Doctoral Degrees (Rural resource management)
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Item Towards reducing sugarcane productivity gap between largescale and smallholder farmers: Influence of ICT among sugarcane growers in Swaziland.(2018) Dlamini, Mbuyazwe Michael.; Worth, Steven Hugh.This study evaluates the role of agricultural extension relative to improving information access among smallholder farmers and extension officers with an overall aim of increasing smallholder sugarcane productivity in Swaziland. The country is currently experiencing a decrease in the productivity of smallholder sugarcane growers yet they form a substantial portion of the overall sugar production statistics. The research process adopted for this investigation involved a theoretical process on one hand, and an empirical process on the other. Both processes followed a systematic investigation pattern. The influence of agricultural extension towards improving sugarcane production and the influence of ICT on knowledge and information management among sugarcane farmers were first interrogated separately. The theoretical approach went on to discuss how well agricultural extension can use ICT to facilitate knowledge and information access among smallholder sugarcane farmers to help them improve their productivity. Drawing from relevant published works, this study was able to establish that agricultural extension, through the use of ICT, is particularly well positioned to assist smallholder farmers with access to sugarcane production information hence improve their productivity. The empirical process involved data collection through structured interviews with respondents, comprising smallholder sugarcane farmers and extension officers within the sugar industry of Swaziland. A total of 189 respondents participated in the investigation regarding their perceptions on three information access issues: i) barriers to information access; ii) readiness towards the use of ICT to access information and; iii) how information and knowledge is currently being managed. The study generally found that respondents did not perceive most of the barriers to be a hindrance to information access amongst themselves. They also regarded themselves as ready to use ICT, specifically cell phones, to access sugarcane production information. Finally, the study revealed that almost all the respondents have already started using their cell phone to manage information within their workplaces and farms. Based on the findings, the study then developed a communication model that will make use of the available communication resources to improve information dissemination and management among the sugar industry players. The study concluded by proposing a linkage that will see the government of Swaziland, the sugar industry players and the only mobile network provider in the country (MTN) coming together to support the smallholder sugarcane grower and facilitate the implementation of this model for improved sugarcane productivity.Item The role of indigenous knowledge systems in seasonal prediction and adaptation to climate change and variability amongst smallholder farmers in Bikita, Zimbabwe.(2018) Mafongoya, Owen.; Mafongoya, Paramu L.; Mudhara, Maxwell.Climate change and variability have serious threats on rainfed agriculture in Zimbabwe. Poor and vulnerable smallholder farmers are facing serious food insecurity. Vulnerability to droughts is worsened by poverty, limited financial capital and access to technology. These factors limit their ability to cope, adapt and build resilience to climate change shocks and stresses. Local farmers’ adaptive potential, planning and preparedness are affected because of absence of adequate seasonal forecasting information. Smallholder farmers usually get forecasting information from indigenous knowledge indicators and scientific forecasts. Due to limited technology, they rely more on indigenous indicators. This study scrutinized local farmer vulnerability and the subsequent indigenous adaptation strategies used in coping with climate change risks and hazards. In using indigenous knowledge in coping and adaptation, the study interrogated the role of social capital and local institutions in reducing their vulnerability to disasters. The role of social capital and local institutions was scrutinized in the context local farmer indigenous knowledge and adaptation. Data in this study was collected using Focus Group Discussions, key informant interviews and structured questionnaires. The collected data was discussed based on the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. Results revealed majority of smallholder farmers, particularly women, are vulnerable to droughts and diseases. Their adaptive potential is constrained by their limited access weather and seasonal information. Seasonal forecasting information helps them in planning and making decisions which reduces vulnerability to climate change risks and hazards. Despite the presence of multiple indigenous indicators for seasonal forecasting, seasonal information still remains problematic for local farmers. Unreliability of some of the indigenous indicators and other factors such as modern science, christianity, western education and scientific seasonal forecasting are negatively affecting the use indigenous indicators in seasonal forecasting. On another level of adaptation, using social capital and local institutions is critical. Some farmers’ failure in reviving indigenous based social capital is crippling their potential of self-help adaptation strategies. Furthermore, some intervening local institutions are not premising their adaptation strategies much on indigenous strategies. In areas where local farmers invest in social capital and local institutions include indigenous knowledge systems, vulnerability is reduced. It can be concluded that use of indigenous knowledge systems is critical for sustainable adaptation of rural poor and vulnerable smallholder farmers. It can be recommended that the government needs to encourage and incorporate indigenous knowledge into adaptation plans and actions, and integrate indigenous knowledge into scientific seasonal forecasting and adaptation strategies. Integrating local knowledge and scientific strategies would reduce vulnerability and increase local farmer resilience and adaptive capacity against climate change shocks and stresses.