Thesis (Ph.D.(Agricultural Economics))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Abstract in English. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 214-233).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Catholic University, Nijmegen, 2001. / Title from initial PDF page image (viewed Feb. 16, 2005). "April, 2001." Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-166). Also issued in print format.

Thesis (Ph. D., Natural Resources)--University of Idaho, May 2007. / Major professor: Jay O'Laughlin. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-83). Also available online (PDF file) by subscription or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Berkeley, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-116).

Please read the abstract (Summary) in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (D Phil (Information Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Information Science / unrestricted

This study focused on analysing the production and marketing constraints that often prevent smallholder farmers from accessing high-value markets in the agribusiness value chain. Access to markets is an essential requirement for the poor in rural areas to enjoy the benefits of agricultural growth. Limited access to agricultural markets by smallholder farmers in rural areas represents one of the most important challenges confronting policymakers in developing countries. Several studies have indicated how smallholder farmers can be linked to markets, but they have failed to address issues of how to increase the likelihood of smallholder farmers benefiting from high-value markets. Due to the stringent sourcing criteria of formal markets, small-scale farmers are excluded from the agricultural value chains. It may be easy to access the market, but it is very difficult for smallholder farmers to retain that market. This is attributed to the fact that smallholder farmers face various constraints along the value chain such as production and marketing constraints. The main objective of this study was to identify and analyse the constraints confronting smallholder farmers in the Limpopo Province and to suggest different strategies that can be used to make it easier for smallholder farmers to access high-value markets in the agribusiness value chain. This was achieved through personal interviews in two districts, i.e. the Capricorn and Vhembe districts. Primary data was obtained through structured questionnaires in both districts. These two districts were chosen due to their uniqueness with regard to agricultural potential, with smallholder farmers in both districts being heterogeneous and confronting different constraints in producing and marketing their products. Producing for the market calls for production resources, including production means such as land, water, on-farm and off-farm infrastructure, labour force, capital, and good management of these resources. Poor access to these resources affects the way in which smallholder farmers can benefit from opportunities in agricultural markets, especially in terms of the volume of products traded and the quality and quantity of those products. Based on the surveys employed for purposes of this study, the participation of smallholder farmers in high-value markets is constrained as a result of poor access to comprehensive agricultural support services. There are relatively few direct linkages between smallholder farmers and fresh produce markets, supermarkets, and agro-processors. The majority of sales by farmers are at either the local market or the farm gate level. Few farmers have access to basic production equipment and infrastructure. A range of impediments to participation in high-value markets were identified. These include lack of access to sufficient and productive land for expansion, sufficient water, modern irrigation systems, mechanisation, transport logistics, and market information. These constraints constitute the greatest barrier for smallholder farmers when it comes to accessing high-value markets, and overcoming these constraints is critical if smallholder farmers are to access lucrative markets. There is relatively low participation among farmers in collective action, more especially at production and marketing levels. The study found that smallholder farmers in the Vhembe district have a comparative advantage in terms of vegetable production compared to those in the Capricorn district. Smallholder farmers in the Vhembe district are better linked to agro-processors, fresh-produce markets and supermarkets as compared to farmers in the Capricorn district – even though this is the case for only a few individual farmers. The study also found that individual producers have greater access to on-farm infrastructure and also perform better and have closer links to formal markets compared to projects owned by groups of households. The results of the study suggest that smallholder farmers who are currently not participating in high-value markets could improve their participation if they are given access to comprehensive agricultural support services. More attention must be given to supporting smallholder farmers in both districts to ensure that they engage in commercial production and participate in high-value markets on a sustainable basis. This could only happen if their constraints along the value chain are addressed. The major challenge confronting policymakers is to create an enabling environment for smallholder farmers and empower them to produce high volumes of good-quality products on a consistent and sustainable basis. / Dissertation (MInstAgrar)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Commercial egg production in Utah has developed gradually since 1920. Production of eggs increased from 142 million in 1924 to 433 million eggs in 1946. The percentage of total farm income of the state derived from the poultry industry increased from 5.3 percent in 1924 to 23.1 percent in 1946 and at the present time constitutes the largest income of any farm enterprise in this area. Factors influencing this development are: 1. High prices resulting from the war period of 1917 to 1920 followed by the depression period when prices were low. 2. The organization of cooperative egg-marketing associations. 3. Shipments of eggs to the eastern markets. 4. The lack of marketing facilities for the high-quality eggs produced in the state.

A study focusing on farm financial stress in Virginia was conducted to provide information to educators. The financial situation of Virginia farmers during the 1980's was reviewed. The years 1983, 1984, and 1985 were determined to be the time during the 1980s when farmers' financial situations were most severely stressed. Attention was directed towards corn, soybean, and wheat farmers since this group was readily identifiable as being financially stressed. Fifteen personal interviews of farmers were conducted in seven counties where the majority of these crops are grown. For comparison purposes, part of the interviews were conducted with individuals who are still farming and part with individuals who were forced to exit farming due to financial adversity. Comparing the information gathered from farmers in a favorable financial condition with the information gathered from those farmers in a vulnerable financial condition, some factors that helped farmers survive the agricultural depression of the 1980’s were discovered. Farmers in favorable financial condition are superior managers, operate timely businesses, borrow and spend conservatively, are more educated, have more years of farming experience, and use better financial and production recordkeeping practices. Access to marketing information is also important for farmer survivability. Producers in favorable financial condition own larger percentages of their operated land, and they utilize more family labor. / Master of Science

Palynological evidence suggests Nordic agriculturalist settlement in the coastal areas of Västerbotten from ~AD 500. Until then these lands had been inhabited by its native inhabitants: the Sámi (semi-nomadic reindeer hunters/herders). Contact started relatively friendly but increasing Nordic colonisation forced Sámi assimilation in Västerbotten by AD 1300, although they maintained their semi-nomadic lifestyle. To exercise more control over the Sámi, winter markets were erected during the 17th century, where the Sámi traded with Nordic settlers, but were also taxed and educated. Little is known about Sámi and Nordic co-existence outside of these market places, mainly due to a lack of archaeological evidence relating to Sámi activity. This thesis presents the results of high-resolution pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating, applied to establish the impact of both Sámi and Nordic land use in the regions surrounding three market towns. The addition of coprophilous fungal spores, microscopic charcoal and sedimentology successfully allowed the reconstruction of vegetation and land-use changes from AD 1-2000. Small-scale human impact in the boreal forests of northern Sweden can be traced if activity was local to the sampling location, a high temporal resolution and robust chronology are achievable: impacts at a Sámi reindeer herding pen are visible in the pollen record, but are most obvious in the coprophilous fungal spore record, making multi-decadal phases of use and abandonment distinguishable. In the Lycksele region coprophilous fungal spores also suggest a possible link to archaeological evidence of Sámi hunter-gatherers. Pollen of natural sea shore meadows in coastal Västerbotten are recorded as late as the Early Medieval Period. Unfortunately it is impossible to separate out an anthropogenic signal due to similar indicator taxa (Artemisia, Rumex-type, Chenopodiaceae and Poaceae). Sámi activity in the winter market areas, if recorded, is inseparable from the signal of 17th century Finnish settlement, characterised by fire clearance.

Climate change imposes major threats for farming communities in South Asia as increased temperatures and changes in precipitation impact yields. Local farmers in Pakistan are facing similar challenges and the country has already been highly affected by climate change. Further, local knowledge is increasingly being recognized as an important complement to quantitative climate data. There is a need to go beyond the quantitative results in climate change research, and ground proof these data by including local experiences. Many farmers around the world are experiencing climate change and are responding to these with various adaptation strategies. This study examines climate change in the Gujrat and Jhelum districts in the Punjab province in Pakistan, how local farmers perceive climate change and what adaptation strategies local farmers have implemented. The study also intends to examine the main constraints to adaptation by incorporating expert views to analyze issues and gaps in the system. The results show increased temperatures and decreased precipitation in the study region between 1975-2014. Farmer surveys indicate that a majority of the farmers perceive these changes and have applied different adaptation strategies as a response. These strategies mainly consist of: changing planting/sowing time and increased irrigation using groundwater. A third form of response to smaller yields and decreased income was alternative off- farm jobs, as an additional income. Expert interviews reveal contradictions of implementation of climate change adaptation policies along with contrasting responses to the farmers regarding institutional efforts to support the local farmers. These results show how lack of institutional support is hindering effective, successful and long-term adaptation for these farming communities.