Abstract To assess the symbiotic dependency of grain and shrub/tree legumes within five agro-ecological zones of Botswana, fully expanded leaves of the test species were sampled from about 26 study sites within Ngwaketse, Gaborone, Central, Ghanzi and Kalahari agro-ecological zones. Isotopic analysis revealed significant differences in 1)15N values of the grain legumes [cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verde.), and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)] from the 26 farming areas in both 2005 and 2006. Estimates of %Ndfa of leaves also showed significant differences between farming areas, with cowpea deriving more than 50% of its N nutrition from symbiotic fixation. In terms of distribution, many more symbiotic shrub/tree species were found in the wetter Ngwaketse agro-zone compared to the fewer numbers in the drier Kalahari region. Acacias were the more dominant species at all sites. Leaf 1)15N values of shrub/tree species also varied strongly across Botswana, with 11 out of 18 of these legumes deriving about 50%, or more, of their N from symbiotic Nz fixation. Acacia caffra, in particular, obtained as much as 93.6% of its N nutrition from symbiotic fixation in the wetter Ngwaketse agro-zone. This study has shown that grain legumes sampled from farmer's fields in Botswana obtained considerable amounts of their N from symbiotic fixation. We have also shown that shrub and tree legumes probably play an important role in the N economy of the savanna ecosystems in Botswana. However, the decline in the number of functional Ny-fixing shrub/tree legumes along an aridity gradient suggests that soil moisture is a major constraint to Nz fixation in the tree legumes of Botswana.

Abstract To assess the symbiotic dependency of grain and shrub/tree legumes within five agro-ecological zones of Botswana, fully expanded leaves of the test species were sampled from about 26 study sites within Ngwaketse, Gaborone, Central, Ghanzi and Kalahari agro-ecological zones. Isotopic analysis revealed significant differences in 1)15N values of the grain legumes [cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verde.), and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)] from the 26 farming areas in both 2005 and 2006. Estimates of %Ndfa of leaves also showed significant differences between farming areas, with cowpea deriving more than 50% of its N nutrition from symbiotic fixation. In terms of distribution, many more symbiotic shrub/tree species were found in the wetter Ngwaketse agro-zone compared to the fewer numbers in the drier Kalahari region. Acacias were the more dominant species at all sites. Leaf 1)15N values of shrub/tree species also varied strongly across Botswana, with 11 out of 18 of these legumes deriving about 50%, or more, of their N from symbiotic Nz fixation. Acacia caffra, in particular, obtained as much as 93.6% of its N nutrition from symbiotic fixation in the wetter Ngwaketse agro-zone. This study has shown that grain legumes sampled from farmer's fields in Botswana obtained considerable amounts of their N from symbiotic fixation. We have also shown that shrub and tree legumes probably play an important role in the N economy of the savanna ecosystems in Botswana. However, the decline in the number of functional Ny-fixing shrub/tree legumes along an aridity gradient suggests that soil moisture is a major constraint to Nz fixation in the tree legumes of Botswana.

A transição agroecológica, enquanto um processo de estímulo à adoção de práticas agrícolas sustentáveis implica na gradual construção do conhecimento agroecológico, por meio da troca de saberes, experiências e interpretação dos (as) agricultores (as) sobre os contextos em que vivem e produzem, configurando-se em um modo alternativo de produção, em contraponto ao modelo atual convencional. Novos caminhos que tragam a conservação da biodiversidade, a autorrealização individual e comunitária, e a autogestão política e econômica são prioritários e urgentes. A presente pesquisa teve por objetivo sistematizar a experiência de transição agroecológica da CooperAPAs, localizada em Parelheiros, zona sul do município de São Paulo, por meio da identificação de representações de agroecologia, relações saúde, ambiente e políticas públicas, bem como os principais interesses e dificuldades de agricultores e técnicos envolvidos em algum momento específico da trajetória de formação, implementação e/ou desenvolvimento da CooperAPAs. Foi utilizado o método de sistematização de experiências, tendo como instrumentos de pesquisa a análise documental, entrevistas e oficina de construção da linha do tempo. De modo geral, os participantes reconheciam impactos positivos e negativos de suas ações sobre a saúde e o ambiente. Dentre as necessidades identificadas, destacou-se maior sensibilização e empoderamento de todos os cooperados, para que possam contribuir mais ativamente no fortalecimento da cooperativa, a fim de garantir maior acesso às políticas públicas vigentes, ao mercado, e à comercialização, melhorando, consequentemente, condições socioambientais e econômicas destes agricultores. Para tal, recomenda-se a adoção, pela cooperativa, de estratégias socioeducativas participativas, como a Aprendizagem Social, que favoreçam o diálogo, a negociação de conflitos e a gestão compartilhada, como um novo caminho para a CooperAPAs. / The agroecological transition, as an incentive to process the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, implies the gradual construction of agroecological knowledge through the exchange of knowledge, experiences and interpretation of the farmers about the contexts in which they live and produce by setting up an alternate mode of production, in contrast to conventional current model. New ways to bring biodiversity conservation, self individual achievement and community, and the political and economic self-management, are priorities and urgent. This study aimed to systematise the agroecological transition experience of CooperAPAs, located in Parelheiros, south zone of São Paulo, through the identification of agroecology representations, healthy relationships, environment and public policy, and the main interests and difficulties of farmers and technicians involved in any specific time of training course, implementation and / or development of CooperAPAs. We used the method of systematization of experiences, having as research tools to document analysis, interviews and the timeline building workshop. In general, participants recognized both positive and negative impacts of their actions on health and the environment. Among the identified needs, there is increased awareness and empowerment of all members, so that they can contribute more actively in strengthening the cooperative in order to ensure greater access to existing public policies, market, and marketing, improving, consequently, social, environmental and economic conditions of these farmers. To this end, it recommends the adoption by the cooperative, participatory social and educational strategies such as social learning, to encourage dialogue, conflict negotiation and shared management, as a new way to CooperAPAs.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T18:15:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Thales Ravel Okonoski.pdf: 1890998 bytes, checksum: 54fe2bd9b98830ebf9506d8122692341 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-20 / This study sought to understand two representative productive segments of the rural areas of São Mateus do Sul - PR, characterized by conventional farmers guided by the production of tobacco, and agro ecological horticultural producers and also to analyze their perspectives into the rural development. So, this discussion was contextualized around the rural development, analyzing concepts and development processes applied in Latin America and Brazil and the current discussion on territorial development. Inside a case study, performed a qualitative survey through field observations, analysis of public politics and interviews with familiar farmers participating in the productive segments concerned, assessing their productive viability and their representativeness in the municipal rural development and territorial rural development too. / Neste trabalho buscou-se compreender dois seguimentos produtivos representativos do meio rural de São Mateus do Sul - PR, caracterizados pelos agricultores convencionais pautados da produção de fumo, e os agroecológicos produtores de hortifrutigranjeiros e analisar suas perspectivas dentro do desenvolvimento rural. Assim, contextualizou-se essa discussão em torno do desenvolvimento rural, analisando conceitos e processos de desenvolvimento aplicados na América Latina e no Brasil e a atual discussão em torno do desenvolvimento territorial. Dentro de um estudo de caso, realizou-se um levantamento qualitativo através de observações de campo, análises de políticas públicas e entrevistas com agricultores familiares participantes dos seguimentos produtivos em questão, avaliando suas viabilidades produtivas e suas representatividades no desenvolvimento rural municipal e territorial.

Smallholder pig farming is an important livestock activity in Mpumalanga. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether variation in agro-ecological climatic conditions differently impacts on the small-scale pig production systems in Mpumalanga province and to identify factors that influence production positively or negatively in the various agro-ecological zones. The study was conducted in Mpumalanga province of South Africa in three agro-ecological zones namely the highveld, the lowveld and the midveld. The study followed mixed methods approach, using qualitative and quantitative data. In total, 220 randomly selected smallholder pig farmers were interviewed face to face using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel2007® spreadsheet, filtered and analysed using Stata v9 (Statacorp., Texas, USA) and Microsoft Excel2007® for frequency, herd-related variables; in addition, some hypothesis were tested using appropriate analytical methods (descriptive and correlation analyses). Associations between agricultural training, government assistance (material or financial) and thirteen herd and farmer-related variables were analysed using multivariable logistic regression model. A pairwise correlation was used where necessary and outputs were generated to associate certain variables and preferred methods including markets, market determinants, treatment methods for sick pigs, feed preference, body conditions of the sows and age at weaning. To integrate economic analyses, a partial budgeting combined with other turn on investment (ROI) model has developed in Microsoft Excel 2007® spreadsheet. The outcomes from the field data obtained including details from published materials were utilized to develop and validate the model. Economic feasibility and viability of a 10-sow unit were tested for a three-year farm operation. The results indicated that smallholder pig farming was predominated by males (64%), age group 51 years and above (54%), black Africans (98.6%) and approximately three-quarters of the smallholder farmers were classified as being poor to just below average. The majority (80%) of respondents had no prior pig husbandry training while few had (33%) received assistance from Department of Agriculture. In terms of stock, mixed breeds (89%) from exotic pigs were mostly kept and the majority (87%) of the farmers kept between 1 – 10 ws in their herds. Many farmers (75%) engaged in bio-security risky behaviour of buying auctioned-sourced boars, free-range boars and untested boars from neighbours and relatives. Few (17%) farmers practiced vaccination and only (10%) kept records of the pigs. The majority of the responses on pre-weaning mortality (50%) and post-weaning mortality (90%) were within acceptable range of 1-10% and 1-5% mortality rates respectively. The lead causes of mortality were weak piglets and crushing (46%), diarrhea (27%), poor management knowledge (19%) and malnutrition (16%). Fifty-eight percent farrowed ≤10 piglets/born/sow/litter, 44.2% practiced no weaning method, many fed leftovers alone (41.6%), 47% was using self-medication and 41% of the sows were in poor body conditions. It was also discovered that only 27% sold the porkers in less than 6 months of age and local slaughter/sold live (64.4%) was the most preferred market source. A pair-wise correlation showed links that between the feeding of commercial feeds and pigs in relatively good to very good body conditions. Poor body conditioned pigs were positively correlated with the feeding of swill alone. The economic models for a 10-sow unit proved that pig farming at that scale is unprofitable by feeding commercial feed. However, only through a combination of cooperative systems, benefits of economic of scale, reduction of pre-weaning mortalities, and structured government inputs can improve pig production profitable at this scale of production. In addition, agricultural training and government incentives will facilitate improved productivity in smallholder pig farms within the province / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Submitted by Izabel Franco (izabel-franco@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-05T20:21:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissRBB.pdf: 1465460 bytes, checksum: 6ec3f9ac024ce6257cee928de92e4f45 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-06T12:54:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissRBB.pdf: 1465460 bytes, checksum: 6ec3f9ac024ce6257cee928de92e4f45 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-06T12:54:47Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissRBB.pdf: 1465460 bytes, checksum: 6ec3f9ac024ce6257cee928de92e4f45 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-06T12:55:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissRBB.pdf: 1465460 bytes, checksum: 6ec3f9ac024ce6257cee928de92e4f45 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-06-10 / Não recebi financiamento / O ser humano interage constantemente com os ecossistemas e utiliza deles diversos bens e serviços. Estes bens e serviços são denominados “Serviços Ecossistêmicos” (SE) e os benefícios provenientes destes serviços são denominados “constituintes do bem-estar”. Os agroecossistemas são ecossistemas modificados de forma que haja maior provisão de determinados SE, tais como alimentos, matérias primas e combustíveis. No entanto, para fornecer estes SE, os agroecossistemas necessitam que outros SE supram suas necessidades, mantendo assim sua capacidade produtiva. Nos agroecossistemas, os agricultores são os principais gestores dos recursos naturais, influenciando diretamente no manejo. Dessa forma, entender como os agricultores percebem e interagem com os recursos naturais é de grande importância. Este trabalho tem por objetivo avaliar a percepção dos agricultores sobre os SE, através de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Analisando os SE percebidos pelos agricultores, suas relações com as práticas agrícolas utilizadas, com os impactos causados pela agricultura e com fatores socioeconômicos. Os agricultores entrevistados encontravam-se todos em processo de transição agroecológica e pertencem aos assentamentos Ipanema e Horto Bela Vista, localizados no município de Iperó, próximos a Floresta Nacional de Ipanema. Dentro dos resultados obtidos, observou-se principalmente, uma maior percepção dos SE de produção, em relação aos SE de regulação e culturais. Assim como a relevância do nível de escolaridade na percepção dos SE. O aumento da percepção dos SE pelos agricultores é de grande importância, visto que pode auxiliar assim na transição agroecológica. / The human being interacts constantly with ecosystems and uses various goods and services from them. These goods and services are called "Ecosystem Services" (ES) and the benefits from these services are called "constituents of well-being." The agroecosystems are modified so that there is greater provision of certain ES, such as food, raw materials and fuels. However, to provide these ES, the agroecosystems need others ES to suits their needs, thus maintaining its production capacity. In agroecosystems, farmers are the main managers of natural resources, influencing the management directly. Therefore, understanding how farmers perceive and interact with natural resources is of great importance. This study aims to evaluate the perception of farmers on the ES, through semi-structured interviews. Analyzing ES perceived by farmers, their relationship with the agricultural practices used, with the impacts caused by agriculture and socioeconomic factors. The farmers interviewed were all in agroecological transition process and belong to settlements Ipanema and Horto Bela Vista, in the municipality of Iperó, near Ipanema National Forest. Within the results, it was observed greater perception of the production ES in relation to regulatory and cultural ES. As well the relevance of the educational level in the perception of ES. Increased awareness of the ES by farmers is of great importance, since it may well assist in agroecological transition.

The primary objective of this research was to study the effects of agro-ecological regions (as represented by the veld types in four different areas), sex, season of birth, the interaction between sex and season of birth as well as the interaction between veld type and season of birth on selected anthropometrical measurements (body dimension measurements). The correlations between these selected anthropometrical measurements were also investigated in this study. Data from four herds of Nguni cattle comprising of 416 animals (Loskop South, Fort Hare, Kroonstad and Warmbaths with 115, 106, 97, and 98 animals respectively) was analysed. Measurements were taken in different seasons at each area or location. Statistical analyses of the data were done using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2002). The results of this study indicate that veld type, sex and the interaction between sex and veld type did not significantly (P < 0.05) affect the growth (selected anthropometrical measurements) of Nguni cattle. In all the four agro-ecological regions (veld type in the different regions), season of birth, the interaction between sex and season of birth (Sex*BS) and the interaction between season of birth and veld type (V*BS) showed a significant effect (P< 0.05) on selected body dimensions. Animals that were born during the winter and spring seasons were heavier (P<0.05, 333.37 kg and 336.95 kg respectively) than those born in summer (270.35 kg) and autumn (286.29 kg). The same can be said of other body dimensions (M, L, HW, HG, SH and HH), whereby the animals that were born during winter and spring seasons had higher values (P<0.05) than their counterparts born in summer and autumn. This tendency was also observed for SC although the difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, the study suggested that season of birth, the interaction between sex and season of birth (Sex*BS) and the interaction between veldtype (agro-ecological region) and season of birth (V*BS) are important sources of variation in growth of beef cattle, with special reference to Nguni cattle. It is therefore recommended that season of birth and its interaction with both veld type and sex should be given considerable attention in any extensive beef production system (with special reference to the Nguni breed) employed in South Africa. Knowledge of the influence of agro-ecological factors on the growth of beef cattle is of great importance for measuring production capacity, designing and implementing strategies to alter the extensive beef production system and thus to increase the output to ensure a more sustainable economic advantage. / Dissertation (Magister Institutionis Agrariae (Animal Production))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

A transição agroecológica, enquanto um processo de estímulo à adoção de práticas agrícolas sustentáveis implica na gradual construção do conhecimento agroecológico, por meio da troca de saberes, experiências e interpretação dos (as) agricultores (as) sobre os contextos em que vivem e produzem, configurando-se em um modo alternativo de produção, em contraponto ao modelo atual convencional. Novos caminhos que tragam a conservação da biodiversidade, a autorrealização individual e comunitária, e a autogestão política e econômica são prioritários e urgentes. A presente pesquisa teve por objetivo sistematizar a experiência de transição agroecológica da CooperAPAs, localizada em Parelheiros, zona sul do município de São Paulo, por meio da identificação de representações de agroecologia, relações saúde, ambiente e políticas públicas, bem como os principais interesses e dificuldades de agricultores e técnicos envolvidos em algum momento específico da trajetória de formação, implementação e/ou desenvolvimento da CooperAPAs. Foi utilizado o método de sistematização de experiências, tendo como instrumentos de pesquisa a análise documental, entrevistas e oficina de construção da linha do tempo. De modo geral, os participantes reconheciam impactos positivos e negativos de suas ações sobre a saúde e o ambiente. Dentre as necessidades identificadas, destacou-se maior sensibilização e empoderamento de todos os cooperados, para que possam contribuir mais ativamente no fortalecimento da cooperativa, a fim de garantir maior acesso às políticas públicas vigentes, ao mercado, e à comercialização, melhorando, consequentemente, condições socioambientais e econômicas destes agricultores. Para tal, recomenda-se a adoção, pela cooperativa, de estratégias socioeducativas participativas, como a Aprendizagem Social, que favoreçam o diálogo, a negociação de conflitos e a gestão compartilhada, como um novo caminho para a CooperAPAs. / The agroecological transition, as an incentive to process the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, implies the gradual construction of agroecological knowledge through the exchange of knowledge, experiences and interpretation of the farmers about the contexts in which they live and produce by setting up an alternate mode of production, in contrast to conventional current model. New ways to bring biodiversity conservation, self individual achievement and community, and the political and economic self-management, are priorities and urgent. This study aimed to systematise the agroecological transition experience of CooperAPAs, located in Parelheiros, south zone of São Paulo, through the identification of agroecology representations, healthy relationships, environment and public policy, and the main interests and difficulties of farmers and technicians involved in any specific time of training course, implementation and / or development of CooperAPAs. We used the method of systematization of experiences, having as research tools to document analysis, interviews and the timeline building workshop. In general, participants recognized both positive and negative impacts of their actions on health and the environment. Among the identified needs, there is increased awareness and empowerment of all members, so that they can contribute more actively in strengthening the cooperative in order to ensure greater access to existing public policies, market, and marketing, improving, consequently, social, environmental and economic conditions of these farmers. To this end, it recommends the adoption by the cooperative, participatory social and educational strategies such as social learning, to encourage dialogue, conflict negotiation and shared management, as a new way to CooperAPAs.

Development, environmental sustainability, agriculture and livelihoods are dimensions that are often considered antagonistic. By thinking at the landscape level however, innovative opportunities arise for simultaneity as these entities manifest spatially and require communication across disciplines. Trans-frontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) embrace this thinking. These are large areas that cut across two or more international boundaries, include within them at least one Protected Area (PA) and other multiple resource use areas, including human dwellings and cultivated areas. Similarly, ecoagriculture is an innovative approach to land use management as it seeks to spatially synergise agriculture, livelihoods and biodiversity conservation across space and requires an awareness of landscape-level issues by land users, a condition which is not necessarily met. Such landscape thinking stems from the fact that if a piece of land is subject to rigorous conservation, it will fail if the surrounding areas are degraded. Additionally, it has been shown that agriculture often benefits from the nearby presence of natural areas for ecosystem services such as pollination, pest management, and erosion control. As such, multifunctional landscape mosaics together with small scale farmers, not large scale monocultures, are the key to global food security, as the former more effectively links agricultural intensification to hunger reduction. In order to ascertain an integrated understanding of the landscape concept, necessary for the formalisation of ecoagriculture, this study assessed the landscape perceptions and understandings held by local people residing within a TFCA. We employed participatory methods within the Mathenjwa Tribal Area (MTA), an area falling within the Lubombo TFCA and identified as holding ecoagriculture potential. Results revealed that local people perceive landscape as a function of subsistence utility. Local people perceive land-use multifunctionality, necessary for the formalisation of ecoagriculture, but at a smaller scale than expected depending on both social and biophysical interpretations. Landscape scale projects should incorporate local landscape understandings. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / MA / Unrestricted

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The lack of bioclimatically suitable forage species for livestock production in the water-limited agro-ecological areas of South Africa has resulted in significant feed shortages within these areas during the ongoing drought experienced within the country. This, in turn, has resulted in significant livestock mortalities leading to financial difficulties for the farmers and farming communities within these areas. Thus, many of the water-limited agro-ecological areas in South Africa have been declared disaster areas. These cyclic long-term droughts, as well as more common short-term droughts are expected to increase in frequency, duration and intensity under the predicted future bioclimatic conditions. Although there has been significant investment into the development of improved, better-adapted forage crops for these bioclimatically marginal agro-ecosystems, these efforts, to date, have largely been unsuccessful. Therefore, in this study, we propose to identify and evaluate species that are native to the water-limited South African agro-ecosystems and that can potentially be implemented in alternative fodder flow programs within these water-limited agro-ecological areas. / 2022