project. It did this by reviewing relevant literature in development communication. The review done showed that literature is replete with arguments critical of the dominant paradigm due to its top-down nature of communication. Scholars critical of dominant paradigm argue that participatory communication should be given a prominent role to ensure that stakeholders work in concert to realise the stated objectives of their development project. The study highlighted many contentious issues surrounding the nature and practices of participatory communication. It pointed out that the issues have played themselves out in literature in the form of different typologies of participatory practices, which were dealt with extensively in this study. The discussion of participatory communication in literature is also mindful of different models of communication and the space they occupy in participatory communication practices. In this study, there was a discussion of transactional communication models as depicted by Nair and White (1993:52) and Steinberg (1997:19). Both scholars emphasise that participatory communication will not achieve its stated purpose without mutual agreement of the parties in communication. They equally stress the recognition of the possible effects of some contextual factors which may have bearing on the prevailing nature of communication. A review of different communication tools used by participatory development communicator was given in the study. These different communication tools were discussed in view of how these tools can be used to advance participatory practice in a development project, especially with reference to the project examined in this study. Using qualitative research method, different and appropriate interview methods such as semi-structured, focus group and post-survey interviews were used to collect data from the respondents in this study. The analysis and discussion of the data revealed that different challenges on the ground could affect participatory communication practices in a development project. With regard to the project examined in this study, the analysis showed that there is a weak stakeholder relationship, especially stakeholders identified in this study as field officers. The study highlighted that stakeholders such as the agricultural extension officers and animal health technicians are not very active in the implementation process of the project. Some of the reasons pointed out is the fact that the secondary stakeholder such as the Provincial Department of Agricultural (PDoA) to which these field officers belong is not playing active role in ensuring that they complement the efforts of other field officers such as the IDC representatives. The second reason is the fact that the participatory focus of the project was not properly communicated to the beneficiaries. This also transpired in their inability to reflect participatory practice in their relationship with the beneficiaries and other stakeholders of the project. Other challenges, among others, as pointed out in the analysis showed that participatory communication practice requires expert personnel to be successful. In the case of the project examined, apart from the fact that there is shortage of manpower to handle the challenges mentioned in the study, there is no communication expert among the few active personnel in the field. The findings of this study showed that there was no clear role and identification of responsibilities let alone coordination of all actors involved in the project. Through the selected case study, this study has not only provided avenue to explore both theoretically and practically participatory communication, but has added to participatory communication discourse that there is no easy answer to challenges field officers encounter in practice. This is the reason the different participatory practices characterising nature of the project this study has investigated was given.

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.

<p>The purpose of this study is to understand what impact courses in sustainable agriculture have had on small-scale farming women in Zambia, who have started using alternative techniques in their farming. Weather conditions, political issues and other circumstances in Zambia have made it difficult for people to grow enough crops to feed their families and gain extra money alternative methods are being promoted by organisations at all institutional levels, in order for people to survive. At Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre, east of the capital, Lusaka, sustainable methods in farming practices are taught to small-scale farmers. It is a qualitative study, accomplished within the field of Human Geography, and the theoretical frameworks that have been used are political ecology of sustainability, low-external input in sustainable agriculture, and gender and development. The qualitative methods used are in accordance to Rapid Rural Appraisal, where small-scale farming women have been interviewed on a semi-structural basis. Additionally, secondary data in the form of literature has been gathered and direct observations have been made in the field. Results show that the courses in sustainable agriculture have had an impact on the lives of participating small-scale farming women and that they are able to spread their knowledge to neighbouring small-scale farmers. It also shows that politics has a major influence on the daily life of the women.</p>

The purpose of this study is to understand what impact courses in sustainable agriculture have had on small-scale farming women in Zambia, who have started using alternative techniques in their farming. Weather conditions, political issues and other circumstances in Zambia have made it difficult for people to grow enough crops to feed their families and gain extra money alternative methods are being promoted by organisations at all institutional levels, in order for people to survive. At Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre, east of the capital, Lusaka, sustainable methods in farming practices are taught to small-scale farmers. It is a qualitative study, accomplished within the field of Human Geography, and the theoretical frameworks that have been used are political ecology of sustainability, low-external input in sustainable agriculture, and gender and development. The qualitative methods used are in accordance to Rapid Rural Appraisal, where small-scale farming women have been interviewed on a semi-structural basis. Additionally, secondary data in the form of literature has been gathered and direct observations have been made in the field. Results show that the courses in sustainable agriculture have had an impact on the lives of participating small-scale farming women and that they are able to spread their knowledge to neighbouring small-scale farmers. It also shows that politics has a major influence on the daily life of the women.

This report will outline a new framework for improved yields and increased sustainability in Sub-Saharan African smallholder agriculture. Given the failures of agricultural development aid and policy in the past, cross-sector collaboration among local farmer networks, national governments, and private corporations could represent a new model to foster sustainable agricultural production and growth, as each has had past successes but have not traditionally come together to work as a collaborative unit. This paper will examine each sector to look at best practices and then develop a framework for such collaboration. After a normative case with a positive outlook as to the potential for implementing the framework to Senegal‘s groundnut sector, the paper concludes that the framework can work in a variety of settings as long as one is aware of and respects local conditions. / text

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

This masters’ thesis is a result of research conducted during three weeks in Mecubúri District, located in northern Mozambique. The study aims to explore environmental challenges and the environmental education in Mecubúri area. It strives to understand how rural farmers are able to use environmental education as a measure to act upon the environmental challenges in the area as well as to strengthen their livelihood assets. The target group of the study is the people living in Mecubúri.A basic understanding of environmental education and the socio-economic situation in Mecubúri was achieved by a systematic collection of empirical data through the use of a methodological approach called Participatory Rural Appraisal. Ethnographic methods such as participatory observation and semi-structured interviews built the base for the qualitative primary data collection and the secondary data was collected through literature reviews. The holistic and human centred theoretical framework Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA) laid the analytical base of the study.The most prominent environmental concerns identified by the inhabitants were agricultural issues, uncontrolled bushfires, changes in rainfall and the increased prevalence of strong winds and cyclones as well as sanitation and hygiene. Education was transmitted through both formal and informal communication channels, whereby conservation farming, education related to sanitation and hygiene as well as various educational channels were identified as the most important factors for the rural people in Mecubúri.As a concluding remark, it is argued that the society has a strong social capital which is effectively being used in environmental education. In contrast, an increased effort from the governmental level is advocated whereby a focus on conservation farming is recommended.

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