Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD (Agricultural Economics))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

This dissertation assesses the role of small-scale farming in reducing poverty in rural areas using household data collected from Kanyayo and interviews with Department of Agriculture, Bizana Local Municipality and other key community members. The reviewed literature confirmed that small-scale farming has a potential to reduce poverty if well supported. This support includes the eradication of problems facing small-scale farming, while at the same time empowering small-scale farmers through connecting them to reliable market outlets. The findings of the study indicated that small-scale farming in Kanyayo is faced by many problems. These problems include: labour shortage which is attributed to lack of youth involvement, laziness and sicknesses; insufficient rainfall; poor infrastructure and inadequate access to services; lack of connectedness to market outlets; lack of farming information. These obstacles to small-scale farming tend to constrain smallscale farming potential and thereby exacerbate poverty levels. Arising from the research several recommendations were put forward. These include: development of the labour force; irrigation schemes and construction of dams; delivering of services and infrastructure; market arrangements; accessible to farming information center. The study concludes that small-scale fanning has a power to reduce poverty in rural areas but that power is based on removal of barriers to small-scale farming. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The researcher was invited by the CSIR (formerly known as the Council for Industrial and Scientific Research in South Africa) to investigate the work opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWD) in a rural area in the Eastern Cape in which they were planning to implement their Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP). The community development committee had requested assistance with the plight of the unemployed PWD in their community. The aim of the study was to investigate work opportunities for PWD in rural developing communities. The study allowed the researcher to also explore possible means to maximise current services to reach into areas that are underserved in terms of professional rehabilitation services. A participatory research approach was used for the study in which the research team consisted of the author, members from the community development committee including the sister in charge of the community clinic and three research assistants from the community. In a two-phase disability survey in the 475 household of the area, adults with disabilities in the working age group were identified and their abilities assessed. Five development projects from nearby communities, similar to projects planned by the community were analysed. A scale had been developed that would allow a direct comparison between the abilities of the PWD and the work abilities required for the projects. The data were plotted on a spiral graphic, the Work Abilities Web (WAW), to illustrate compatibility and components for which adaptations might be needed. Taking the PWDs' level of motivation and aspirations into account job matches were made. The intellectual process of making such matches was investigated and described. Because of a lower disability prevalence found in the area than expected from international projections the data were presented as 12 case studies. In the feedback to the community three scenarios were provided for the employment of PWD in their midst for implementation by the community. A committee of PWD was established, which would have representation on the development committee to drive the process and to ensure that disability issues would be considered in all future community planning. The study contributes the following innovations to the knowledge base of health and social sciences theory, in terms of disability and development issues: <ul> <li>A refinement of a participatory research model, the Mutual Benefit Research model (MBR), for research projects with communities. </li> <li>A functional assessment format, developed for possible use by community health workers. </li> <li>The recording and comparison method used for the WAW.</li> <li>An analysis of the job match process used by occupational therapists in vocational rehabilitation. <br></li> </ul> In conclusion the study and the results were critically evaluated and recommendations made for the integration of PWD into the workplace in rural communities, as well as for further investigation into the methods proposed for vocational rehabilitation in underserved areas. / Thesis (PhD (Occupational Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Occupational Therapy / unrestricted

The period after World War II has witnessed an upsurge in the interest in the plight of the people entrapped in desperate poverty and deprivation in the Third World countries. However, even with the focus on underdeveloped countries, the number of rural poor in the Third World continues to increase and their living conditions degrade. The crux of the problem is that the rural poor cannot contribute significantly to their own development owing to the nherent inequalities in the distribution of production factors and the benefits economic development and technological advancements under the umbrella of capitalism. In response t.o this, rural development is a deliberate intervention programme designed to augment the coping strategies of the rural poor by drawing them gradually into the mainstream of development action in an attempt to alleviate rural poverty and misery, and empower them to realise their potential and human dignity. This thesis is a critical evaluation of the rural development process and its impact on the living conditions of the rural poor in the former Transkei with special reference to Xalanga District. Transkei and Xalanga District have been chosen for the study because the former is the poorest and most populous ex-homeland and the latter is the poorest district in the former Transkei. The roles of rural development functionaries, in terms of their policies, programmes, practices and achievements, and the living conditions, needs, aspirations and perceptions of the beneficiaries came under the spotlight. Rural development is a multi-faceted concept therefore the approach of the study was eclectic, rooted in the realist and structurationist philosophies; and the data solicited was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The quantitative techniques employed were factor and discriminant analyses The study revealed that the rural development process in the sub-region is fraught with administrative, political and social, fmancial and technical constraints. Consequently, the process has not had any significant impact on the living conditions of the rural poor with regard to the alleviation of rural poverty, unemployment and inequalities in the distribution of incomes and assets. Besides, it has not created sound economic bases in the rural areas and has thus failed to empower the rural people to take effective charge of their lives. The development efforts continue to be concentrated in the urban and peri-urban areas, causing considerable imbalances in the spatial development of the territory. On the basis of the outcome of the research, some suggestions have been offered for a meaningful rural development programme for the former Transkei. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1997.

Since its democratic dispensation, South Africa has been striving to find the right economic tool to confront the challenges of poverty, joblessness, widening income gap and lack of job related skills. Numerous methods have been put to trial in an attempt to rescue the rural masses from the scourge of poverty, joblessness and social degradation, but with limited impact. Literature surveys in this regard attest to social intervention programmes failing, due to the absence or little involvement of beneficiary rural communities in the programme establishment. Renewed rural development initiative at Mhlontlo Municipality occurs within this context. The study was then undertaken to evaluate stakeholder participation in the planning, the implementation and the monitoring and evaluation of the pilot programme. This is a study of the rural development pilot programme at Mhlontlo Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The statistical population for the study included all institutionalised stakeholder’s organizations, as critical components of engagement to realise the programme setting. The study target participants were 90 adult individuals involve in local stakeholder’s public participation institutions. A self-completed questionnaire was administered to the 90 target participants with 64 returned completely filled. The results were analysed using statistical mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variance and presented as tables and graphs. Findings were that there was more participation in the programme implementation phase, than in the programme planning and monitoring phase. Assessment of programme outputs by respondents was diverse and inconclusive. This was attributed to poor participation by programme stakeholders in programme’s planning. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The study sought to examine the impact of infrastructure on agricultural economic development in Bizana (Mbizana), Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape Province is one of the poorest provinces in the country. The province consists of predominantly rural areas and rural towns. One of the challenges facing the Eastern Cape Province is inadequate access to infrastructure such as roads. Poor road links keep rural communities “distant” from the mainstream economy. The province requires approximately 12 000km of access roads. Although government has programmes in place aimed at improving access to adequate infrastructure, South Africa has rapidly deteriorating infrastructure and this is due to under-investment. The infrastructure in rural communities is poor, as infrastructure development strategies historically favoured urban areas over rural areas. Although the province is faced by these infrastructure challenges the Eastern Cape Province has great potential agricultural land, and this is evident in the case of Bizana (Mbizana). The farmers are faced with a number of infrastructure challenges and these include access to water and roads. Quality roads enable easy transportation of the agricultural produce from the farms to local and international markets. Bizana (Mbizana) has a high unemployment rate, and the study aims to contribute towards the upliftment of the communities in Bizana (Mbizana) through agriculture. One-on-one interviews and site visits were conducted. The study unveiled some of the challenges that the farmers encounter and these included inadequate access to water, challenges with transportation system, market competition, fencing, drought, etc. Some farmers practise commercial farming individually. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.