Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2001. / Vita. Accompanying videorecording (14 min. : sd., col. ; 1/2 in.) has title: Barbasco, la raíz de la discordia. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 248-266).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Waterloo, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 131-142).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Waterloo, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 131-142).

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009. / Full text also available online. Scroll down for electronic link.

Magister Artium - MA / The aim of this thesis is to explore the socio-economic factors that impact on the sustainable harvesting of buchu in the Western Cape of South Africa. Some of the factors that will be explored include poverty, natural resource tenure, legislation, and local practices with regard to the harvesting of buchu. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, which include documenting different local livelihoods, establishing the roles played by the harvesting of wild buchu within these livelihoods, and analyzing perceptions of different stakeholders regarding sustainable harvesting of buchu, the study employed two approaches. The first was a review of the literature, and the second, empirical research in the form of a case study (the communal land owners of Elandskloof, Western Cape) was utilized. Agathosma betulina, one type of buchu and cited as the best type of buchu, has gained popularity as there is a demand for plant material both locally and internationally. This demand has created some concerns for wild populations of buchu as much of the industry is still supplied by populations harvested from the wild. Cultivation of buchu has emerged as a possible pressure lifter to the wild populations, as a poverty reduction strategy (as rural people are also cultivating), and as a way to provide for some of the demand experienced in the market. The buchu industry is a very lucrative one and, therefore, many problems are being identified and experienced. Noting this, the study makes two broad arguments. Firstly, even though the buchu trade is dynamic and fraught with many difficulties, it is a trade that can benefit all stakeholders and, consequently, there is a need for new legislation or a review of the current legislation guiding the industry. Better monitoring and evaluating processes, as well as information and communication platforms where stakeholders can interact, prove important. Hence, this should include the participation from stakeholders at all levels. Secondly, in order to establish effective policy guidelines, an understanding of the social dynamics that influences buchu harvesting is important for the resource sustainability as well as the trade. / South Africa

Text in English / The introduction of the New Growth Path (NGP) and the New Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) have created an opportunity for the industrialisation of indigenous medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs Amarula (Sclerocarya birrea), Buchu (Agathosma betulina), and Pelargonium (Pelargonium sidoides) for job creation and economic development in South Africa. The aim is to create a locally sustainable industry which creates jobs as well as improvement of the balance of payments. The National Growth Plan highlights some of the opportunities for industrialization as well as creation of decent jobs. There is increasing pressure on the harvesting of wild indigenous medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPS). The establishment of a local pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry for processing MAPS remains a challenge in South Africa and many low income countries. The objective of this study was to assess the challenges and their impact looking at particular species, Amarula, Buchu and Pelargonium by using structured focus group interviews with users in communities and businesses in KwaZulu Natal Province, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. More data/information was also collected from key stakeholder companies including desk-top reviews. Data/information was analysed using the SPSS computer programme and the Atlas software to summarize data and the results. Graphs and tables were used where necessary. The qualitative research reported on some qualitative assessments and challenges facing the establishment of medicinal and aromatic plants in South Africa. Comparative findings from BRICS were also reported. The results of the study indicated that there is continuous exploitation of several medicinal plant species, for plant trade, from the wild and substantial loss of their habitat. The research identifies a number of challenges such as: poor standards for raw materials, lack of research and development linking industry driven revenues, demand exceeding supply, regulatory risk, community risk, lack of understanding of judicious agronomic practices, ethical challenges, liquidity risk as well as political instability fail to attract foreign direct investments. The research concludes that for the establishment of a viable local pharmaceutical industry, iii beverage industry and nutraceutical industry with sustainable harvesting, there are serious hegemonic challenges which will require multi-stakeholder analysis. However, for the South African (SA) industry to be competitive, detailed feasibility studies need to be done comparing SA with other BRICS countries. There is also a need for the Research and Development to be strengthened. It must also be linked into industrial development in the industry. Furthermore there is a need to initiate the incentivizing of the pharmaceutical manufacturing to lower the cost of setting up the businesses in the industry and lessen the need to harvest from South African forests. Furthermore there is a need for programmes of production so that key species are given opportunity for cultivation and the attention they deserve to preserve these depleting resources. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M.Sc. (Agriculture)

Text in English / The introduction of the New Growth Path (NGP) and the New Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) have created an opportunity for the industrialisation of indigenous medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs Amarula (Sclerocarya birrea), Buchu (Agathosma betulina), and Pelargonium (Pelargonium sidoides) for job creation and economic development in South Africa. The aim is to create a locally sustainable industry which creates jobs as well as improvement of the balance of payments. The National Growth Plan highlights some of the opportunities for industrialization as well as creation of decent jobs. There is increasing pressure on the harvesting of wild indigenous medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPS). The establishment of a local pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry for processing MAPS remains a challenge in South Africa and many low income countries. The objective of this study was to assess the challenges and their impact looking at particular species, Amarula, Buchu and Pelargonium by using structured focus group interviews with users in communities and businesses in KwaZulu Natal Province, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. More data/information was also collected from key stakeholder companies including desk-top reviews. Data/information was analysed using the SPSS computer programme and the Atlas software to summarize data and the results. Graphs and tables were used where necessary. The qualitative research reported on some qualitative assessments and challenges facing the establishment of medicinal and aromatic plants in South Africa. Comparative findings from BRICS were also reported. The results of the study indicated that there is continuous exploitation of several medicinal plant species, for plant trade, from the wild and substantial loss of their habitat. The research identifies a number of challenges such as: poor standards for raw materials, lack of research and development linking industry driven revenues, demand exceeding supply, regulatory risk, community risk, lack of understanding of judicious agronomic practices, ethical challenges, liquidity risk as well as political instability fail to attract foreign direct investments. The research concludes that for the establishment of a viable local pharmaceutical industry, iii beverage industry and nutraceutical industry with sustainable harvesting, there are serious hegemonic challenges which will require multi-stakeholder analysis. However, for the South African (SA) industry to be competitive, detailed feasibility studies need to be done comparing SA with other BRICS countries. There is also a need for the Research and Development to be strengthened. It must also be linked into industrial development in the industry. Furthermore there is a need to initiate the incentivizing of the pharmaceutical manufacturing to lower the cost of setting up the businesses in the industry and lessen the need to harvest from South African forests. Furthermore there is a need for programmes of production so that key species are given opportunity for cultivation and the attention they deserve to preserve these depleting resources. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

The aim of this thesis was to explore the socio-economic factors that impact on the sustainable harvesting of buchu in the Western Cape of South Africa. Some of the factors that were explored include poverty, natural resource tenure, legislation, and local practices with regard to the harvesting of buchu.

The aim of this thesis was to explore the socio-economic factors that impact on the sustainable harvesting of buchu in the Western Cape of South Africa. Some of the factors that were explored include poverty, natural resource tenure, legislation, and local practices with regard to the harvesting of buchu.

The use and trade in medicinal plant products in South Africa is a cultivating sector of rural development. In order to conserve these plants and develop sustainable production, policies to promote domestication have been adopted. However, users view cultivated plants with scepticism. The key for policy makers is to understand how users respond to scarcity of species and whether domestication can be a solution. The main purpose of the study is to give an overview of variables that influence the rate of adoption of medicinal plant gardens. The last discussion will investigate whether domestication of species is an appropriate solution to conservation, or whether the intervention should be promoted as a local economic development option. The research took the form of a case study approach focusing on a specific area, with participatory and qualitative phases providing the basis for a semi-structured interview schedule, designed to assess the healer's acceptability of medicinal plant gardens, their comparative perception of cultivated and collected plants in their natural habitat/environment, and constraints in the establishment of medicinal plant gardens. Results indicated that:<li> The type of healer influences acceptability of medicinal plant gardens; •Healers use medicinal plant gardens to supply urban demand and provide income; • Healer and client perceptions of medicinal plant potency influence acceptability of cultivated plants; •Type of healer influences the environment in which species are collected. • Ancestral belief system forms an integral component of healers behavioural pattern.</li> The study concludes that:<li> Local scarcity of medicinal plants alone does not stimulate demand for nurseries; • Rituals associated with some treatments influence collection, storage and cultivation patterns; • Policy makers also need to promote domestication for commercial production and to investigate alternatives for propagating the population of some plant species in their natural habitat/environment to cater for specific needs of healers and • Interview responses, although useful, cannot always be taken at face value<//i>. / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar ( Agricultural Extension))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted