Doctorat en sciences sociales, politiques et économiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / This study explores how land and natural resources in rural communities are accessed, used, and managed in livelihoods. In particular it examines first, crop field tenure, and livelihoods in natural resources. Second it explores factors that mediate access, use and control of land and natural resources within village communities. Empirical data are explored from two rural village communities of Kamena and St. Joseph located in the Northern and Copperbelt provinces of Zambia respectively. The study argues first that land and natural resource rights underpin land based livelihood activities of rural people, the most important of which are subsistence and cash crop farming, and the gathering and processing of common property resources. Second the thesis argues that land tenure reform impacts on the rural population as a whole and not just on cash crop farmers, and should thus situate the needs of farmers for secure tenure within the wider context of diverse rural household livelihood strategies. The study concludes that social differences (along the axes of wealth, gender and descent), traditional institutions (uxorilocal or virilocal marriage, polygamy, inheritance and succession) and government policy are central in determining access, use and control of land and natural resources in rural livelihoods. It is submitted that, rather than being replaced, customary land tenure, and traditional land administration structures in rural Zambia should be adapted to current social and economic realities in which individuals and households create their multiple livelihoods. Further, it is concluded that land tenure reform is not a sufficient condition for rural livelihood sustainability. Thus complementary agrarian measures to address the vulnerability context of rural households are recommended. / South Africa

Magister Philosophiae (Land and Agrarian Studies) - MPhil(LAS) / The aim of this study was to explore the role and the prospects of smallholder agriculture as local economic development in Eastern Pondoland, in the former Transkei homeland. The study explored the role of agriculture in contributing to local economic development and the upliftment of the rural poor. It also explored the role that government and its agencies have played and could play in stimulating agricultural development. / South Africa

This study develops the structure and closure of an econometric regime-switching model within a partial equilibrium framework that has the ability to generate reliable estimates and projections of endogenous variables under market-switching regimes. Models used in policy evaluation usually either ignore the possibility of regime switching, using just a single method of price determination based on average effects, or incorporate highly stylised components that may not reflect the complexities of a particular market. This study proposes an approach that allows the incorporation of features of regime switching in a multisector commodity level model which capture salient features of the South African market and are therefore able to produce more reliable projections of the evolution of the sector under alternative shocks. The following hypothesis is tested in the study: With the correct model structure and closure, a combination of modelling techniques can be applied to develop a simulation model that has the ability to generate reliable estimates and projections of endogenous variables under market-switching regimes. The technique that is used to “close” a simultaneous or recursive simulation model determines the manner in which market equilibrium is achieved in the model. The choice of closure technique will depend on the equilibrium pricing condition in a specific market, specifically which market regime prevails in the market. It is important to note that trade flow and equilibrium pricing conditions under various trade regimes in the SA grain markets do not occur strictly according to these definitions. In the SA white and yellow maize markets some level of trade does occur with neighbouring countries at price levels that suggest that the market is trading under a type of regional autarky isolated from world markets. Industry experts argue that trade in the Southern African region is largely driven by regional issues like staple food, adverse weather conditions, location and quality concerns of genetically modified imported maize from non-African destinations, and to a lesser extent by arbitrage opportunities. This study, therefore, refers to “near-autarky”. Given the fact that markets can fluctuate between different trade regimes (therefore equilibrium pricing conditions), some type of regime-switching model needs to be utilised to determine model closure. A switching mechanism is introduced that allows the white maize model to switch between model closer under import parity, near-autarky, and export parity, the yellow maize model to switch between model closure under import parity and near-autarky, and the wheat model to close under import parity. Various approaches are used to test whether the regime-switching model complies with the hypothesis of this study. The first approach involves the simulation of baseline projections under a combination of different trade regimes in the grain markets. The second approach illustrates the usefulness of the automated switch between the various model closure techniques by comparing ex-post simulation results of the regime-switching model to the results of a previous version of the sector model that does not have the ability to switch between various market regimes. The last approach presents a more hands-on application of the regime-switching model to real-life examples by analysing the impact of a combination of market- and policy-related shocks in the form of scenario analysis. This study proves that the regime-switching model is able to capture a richer variety of market behaviour than standard models as a result of the regime-switching innovation outlined, therefore more accurately capturing the likely effects of shocks on the domestic market. It is therefore consistent with the hypothesis of this study. The regime-switching model is, by design, more rigorous than the previous model in that it emphasises price formation and correct model closure under alternative regimes. Although the model is particularly appropriate for the South African grain market as specified here, it provides a template for which models for other countries and commodities may be developed. / Thesis (PhD (Agricultural Economics))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

In this study, Local Economic Development (LED) is defined as an outcome of processes aimed at building up the capacity of local areas for sustainable economic development. The study assesses whether LED interventions, especially agricultural programmes, improve the livelihoods of poor communities in the Amathole District Municipality. Data was collected by use of both qualitative and quantitative research methods through interviews and questionnaires, respectively. Probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used to identify the research sample from the target population. These were further broken down into stratified, purposive and snowball sampling to enable the researcher to select specific municipalities, councillors, officials and stakeholders who participated in the study. Budgetary constraints, staff shortages and lack of required skills/ expertise were identified as the main challenges facing the district. The latter makes it difficult for the municipality to effectively implement sound LED programmes. Consequently, LED benefits are minimal. It is, therefore, recommendable for the municipality to seek other means of generating and boosting their financial viability through partnerships and private sector investments. This in turn will generate revenue for the municipality and ensure economic development in the district, thereby making a meaningful contribution towards the realization of a goal for “a better life for all”.

New policy initiatives that followed the 1994 democratic elections aim strongly on construction and development, especially in the agrarian sector. Land reform is one of the initiatives that the democratic government has implemented post 1994 to enable the previously marginalised and disposed individuals and families to own land. The aim of the land reform was not only to provide settlement beneficiaries, but to provide post settlement support to them and enable them to live a better life. However, most of the beneficiaries who acquired farms through the land reform programs lack practical experience in commercial agricultural production. In light of the above, the agricultural mentorship programme was implemented to offer a ray of sunshine to smallholder and emerging farmers. However, it is quite evident that although the agricultural mentorship program was implemented, the Kat river valley emerging citrus farmers are still facing challenges such as limited production capacity; limited access to financial capital; limited access to production equipment; and limited post-harvest support. This study aims to review the agriculture mentorship programme of the Department of Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (DRDAR), with a specific focus on citrus at Kat River Valley. Using data drawn from a sample of nine (9) mentees, two (2) mentors and one official from DARDAR who were personally visited and interviewed, the thesis presents the results of an assessment of the program’s outcomes for participant’s experiences and perceptions in order to strengthen the programme. A review of related literature on land and agriculture reform, agricultural policies, emerging farmers and mentorship has been presented. The study employed a qualitative approach for in-depth understanding and verification. Source documents, open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from participants. The study revealed that the mentorship programme has made an impact since its implementation as can be noted by the increase in production and income levels; sustainability of skills and knowledge attained from during mentorship and also job opportunities from the projects.

A cardinal development goal of the Zimbabwean government is agricultural mechanization through the acquisition and use of tractors by arable crop farmers in communal and resettlement state land. This research project therefore aimed at investigating the impact of mechanization on agricultural productivity focusing on farmers in Bindura district of Zimbabwe who benefitted under the ongoing farm mechanization program. The existing land policy and the issue of technical efficiency in agricultural productivity are assumed to be the drivers of the program. It is likely that these key issues will constitute an important consideration in determining the sustainability of the mechanization policy. A multistage sampling technique was used to randomly select 90 farmers in the study area. The Cobb Douglas approach and Logistic regression were used to analyze data obtained from the respondents. Results revealed that tractor use was positively influenced by household size, access to extension services and crop output equivalent. Education, land area cultivated, stoniness negatively influenced the probability of adoption of mechanized farming. Furthermore, the technical efficiency estimate of adopter and nonadopters of mechanized farming showed no difference in their level of technical efficiency in agricultural productivity that was 64 percent on average. The level of observed inefficiency was increased by slope, stoniness and household size while age reduced technical inefficiency. It is recommended that government should consolidate the present gains arising from extension services. Also, environmental factors such as slope (topography) and stoniness, which constituted major disincentives in communal areas, could be overcome if government and farmers can identify and open up new areas of farmland for occupation by farmers.

This thesis considers two questions. First, why in spite of its ideological opposition to the Land Commission Act did the Social Credit government formed in 1975 not abolish the Provincial Land Commission created by the NDP? Secondly, in what ways, if any, has the Social Credit appointed commission and the Social Credit cabinet differed from the NDP appointed commission and the NDP cabinet? After a description of the legislation, the Canada Land Inventory system and both the NDP and Social Credit appointed commissions, I argue that the complexity of issues at stake and the coalition of interests supporting the land commission, made it impossible for the government to abolish the land commission. These interests include those of farmers, who as individuals may wish to develop their land, but, collectively have a substantial interest in maintaining the reserves; developers who want, to realize the large capital gains from converting agricultural land to industrial, commercial or residential uses, but, who represent a numerically small group; municipalities, who are caught between the need for expanded tax revenues and the increased costs for services that accompanies development; and the regional districts who have to balance the competing interests of the member municipalities. A statistical analysis of the government to government exclusion requests made under section 11(1) of the provincial Agricultural Land Commission Act, indicates that the Social Credit appointed commission and the Social Credit cabinet, while maintaining the land reserve system, has allowed more exclusion requests in every category of land than had the NDP appointed commission and the NDP cabinet, and that the difference between the two was strongest for prime land, the most critical category. Further analysis suggests that this was not an accidental effect of either an increase in housing demands during the Social Credit period or of a maturation process by which the regional districts submitted more sophisticated exclusion requests and suggests the differences between the the NDP and the Social Credit are the product of different attitudes to development and planning. / Arts, Faculty of / Political Science, Department of / Graduate

Orientador: Ricardo Abid Castillo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T00:26:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Altineus_Francky_M.pdf: 2300700 bytes, checksum: eaa3fb15e0508eee164038b31bb7665a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Résumé: L'objectif général de ce travail consiste à analyser l'espace agraire haïtien, tout en considérant la production du riz dans le département de l'Artibonite comme le point essentiel. Ce travail est organisé selon trois parties: la première partie s'intéresse à étudier la production agricole et les principales caractéristiques des campagnes haïtiennes. Et, elle nous propose d'identifier un certain nombre de blocage naturel et historique qui entravent la modernisation de l'agriculture haïtienne et le développement du pays, comme les conditions naturelles défavorables, les inégalités sociales et économiques structurelles et faible intervention de l'État dans ce domaine. Dans la deuxième partie, nous analysons la question agraire dans le pays, qui a été toujours un problème particulièrement crucial dans l'histoire économique et sociale du pays depuis son accession à l'indépendance en 1804 à nos jours. Dans la troisième partie, on propose une étude sur la production du riz dans le département de l'Artibonite. Notre étude nous montre malgré les contraintes structurelles et naturelles rencontrées dans la production du riz, la Vallée de l'Artibonite joue un rôle important en matière d'approvisionnement en riz local / Resumo: O objetivo geral deste trabalho é analisar o espaço agrário no Haiti, considerando a produção de arroz no departamento de Artibonite como ponto principal. Este trabalho está dividido em três partes: a primeira se interessa em estudar a produção agrícola e as principais características do campo haitiano. Ela nos permite identificar um conjunto de problemas naturais e históricos que prejudicam a modernização da agricultura haitiana e o desenvolvimento do país. Problemas como condições naturais desfavoráveis, desigualdades sociais e econômicas estruturais e inanição do Estado no setor agrário. Na segunda parte, analisamos a questão agrária no país, que tem sido sempre uma questão particularmente importante na história social e econômica do país desde a sua independência em 1804 até hoje. Na terceira parte, propomos um estudo sobre a produção de arroz no departamento de Artibonite. Nosso estudo mostra que apesar dos problemas estruturais e naturais na produção de arroz, o Vale do Artibonite desempenha um papel importante no abastecimento local de arroz / Mestrado / Análise Ambiental e Dinâmica Territorial / Mestre em Geografia

Bibliography: leaves 204-212. / This thesis analyses agrarian development in the Natal Midlands during the 1940s and 1950s. Based predominantly on archival and primary sources, it seeks to provide some empirical evidence in an area where such information is sorely lacking. The first chapter briefly analyses the national agricultural economy in the 1940s before turning to the Natal Midlands. The importance of urban factors in fuelling the post-war boom is examined, as is the way in which different groups of farmers reacted to these developments. The second chapter discusses the position of farm workers. The system of labour tenancy is considered and stress is laid on the various tensions within the system which became prominent at this time. The use of the courts and the police in helping farmers control their workers, informal methods of control and labourers' resistance are also examined. The next chapter discusses the severe farm labour shortage and shows how it emerged from the tensions within labour tenancy and the increasing urban opportunities seized by farm workers. Attention is also paid to the farm labour policies of the pre-apartheid state and these are compared with the policies demanded by organised agriculture. The final chapter examines these processes during the 1950s. The effect of the slowdown in agricultural growth is discussed as is the limited success of the apartheid state's farm labour policies. It is suggested that the key to understanding the state's lack of success lies in differentiating between different categories of farmers. The agricultural crisis in the late 1950s and its effects are also analysed. Finally, it is suggested that the key determinants of agrarian development are accumulation and struggle rather than state policies.