Land deals are common in resource-rich countries and have increased during the past years. Contributing factors to the augmentation of land investments in agriculture and forestry are known to be climate change, rising global food prices, rising income levels and changing diets. The international debate on the topic points at the fact that these types of investments create not only great opportunities but also risks and challenges to the host countries, which often have high poverty rates. In order for land deals to be beneficial for all involved actors there is a voiced need for information about the performances and processes of large-scale land deals already at early stages. The objective of this study is to identify and understand the complexities at household level in relation to a new land deal and to explain how these complexities might hinder positive impacts on rural development that this land deal can entail. This thesis draws on a field study of one particular new land deal, Rainbow Oil, in Madagascar where the phenomenon has become substantial during the past few years. The material has been collected through semi-structured interviews and observations as part of an ethnographic approach. Interviews have been made with the investor and authorities at multiple levels but mainly with peasants in the concerned villages. The findings of the study have been analyzed using the sustainable livelihoods framework which permits the analysis to be both holistic and people-centered. Results from the study indicate that hopes for rural development due to the land deal of Rainbow Oil are evident but that certain factors in the peasants’ access to livelihood assets seem to hinder them from engaging in the land use change. Concluding remarks from the results of the study demonstrate that the investor might not have recognized the necessary prerequisites for a successful involvement of the local populations. Deficiencies in the communication between the actors seem to have created uncertainties and skepticism that can further impede both the development of the land use change itself and in turn also the possible development of particularly the concerned villages.

Food security research with resettled refugees in the United States and other Global North countries has found alarmingly high rates of food insecurity, up to 85% of surveyed households. This is well above the current US average of 12.7%. However, the most common survey tool used to measure food security status in the US, the US Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM), has not been sufficiently validated for resettled refugee populations, leading to the risk that the HFSSM may actually be underestimating the prevalence of food insecurity among resettled refugees in the US. Though research has attempted to establish validity of the HFSSM for resettled refugees through statistical associations with other risk factors for food insecurity, no efforts have been made to first explore and establish the content validity of the HFSSM for measuring food security among resettled refugees. Content validity is an essential component of construct validity. It first requires a qualitative theoretical foundation for demonstrating the relationships of the test contents to the underlying construct (ie food security) that the test intends to measure. Our research explores these theoretical relationships through a qualitative grounded study of food insecurity and food management experiences described by resettled refugees living in Vermont. Dr. Linda Berlin and I conducted 5 semi-structured focus groups in the summer and fall of 2015 with Bhutanese (2 groups), Somali Bantu (1 group), and Iraqi (2 groups) resettled refugees. During the focus groups, we inquired about food management practices under typical circumstances and under circumstances of limited household resources, as well as difficulties participants have faced in these processes. Additionally, I conducted 18 semi-structured interviews and 1 focus group in the same time frame with service providers who have worked with resettled refugees in capacities primarily related to food, health, and household resources. These interviews provided additional data about context, household food management practices among clients, and triangulating data for the focus groups. A Grounded Theory analysis of the focus group data yielded 5 major emergent themes: 1) Past food insecurity experiences of resettled refugee participants exerted significant influence on the subjective perception of current food insecurity. 2) Barriers other than just financial resources restricted participants’ food security, especially for recently resettled refugees. 3) Preferred foods differed significantly between generations within households. 4) Common elements of quality and quantity included in the definition and measurement of food security did not translate into the languages or experiences of food insecurity among participants. 5) Strategic and adaptive food management practices prevailed among participants, highlighting the temporality and ambiguity of food security concepts. These themes present potential problems of content validity for every HFSSM question. They also reveal the importance of food security concepts that are not covered by the HFSSM, including elements of nutritional adequacy of food, food safety, social acceptability of food and of means of acquiring food, short and long term certainty of food access, and food utilization. I conclude by discussing implications of our findings for service providers and local governments in Vermont who seek to better serve resettled refugee and other New American populations.

Magister Economicae - MEcon / When looking at South African land policy, one would agree there is a clear commitment to ensuring land ownership for the previously disadvantaged. South Africa’s 1996 Constitution is widely regarded as among the most progressive in the world in terms of its emphasis on human, social and economic rights. Despite this, many South Africans desiring land ownership and access through land redistribution instruments, generally struggle to do so. This study is a mixed-method study, through its survey and interviews, calls into question the criteria used for land redistribution in South Africa. Furthermore, it makes a case why landlessness should be prioritised in the allocation criteria. Because of its interest in livelihoods and capital asset framework of the poor, the study’s basic points have caused us to explain the meaning of landlessness using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. However, the study believes the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework is not adequate to conceptualise landlessness; therefore, it comes up with a new conceptual framework to landlessness that is rooted in the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework The study uses Fezile Dabi District Municipality as a case study and, as a result, this process has now created an opportunity for the study to identify the broad typologies of landlessness which exist within the municipality. The thesis believes that considered holistically, the social and economic (tangible and intangible) assets of the rural poor will ensure that the land redistribution leg of South African land reform will achieve its main objective which is poverty alleviation.

There is limited evidence-based data on income-generating interventions, both within thehumanitarian and the development field. Nevertheless, there is a growing and unavoidable nexus between the two fields, and therefore also, within their methodologies for measuring project intervention results, as well as their success rates. The challenge in many cases,however, is finding a measuring system which does not only account for a project’s expenditures, but can also tell something about a project’s effectiveness, which can then be compared to similar intervention’s results, and applied in future endeavors. Hence, this study analyzes the economic effectiveness of an Income Generating Activity (IGA) project in rural Guatemala as a case study, using an Economic Rate of Return (ERR) as the basis of measurement, which is acquired using a cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The study draws on the various viewpoints of scholars on the subject, taking into account different Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) practices, particularly in the manners carried out by the United Nations and the World Bank, as they have long histories of M & E practices in the field. It especially lays emphasis on the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF), which is a tool which is often used within humanitarian work as well as in development to determine possible economic opportunities in communities. Although the study aims at IGA programs in the humanitarian sector, data within development projects is also explored in this thesis, because longer timeframes within development, allow for more careful study of long-term results, which is usually a requirement for the evaluation of livelihood. Results within the development sector allow for more careful study of results, and more certain conclusions than within the humanitarian sector, which due to its emergency settings, usually has a more difficult time collecting data.This study then makes an ex-ante analysis of the case study in question, which is a potential aquaponic fish tank project, with economic benefits, in the unattended, post-disaster settings of San Andrés Osuna, Guatemala, following the eruption of the Volcan de Fuego, in 2018. The study reveals that the project has a potential ERR of 280 percent, compared to other WorldBank projects which tend to have an ERR ranging between 15 and 25 percent. Nevertheless, other projects which have also been explored by this study, also offer results ranging ERRs of about 280 percent as well. Many times, projects utilize cost-efficiency analysis which make them more difficult tocompare and contrast to other projects than if they had used ERR results, to measure the projects’ success. This comparison of projects can help decision makers better allocate their resources to the most efficient income generating projects in the future, which can therefore better economic livelihoods of people in post-disaster settings. The World Bank has used this ERR as an indicator for their cost-benefit analyses for the past 70 years, but is increasingly utilizing it less and less, whilst other humanitarian and financial organizations, do not use it at all; making this a possible issue within the field.

Lo scopo della tesi di dottorato è comprendere gli effetti dell'adozione degli approcci agroecologici sul Sustainable Livelihood Framework dei piccoli agricoltori. Sono state adottate tre metodologie di ricerca, revisione della letteratura, meta-analisi e caso di studio, al fine di valutare i benefici derivanti dall'attuazione degli approcci agroecologici sul capitale umano, sociale, naturale, finanziario e fisico. I risultati della tesi hanno mostrato come l’adozione dei sistemi agroecologici possono migliorare i mezzi di sussistenza dei piccoli agricoltori, senza che si verifichino trade-off su una serie di indicatori socio-economici e ambientali selezionati. La tesi evidenzia come i metodi agroecologici possano essere considerati uno strumento praticabile ed efficace per promuovere l’Obiettivo di Sviluppo Sostenibile 1 "Porre fine ad ogni forma di povertà nel mondo" e l’Obiettivo di Sviluppo Sostenibile 2 "Porre fine alla fame, raggiungere la sicurezza alimentare, migliorare la nutrizione e promuovere un’agricoltura sostenibile", in particolare per i piccoli agricoltori con scarse risorse nei paesi in via di sviluppo. / The purpose of the PhD thesis is to understand the effects of the adoption of agroecological approaches, both systems and practices, on the Sustainable Livelihood Framework of smallholder farmers. Three research methodologies, literature review, meta-analysis and case study, have been adopted in order to assess the benefits derived from implementing agroecological approaches on human, social, natural, financial and physical capitals. The results of the thesis have contributed to building evidence which demonstrates that agroecological approaches can improve the livelihood of smallholders farmers, without any trade-offs occurring in a wide range of socio-economic and environmental indicators. The thesis highlights that agroecological methods can be considered as a viable and effective tool to promote SDG1 “End poverty in all its forms everywhere” and SDG2 “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”, especially for poor-resource farmers in developing countries.

The objectives of the study were to analyse rural youth poverty alleviation in the Zambezi Region, problems, and possibilities in order to determine how rural youth agricultural and non-agricultural livelihood activities have improved their livelihood and alleviated poverty. The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework has helped the researcher to understand and explain rural youth poverty alleviation, problems, and possibilities in the study area. The study employed a mixed-method approach, with more emphasis on qualitative research. The study had a total size sample of 223, respondents, including focus group discussions. The findings indicate that no livelihood analysis was carried out for rural youth in agriculture and non-agricultural activities in the Zambezi Region. For this reason, agricultural and non-agricultural programmes and projects have not addressed rural youth poverty alleviation. The findings also show that rural youth in agriculture and non-agricultural activities are exposed to numerous factors affecting their livelihood, as most of them cannot efficiently affect the vulnerability context. Furthermore, rural youth depends on their families and friends for livelihood support since they lack access to most livelihood assets. Despite livelihood improvement, rural youth faces problems that impede poverty alleviation in both agriculture and non-agricultural livelihood activities; lack of participation in policy deliberations, access to markets, Information Communication Technologies, training in both agriculture and non-agricultural activities, limited access to financial services and limited access to land. The study demonstrates that successful agricultural and non-agricultural programmes need to take rural youth sincerely to influence rural youth poverty alleviation. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the limited literature on rural youth poverty alleviation and also provide a rural youth critique in agriculture and non-agricultural activities in Namibia. / Development Studies / D. Phil. (Development Studies)

The aim of this thesis is to explore how livelihoods are recovering in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka through the lens of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and the social networks approach—methods of inquiry that have gained considerable impetus in livelihoods research. The study is conducted with reference to two tsunami-affected fisher villages in the Hambantota District, Southern Province. It employs a qualitative ethnographic methodology that examines narratives emerging from households, local officials of government and non-government organizations, office bearers of community-based organizations, local politicians, village leaders, and key informants. Focus is on evaluating how particular roles, activities, and behaviour are given importance by these groups in specific post-tsunami contexts and how these aspects relate to broader conceptualizations of social networks, informal politics, social inequality, and ethnographic research in South Asia. The findings support four major contributions to the literature. First, social networks are significant as an object of study and a method of inquiry in understanding livelihoods post-disaster. Second, paying heed to varied forms of informal politics is critical in post-disaster analyses. Third, the concept of intersectionality can extend and improve upon prevailing approaches to social inequality in disaster recovery. Fourth, ethnographic research is valuable for understanding everyday networks, informal politics, and change in South Asia. Collectively, these findings present a human geography of post-tsunami livelihoods in Sri Lanka, where networks, politics, and inequalities, which form an essential part of everyday livelihoods, have been reproduced in disaster recovery. The thesis constitutes a means of offering expertise in the sphere of development practice, highlighting internal differentiation in access to aid as a key issue that needs to be identified and systematically addressed by policymakers and practitioners.

Tourism has been increasingly used for, and directly linked with, rural poverty reduction in developing countries. In recent years, it has, however, been criticised by rural developers for its lack of concern for the rural poor and for being too increasingly focused on tourism specifically. Instead, it is argued that these inadequacies can be addressed by the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA), a widely used organising framework for facilitating poverty reduction. But the application, and to an extent the principles, of the SLA may not fully fit the tourism situation, and vice versa. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding about the relationship between the SLA and tourism needs to be explored. This thesis incorporates a review of the literature on rural and tourism development. Gaps between the SLA and tourism are identified. It is suggested that the SLA cannot fully address the issues when tourism is used as a rural livelihood strategy. New knowledge and thinking are needed. Based on the literature review, a Sustainable Livelihoods Framework for Tourism (SLFT) is proposed as a guiding tool in rural development when tourism is a livelihood strategy. For testing the applicability of the SLFT, a mixed methodology and case study research method was adopted. Three mountainous rural villages, respectively at involvement, development and rejuvenation Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) stages, in central China, were examined. Before implementation of the case study, SLFT indicators were firstly developed. Findings show that the SLFT provides an overall organising framework for the consideration of rural development using tourism as a livelihood strategy at all stages of TALC. Revisiting the SLFT, it is argued that an additional attraction capital should be added to the SLFT. Attraction capital includes natural, cultural, and other attractions, and is defined as all resources used to attract tourist arrivals from which local people benefit for better livelihood objectives. Based on the findings, the SLFT and its key elements are revised to offer a more complete insight and understanding of a tourism livelihood system for the purpose of tourism planning and management. Particular attention is drawn to the newly introduced concept of institutional capital, mainly evidenced in community participation practice. Appropriate institutional policies and practices can ensure local people share the benefits from tourism. The implication of a participatory approach is extended to access to tourist markets, benefit sharing, as well as participation in the decision-making. This research indicates that improvement of livelihood assets by tourism enhances local people’s resilience to vulnerability contexts. Institutional arrangements play an important role in mediating this process as well as the impact of vulnerability contexts through the planning portfolio (e.g., planning, policy-making, and legislation). Future research is suggested to evaluate and improve the SLFT’s applicability in multiple development contexts, and to explore ways of further developing SLFT indicators as a means for evaluating the usefulness of the SLFT.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the underutilisation of the restored farmlands in the Taung area of the North West province, South Africa. The study was based on the two communal property institutions: the Sebuemang-Khaukhwe Communal Property Association (CPA) and Rethabile Mosimane Trust. This study was grounded in the theory of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF). A qualitative research methodology was used to guide the study, while the SLF was used to guide the study, relevant data gathering methods, and the selection of measuring instruments led to the acceptable findings. The findings of the research study have confirmed that there were some effects of the underutilisation of the land in the two communal property institutions (CPIs). The underlying factors of the underutilisation of the land were found to be the institutional weaknesses of the state, and to a lesser extent, the institutional weaknesses of the CPIs. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the effects on the beneficiaries of the two CPIs, were not as massive as contemplated due to the contribution of the state’s social welfare programme on the livelihoods of the beneficiaries. Some of the effects identified were namely: no farm production, no sale and income of farm production, no home consumption of farm produce surplus and no employment. Additional to that host of the factors of vulnerability there are that rose from them i.e.: poverty, destitution, and emotional effects (frustration and anger) and ultimate conflict eruption in the CPIs. In conclusion, the study made recommendations based on key issues which some are: Adequate livelihoods and technical support by state, state’s policies review, retention of the state’s social welfare support, requesting of the private sector to contribute to land reform and rehabilitation of the old gravel road by a relevant state organ (Dept: Public works). / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Marine fish stocks are under serious threat of depletion due to increasing numbers of resource users with competing interests, resulting in degradation and the decline of fish catch. Using qualitative and quantitative techniques such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, household surveys and remote sensing and GIS, this study addresses: (1) the complex and inter-related nature of resource dependency, (2) the role of assets in determining survival strategies of households in artisanal fishing communities in Ponnani, India, (3) how asset degradation impacts resource-dependent households, (4) how households develop survival strategies, and (5) considers access to social, political, physical, human and financial assets. Information is organized using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) with modifications to suite the local complexities. Results show that households - engaged in diverse activities, including fishing, fish processing/marketing/culture and daily labour - evolved property rights of natural resources over generations. The Pathemari cargo business’s limited knowledge of fisheries compared to artisanal fishers, and the government led modernization resulted in resource degradation. Therefore, artisanal fishers living in coastal wards threatened by intense erosion, abandoned traditional occupations in pursuit of livelihood security. Results from image analysis and derived thematic maps indicate increased erosion of 0.35 sq km shoreline coinciding with government development initiatives. To improve livelihood options, the results indicate that 50% surveyed accessed political assets such as fishers’ cooperatives and only 20% accessed financial assets such as government sponsored schemes and loans. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions revealed many limiting factors of access, specifically marginalization and lack of financial assets: only 6% surveyed could raise enough money to migrate. With changes in technology, from harvesting to processing, gender roles are being radically altered. Women are losing jobs and income. Politically, the study revealed that local participation helped governing bodies prioritize on housing, roads, water and sanitation. Analysis of the information through the modified SLF suggests three strategies to enhance the asset base of coastal poor: strengthening grassroots organizations; transforming state relations; and developing new alternatives to conventional coastal development practice. Finally, the study suggests resource management policies to improve the households’ livelihood options and well-being.