Der Inselstaat Fidschi im Südpazifik hat ein ausgeprägtes Landwirtschaftliches Wissenssystem mit einer Reihe privater und staatlicher Institutionen. Im Mittelpunkt der Untersuchung standen die staatlichen Agrarforschungs- und Beratungsabteilungen des Landwirtschaftsministeriums. Mit einem partizipativen Aktionsforschungsansatz wurde untersucht, welchen Beitrag partizipative Methoden zur Verbesserung des Informationsflusses zwischen Bauern und dem Ministerium leisten können, um damit eine systematische Integration der Probleme der Bauern im Wissenssystem zu erreichen. Weiterhin wurde erhoben, welchen Beitrag Plattformen für eine effizientere Arbeit im Ministerium leisten können. Partizipative Methoden (PRA) erwiesen sich als sehr geeignet den Dialog mit den Bauern zu fördern und deren Probleme zu analysieren. Neben den Problemen konnten auch die Potenziale der Betriebe und bäuerliche Lösungsvorschläge gut erfasst werden. Als Ergebnis wurde eine Modell zur systematischen Problemerfassung und Bestimmung von Forschungs- und Beratungsprioritäten erarbeitet. Der Trainingskurs in partizipativen Methoden zeigte folgende Stärken der lokalen Mitarbeiter auf: Organisieren von Untersuchungen, Anwendung partizipativer Methoden im Feld, praktische Implementierung, Visualisierung und Präsentation von Untersuchungsergebnissen. Schwachpunkte wurden hingegen in folgenden Bereichen festgestellt: konzeptionelles Denken, Interpretation und Auswertung der Daten sowie der schriftlichen Abfassung von Ergebnissen. Diese Defizite im konzeptionellen Bereich schränken das mit den Methoden erreichbare Problemlösungspotenzial ein. Weiterbildung der Mitarbeiter und eine Verbesserung der lokalen Agrarausbildung werden benötigt, um das Niveau der wissenschaftlichen Ausbildung anzuheben. Die Untersuchung von vier Projekten zeigte, dass diese als Plattformen gut zur Innovationsentwicklung und eingeschränkt zu deren Verbreitung geeignet waren. Eine ausgewogene Beteiligung aller Akteure zeichnete die erfolgreichste Plattform aus. Als Stärken des Plattformmodells konnten festgehalten werden: bessere Koordination, verbesserte Verbindungen und Schnittstellen, bessere Zusammenarbeit aller Akteure, bessere Aussichten gesetzte Ziele zu erreichen, Vermeidung von Doppelforschung und eine effiziente Ausnutzung der vorhandenen Ressourcen. Schwächen des Modells wurden in folgenden Punkten gesehen: Konsenserzielung, institutionelle Akzeptanz und Mangel an entsprechend ausgebildeten Fachkräften im Ministerium. Drei Jahre nach Beginn der Trainingsmaßnahmen konnte eine teilweise Institutionalisierung von partizipativen Methoden im Ministerium festgestellt werden. Zur weiteren Konsolidierung partizipativer Methoden und Plattformen wird eine Linkage-Abteilung empfohlen. / The small Island country Fiji has an articulated agricultural knowledge system with private and public institutions. The agricultural research and extension departments of the Ministry of Agriculture are the focus of this study. A participatory action research methodology was used to investigate the potential of participatory methods and to improve information flows between farmers and the Ministry in order to achieve a systematic Integration of farmers' problems into the knowledge system. Furthermore, the potential of platforms in improvement of the efficiency of work in the Ministry was studied. Participatory methods proved suitable in improving the dialog with farmers and the analysis of their problems. Besides this, farmers potentials and their ideas for solutions could be assessed. As a result, a model for the systematic compilation of farmers' problems and respective research and extension priorities could be elaborated. The training course on participatory methods revealed the following strength of Ministry staff: organising surveys, field use of tools, presentation and visualisation of findings. Conceptual thinking, analytical skills, interpretation, and report writing skills were identified as weaknesses. These deficits restrict the problem solving potential of participatory methods in the Ministry. Further education of Ministry staff and revised curricula at the local agricultural colleges will be required, to raise the overall level of scientific education. Four projects that were studied as cases for platforms, revealed that platforms were suitable means for promoting innovation development and somewhat less successful for the diffusion of findings. The most successful platform was characterised by a balanced contribution and participation of all actors involved. Strengths of the platform model were identified as such: better co-ordination, improved linkages, better interplay of actors, better means to reach goals, reduced duplication of efforts, and better use of resources. Weaknesses were seen in the need to achieve consensus and co-ordination, the weakening of hierarchical authority due to increased flexibility, and the fact that experienced-trained staff were not available in abundance in the Ministry. Three years after the first introduction of participatory methods in the Ministry, a partial institutionalisation could be observed. For the further consolidation of participatory methods and platforms, a linkage unit for further promotion is recommended.

STUDENT NUMBER: 0516082G Master of Science in Resource Conservation Biology Faculty of Science / The aim was to determine the availability of marula (Sclerocarya birrea) (A.Rich.) Hochst. Subsp.cafra (Sond.) Kokwaro trees for the harvesting of nut oils, through determining abundance, population structure and regeneration capacity, within the context of the socioeconomic and biophysical dimensions of villages in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe. Both arable and non arable lands in the study area were sampled within four randomly selected villages to measure species abundance, regeneration and population dynamics of the trees. The socioeconomic factors influencing marula commercialisation were determined through participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and household questionnaire survey techniques. Vegetation characteristics were assessed through the point centre quarter (PCQ) method by placement of transects across sampled villages. All households (100%) collected marula fruit for their household use, mainly for brewing marula beer, making jam and selling kernels for snacks or oil pressing. In 2005, the mass of marula harvest per household averaged 160 ± 18 (SD) kg, with a range of 50-800 kg within the study area. A linear regression analysis indicates no increase in mass of marula harvest with larger sizes of household (r2 = 0.0089, d.f = 50, p = 0.4048). In addition, household interviews revealed that there was no association between level of household wealth status and the household’s use of traditional medicine from marula trees (χ2 = 0.2233, d.f = 2, p = 0.8944). The vegetation survey indicated a elatively high density of marula within the study area of 8.03 ± 3.19 stems ha-1. There was a significant difference in marula densities between arable and non arable land uses (F1, 197 = 11.92, p=0.001). The arable land had 6.40 ± 5.29 stems ha-1 while non arable land had three times more at 19.63 ± 11.82 stems ha-1. However there was no significant difference in densities between the villages in the study area (F 3, 195 =1.063, p= 0.366). There was a significant difference between marula tree diameters between arable and non arable land (t 92, 107 = 1.69, p = 0.0401). The arable land had generally bigger tree diameters (31.2 ± 25.3 cm) than non arable land (26.5 ± 20.8 cm), suggesting a form of domestication through allowing marula to grow around homesteads and crop fields. The investigation of marula size class profiles shows a large proportion of smaller diameter trees and this indicates ongoing recruitment of trees into the population. A closer analysis of the smallest diameter class shows a higher proportion of saplings (> 6cm diameter) than of seedlings (< 4cm diameter). Fruit harvesting seems to have a low potential for any negative impact, compared to other uses of marula trees. However fruits have the highest economic return and therefore should be targeted for the commercialisation activities. The management of some destructive forms of marula tree use (such as harvesting for bark, firewood, and carving wood) however, do need to be monitored to limit negative impacts on the population. There is also a need to determine the annual quantity of harvestable marula fruits and also the sex ratio of marula trees (a dioecious species) on this particular site, as a prelude to developing sustainable harvesting quotas, so that harvesting rates do not exceed the capacity of populations to replace the individuals extracted. There are some non governmental organisations (NGOs) and local institutions that are working towards natural resources conservation in the area. Zvishavane water project (ZWP) and Phytotrade Africa are assisting the rural producers in marula commercialisation activities through providing information on processing, packaging and marketing. At a current value of US$1 kg-1of fruit, the 3200 ha study area is estimated to yield a total harvest of 1 120 000 kg of marula fruit per year, and this should translate to an approximate total value of $1 120 000 per year for the whole area. There is still a need to expand the supply of processed goods with added value to wider markets locally, nationally, and internationally. There is therefore an indication that marula products offer a promising economic alternative for the people in the rural areas of Zvishavane area and southern Africa as a whole. The cash injection earned from selling fresh marula products comes at a particularly crucial time of the year, when money is required for school fees, uniforms and books. However there is a need for long-term monitoring and evaluation of socio-economic and environmental impacts of marula commercialisation so as to achieve sustainable resource utilisation in the region.

There is a noticeable improvement in the quality of the lives of women engaged in economic activities beyond the home. In a democratic South Africa, women – including those in rural areas – are being freed from their fixed gender roles. Today women are regarded as co-participants in any undertaking, whether as organisers, natural environmentalists or economists, in order to achieve sustainable development. It is for this reason that a number of laws and statutory bodies are in place to speed up the empowerment of women. Consequently, women as individuals or groups are doing their best to respond to the call of democracy in order to balance the equation which has for long remained skewed. In the study area of the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality, women have initiated projects through mobilisation of their capabilities and available resources to sustain their personal needs, and those of their households. Hence, their well-being with regard to health, nutrition, mobility and social connectivity has improved. There is no doubt that these women are primary breadwinners for their families on a daily basis, as the majority have no other source of income or their husbands’ jobs are taken by migrant labour. The research reveals that, unless women stand up and take action to disprove what is known as ‘feminisation of poverty’, nothing good can happen. Through Participatory Rural Appraisal and Community Asset Mapping techniques, an observation of ethical considerations, participants responded willingly and exposed the realities of their lives. One remaining challenge that needs to be constantly monitored is that there should be a balance between policies and practices with men needing to be empowered to understand, accept and assist in the empowerment of women with a view to achieving sustainability in almost every undertaking. / Geography / D.Litt. et Phil. (Geography)

There is a noticeable improvement in the quality of the lives of women engaged in economic activities beyond the home. In a democratic South Africa, women – including those in rural areas – are being freed from their fixed gender roles. Today women are regarded as co-participants in any undertaking, whether as organisers, natural environmentalists or economists, in order to achieve sustainable development. It is for this reason that a number of laws and statutory bodies are in place to speed up the empowerment of women. Consequently, women as individuals or groups are doing their best to respond to the call of democracy in order to balance the equation which has for long remained skewed. In the study area of the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality, women have initiated projects through mobilisation of their capabilities and available resources to sustain their personal needs, and those of their households. Hence, their well-being with regard to health, nutrition, mobility and social connectivity has improved. There is no doubt that these women are primary breadwinners for their families on a daily basis, as the majority have no other source of income or their husbands’ jobs are taken by migrant labour. The research reveals that, unless women stand up and take action to disprove what is known as ‘feminisation of poverty’, nothing good can happen. Through Participatory Rural Appraisal and Community Asset Mapping techniques, an observation of ethical considerations, participants responded willingly and exposed the realities of their lives. One remaining challenge that needs to be constantly monitored is that there should be a balance between policies and practices with men needing to be empowered to understand, accept and assist in the empowerment of women with a view to achieving sustainability in almost every undertaking. / Geography / D.Litt. et Phil. (Geography)