commercialising ILVs in rural areas of Capricorn district, (3), to determine the productivity of indigenous leafy vegetables in rural areas of Capricorn district, and (4), to assess different types of marketing channels of ILVs in rural areas of Capricorn district. The study used Stochastic Frontier Production Function to determine the productivity and to assess the socio-economic characteristics of producers of Indigenous Leafy Vegetables. Bubble chart was used to assess the marketing channels whilst consumer data was captured into a statistical package. The results indicated that there are several significant socio-economic factors that affect ILV production and there are also factors which constraint farmers from commercialising ILVs. Productivity of ILVs in the study area varied a lot among farmers; some farmers had a high productivity but most farmers had a low productivity. The results indicated that out of the factors included in the analysis significant production factors were; amount of labour used, cost of hiring tractor service and land devoted to ILVs and inefficiency factors were; gender, age, household size, farming experience, farm size, v hired labour, primary occupation and land ownership. ILV farmers had no formal marketing channels; they sold their product direct to consumers or through hawkers. Therefore, the study recommends the integration of science/modern technology and indigenous knowledge, to improve the productivity of ILVs. Since farmers were not technically efficient, therefore it is important to run workshops that will help them improve their production and marketing skills and how to market their products. Or create booklets that have information on how to efficiently produce ILVs. There should also be awareness campaign on the benefit of ILVs in both rural and urban communities. The study also recommends a multi-disciplinary approach in developing the crop; more stakeholders should be involved so as to make the crop appealing. Finally the study recommends the commercialisation of these crops due to the fact that they have the potential and are demanded in most parts of South Africa.

Thesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / The Limpopo Province is home to South Africa’s major tomato producer, who is also the largest producer of the commodity in the Southern Hemisphere. Regardless of its importance in the tomato industry of the country, there are few studies analysing the mechanism through which prices of tomatoes are determined and transmitted from the farm gate in Limpopo to the various provincial, local and international markets. This study attempts to fill the knowledge gap on the performance of Limpopo Province’s tomato markets by examining vertical price linkages amongst successive marketing levels. With the aid of both surveys and document analysis, daily tomato prices were collected at three levels that reflect the marketing chain of Limpopo produced tomatoes. Through marketing margin analysis, it was established that the farmers’ portion of the consumer’s Rand is low. About 85.1% of the consumer’s Rand goes to pay for marketing margins. Granger causality tests show that both the wholesale and retail prices are caused by farm gate prices, whereas an independent causal relationship was found between wholesale prices and retail prices. The study also found a long run cointegration relationship between farm gate prices and retail level prices, and not the same for the relationship between farm gate and wholesale prices. Furthermore, it was found that retailers are quick to react to increases in farm gate prices and slow in adjusting to price decreases. On the other hand, wholesale prices were found to be symmetrical to farm gate prices. These results suggest that the transmission of price information is more efficient between the farm and wholesale markets than between the farm and retail markets. Nonetheless, there is scope for increasing efficiency of tomato marketing in the province. Key words: Price transmission, marketing margins, vertical price linkage, market dominance, tomato markets, Limpopo Province

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 209-213) / x, 213 leaves : ill. ; 26 cm. / "January, 1973" / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Economics, 1973

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published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration