http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/33930 Search the Channel search http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/simple-search http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/9468 Title: Rural economic growth linkages and small scale poultry production: A survey of producers in KwaZulu-Natal <br/> <br/>Authors: Wynne, A.T.; Lyne, M.C. <br/> <br/>Abstract: This study analyses survey data gathered from small and large poultry producers in the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, and highlights factors constraining the impact of commercial poultry production on the local economy. It was found that small-scale poultry production has the ability to initiate economic growth through the "export" of its products and to draw under-utilised resources such as labour into production. The impact of the subsequent multiplier effect is most likely strongest in the non-tradable, non-agricultural sector. Alleviating constraints for a large number of small enterprises is expected to impact more positively on the rural economy than if a few larger enterprises were encouraged to grow bigger. The descriptive results suggest that small producers face much higher transaction costs than larger producers. Government policies should focus on absorbing some of these transaction costs to nurture economic growth in the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, i.e. by improving education, physical infrastructure and technology transfer through extension. Other important interventions include the provision of mentoring and training services for new managers including institution, legal and financial management instruction. Fri, 27 Feb 2004 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/9469 Title: Demand for energy among households in Ijebu Division, Ogun State, Nigeria <br/> <br/>Authors: Shittu, A.M.; Idowu, A.O.; Otunaiya, A.O.; Ismail, A.K. <br/> <br/>Abstract: This study examines the influence of households’ socio-economic characteristics on household demand for electricity, petrol, diesel, kerosene, firewood, domestic gas, and transport in commercial vehicles. Primary data obtained in a cross-section survey of 90 households selected across six communities in Ijebu-Division of Ogun State, Nigeria was used in estimating a system of energy demand equations and elasticities. The study reveals that an average household in the sample had about five members, headed by a 52 year old male that had about nine years of formal education. The mean monthly household consumption expenditure was N 15,458.63, of which about 25% was expended on the seven commodities. While the influence of education and household size on household energy use were insignificant; income (budget size), household ownership of electrical/electronic appliances and automobiles, as well as age of household heads exercised significant influence on the relative shares of some/all of the seven energy commodities in household budgets in the study area. The income effects were positive for all the energy commodities, except firewood. Demand for petrol, diesel and domestic gas were income elastic. Thus, the study concludes that improvement in income would cause increase in demand for electricity and petroleum products in the study area, but worsening real income would place greater demand on biomass fuel. Fri, 27 Feb 2004 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/9470 Title: The impact of crop rotation on profitability and production risk in the Eastern and North Western Free State <br/> <br/>Authors: Nel, A.A.; Loubser, H.L. <br/> <br/>Abstract: Diversification is a generally accepted measure against production risk. Crop rotation as a unit of diversification can reduce risk even further. Net returns and risk, defined as the cumulative sum of shortfalls below a disaster target level of net return, were estimated for two long term crop rotation trials. One was conducted in the eastern Free State where maize and wheat in monoculture were compared with rotations involving fallow, drybean, soybean and sunflower crops. In the second trial located in the north western Free State monocropped maize was compared with rotations involving groundnut, soyabean and sunflower crops. Crop rotation and the associated diversification produced results varying from increased to reduced net returns and increased risk to dramatically reduced risk depending on crops involved and the net return level accepted as a disaster threshold. Compared to monoculture, groundnut improved net returns without affecting risk. Drybean and soybean improved net returns and reduced risk while sunflower was the most effective in reducing risk with little effect on the net return. Risk reduction in the eastern Free State was mainly due to rotational benefits such as improved yields. In the north western Free State, however, risk reduction was mainly due to the inclusion of crops with relatively low risk. Fri, 27 Feb 2004 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/9471 Title: Agricultural competitiveness and supply chain integration: South Africa, Argentina and Australia <br/> <br/>Authors: Mosoma, K. <br/> <br/>Abstract: The international competitiveness of South African agricultural exports relative to those of Argentina and Australia is considered. Competitiveness was measured in terms of the Relative Comparative Advantage (RTA) using data from FAOSTAT 2002, while trade perspectives were examined using data from the World Trade Organisation and the Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) databases. The results of the RTA show that South Africa's agricultural food chains are marginally competitive internationally, whereas Argentina and Australia's agricultural food chains are internationally competitive. The analysis also shows that South Africa has managed to move up the value chain relative to Argentina and Australia. Nevertheless, competitiveness decreases in all three countries when moving from primary to processed products in the chains, which implies that value-adding opportunities are limited. Based on their competitive status, there is a potential in certain agro-food chains for supply chain integration and co-operation. Strategic alliances are important instruments for competitiveness. They create flexibility in operations, enhance technology transfer and networking and exploit possible complementary and supplementary relations between industries and organisations. Fri, 27 Feb 2004 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/9472 Title: Integrating community-based animal health workers into the formal veterinary service delivery system in Kenya <br/> <br/>Authors: Mugunieri, GL; Omiti, J.; Irungu, P. <br/> <br/>Abstract: The community-based animal health workers (CBAHWs) model has been one of the ways utilised in delivery of animal health services following the veterinary service reforms. Government statutory bodies have opposed the establishment of these programs arguing that their approach to animal health delivery does not fit within the existing technical, legal and policy framework. This study gives an account of the nature, characteristics, and activities of CBAHWs and provides information that would guide policy debate regarding their integration into formal health service delivery. It indicates that these programs provide mainly curative health services but the issue of sustainability has continued to dodge most of them. It establishes that, for trainees to continue actively providing services, continued professional development obtained through regular refresher training and entrepreneurship exemplified by proper record keeping are important. It therefore recommends that policy review is needed to address the role of CBAHWs and appropriately integrate their activities within the formal animal health delivery system. Fri, 27 Feb 2004 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/9473 Title: Measuring the supply response function of tobacco in Zimbabwe <br/> <br/>Authors: Leaver, R. <br/> <br/>Abstract: This paper presents an estimate of the price elasticity of supply for tobacco output in Zimbabwe using an adapted Nerlovian model. The results indicate a short-run elasticity of +0.34 and a long-run elasticity of +0.81, suggesting that tobacco farmers are highly unresponsive to price changes. These estimates are similar to those obtained for tobacco in supply response studies conducted in other developing African countries. Fri, 27 Feb 2004 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/9474 Title: The market potential of the South African apple industry: Strategies and options <br/> <br/>Authors: Meyer, N.G.; Breitenbach, M.C. <br/> <br/>Abstract: This paper uses one of four possible areas of strategic market research, namely Trademaps , to analyse the South African market potential for deciduous fruit. It isolates the apple industry to illustrate the application of Trademaps. An overview of the export performance within the apple industry is given. Export Trademaps are then utilised to analyse the trade flows and the market potential of South African apples on the world market. The Trademaps generated are based on trade data for the years 1995 to 1999 as reported by nearly 100 trading nations in the COMTRADE database of the United Nations Statistical Division. Possible strategies and options are suggested, given the results of the Trademap analysis. It is concluded that this analysis demonstrates the usefulness of Trademaps as a research tool to provide market information on new and existing markets. Fri, 27 Feb 2004 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/9475 Title: Challenges for fruitful participation of smallholders in large-scale water resource management organisations: Selected case studies in South Africa <br/> <br/>Authors: Faysse, N. <br/> <br/>Abstract: In South Africa, the 1998 National Water Act has created two user-driven water resource management organisations, namely the Water User Association at the local level and the Catchment Management Agency at a larger catchment level. The paper investigates some challenges concerning the participation of smallholders in water resource management organisations involving also large-scale users. Specifically, the paper analyses the possible discrepancies between the needs of smallholders with regard to water and the functions of these organisations. A simple typology of needs concerning water is presented and used to classify the main problems faced by smallholders in selected case studies. In some of the cases studied, smallholders need above all funds for investment in waterworks and their operation. They are not directly affected by water resource management issue, a lack of overlap between their needs and the functions of a water resource management organisation might lead to their unsustainable presence within the organisation. In such cases, one alternative is to achieve cross-subsidization. The National Water Act calls for it, without providing specific requirement. The proposed creation of small-scale user forums in the Olifants Water Management area can be described as cross-subsidization. It might improve the internal organisation among smallholders and give them a voice. Some funds will be dedicated to forums’ activities, but they are not entrenched as part of the core functions of the Catchment Management Agency. This analysis shows the importance of undertaking an assessment of smallholder water related needs to orientate the public participation process. Fri, 27 Feb 2004 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/9476 Title: Symptoms of poverty within a group of land reform beneficiaries in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal: Analysis and policy recommendations <br/> <br/>Authors: Shinns, L.H.; Lyne, M.C. <br/> <br/>Abstract: This study identifies different dimensions of poverty affecting the current and future well-being of households within a community of land reform beneficiaries in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. A census survey of the beneficiary households was conducted in May 2002 to gather data on poverty indicators. Principal Component Analysis was used to construct an index of the standard of housing, which was then combined with variables measuring other symptoms of poverty (income, wealth and health) in a Cluster Analysis of the households. The analysis revealed five clusters representing four distinct groups of poverty; households relatively income and asset rich, households relatively income rich but asset poor, households relatively asset rich but income poor and households with the lowest incomes and assets. While income is an important indicator of current poverty, household wealth (measured in terms of saleable assets) indicates ability to cope with adverse shocks – a key issue as life expectancy is declining and old-age pensioners account for a large share of household income in the survey group. It is concluded that child welfare grants could be increased as pension earnings become less effective in combating the symptoms of poverty in this area. In addition, land reform grants may address poverty more effectively when used to purchase equity in joint ventures with commercial farmers than when used to purchase land that many of the beneficiaries cannot use or transact. Fri, 27 Feb 2004 22:58:59 GMT