In Eastern Africa, the experience of Machakos has been heavily debated between Malthusians and the more optimistic Boserupians. Machakos was the epitome of overpopulation and resource degradation in the 1950s, but has...In Eastern Africa, the experience of Machakos has been heavily debated between Malthusians and the more optimistic Boserupians. Machakos was the epitome of overpopulation and resource degradation in the 1950s, but has since thrived. The Boserupians view Machakos as an illustration of how population growth can solve rather than exacerbate the vicious cycle of poverty and resource degradation. The question arises whether Machakos is unique. This study investigates the role of social capital in Machakos. Using principal component analysis, the authors estimate various dimensions of social capital and find significant differences between Machakos and two other Kenyan regions particularly when it comes to the formation of associations.展开更多
One of the traditional games played among the Yoruba people of South Western Nigeria utilizes the seeds ofDioclea reflexa. An investigation into the current status of the game was conducted to determine the extent to ...One of the traditional games played among the Yoruba people of South Western Nigeria utilizes the seeds ofDioclea reflexa. An investigation into the current status of the game was conducted to determine the extent to which it is still played. Although results indicate that the game is still being played in the rural areas, it also shows that it is steeply decreasing in popularity. About 6.6% of respondents interviewed have never heard of the game, while about 77% have played, or still play the game. Overall 17% of all respondents, or 22% of those who have ever played, still play the game. About 26% of respondents are optimistic about the game surviving their generation. The decline in popularity is attributable to decreasing proportion of youths in rural areas due to rural-urban migration, emergence of computer games, and scarcity of the seeds. Cultivation of D. reflexa plant for the game, food and medicinal purposes is recommended.展开更多
The paper considers developmental problems of the rural settlements in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are results of long-term disparity in the regional development in the period 1991-2012. In this paper it is consider...The paper considers developmental problems of the rural settlements in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are results of long-term disparity in the regional development in the period 1991-2012. In this paper it is considered the recent migration from rural to urban areas and the depopulation of the rural areas. The result of these trends reflects the development of the new infrastructure and tertiary activities. In these investigations, statistical data processed and geovisualised in GIS were used. The obtained data indicate extremely unequable regional arrangement of the population in the rural areas and socio-economic development.展开更多
Pig production is becoming increasingly important in Mbozi and Mbeya rural districts to characterise smallholder pig Eastern Africa in recent years. Two studies were carried out in production systems and associated pi...Pig production is becoming increasingly important in Mbozi and Mbeya rural districts to characterise smallholder pig Eastern Africa in recent years. Two studies were carried out in production systems and associated pig management practises. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA), involving 279 pigs-keeping households in nine villages and a cross sectional survey using a random sample of 300 pig farmers in 30 villages of the study districts, were used to collect data. Important economic activities were crop farming, livestock keeping, petty business, casual labour and artisan works in that order. The mean farm size and number of pigs per household was 2 ± 2.7 ha and 4.9 ±4.2 pigs, respectively. The largest categories of pig herd structure were breeding females followed by piglets. Age, marital status, household size and land size of household head had significant influence on the pig herd size (P 〈 0.05). Pig farmers practised three main types of pig management systems, namely, total confinement, semi confinement and free range/herding. Each system had specific management practices in relation to feeding and housing. The frequencies of these systems varied significantly (P 〈 0.01) by socio-economic factors, such as, educational status of household head, land size and herd sizes of pigs, goats and cattle. The authors recommend effective use of locally available resources and careful consideration of existing farming systems for sustainable development of smallholder pig production.展开更多
This paper examines the role and effectiveness of locacal institutions in the management of forest biodiversity in New Dabaga-Ulongambi Forest Reserve, Tanzania. Data were obtained through questionnaires, interviews, ...This paper examines the role and effectiveness of locacal institutions in the management of forest biodiversity in New Dabaga-Ulongambi Forest Reserve, Tanzania. Data were obtained through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, participatory rural appraisal and field observations. The study revealed that the most remarkable local institutions connected to forest biodiversity management include: Village Natural Resources Man- agement Committee (92%), tree nursery group (79.4%), beekeep- ing groups (61.1%), fish fanning (43.3%), livestock rearing group (33.9%). Main activities carried out by local institutions which directly contribute to the sustainability Of forest reserve include: forest patrols, fire extinguish, preparation of fire breaks, plant- ing of trees along the forest boundaries, creation of awareness, arresting of forest defaulters, participation in income generation activities. For the purpose of realization that local communities are capable of managing forest biodiversity through their traditional institutions, the policy should provide tangible opportunity for local communities to meet their needs as they manage the forests.展开更多
The Igbo have their homeland in seven states of Nigeria mainly Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta and Rivers. They are receptible to new ideas and adapt easily to change. The ramifications of human insecurity, poverty,...The Igbo have their homeland in seven states of Nigeria mainly Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta and Rivers. They are receptible to new ideas and adapt easily to change. The ramifications of human insecurity, poverty, social disorder, poor coherence and poor integration appear to haunt them and the gravity is felt more in the rural communities. The factors are traceable to many pathetic issues. The pathological consequences do affect Igbo stability and navigation in the Nigerian socio-economic environment. The causality constitutes the physical, human, natural, financial and social assets. It is recommended, among others, that the people should return to core values and norms, stick to their own noble identities, have a framework for tackling insecurity and hunger, target the youth in poverty reduction measures and tackle the herdsmen menace. Equally, the abused philosophies used to support dangerous and strange behavior should be tackled.展开更多
This study analyzed the determinants of adoption of agricultural extension of Green River Project among rural households of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Questionnaire, which was randomly distributed, was used for data collec...This study analyzed the determinants of adoption of agricultural extension of Green River Project among rural households of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Questionnaire, which was randomly distributed, was used for data collection from 270 direct beneficiaries of the project. Frequency, percentage and multiple regression were used for data analyses. For the beneficiaries, the results indicated a mean age of 48 years, 9 years of formal education, annual net farm income of N115, 681.48 and 2.8 times of monthly contact with Project Extension Officers. The mean adoption status of the project was 56.6%. The relationship between socio-economic characteristics of beneficiaries and adoption status gave an R2 of 0.668. Age, education, farming, experience, farm income and extension contact were significant determinants of adoption. The study recommends improvement in formal education, farm income, extension contact and inclusion of younger farmers as beneficiaries to enhance adoption status.展开更多
Farming is still an important sector in rural economic development of West Virginia where 44% of the population lives in rural areas and 24% of the land is used for farming. While income earnings, education and employ...Farming is still an important sector in rural economic development of West Virginia where 44% of the population lives in rural areas and 24% of the land is used for farming. While income earnings, education and employment rates are low in rural areas, poverty rates and unemployment are high compared to the urban areas. Thus, in the context of rural development farming is a potential major economic sector where 42% of the people's primary occupation is reported as farming. The objective of this study is to identify and estimate the potential impacts of farm employment in rural economic growth of West Virginia. Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S Census Bureau for the period of 1993 to 2008 are used for the empirical analysis. A model derived from the three simultaneous equations of Duncan is used for analysis. Three-Stage Least Squares (3SLS) method using the statistical package of STATA is used for estimation. The results concerning simultaneous relationships with population density growth, per capita income growth, and farm employment growth reveal significant importance of farming in rural economic development of West Virginia. Furthermore, the results indicate the positive impacts of population density, number of people with farming as principal occupation, and crop production on rural farming sector.展开更多
This study affirms the effect of family planning on rural household food security. The major thrust of this research identified socio-economic characteristics of respondents, various family planning methods used, bene...This study affirms the effect of family planning on rural household food security. The major thrust of this research identified socio-economic characteristics of respondents, various family planning methods used, benefit of use and factors influencing household food security in the study area. The research was carried out in 4 Local Government areas (LGAs) of Oyo state, where five communities each were randomly selected from the LGAs. A total of 272 households were sampled from the 20 communities. Descriptive and multinomial logit regression were used to analyse data collected. Findings revealed that 64.4% of the respondents were female, mean age was 40 years; about 80% of them were married and most of them had formal education with average of 10years spent in school. Result further revealed that that most of the respondents adopt artificial method of family planning. Sex, marital status of respondent, number of children; primary occupation, traditional method, natural method and artificial method of family planning were the factors influencing household food security status. It was recommended that rural household should be enlightened on the advantages of the use of family planning to improve their household nutritional intake level as well as standard of living.展开更多
The study was designed to investigate into the level of cassava commercialization, extent of gender effects and other factors on household commercialization index (HCI) of cassava in both rural and peri-urban areas ...The study was designed to investigate into the level of cassava commercialization, extent of gender effects and other factors on household commercialization index (HCI) of cassava in both rural and peri-urban areas of Rivers State, Nigeria. The study used a stratified random sampling technique to select 50 cassava farmers each from Etche and Ekwerre LGAs of the state (i.e. 100 farmers in all). A set of structured questionnaire and interview schedule was used to retrieve information from the farmers. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, Chow test and truncated regression analysis model based on Maximum Likelihood derived from Censored Normal or TOBIT approach. It was found that significant difference exist in the HC1 of rural farmers (49%) and peri-urban (40%). The drivers of HCI varied across the areas but on the whole it was noted that gender, farm size, distance to market, labour, farming experience, price of cassava and access to market information signiftcantly influenced the probability of expanding the scale of commercialization of cassava in the area. It was recommended that government and interested bodies should give priority to women in designing and implementing cassava commercialization programmes policies that will improve farmers access to land and also help build on capacities of the farmers to commercialize such as access to extension service, establishment of market information service (MIS), development of market and transport infrastructure were recommended too.展开更多
Though there are many documented reasons that make farmers to adopt organic farming system, economic benefits present a major motivation. The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of organic production system on ...Though there are many documented reasons that make farmers to adopt organic farming system, economic benefits present a major motivation. The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of organic production system on profitability of smallholder vegetable production systems in the two counties so as to appraise its contribution to improvement of rural livelihoods. The study collected data on costs and returns for a sample of 208 smallholder vegetable farmers who were composed of 78 organic and 130 conventional farmers. Impact of organic production system was evaluated using propensity score matching technique. Organic vegetable production system was found to have a positive significant impact of increasing farm gross margin by US$0.58 representing 89.5% among smallholder producers in Kiambu and Kajiado Counties of Kenya. The study recommended promotion of organic production system as a tool that can be used to improve livelihoods especially in the rural areas.展开更多
This paper provided a reviewed case of implementation of rural development project in relation to poverty alleviation in Adamawa State of Nigeria. Inco-prorating the community based management project in rural develop...This paper provided a reviewed case of implementation of rural development project in relation to poverty alleviation in Adamawa State of Nigeria. Inco-prorating the community based management project in rural development strategies seems to be the best approach to implement rural development project. The study used both qualitative and quantitative research techniques to obtain data on the implementation of LEEMP (local empowerment and environmental management project). The result shows that the project has impacted positively to rural development of some rural communities in the state. However, there were challenges discovered, which include non-inclusion of some stake holders because of social class or due to political affiliations, while projects are not evenly distributed among communities of serious needs. This paper implies that effective incorporation of rural communities in the managements of rural development projects requires full community participation in the development process. This requires collective action, which ties the community on values, sustainable maintenance of infrastructures, and improvements, in cultures, of environmental conservation and economics benefits into rural development, with balancing the aim of sustaining social infrastructures, environmental management and poverty alleviation.展开更多
文摘In Eastern Africa, the experience of Machakos has been heavily debated between Malthusians and the more optimistic Boserupians. Machakos was the epitome of overpopulation and resource degradation in the 1950s, but has since thrived. The Boserupians view Machakos as an illustration of how population growth can solve rather than exacerbate the vicious cycle of poverty and resource degradation. The question arises whether Machakos is unique. This study investigates the role of social capital in Machakos. Using principal component analysis, the authors estimate various dimensions of social capital and find significant differences between Machakos and two other Kenyan regions particularly when it comes to the formation of associations.
文摘One of the traditional games played among the Yoruba people of South Western Nigeria utilizes the seeds ofDioclea reflexa. An investigation into the current status of the game was conducted to determine the extent to which it is still played. Although results indicate that the game is still being played in the rural areas, it also shows that it is steeply decreasing in popularity. About 6.6% of respondents interviewed have never heard of the game, while about 77% have played, or still play the game. Overall 17% of all respondents, or 22% of those who have ever played, still play the game. About 26% of respondents are optimistic about the game surviving their generation. The decline in popularity is attributable to decreasing proportion of youths in rural areas due to rural-urban migration, emergence of computer games, and scarcity of the seeds. Cultivation of D. reflexa plant for the game, food and medicinal purposes is recommended.
文摘The paper considers developmental problems of the rural settlements in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are results of long-term disparity in the regional development in the period 1991-2012. In this paper it is considered the recent migration from rural to urban areas and the depopulation of the rural areas. The result of these trends reflects the development of the new infrastructure and tertiary activities. In these investigations, statistical data processed and geovisualised in GIS were used. The obtained data indicate extremely unequable regional arrangement of the population in the rural areas and socio-economic development.
文摘Pig production is becoming increasingly important in Mbozi and Mbeya rural districts to characterise smallholder pig Eastern Africa in recent years. Two studies were carried out in production systems and associated pig management practises. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA), involving 279 pigs-keeping households in nine villages and a cross sectional survey using a random sample of 300 pig farmers in 30 villages of the study districts, were used to collect data. Important economic activities were crop farming, livestock keeping, petty business, casual labour and artisan works in that order. The mean farm size and number of pigs per household was 2 ± 2.7 ha and 4.9 ±4.2 pigs, respectively. The largest categories of pig herd structure were breeding females followed by piglets. Age, marital status, household size and land size of household head had significant influence on the pig herd size (P 〈 0.05). Pig farmers practised three main types of pig management systems, namely, total confinement, semi confinement and free range/herding. Each system had specific management practices in relation to feeding and housing. The frequencies of these systems varied significantly (P 〈 0.01) by socio-economic factors, such as, educational status of household head, land size and herd sizes of pigs, goats and cattle. The authors recommend effective use of locally available resources and careful consideration of existing farming systems for sustainable development of smallholder pig production.
基金TAFORI and Forestry and Beekeeping Division through Participatory Forest Management (PFM)grant for funding this study
文摘This paper examines the role and effectiveness of locacal institutions in the management of forest biodiversity in New Dabaga-Ulongambi Forest Reserve, Tanzania. Data were obtained through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, participatory rural appraisal and field observations. The study revealed that the most remarkable local institutions connected to forest biodiversity management include: Village Natural Resources Man- agement Committee (92%), tree nursery group (79.4%), beekeep- ing groups (61.1%), fish fanning (43.3%), livestock rearing group (33.9%). Main activities carried out by local institutions which directly contribute to the sustainability Of forest reserve include: forest patrols, fire extinguish, preparation of fire breaks, plant- ing of trees along the forest boundaries, creation of awareness, arresting of forest defaulters, participation in income generation activities. For the purpose of realization that local communities are capable of managing forest biodiversity through their traditional institutions, the policy should provide tangible opportunity for local communities to meet their needs as they manage the forests.
文摘The Igbo have their homeland in seven states of Nigeria mainly Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta and Rivers. They are receptible to new ideas and adapt easily to change. The ramifications of human insecurity, poverty, social disorder, poor coherence and poor integration appear to haunt them and the gravity is felt more in the rural communities. The factors are traceable to many pathetic issues. The pathological consequences do affect Igbo stability and navigation in the Nigerian socio-economic environment. The causality constitutes the physical, human, natural, financial and social assets. It is recommended, among others, that the people should return to core values and norms, stick to their own noble identities, have a framework for tackling insecurity and hunger, target the youth in poverty reduction measures and tackle the herdsmen menace. Equally, the abused philosophies used to support dangerous and strange behavior should be tackled.
文摘This study analyzed the determinants of adoption of agricultural extension of Green River Project among rural households of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Questionnaire, which was randomly distributed, was used for data collection from 270 direct beneficiaries of the project. Frequency, percentage and multiple regression were used for data analyses. For the beneficiaries, the results indicated a mean age of 48 years, 9 years of formal education, annual net farm income of N115, 681.48 and 2.8 times of monthly contact with Project Extension Officers. The mean adoption status of the project was 56.6%. The relationship between socio-economic characteristics of beneficiaries and adoption status gave an R2 of 0.668. Age, education, farming, experience, farm income and extension contact were significant determinants of adoption. The study recommends improvement in formal education, farm income, extension contact and inclusion of younger farmers as beneficiaries to enhance adoption status.
文摘Farming is still an important sector in rural economic development of West Virginia where 44% of the population lives in rural areas and 24% of the land is used for farming. While income earnings, education and employment rates are low in rural areas, poverty rates and unemployment are high compared to the urban areas. Thus, in the context of rural development farming is a potential major economic sector where 42% of the people's primary occupation is reported as farming. The objective of this study is to identify and estimate the potential impacts of farm employment in rural economic growth of West Virginia. Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S Census Bureau for the period of 1993 to 2008 are used for the empirical analysis. A model derived from the three simultaneous equations of Duncan is used for analysis. Three-Stage Least Squares (3SLS) method using the statistical package of STATA is used for estimation. The results concerning simultaneous relationships with population density growth, per capita income growth, and farm employment growth reveal significant importance of farming in rural economic development of West Virginia. Furthermore, the results indicate the positive impacts of population density, number of people with farming as principal occupation, and crop production on rural farming sector.
文摘This study affirms the effect of family planning on rural household food security. The major thrust of this research identified socio-economic characteristics of respondents, various family planning methods used, benefit of use and factors influencing household food security in the study area. The research was carried out in 4 Local Government areas (LGAs) of Oyo state, where five communities each were randomly selected from the LGAs. A total of 272 households were sampled from the 20 communities. Descriptive and multinomial logit regression were used to analyse data collected. Findings revealed that 64.4% of the respondents were female, mean age was 40 years; about 80% of them were married and most of them had formal education with average of 10years spent in school. Result further revealed that that most of the respondents adopt artificial method of family planning. Sex, marital status of respondent, number of children; primary occupation, traditional method, natural method and artificial method of family planning were the factors influencing household food security status. It was recommended that rural household should be enlightened on the advantages of the use of family planning to improve their household nutritional intake level as well as standard of living.
文摘The study was designed to investigate into the level of cassava commercialization, extent of gender effects and other factors on household commercialization index (HCI) of cassava in both rural and peri-urban areas of Rivers State, Nigeria. The study used a stratified random sampling technique to select 50 cassava farmers each from Etche and Ekwerre LGAs of the state (i.e. 100 farmers in all). A set of structured questionnaire and interview schedule was used to retrieve information from the farmers. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, Chow test and truncated regression analysis model based on Maximum Likelihood derived from Censored Normal or TOBIT approach. It was found that significant difference exist in the HC1 of rural farmers (49%) and peri-urban (40%). The drivers of HCI varied across the areas but on the whole it was noted that gender, farm size, distance to market, labour, farming experience, price of cassava and access to market information signiftcantly influenced the probability of expanding the scale of commercialization of cassava in the area. It was recommended that government and interested bodies should give priority to women in designing and implementing cassava commercialization programmes policies that will improve farmers access to land and also help build on capacities of the farmers to commercialize such as access to extension service, establishment of market information service (MIS), development of market and transport infrastructure were recommended too.
文摘Though there are many documented reasons that make farmers to adopt organic farming system, economic benefits present a major motivation. The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of organic production system on profitability of smallholder vegetable production systems in the two counties so as to appraise its contribution to improvement of rural livelihoods. The study collected data on costs and returns for a sample of 208 smallholder vegetable farmers who were composed of 78 organic and 130 conventional farmers. Impact of organic production system was evaluated using propensity score matching technique. Organic vegetable production system was found to have a positive significant impact of increasing farm gross margin by US$0.58 representing 89.5% among smallholder producers in Kiambu and Kajiado Counties of Kenya. The study recommended promotion of organic production system as a tool that can be used to improve livelihoods especially in the rural areas.
文摘This paper provided a reviewed case of implementation of rural development project in relation to poverty alleviation in Adamawa State of Nigeria. Inco-prorating the community based management project in rural development strategies seems to be the best approach to implement rural development project. The study used both qualitative and quantitative research techniques to obtain data on the implementation of LEEMP (local empowerment and environmental management project). The result shows that the project has impacted positively to rural development of some rural communities in the state. However, there were challenges discovered, which include non-inclusion of some stake holders because of social class or due to political affiliations, while projects are not evenly distributed among communities of serious needs. This paper implies that effective incorporation of rural communities in the managements of rural development projects requires full community participation in the development process. This requires collective action, which ties the community on values, sustainable maintenance of infrastructures, and improvements, in cultures, of environmental conservation and economics benefits into rural development, with balancing the aim of sustaining social infrastructures, environmental management and poverty alleviation.