Numerous classes and types of chemicals, which contaminate soil, complicate the removal of many toxic compounds from the environment. For example, many soils are contaminated with one or more metals, radioactive and inorganic compounds. Large areas are polluted with recalcitrant organic substances that pose environmental problems due to their toxicity and tendency to disperse through wind and water errosion. Polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants found in soil at wood preservation plants and gasworks. PAHs are chemical compounds that persist in the environment and thus cause pollution worldwide. Their persistence in the environment is due to their low water solubility. The major source of PAHs is from the combustion of organic material such as coal, tar, wood and rubber. PAHs have been detected in a wide variety of environmental samples including air, soil, sediments, water, oils, tars and foodstuff. Most people are exposed to PAHs when they breathe smoke, autoemissions or industrial fumes. Because PAHs are toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic to humans and animals, their elimination from the environment is of paramount importance. The estimated costs for the clean up of PAHs contaminated sites with conventional techniques such as incineration and landfilling are enormous. The search for alternative methods to restore polluted sites in a less expensive, less labour intensive, safe and environmentally friendly way is required. Such an alternative method is rhizoremediation, which is defined as the use of plants in association with microorganisms to degrade environmental pollutants such as PAHs. Microbial communities exposed to hydrocarbons become adapted, exhibiting selective enrichment and genetic changes resulting in an increased proportion of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria and bacteria plasmid encoding hydrocarbon catabolic genes. Adapted microbial communities have higher proportions of hydrocarbon degraders that can respond to the presence of hydrocarbon pollutants. The aim of this study was to identify bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Elusine coracana, Biddens pilosa, Brantha serratia and Cyperus esculentus grown in polluted and unpolluted soil and to evaluate the potential of bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of these plants grown in polluted soil for their ability to bioremediate Polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Different concentrations (1%, 3% and 5%) of naphthalene and acenaphthene (PAHs) were made and added to 500ml Bacteriological agar.1000µl of bacterial suspensions were spread onto the surface of naphthalene and acenaphthene-based agar plates and incubated for 48h at 37OC. Results showed that Brevibacillus brevis, Brevindimonas versicularis, Vibrio vulnificus, Chryseo indologenes, Micrococcus spp, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas spinosa showed excellent growth in all concentrations in naphthalene based agar medium. However, Micrococcus spp and Pseudomonas spinosa showed limited growth in acenaphthene based agar medium. Amongst all these bacteria tested for their potential in utilizing PAHs, B. brevis, V. vulnificus, C. indologenes, B. stearothermophilus, and P. putida were the most promising for biodegradation of PAHs, since none of them were affected by any change in concentration either in naphthalene or acenaphthene. / Dissertation (MSc (Microbiology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

no abstract available / Dissertation (MCom (Industrial Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

Sexual harassment has been a reality in the workplace for a number of years. Occurring at any level of the organization, sexual harassment is costly, both financially - with employees claiming and being awarded vast sums of money by the courts or through arbitration, and in terms of loss of productivity. This study, which was conducted in the Public Service, investigates the link between sexual harassment and the well-being of employees, which for the purposes of this study is categorized into physical, psychological, behavioural and cognitive effects. Although it cannot be attributed solely to sexual harassment, a correlative relationship was found, with variables in all the said categories. Two hundred questionnaires were distributed; 146 were returned, and 32% of the respondents indicated that they had been sexual harassed. In terms of the profile of the victim and the harasser, it was found that most victims were between the ages of 26 and 44, below the level of Assistant-Director, with an even spread between those never married and those married. An interesting finding was that most of the victims were in possession of a university degree or diploma and had not been working in the Public Service for longer than five years. The harasser’s profile depicted a mostly male person who was married and between 35 and 44 years old. Only one third of the respondents admitted to having been sexually harassed, indicating that it did not seem to be a serious problem. It should be noted however that this might not be a true reflection of the current reality, as respondents may have remained silent for fear of reprisal and victimization, or might not have known that they had actually been sexually harassed. The occurrence of sexual harassment should not be trivialized or ignored. Although it would seem not to be an overwhelming problem at the time of this study, its mere existence is cause for concern and should be taken seriously by the employer. / Dissertation (MPhil (Labour Relations))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

Mangifera indica L has become an important export crop. Two of the most important diseases on mangoes of major concern in South Africa are anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. and Sacc. in Penz) and stem-end rot (SR) [Botryosphaeria parva, previously known as Dothiorella dominicana (Petrak and Cif)]. Limited post-harvest control may be achieved with pre-harvest applications of copper-based fungicides. However, reduction in the number of fungicides re-registered due to stricter requirements, pathogen resistance, negative effects on the environment and on human health has left most of the smaller industries, such as the mango producers, in search for alternative control measures. In light of the above, there was increased scientific interest in biological control. The antagonist (Bacillus licheniformis) used in this study was previously isolated from the mango phylloplane and shown to have some potential as a biological control agent. The aim of this study was therefore to use B. licheniformis as a model system to obtain a better understanding of biological control systems in the post-harvest arena. The objectives of this study were; 1) to elucidate the mode of action of B. licheniformis, 2) to evaluate attachment, colonisation and survival of B. licheniformis on the fructoplane and 3) to further assess the antagonist’s performance in terms of consistency of efficacy in a commercial environment, alone or in combination with other products. Results from this study confirmed the in vitro antagonism of B. licheniformis. In addition the antagonist inhibited in vitro growth of C. gloeosporioides and B. parva by means of antibiosis, production of volatiles and competition. A bioactive compound was produced after ten days incubation. Competition was confirmed when the antagonist was able to produce extracellular enzymes, such as chitinase, to hydrolyse complex compounds, while restricting the pathogens ability to hydrolyse these compounds. Iron-uptake from an iron-rich medium was achieved by the antagonist and gave B. licheniformis an in vitro growth advantage. In vivo, the minimum concentration of the antagonist that was effective at inhibiting the pathogens was 107 cells/ml. Antagonist applications integrated with chemicals gave most effective post-harvest control that was equal to or more effective than the commercial chemical used. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed that the antagonist attaches to the fruit surface. The recovery of the antagonist from treated fruit was high proving increased survival on the fructoplane. Temperature studies in vitro and in vivo revealed that the antagonist was most effective in inhibiting growth of the pathogens under cold storage conditions (10ºC). This was significant as results from commercial trials confirmed those obtained in the laboratory. Calcium carbonate added in vitro and in vivo enhanced the activity of the antagonist. In this study, B. licheniformis was effective against the pathogens with in vitro assays, on the fructoplane and lastly in a commercial set up. As it is feasible to incorporate this commercial formulation into the standard packing line, further work should focus on testing this antagonist efficiency throughout the mango season and on all cultivars. An ideal biological control agent must be compatible with other systems used. It should have combined action, either not be affected by the other organisms on the fructoplane and also be able to function in an integrated system. There should be high efficacy as well as consistency of efficacy. A biological control agent should function over a broad spectrum of organisms. If a biological control agent if efficient over a long period of time, then large scale production should be tested. / Dissertation (MSc (Microbiology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

This research has shown that choice of repertoire is a major determinant of a choir's success. The ability to select good repertoire has been identified as one of the most important skills required of a conductor. The study further describes the selection processes applied by conductors and establishes which factors influence their choices. The effect of the personal background and life history of the conductor on the choice of repertoire was determined. These aspects include the following: the influence of role models, membership of choirs, tertiary education and non-musical influence. In addition, the research focused on the influence of performance opportunities, participation in choir competitions, exposure to local and international children's choirs and the availability of funds. Various roles, such as those of the conductor, choir members, management bodies, choir members' parents and accompanists were examined concerning the choice of repertoire. The study indicates how conductors adjust their repertoire choices during their terms as choir directors. Important criteria in regard to children's choir music were established, sources used were identified and the inclusion of South African compositions was determined. Perceptions regarding choir arrangements and folk music as repertoire were gauged. The respondents were predominantly South African conductors of children’s choirs. Although the perspective is largely South African, seven foreign respondents were involved, thus incorporating the opinions of internationally recognised conductors of children's choirs. Even though both the South African and the foreign participants represent a sample that cannot be regarded as representative of the South African or other population groups, the researcher collected valuable data which generated insightful conclusions about the selection of repertoire by local and foreign conductors. Much insight was gained into social and political circumstances in South Africa and into the cultural diversity of South African choirs that offer South African conductors of children's choirs unique opportunities and challenges regarding their choice of choir repertoire. In addition to conductors as respondents, the researcher included South African composers of children's choir repertoire. These composers contributed significantly in respect of the origin of their interest in children's choir compositions, as well as decisions concerning the choice of text. Furthermore their view on the role of religion, preferences regarding a cappella or accompanied works, the use of experimental techniques, general criteria for children's choir repertoire and their opinions on the development of the South African children's choir movement over the past decade, were considered. The research includes an analysis of children's choir concert programmes from 1968 – 2004. Trends in concert programmes over a thirty-six year period were documented. The conclusion was reached that children's choirs have, since the twentieth century, had the same status worldwide as that of any other ensemble. Therefore the demands regarding the selection of repertoire and performance standards are high. Choice of repertoire is closely linked to unique considerations by the conductor, as well as to local and international trends that influence this choice. Successful repertoire choices play a vital role in successful choir performances. / Thesis (DMus)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Music / unrestricted

The primary objective of the research for this thesis is to propose an implementation model for outcomes-based education which could be implemented in South Africa. However, the proposed public policy model and its implementation activities could be appropriate for all government departments as well as public institutions. Subservient to the primary objective is the secondary objective, which can be divided into two. The first aim of the research project is to highlight and emphasise the pivotal roles of the theory and practices of public policy making, analysis and implementation. The secondary objective was to pinpoint the necessity of describing a public policy being studied in simple, clear and unambiguous language, to promote understanding. This is crucial because before a public policy could be implemented it should be comprehended. To attain the objectives of the study it is necessary to indicate the rationale for the introduction of outcomes-based education to satisfy the public policy imperatives and directives enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996). Amongst others, the Constitution emphasises equality of all citizens before the law, respect for human dignity and, foremost in this thesis, the right to basic education, including adult basic education and further education. Outcomes-based education was also introduced to teach the youth and the population at large the essential democratic principles and values. To capture the essence of the thesis, a problem statement is formulated to express the objectives of the study. The problem statement hypothesises that the proposed implementation model for outcomes-based education policy in South Africa is a necessary and sufficient condition for successful public policy implementation. The proposed implementation model should be widely implementable in the public sector as well as by the Department of Education. In keeping with one of the objectives of the study, public policy and policy analysis are described in detail. Matters that receive attention are: policy in general and public policy in particular, policy formulation, role players and factors in policy formulation, policy analysis, crucial variables for studying policy implementation, policy evaluation, and policy analysis institutions. The purpose of the study is twofold, namely, to explain the central role played by the theory and practice of public policy, and a scientific approach for dealing with public policy. Moreover, it is crucial to know and understand what every public policy is about B its definition, origins, characteristics, and advantages. In relation to outcomes-based education policy for South Africa all these matters have to be taken into account. The effect of policy implementation must be viewed in relation to its impact on its implementers as well as its beneficiaries. Hence, the roles of both educators and learners have to be described in detail. Activities that enable educators and learners to express themselves in relation to outcomes-based education policy are: reflective teaching practice; multicultural classrooms; possible outcomes of learning; teaching strategies and teaching methods; and lesson planning and preparation. Moreover, the roles of educators and learners as dictated to or in keeping with outcomes-based education policy has to be explained. The rationale for this explanation is to indicate the extent to which the implementation of outcomes-based education policy brought about change in teaching and learning. Furthermore, from the description of roles of educators and learners one can deduce the impact of the public policy implemented. In addition, it is possible to see whether the initial intended objectives of the policy have been realised or not. Therefore, the roles of educators and learners serve as barometers to indicate the extent to which the objectives of the outcomes-based education policy have been achieved or not. To ensure that a public policy is successfully implemented, there is a need for a guide to implementation in the form of a public policy implementation model. Hence, a public policy implementation model for South African outcomes-based education is proposed. Initially policy analysis techniques are explained. Four policy analysis bases are explained, namely, cost-benefit analysis, decision analysis, simulations and models, and experimental analysis. Implications of policy analysis techniques are indicated with regard to the model, followed by an explanation of the national curriculum statement. Aspects that are addressed include outcomes-based education, learning areas statement, learning programmes, time allocations, assessment, educator and learner. The impact of the national curriculum statement on the model is explained. A further component of the model is the management of the implementation process. Regarding the latter, personnel, financing, procedural arrangements, control and accountability, and organising are described as building blocks of the model. Monitoring and evaluation are explained in relation to policy implementation. The study contributes in particular to the successful implementation of outcomes-based education through the application of an implementation model. This could also apply to public policy management in general. / Thesis (PhD (Public Affairs))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) / unrestricted

The steady growth of services sector’s contribution to national output (GDP) and employment is a characteristic feature of most modern economies. The increase in the contribution of services is attributed to revolution in information communication technology (ICT) and liberalisation under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) since 1994. Despite its dominance in economic growth and job creation, services account for less than a quarter of total trade in South Africa and the US due to its limited tradability and unrecorded transactions. The enhanced internationalisation of services has two opposite economic welfare implications for South Africa. On one hand, the increase generates standard comparative advantage gains (specialisation and exchange) and non-comparative advantage gains (pro-competitive, exploitation of economies of scale, increased variety and lower factor market adjustment costs). Additionally, proper phasing in of liberalisation of trade for services could be consistent and complementary to sustainable development in the context of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). On the other hand, the increased tradability may lead to higher factor market adjustment costs along the lines of Stolper-Samuelson theorem or vertical differentiation model of Flam and Helpman (1987). The negative effects of internationalisation of services are the causes of the anti-globalisation sentiments in the world (Bhagwati, 2004, Salvatore, 2004a and 2004b) and South Africa (mainly by the confederation of South African trade unions, COSATU). However, to understand the benefits and costs of South Africa’s trade in services with the US (South Africa’s leading exports destination of services in the OECD countries) calls for a need to disentangle inter-industry and intra-industry trade (IIT) flows since they have different causes and consequences. This is, however, frustrated by lack of appropriate data. It is against this background that the study addresses two key issues about South Africa-US IIT in services. Firstly, what are the determinants of South Africa-US IIT in selected services during the period 1994-2002? Secondly, when trade expands/contracts, is factor adjustment lower in an environment characterised by IIT (Smooth Adjustment Hypothesis)? In answering these questions, other complementary issues are dealt with: the structure and trends of South Africa-US trade in selected services as well as nonparametric measures of barriers to trade in services for South Africa and the US. Utilising both descriptive and bootstrapped panel data econometric analysis, a number of conclusions emerge from the study. Firstly, using the GATS commitment schedules in 1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998 and WTO trade policy reviews, South Africa has higher trade barriers in most services especially telecommunications and banking than the US. This is typical of low and middle-income economies. Secondly, the study shows that South Africa-US IIT in selected services is determined by factors similar (except economic distance) to those identified in other “North-South” IIT studies. Specifically, it is determined by economic distance proxied by differences in per capita income, differences in market size, FDI by American companies in South Africa, service and time-specific effects. Additionally the study remotely suggests horizontal intra-industry trade (HIIT). This finding is inconsistent with the other “North-South” IIT on goods studies, which show vertic al (quality) differentiated intra-industry trade (VIIT) as the dominant form of trade. Thirdly, the study shows that marginal intra-industry trade (MIIT) is low for most services. Given the consistency of the results with the CHO model of HIIT, the low MIIT implies potentially high trade-induced labour market adjustment costs. There are a number of policy implications that emerge from the study. Firstly, there is an urgent need for Statistics South Africa (STATSSA) and South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to adopt the current manual on statistics of international trade in Services (MSITS) with a view to providing a comprehensive database for trade analysis as well as form a basis for identifying priority areas and strategies in future services trade negotiations. Secondly, the fact that there is a significant negative relationship between IIT and per capita income difference (economic distance) means that South Africa-US IIT in services is inimical to intra-industry specialisation and trade in homogenous and horizontally differentiated services. South Africa should therefore view the services component of the SACU-US FTA with caution and use trade and industrial policy strategically to fashion the location of production in Southern Africa in the hope of deriving future scale advantages in services. Thirdly, the study shows that there is a positive relationship between FDI and IIT implying that US multinationals in South Africa play a complementary rather than a supplementary role. Thus there is need for an intensification of initiatives to promote investment from the US e.g. the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa (AMCHAM). Finally, the low MIIT calls for the need for the government to cushion the adverse effects of South Africa-US trade in services. These include, among others, programs that assist on guidance in job searching and retraining of retrenched employees. Additionally, South Africa’s trade negotiators could treat the MIIT indices as guesstimates of the extent of trade disruption in the services sector and use them in negotiating for market access and national treatment concessions from the US during future services trade negotiations. / Thesis (PhD (Economics))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Economics / unrestricted

This study was undertaken with one main goal in mind: to develop an unique outsourced supply chain management or logistical business process, specifically researched and formulated to be applied in the South African Recording Industry. In order to successfully achieve this goal, thorough research into the players, processes and procedures of this unique industry was necessary. This research was methodically gathered over many months, firstly by studying secondary sources which were consulted in order to gather as much knowledge and information on the topic as possible. However, more important to this study was the primary research that was undertaken into this industry. Major players representing all areas of the industry were selected and contacted, including individual artists, artists’ governing bodies, various independent and international record companies, record company governing bodies, the music trade (consisting of wholesalers, dealers, retailers and independent stores) and lastly the consumer or end-user. These selected players were contacted and interviewed by means of personal interviews, telephone calls or electronic mails. Subjects completed the questionnaire that is attached in the Annexure at the end of the thesis (companies interviewed are listed in the research methodology of Chapter 5). The information gathered from the completed questionnaires is integrated throughout the entire thesis. The analysis of the current channel (MODEL A) led to the development of the hypothesis statement (MODEL B) and then to tested outsourced supply chain model (MODEL C). When conducting the initial research into the current processes and procedures of the South African Recording Industry, it was found that most record companies are forced to perform most or all logistical processes in-house, mainly due to a lack of suitable alternatives. These procedures include amongst others: the manufacture of stock, warehousing and inventory management, selling, marketing, debt collection and the management of receivables - which implies both forward as well as backward integration. It was clear that these processes do not at all form part of a record company’s core competencies, which are in essence simply the recording and publishing of music. Concentrating so much of their time and resources on managing these logistical processes, cause record companies in the South African industry to perform at below-optimum levels and offer an inferior service to the market and their clients in general. In the hypothesis statement in MODEL B, a process was researched whereby all non-core logistical or supply chain processes are outsourced to one logistical or supply chain management business partner. The results of this investigation led to the development of MODEL C, in which the supply chain management company does then, on behalf of its record company client, procure all stock and store it in its own secure warehouses and perform all stock control and inventory management processes. The supply chain management company is also responsible for selling the stock into the trade and for all aspects of the distribution and physical delivery thereof. This thus leaves the record company free to concentrate on its own core competencies. This thesis firstly explores supply chain management in general by discussing a basic overview on the topic. Next the various players in the South African Record Industry are researched, where after the current supply chain processes are analysed and documented (MODEL A). The methodology, advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing business processes to a third party business partner are researched and evaluated in Chapter 4. The second last chapter contains the complete research methodology of the thesis (MODEL B), where after conclusions are reached and recommendations are made in the final chapter (MODEL C). / Thesis (DCom (Business Management))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Business Management / unrestricted

This study focuses on entrepreneurial cognition and the decision to start a new venture opportunity. The entrepreneurial process used has four broad phases namely; the intention to start, opportunity identification, taking the decision to exploit (start-up) and taking action to execute the venture. The focus of the study is on the decision to start. The study reports empirically the results from an experimentally designed case analysis. An attempt is made to clarify if any of the following constructs under discussion namely: risk perception, illusion of control, misconceptions or self-efficacy acts as a heuristic or bias and therefore influences the decision to exploit the opportunity. Entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs do not differ in their risk propensity but differ in their cognitive perception of the viability of the venture. A case study method that deals with the animal feed industry was used to eliminate possible familiarity with the industry. The case study was followed by an eight-page questionnaire, developed with structured questions to be completed by the respondents. The respondents varied over groups of students in entrepreneurship, general business management students, and well as humanities students. Managers and practicing entrepreneurs form the rest of the researched population. The study concludes that misconceptions, illusion of control and business risk perception, but not self-efficacy, influence the decision to start a business. / Thesis (PhD (Entrepreneurship))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Business Management / unrestricted

Maize production accounts for about 40% of the entire area cultivated in South Africa and is highly sensitive to climate variability. Maize is thus conservatively a staple food for more than 70% of the South African population whilst the maize industry stimulates the economy directly by providing secondary industries with over a billion worth of business each year. This study used the production function approach to evaluate likely impacts of climate change on maize production in South Africa. Data for this study have been obtained from experimental research sites in the 19 main maize producing regions in South Africa. The estimated coefficients of the production function model were used to derive measures of elasticity and optimal climate damage points as well as to simulate partial and total impacts of changes in levels of climate variables on maize yield. The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) benchmark predictions of global warming for Southern Africa indicates that with the doubling of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a hotter and drier climate for the western semi-arid regions of Southern Africa and a hotter and slightly wetter climate for the eastern sub-tropical regions of Southern Africa are anticipated. Results indicated that rainfall and net solar radiation diffused within the maize crop have a non-linear and significant impact on average maize yield. Solar radiation rather than temperature was included in the regression analysis as temperature measures did not perform well. The results illustrated that increasing rainfall levels in all three main growth stages (sowing to emergence, juvenile to tassel initiation, and tassel initiation to grain filling growth stages) would increase maize yields whilst increases in solar radiation particularly during tassel initiation to grain filling would decrease maize yield. These results suggest that farmers could adopt a number of adaptation options including manipulation of planting dates, introduction of heat tolerant maize varieties and other options to mitigate the negative impacts of highlighted increases in solar radiation levels. Results also showed that for the semi-dry regions of South Africa, early growth stages of the maize crop would be mostly affected by decreases in rainfall whilst for the wet eastern regions the forecasted drier conditions would affect mostly the late maize growth stages. To capture the cumulative impact of increasing solar radiation and rainfall amounts marginally across all growth stages, a climate simulation analysis whereby the two main IPCC warming scenarios predicted for the Southern Africa region were used. In the partial effects analysis rainfall and solar radiation changes were simulated separately for each growth stage at a time, whereas in the total effects analysis rainfall and solar radiation changes were simulated simultaneously across all growth stages. Results of these analyses suggest that the west semi-dry regions of South Africa might benefit from the forecasted decreases in both rainfall and solar radiation, especially if sensitivity of the maize crop during its second growth stage is mitigated through the introduction of irrigation. This study also illustrated that maize production in the wet east regions might benefit in all its three growth stages from the forecasted increases in rainfall and solar radiation, especially if sensitivity of the first growth stage is reduced through the possible shifting of planting dates to mitigate the effects of increased rainfall forecasted for this region. One should note however, that the maize crop has the ability to agronomically adapt easily to drier conditions. Other attributes which further assists the resistance of the maize crop to climate changes, include extensive conservation soil tillage farming practices which could be applied to optimise soil infiltration rates whilst minimising evaporation rates, thus reducing soil erosion. The above results highlight the need for investments in improving the adaptive capacity of farmers, especially small-scale farmers who are severely restricted by their heavy reliance on natural climate factors and at the same time lack complementary inputs and institutional support systems. The existence of institutional support systems may assist farmers in further understanding anticipated climate changes and available conservation agricultural practices e.g. cost effective irrigation control systems. Other adaptation options include improved capacity of all the stakeholders involved in maize production (farmers, processors, marketers, exporters etc.) to better the ability to cope with the adversities of climate change through the use of farm planning, available crop insurance systems with regards to floods and droughts, improved weather and climate monitoring and forecasting. At a regional scale, extensive agricultural planning and risk reduction programmes may assist with spreading losses over larger regional areas, which may serve to reduce overall risk to growers. One important limitation of this study was that the analyses focused on the experimental sites only and hence did not consider all maize production areas across the country (which includes sites under small-scale farming). Also, the model adopted for this study also did not include the effects of carbon dioxide fertilisation and price movements, which are crucial. In conclusion, then, there is an urgent need for the South African National Department of Agriculture to look at how maize farmers (and especially small-scale farmers) could be assisted in adapting their traditional cropping methods to the forecasted changes in climate, whilst taking into consideration all the options presented above. / Dissertation (MSc (Agric) Agricultural Economics)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted