Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are an important sector of any construction economy. The need for efficient SMMEs is well documented and cannot be over-emphasised. SMMEs are vital in their contribution to employment creation and value reorientation. However, their in process operations are not well understood and have rarely been addressed. The aim of this research was therefore to establish a base level of understanding of the operational core-face of SMMEs in Malawi. The methodology used included an extensive literature review and field survey conducted on 52 SMMEs. The field survey used the questionnaire instrument and random sampling. The critical findings from the literature were that there are binding constraints in the operations of SMMEs. The field survey confirmed the issues raised in the literature and posited the operational challenges as lack of finance, training and business skills; limited skills in Construction Information Technology (IT), and prevalence of unethical conduct amongst some of the stakeholders. The findings make an invaluable contribution to the search for solutions to the problems faced by construction SMMEs in Malawi and provide insight for further research in institutional weaknesses and policy issues regarding in this part of the world. The implications of the findings are that unless the limitations named above are resolved, SMMEs in Malawi will continue to experience poor growth and competitiveness. The recommendations include the developing of training programmes in business management, introduction of sector specific financing programmes and the provision of an appropriate regulatory and legislative framework. By establishing the core issues affecting the operations of SMMEs in the Malawian construction industry, the research has contributed to the enhancement of the understanding of this elusive subject.

The research analyses local participation as it is implemented within the Lilongwe District Council. The study explores decentralisation in the council by examining important facets that contribute to good local governance with a special interest in local participation. The study finds that while local participation is a recognized feature in the decentralisation policy, lack of proper involvement and integration has limited the efficacy of local participation. The neglect of government in conducting local government elections to have ward councillors in place is brought to the fore as a major setback to the implementation of decentralisation reforms. The study therefore notes that decentralisation must not be seen as just a policy goal, with the aim of shifting development to the communities, but as a policy instrument which aims to improve local democracy, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of social services. In order to achieve this, the study proposes five key recommendations and a proposed model for the attainment of good governance in the Council.

The advent of multi-party democracy in 1994 spearheaded different reforms in the Malawi public sector. One prominent reform is administrative reform. The new government that was ushered into power instituted a policy on civil service reform and institutional development. The reforms that were introduced aimed at improving performance and enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of services. Accordingly, a Public Service Act was promulgated that constituted the clarification of the role of the civil service; equal access to public employment; merit based recruitment and promotion; and increased accountability and transparency in the policies and practices of the public service. This study therefore seeks to examine administrative reforms in Malawi and assess their impact on service delivery. The research further endeavours to explore factors which block the successful implementation of reform programmes, and seeks to come up with areas of improvement which would ensure successful implementation of reform programmes in future. The scope of this research is limited to the current civil service reform programmes and is mainly based on primary and secondary sources of information. The study uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. However, findings reveal that reforms had a negative impact on service delivery since no significant change in the delivery of services was registered. The Malawi civil service continues to suffer from unprofessionalism, inefficiency, corruption and a host of other problems. The study shows the gap between rhetoric and reality of civil service reform programmes in Malawi.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. March 2016. / Energy poverty is one of the developmental challenges facing the world today. Even though energy poverty affects both men and women, its impacts on the two are different. This is due to diverse gender roles which result in different energy needs. The burden of energy poverty lies mainly on women. Growing evidence indicates synergies between energy use and intra-household relations. An understanding of intra-household relations which culminate in inequalities in energy access is therefore essential in ensuring universal access to energy. This study aimed at exploring the relationship between renewable energy and gender relations at household level. Using the Gender Relations theoretical framework, the study explored the relationship between intra-household gender relations and adoption of RETs. It sought to assess the extent to which RETs affect the division of labour, who makes decisions to adopt RETs and who benefits from them. The study was conducted in Malawi using a qualitative research design. Participant observation and narrative in-depth interviews were used to explore the intra-household decision making processes which influence adoption of RETs. Findings indicated that men and women in Malawi have distinct gender roles which influence their bargaining power. Both social and economic resources were found to have a significant influence on women’s decision making power. The findings further indicated that men dominated decisions on adoption and utilisation of RETs. Women’s lack of economic resources and technical knowledge were found to be barriers in their access of RETs. Findings demonstrated that RETs greatly benefited both men and women, however, men sometimes controlled how the RETs were used which lessened the benefits to women. Though not conclusive, findings indicated that RETs may increase women’s burdens / GR2017

No description available.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Chiefs in Malawi have traditionally been part of the government machinery since colonial days and continue to play a crucial role in development administration even more so in decentralized structures. They are able upon to mobilize communities in rural areas to initiate and implement community development projects with minimal supervision. Malawi Social Action Fund 1 (MASAF 1) project management approach, which centered on community ownership of projects and registered enormous successes, is a case in proof of this. However, distribution of power and roles between chiefs and local government authorities in view of decentralization demand more research and policy debate if chiefs are to be effectively utilized and for the decentralization process to work effectively. Whilst the local authorities derive their power from the control of 5% of revenue collected in the districts, which they are allocated, chiefs derive theirs from the legitimacy they have over their subjects for being in constant touch with the community. / Development Studies / M.A. Social Science (Development Studies)

Chiefs in Malawi have traditionally been part of the government machinery since colonial days and continue to play a crucial role in development administration even more so in decentralized structures. They are able upon to mobilize communities in rural areas to initiate and implement community development projects with minimal supervision. Malawi Social Action Fund 1 (MASAF 1) project management approach, which centered on community ownership of projects and registered enormous successes, is a case in proof of this. However, distribution of power and roles between chiefs and local government authorities in view of decentralization demand more research and policy debate if chiefs are to be effectively utilized and for the decentralization process to work effectively. Whilst the local authorities derive their power from the control of 5% of revenue collected in the districts, which they are allocated, chiefs derive theirs from the legitimacy they have over their subjects for being in constant touch with the community. / Development Studies / M.A. Social Science (Development Studies)

Pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh] is a very important grain legume crop for food, cash and firewood in Malawi. However, its production is affected by Fusarium wilt (Fusarium udum Butler), which causes up to 100% yield loss. The deployment of resistant varieties would be an economical way to manage the disease, and for this, more information is needed on farmers' preferences for local landraces, how farmers and consumers can be involved in developing new varieties resistant to wilt disease, and the genetics of inheritance of resistance. This information would be used to devise a breeding strategy. A participatory rural appraisal was used in the southern region of Malawi to identify pigeonpea production and marketing constraints. Results showed that Fusarium wilt was the most prevalent and destructive disease of pigeonpea in the area. Other constraints included pests, flower abortion, low yields, and low soil fertility. Local landraces accounted for 84% of the pigeonpea production in Malawi. Local landraces were preferred due to their fast cooking time, taste, and the high prices they earn the farmer. Participatory variety selection was used to identify landraces with desirable traits that could be used in the breeding programme. Farmers and buyers selected ten local landraces which were used in the genetic improvement programme. Pigeonpea local landraces and international Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) genotypes were evaluated for wilt resistance, yield, and secondary traits at three sites over three seasons. Most of the landraces were susceptible to wilt and late maturing. However, AP10, a local landrace, was high yielding and resistant to wilt and outperformed ICRISAT varieties. This local landrace showed promise for use as a source material for Fusarium wilt resistance in other locally adapted farmer-preferred varieties lacking resistance. The local landraces needed genetic improvement in wilt resistance, yield, early maturity, number of branches and seeds pod. Laboratory and screenhouse studies were performed to develop a new Fusarium wilt screening technique. Grains of finger millet, sorghum, and wheat were tested as media for multiplying F. udum isolates. Pathogenicity tests were done on Bunda College and Bvumbwe Research Station isolates. The Bunda isolate was then used in an infested-seed inoculation technique against eight differential cultivars. The results showed that finger millet, sorghum and wheat were equally effective for rapid multiplication of F. udum isolates. Wheat grain showed the best results for pathogen multiplication and inoculation, due to the large seed size for easy handling. The inoculation process involved placing infested wheat grain on bruised pigeonpea roots and transplanting into soil in pots. The infested seed inoculation technique, which is the first of its kind for pigeonpea, was effective in screening pigeonpea for wilt resistance. The selected landraces were crossed with wilt resistant testers in a 12 lines x 4 testers mating scheme, and 48 F1 crosses were generated. These F1 crosses were evaluated for wilt resistance, yield, and secondary traits. The variations among F1 crosses for wilt and secondary traits were due to additive gene action in both parents and the dominance effects arising from the interactions of parents. Parental lines, with good combining ability effects for wilt resistance (AP2, AP3, and AP4), days to 50% flowering, seed pod, plant height, stem diameter, and number of primary and secondary branches were identified, while ICEAP00554 (tester) was a good general combiner for wilt resistance and days to 50% flowering. These lines would be useful in breeding for Fusarium wilt resistance in farmer-preferred pigeonpea genotypes in Malawi or similar environments. Specific F1 crosses were identified with significant SCAs for wilt resistance, days to 50% flowering, and secondary branches. The significance of GCA and SCA effects, which indicated importance of both additive and non-additive gene effects, respectively, suggested that both selection and hybridisation would be useful to improve the resistance in farmer-preferred varieties. Segregation analyses were conducted on F2 populations to determine the resistance to susceptibility phenotypic ratios. The Chi-square analyses showed that resistance to wilt was dominant over susceptibility in most F2 populations. The segregation ratios of 3:1, 13:3, 15:1, and 9:7 (R:S) indicated that either one dominant gene, or two inhibitory genes, or two independent dominant genes, or two complementary genes, respectively, were conferring wilt resistance in these crosses. Involvement of only a few genes governing wilt resistance suggested few complications, if any, in breeding for this trait in these locally adapted pigeonpeas. The Pedigree breeding method would be recommended for incorporating these traits. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is economically and nutritionally an important legume, not only in Malawi, but in many parts of Africa and Latin America. Unfortunately, two bruchid species (Acanthoscelides obtectus Say, and Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman) are known to cause extensive damage in storage, reducing the economic importance, food value and planting value of the crop. The aim of this study was to: i) ascertain farmers’ perceptions of the importance of bruchids as storage pests, and to identify their preferred varietal traits in dry beans; ii) screen Malawian dry bean landraces for effective and adaptable sources of resistance to the two bruchid species; iii) determine the gene action and inheritance of bruchid resistance. Farmers’ perceptions on the importance of the two bruchid species to beans both in the field and in storage were established using a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) in three extension planning areas (EPAs) in Lilongwe agricultural development division (ADD). Results confirmed that the two bruchid species are important storage pests, causing serious storage losses among smallholder farmers. In the absence of any control measures, farmers indicated that more than 50% of their stored beans could be lost to bruchids. Indigenous bruchid control measures are not very effective, making it necessary to search for other control methods. It was also clear from the PRA results that breeders need to consider both agronomic and culinary traits in bean cultivar development. This would enhance uptake of newly developed varieties. To address the problem of bruchid damage experienced by smallholder farmers, a total of 135 dry bean genotypes, comprising 77 landraces and 58 improved varieties (obtained from collaborating partners) were tested under laboratory infestation (nochoice test methods) and field infestation (free-choice test methods). The objective of this study was to identify effective sources of resistance to the two bruchid species. Results of the study showed that there was a wide variation among the genotypes for resistance to the two bruchid species. Overall results showed that 88% of the genotypes ranged from susceptible to highly susceptible to Z. subfasciatus and only 12% of the genotypes were moderately resistant to resistant. Genotype screening for resistance to A. obtectus showed that only 12.5% were resistant, whereas 87.5% were moderately to highly susceptible. All of the improved genotypes were 100% susceptible to A. obtectus in storage. One landrace, KK35, consistently showed a high level of resistance to both bruchids under laboratory infestation, with results similar to the resistant checks (SMARC 2 and SMARC 4), while another landrace, KK90, displayed stable resistance under both laboratory and field infestation. However, performance of most genotypes was not consistent with field and laboratory screenings, suggesting that mechanisms of bruchid resistance in the field are different from that in the laboratory and field screening should always be used to validate laboratory screening. Resistance in the field was not influenced by morphological traits. The seed coat played a significant role in conferring resistance to both bruchid species in the laboratory, whereas arcelin did not play any significant role in conferring resistance in the landraces. The inheritance of resistance to A. obtectus was studied in a 6 x 6 complete diallel mating design, involving crosses of selected Malawian dry bean landraces. The F1 crosses, their reciprocals, and six parents were infested with seven F1 generation (1 to 3 d old) insects of A. obtectus in a laboratory, no-choice test. There were significant differences among genotypes for general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA). However, SCA accounted for 81% of the sum of squares for the crosses, indicating predominance of the non-additive gene action contributing to bruchid resistance. A chi-square test for a single gene model showed that 5 of the 13 F2 populations fitted the 1:2:1 segregation ratio of resistant, intermediate and susceptible classes, respectively indicating partial dominance. The eight F2 populations did not conform to the two gene model of 1:4:6:4:1 segregation ratio of resistant, moderately resistant, moderately susceptible, susceptible and highly susceptible classes, respectively. Average degree of dominance was in the partial dominance range in five F3 populations, but in general resistance was controlled by over-dominance gene action in the F2 populations. The additive-dominance model was adequate to explain the variation among genotypes indicating that epistatic effects were not important in controlling the bruchid resistance. The frequency distribution of the 13 F3 populations for resistance to A. obtectus provided evidence for transgressive segregation, suggesting that resistance is conditioned by more than one gene. Reciprocal differences were not significant in the F2 generation seed; but were significant in four crosses in the F3 generation seed for adult bruchid emergence, suggesting that maternal effects or cytoplasmic gene effects also played a role in the inheritance of resistance to the common bean weevil. Through this study, important sources of bruchid resistance in dry bean have been identified in Malawian landraces (KK35, KK90 and KK73). These resistant sources will be used in a breeding programme to develop bruchid resistant bean cultivars, as well as improve resistance in susceptible commercial bean cultivars currently grown by farmers in Malawi. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.