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This thesis looks at the potential for using tourism as a poverty alleviation strategy in the context of Vietnam and the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The theoretical basis for this research stems for the growing recognition within development rhetoric of the place of tourism as a key industry in many developing nations, and the formation of a Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT) approach. The fieldwork section of this thesis looks at the barriers and opportunities for those in the poorer communities of Lang Co, a small town on the cental east coast of Vietnam, to supply the burgeoning tourism industry with locally produced products that are compatible with their current livelihood strategies. Results show that there are many opportunities for the poor to benefit from the rapidly growing tourism industry in Vietnam and the region. There is a strong recognition of tourism in national and regional development strategies, there is a rich cultural, environmental and social context driving the tourism industry and there are several initiatives taking place, such as the Vietnamese National Tourism Law, which include many elements of pro-poor tourism principles. However, this thesis has found many barriers also prevent poorer people from benefiting from tourism. In the case of Lang Co, the poor were often limited in their ability to participate in the industry by debt and lack of access to credit, lack of education and training opportunities, a declining natural resource base and by a lack of awareness and participation in the planning of the tourism industry. More widely, the tourism industry is centrally driven and focused on high growth and large infrastructure type developments which in some cases conflict with the principles of PPT and the ability of people at the ground level to participate. This research highlights the complexity of attempting to use tourism as a poverty reduction strategy given the wide range of stakeholders involved and various levels involved the planning and implementation of the tourism industry. The potential applicability of a concept of pro-poor tourism in a rapidly changing context such as Vietnam is contingent of the ability of the poor to have influence on an industry which is having an increasing effect on their lives and livelihoods.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: National Statistical offices (NSOs) are the sources of wide ranges of socio-economic, demographic and agricultural data and information that are used to monitor and evaluate development programs and formulate policies. The data generated by NSOs is used as basis for making decisions and also used to assess the extent and causes of poverty. Various stakeholders such as researchers, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the UN, and various NGOs prepare and release research materials and annual reports using data and information obtained from NSOs and line ministries. For example, Deneulin and Shahani state that one of the intentions of the annual Human Development Report (HDR) prepared by the UNDP is “to assess the quality of life of a population and be an advocacy tool for its improvement with a political purpose of raising awareness and generating debate on public issues and concerns which would otherwise not be on the political agenda”1. Based on the different approaches to poverty, different sets of data and information are produced and used for poverty measurement. Mostly, poverty is measured using data obtained from nationally representative household surveys which focus on income and expenditure, ownership, access to and use of some basic services. Another approach uses data on mental satisfaction; still others assume poverty to be multi-dimensional and argue that income alone is not enough. They view poverty as deprivation of basic capabilities due to high rates of mortality, illiteracy, malnourishment, unemployment, ill health, lack of education and social exclusion, etc2. The quality of data and information (such as integrity, methodological soundness, accuracy and reliability, serviceability and accessibility) generated by data-producingagencies therefore needs to be preserved and improved in order to obtain meaningful results from the measurement of poverty in any of the approaches and to satisfy the growing data quality demands of stakeholders. Loshin states that “strategic decisions based on untrustworthy information are likely to result in poor decisions”3. This study focuses on the role played by national statistical offices in poverty reduction in general. It examines the various activities, players, interactions, and ICTs used at the various stages of the statistical process in the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency (CSA) to generate poverty-related data and information and how the quality of this data can be preserved and improved. The purpose of this research is therefore to identify poverty related data quality problems with respect to the IMF’s DQAF and assess where in the statistical process specific types of ICTs can improve data quality. For this reason interpretive case study method with the researcher as participant observer was adopted to study how poverty related data and information is produced. It was found out that some of the data quality problems can be addressed using appropriate ICTs with the availability of reliable power infrastructures. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nasionale Statistiekkantore (NSOs) is die bron van ‘n wye reeks sosio-ekonomiese, demografiese en landboukundige data en inligting wat gebruik word om ontwikkelingsprogramme te monitor en te evalueer. Die data wat deur NSOs geskep word, word aangewend as grondslag vir besluitneming. Die data word ook gebruik om die omvang en oorsake van armoede te bepaal. Verskeie betrokkenes soos navorsers, die Wêreldbank (WB), Internasionale Monetêre Fonds (IMF) en die VN en NSOs skep en versprei verskillende navorsingsuitsette en jaarverslae wat gebruik maak van die data en inligting wat verkry word van NSOs en ministeries. So konstateer Deneulin en Shahani dat een van die doelstellings van die Verslag op Menslike Ontwikkeling (HDR), soos opgestel deur die VNDP, is om “die lewensgehalte van ‘n bevolking te skat en om as werktuig en voorspraak vir die verbetering daarvan op te tree, met die politiese doelwit om bewustheid te verhoog en debatvoering oor openbare sake en kwessies, wat andersins nie op die agenda sou verskyn nie, aan te voor”.4. Na gelang van die verskillende benaderings tot armoede word verskillende stelle data en inligting geproduseer en gebruik vir die meting van armoede. Armoede word gewoonlik gemeet deur data te gebruik wat bekom word van landswye opnames van huishoudings en ingestel is op inkomste en besteding, besitreg, toegang tot en die gebruik van ‘n paar basiese dienste. ‘n Ander benadering gebruik data oor geestelike bevrediging; ander weer aanvaar dat armoede multidimensioneel is en voer aan dat inkomste alleen nie genoeg is nie. Hulle beskou armoede as die ontbering van basiese vermoëns weens ‘n hoë sterftesyfer, ongeletterdheid, ondervoeding, siekte, gebrekkige onderwys, sosiale uitsluiting en dies meer5. Die gehalte van data en inligting (soos integriteit, metodologiese deeglikheid, akkuraatheid en betroubaarheid, bruikbaarheid en toeganklikheid) wat deur agentskappe opgelewer word moet dus bewaar en verbeter word ten einde ‘n beduidende resultaat te bekom uit die meting van armoede deur enige van die benaderings en ook om belanghebbendes se groeiende aandrang op datagehalte te bevredig. Loshin beweer dat “strategiese besluite gebaseer op onbetroubare inligting waarskynlik swak besluitneming tot gevolg sal hê”.6. Hierdie ondersoek konsentreer op die rol wat gespeel word deur nasionale statistiekkantore in die algemene bekamping van armoede. Dit ondersoek die verskillende aktiwiteite, rolspelers, interaksies en ICTs wat op verskeie stadiums van die statistiese proses deur die Etiopiese Sentrale Statistiekagentskap (CSA) gebruik word om data en inligting oor armoede te skep en hoe die betroubaarheid van data behou en verbeter kan word. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is dus om kwaliteitsprobleme wat verband hou met armoededata ten opsigte van die IMF se DQAF te identifiseer en om te besluit waar in die statistiese proses bepaalde soort ICT’s die gehalte van data kan identifiseer. Om hierdie rede is die interpretiewe gevallestudiemetode aanvaar om te bepaal hoe armoede-verwante data en inligting geskep word. Die slotsom was dat sommige van die probleme in datagehalte aangespreek kan word deur die gebruik van gepaste ICT’s met die beskikbaarheid van betroubare mag-infrakstrukture.

The new philanthropy is increasingly seen as a panacea and an alternative source of global development finance for rural development, especially in developing countries. The theoretical underpinning of the new philanthropy entails the idea that the private sector, led by philanthropists and civil society organisations in social policy issues can lead to more effective outcomes through partnership. The existing literature on the new philanthropy mainly focuses on its economic or commercial impact. This is particularly the case in the rural parts of Ghana; there has been very little research on the new philanthropy’s impact on the livelihoods of the poorest segments of society. Therefore, this research investigates the impact of new philanthropy on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana in order to fill the gap. The study employed ethnographic research, utilising qualitative techniques involving 20 stakeholders in philanthropy and livelihood affairs and 100 smallholder farmers. The research findings suggest that there is a significant relationship between philanthropic sponsored interventions in Ghana and an increase in smallholder farmers’ yields. The few farmers who purchased improved seeds and other agricultural inputs registered significant increases. However, this study identified some bottlenecks inhibiting access to agricultural inputs by smallholder farmers. Majority of smallholder farmers revealed that they could not afford them (seeds, chemical fertilizer and other inputs) despite the subsidies. Furthermore, rainfall variability gives rise to fluctuating food production from one season to another; meanwhile, there is a lack of strategy from philanthropic practitioners to address the variability in rainfall. Through philanthropy, other methods of faming such as irrigation farming agroecology, and permaculture could be exploited to the benefits of smallholder farmers. The outcomes of this study have policy implications for philanthropic practitioners. This study shows that the failure to involve farmers directly in decisions that affect their livelihoods is a major cause of livelihood interventionist programme failures in Ghana. Thus, this study argues that understanding the socioeconomic dynamics in the Northern Region and amongst the farmers should be an important part of policy formulation for philanthropic involvements seeking to improve livelihood of smallholder farmers. Lastly, the study called for a separate policy framework for philanthropy that would have a key objective of mobilising private philanthropic resources to support steady economic growth and sustainable development, dealing directly with recipients.

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / This study examines the role of women in poverty alleviation in post-genocide Rwanda.It further looks at their contributions in the decision-making process and their participation socio-economic development. The research assesses and evaluates the significance of the participation of women in initiatives to alleviate poverty. A key research issue is examining the constraints and opportunities for women’s participation in poverty alleviation. Of special interest is how the policy, institutional and legal environment in post-genocide Rwanda has impacted on women participation in the fight against poverty. The study also examines the contributions of selected women’s projects to poverty alleviation in Rwanda as illustrative exemplars from which lessons on gender equity and human development in Africa can be drawn. At the centre of the examination is women participation in agriculture, which is the cornerstone of their livelihood and Rwanda’s economy. This research is mainly a desktop study based on extensive search of relevant literature on the policy making process during the post-genocide era. To complement the literature this study interviewed women in national, provincial, district and local level in Rwanda to ascertain their key constraints and opportunities and their role in poverty alleviation. Interviews were also conducted with women participating in development projects. The study findings of this research reflect the achievements of Rwandan government in representation of women at National level.

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / Across the globe, land reform has become a key strategy for improving people’s livelihoods aimed at reducing poverty and increasing food security for resilient livelihoods. In sub-Saharan Africa, redistributive land reform has been implemented since the post-colonial period as a developmental approach. Since independence, Zimbabwe implemented two forms of land reform programmes which are the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme (LRRP) (1980-1997) and the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) (2000). The LRRP was based on the willing buyer willing seller approach with the state buying land for redistribution, while the FTLRP emerged from the chaotic and sporadic invasion of white owned commercial farms led by liberation war veterans and other politically affiliated people. In this thesis, I will focus on the LRRP which provided small farming land to many beneficiaries to ensure sustainable livelihoods. Land is an important livelihood source for the people of Zimbabwe, but on its own it cannot sustain the living standards of resettled farmers. Contemporary literature shows the catastrophic failure of land reform in Zimbabwe. Despite all the problems, land still remains the spring board of livelihoods in Zimbabwe. There is, however, less empirical research undertaken to assess how the LRRP has benefited and enhanced livelihoods of resettled farmers. This research will assess how the LRRP improved the livelihoods of Nyahukwe resettled farmers in Rusape, Zimbabwe. The study’s investigation will focus and add literature on how LRRP has been successful in empowering resettled farmers to enhance their livelihoods, to be more food secure as well as to improve their well-being. Using qualitative research methods, the research aimed to assess the livelihoods of farmers since they resettled. In particular, assessing the assets and capital available and how the farmers have been able to cope, strategies implemented to diversify their livelihoods and the outcomes achieved. The Sustainable livelihoods approach (SLA) was used as a theoretical framework to assess the new livelihoods patterns established after resettlement. Purposive non-random sampling was employed to interview 3 Nyahukwe government officials such as the extension managers, Environmental health officer and Veterinary officer. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 30 participants from Village F. A focus group 10 - 15 purposefully selected farmers was conducted. Data analysis was performed on the narrative and information from interviews, focus groups and questionnaires conducted during data collection. The findings show that land reform has enhanced the livelihoods of farmers since they were resettled as they reckon food selfsufficiency and better well-being. The research findings also illustrate that land remain the livelihood base of Nyahukwe farmers although they have adopted coping strategies to expand income generation. Coping strategies are farm and off farm activities that have diversified the farmers’ livelihoods through the interaction of assets. Land as a natural asset has been used with human, physical, financial and social capital to sustain the farmers. The findings revealed positive livelihood outcomes by assessing the assets before and after resettlement and outcomes achieved after adopting strategies as all farmers have increased income, self-sufficiency and improved well-being.

The Zambian government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MACO), provides maize seed and fertilizers to farmers at heavily subsidised prices under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). MACO’s narrow evaluation of FISP, based on estimated production without quantifying the significant changes in production and other critical socioeconomic factors, fails to adequately highlight and service the benefits of subsidies to intended beneficiaries. Furthermore, MACO estimates of the impact of FISP never consider the question of how much beneficiary farmers would have produced in its absence, leading to potentially misleading assessments. The key question addressed in this study is whether using more rigorous econometric methods that account for heterogeneity in socioeconomic factors between participants and non-participants would still confirm the positive impact of FISP on maize productivity and poverty reduction, hence justifying the huge government expense on the programme. The study utilised cross-sectional data obtained from 497 randomly selected households, collected in 2011 from six provinces of Zambia to assess the causal effect of FISP on beneficiary households’ maize yields and asset accumulation. The data was analysed using well-grounded matching techniques that account for differences in observable characteristics between programme participants and non-participants. The study also tested for possible unobserved selection effects using the Rosenbaum bounds. The results indicated that participating in FISP increased maize yields and assets accumulation and hence might directly or indirectly positively affect beneficiary poverty levels. There were also no influences of unobserved characteristics on the estimated maize yield and asset level differences between participants and non-participants. On average, FISP increased maize yields by about 451 kg per hectare, with an improvement of about 0.5 on the wealth index (score used to rank households according to asset levels). The positive impact on maize yields and asset accumulation on the participating farmers therefore justifies government’s continued implementation of FISP. / Dissertation (MScAgric)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lk2014 / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / MScAgric / Unrestricted

Magister Philosophiae (Land and Agrarian Studies) - MPhil(LAS) / Agriculture and livestock production were the mainstay of the economies of many sub-Saharan African countries, including of Cameroon, in the 1970s. Things began to change with the discovery of petroleum products and natural minerals, and the push to industrialise. This led to a shift from agricultural production to other more 'beneficial' sectors. In the 1990s there was an 'imposed' liberalisation of the agricultural sector. This liberalisation was marked by a disengagement of most governments in developing countries from assisting agriculture. In Cameroon, disengagement was achieved by the promulgation of law No. 92/006 of 14th August 1992 and its decree of application No. 92/455/PM of 23rd November. This law encouraged the creation of common initiative groups which could independently pool their resources to increase agricultural production. Although there has been a shift to non-agricultural sectors in many sub-Saharan countries, on the whole, however, many rural areas in these nations have remained essentially agro-pastoral. nfortunately some rural areas, like Small Babanki in Cameroon, whose livelihoods are land-based are faced with soil erosion, population pressure and farmer/grazer conflicts which undermine the little economic gains made in these places. Rural-dwellers have resorted to several innovations to circumvent these constraints to agricultural production. / South Africa

Magister Artium - MA / According to Professor Muhammed Yunus, Nobel Prize winner in 2006 and the founder of the internationally acclaimed Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, microfinance is a viable solution to poverty alleviation among the poorest people residing in rural areas. Microfinance programs have led to poverty alleviation and empowerment of especially rural based women of developing societies, as they enable the poor to manage their finances and cope with unpredictable shocks and emergencies (Yunus, 2007). This research evaluated the developmental impact of microfinance on poverty alleviation and women empowerment. It assessed the impact of the existing microfinance programmes among the members of the three microfinance Savings and Credit Associations (SCAs) in the rural areas of the Caprivi region of Namibia. This study explored whether microfinance programs have helped their members to minimize financial vulnerability through diversification of income sources and accumulation of assets. The research employed both qualitative and quantitative research designs. Data were collected through different qualitative and quantitative techniques (in-depth individual interviews, faceto- face interviews, questionnaire and questionnaire schedule). Summary findings indicate that the SCAs has positively contributed to the socio-economic improvement in the living standards (contribution to livelihood – increased income, enhanced health, and food status), improved education/healthcare, women empowerment through micro enterprise training and skill development. However, SCAs are still struggling with challenges, such as lack of income, high default rates and unprofitable micro enterprises. This research makes several recommendations, including: MFIs should concentrate on women’s economic empowerment as their main aim, incentives should be provided to the MFIs to encourage savings and investment amongst the poor, and if microfinance is to be used as a promotional tool for credit and saving services for the poor, then the socio-economic consequences of micro-credit lending have to be re-investigated, especially when they negatively impact on poverty reduction.

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017. / Cooperatives play a significant role in the country’s economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction. Hence, the number of registered cooperatives in South Africa has been growing very fast. However, the main challenge is that the majority of these cooperatives are underperforming. The apartheid legacy has caused many of these cooperatives to be poorly developed or unsustainable. The aim of this study was to investigate the challenges of lack of sustainability of art and craft cooperatives in Muyexe village of Mopani district in Limpopo Province. For this purpose, eight art and craft cooperatives were used as a survey. The study used mixed research methods to collect both qualitative and quantitave data. Data was gathered from eight (8) art and craft cooperatives in Muyexe village. The cooperatives where data was collected are Progress, Tsakane, Rirhandzu, Hitekani, Vutivi, Tiyimeleni, Vuyeriwani and Pfuka Muyexe art and craft cooperatives. . Data collection was done through structured questionnaires and interviews. Secondary data was gathered through extensive literature review. The population of the study is eight art and craft cooperatives comprised of 88 members. 60 respondents represented all the eight cooperatives. Two groups of respondents participated in this study. The first group was composed of cooperatives members (n=50) and the second group of respondents were the cooperatives board of directors (n=10). The findings revealed some of the factors that cause unsustainability of cooperatives in the area of the study. These factors are lack of good corporate governance practices, inadequate developmental programmes, lack of experience in managing cooperatives, lack of coflict management, lack of ownership and others. To enhance the sustainability of cooperatives the research recommends that the policy makers and agencies should be encouraged to develop enough developmental programmes that will enhance the sustainability of cooperatives in the area of the study.