Community based targeting mechanism has been widely utilized in the delivery of relief
interventions and safety nets. In developing countries like Malawi the approach has been
championed as the most effective and efficient way of reaching the most vulnerable. However,
very little is known on how community based targeting mechanism actually works. Using the
Agriculture Input Subsidy programme as a case study, the thesis attempts to explore whether
community based targeting lives to its billing of enhancing social capital. The purpose of the
study was to examine community perceptions and experiences about community based
targeting approach and how it affects social relations and collective actions in the community.
The results demonstrate that while communities have the knowledge and capacity to target the
most vulnerable, the approach is largely a top down process. The choice on whether to target
or not is a delicate balance of social, economic and political factors. Communities largely
participate to fulfil or comply with official requirements so that they can cash in from the
benefits. However, given a choice communities would largely share resources equally to
prevent social costs. Consequently, a targeted programme at national level becomes a
universal programme at community level since benefits are largely shared to all community
members. The role and influence of social factors in the community based targeting has been
largely underestimated in the targeting literature. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/1090 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Mgemezulu, Overtoun Placido. |
| Contributors | Bukurura, Sufian. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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