OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development
Open access peer-reviewed journal
Assessing the use of communal feedlot in empowering women farmers: A case of Mount Frere cattle custom feeding scheme
Lindikaya Myeki a, Victor Mmbengwa b , Simphiwe Ngqangweni c
a,b,c National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
a,b,c North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom, Republic of South Africa.
Volume 07, Issue 04, Pg. 11-20, 2014.
Abstract
Prior to the democratic dispensation in South Africa in 1994, women were not actively involved in the economic activities of both household and the country. These patriarchal customs have resulted in the limited influence of women in various sectors of the economy. These customs appears to more prevalent in the poverty stricken rural areas where women do have limited rights and privileges to challenge and own businesses as compared to the male individuals. On the other hand, the customized feedlot model provides an effective tool for mainstreaming the communal livestock farmers. This can be attributed to the net monetary value of the direct benefits from using the model. The customized feedlot model is capable of making communal livestock farmers to adapt to changing consumer taste and preference as far as beef is concerned. The aim of the study was to find out whether or not gender differences accounted for different economic outcomes in women and men beneficiaries in the customized feedlot model developed and supported by South African government and its partners. The Participatory Action Research method (involving a sample of 80 communal farmers) was used to collect the data. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. These data sets were analyzed using SPSS software and focus sessions. A univariate analysis of variance was conducted. The results revealed that women derive more (R5 395.6 ± 514.88) profit in communal feedlots relative to (R3730.59 ± 1491.97) the male counterpart. The gender variable was found to be statistically significant (F= 6.098, 0.016, p<0.05). The difference in profit in these businesses attributed by gender was found to be 7.3%. The model used represented 6.1% of the outcome. Levene’s test was violated due to its significant difference at 95% confident interval. In addition, women appear to participate less in this type of farming due traditional practices of livestock ownership in these rural areas. The study seems to suggest that participation of women in farming activities attracts more profit than the counterparts. Therefore, an effort to increase the women participation may be beneficial to women empowerment in poor rural areas of South Africa.
Keywords: Customized, Communal, women, customs, feedlot
Rail as the sustainable backbone of the energy efficient transport chain – a world view
Mark Robinson a , Dennis Schut b
a NewRail, Newcastle University, Stephenson Building, Newcastle Upon Tyne , UK NE1 7RU
b Research Department UIC, Paris France,
Volume 07, Issue 04, Pg. 21-31, 2014.
Abstract: The transport sector in 2010 was responsible for 23% of total CO2 emissions from fuel combustion in the world. In the same year road transport was responsible for 72% of total CO2 emissions caused by the transport sector globally. This high emission level was created transporting 34% of people and goods. Railway moved 9% of passengers and freight with an impact of just 3% of total transport CO2 emissions. Worldwide, CO2 emissions per passenger-km went down by 32% in the period 2000-2010. In the same period, CO2 emissions per freight tonne-km shrunk by 18%. In the European Union, railways have already largely exceeded the target of 10% renewables in the energy mix. In 2010 renewables used in the rail sector were at 18% compared with only 5% in the transport sector as a whole.
This paper highlights sustainable energy policies that spur economic growth and environmental protection in a global context – particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions that contribute to climate change. The target is to mitigate their environmental impact through improved energy efficiency and development and deployment of low-carbon technologies. The paper considers rail energy and emissions statistics and presents aggregate data on a worldwide rail activity and energy use basis. The paper looks closely at railway electricity mixes in Europe as well as options to provide renewable electricity to railway operators. Moving towards sustainable mobility requires both integrated and efficient transport systems as well as secure and clean energy. Modal shifts to rail can be a major driver for decarbonisation of the transport sector, and the set of data presented illustrates this potential.
Keywords: emissions; energy; environmental protection; rail; renewables
Benefits and challenges of integrated initiatives for sustainable rural development: The case from northern Mexico
Miguel Arato a, Stijn Speelman b, Guido Van Huylenbroeck c
a,b,c Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioengineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Volume 07, Issue 04, Pg. 32-50, 2014.
Abstract: New forms of rural development approaches are encouraging endogenous development strategies as a mean to generate active participation of local actors to assume shared responsibility for bringing about their own socio-economic development (Ellis, 2000; Ellis and Biggs, 2001; Durand and Van Huylenbroeck, 2002; Drabenstott, 2003). Endogenous development, as addressed by Nemes (2005), represents a significant change from traditional strategies based on capital investments (infrastructure, incentives and subsidies) to investment in developing the knowledge, the skills and the entrepreneurial abilities of the local population as a way to foster improvement. Although traditional packages of infrastructure development, grant-aid, loan-finance, business and community support services are still necessary, development agencies have recognized that long-run development gains are likely to be secured more effectively by encouraging local entrepreneurship at regional level adapting the traditional strategies to local social and cultural context (Slee, 1994, Nemes, 2005). Related to this line of thoughts, Ray (2000) recommended three key concepts that must be considered when designing development strategies: act in a territorial basis, utilization of local resources, and generate local contextualization through active public participation. In other words, for rural development policies to meet diverse needs and circumstances, they must consider the mobilization of local actors supported by partnership structures and proper arrangements (Schucksmith, 2010).
Integrated rural development “IRD” comprises the cooperation between policymakers, administrators from the various economic sectors and the citizens for the benefits of their rural region in the foundation of successful development (Giessen and Böcher, 2008). Integrated rural development includes a new role for the state as a coordinator, manager or enabler rather than as a provider and director. Other expected activities are the formation of tangled hierarchies; flexible alliances and networks; the inclusion of new partners, notably from the private sector and volunteers; and indeed governing through local governments and representatives (Shucksmith, 2010).
Private firms are also an important part of the integrated rural development strategies (Goldsmith, 1985). Since the IRD philosophy demands changes in traditional behaviors from all actors (Murdoch, 2000), the main change expected from private firms is to switch into a more pro-active role, turning from their traditional position as a mere “buyer” or “job provider”, to act as a driving force for development. Private firms in an integrated value chain are expected to act as a strategic partner providing not only market opportunities for rural producers, but also to share with them technology, skills, and knowledge necessary to help them improve the added value of the rural outcome (Morgan, 1997; Goldsmith, 1985). In return they shall obtain different benefits such as a continuous supply of their products; strengthen of their supply chain; and improvement of their position to manage the risks involved in the process (Goldsmith, 1985; Saraceno, 1995; Ray, 2000). Other opportunity for private firms generated through IRD is to diversify their product portfolio with value added products to gain access to specific market niches. Companies could therefore gain recognition and positive market perception through social responsibility and responsible sourcing strategies (Carroll, 1991; Martin, 2002; O’Connor and Meister, 2008; Archel et al., 2011).
Although the benefits implicit in the process and briefly mentioned above, there are sufficient challenges that must be addressed by most of the actors in order to succeed in integrated rural development initiatives. Within the challenges that might hinder the success of development initiatives, we found: the level of (dis)integration of supply chains (Goldsmith, 1985); the high grade of risk involved in working with rural producers (Shortfall and Shucksmith, 1998; Murdoch, 2000); inflexible and traditionalist rural policies (Giessen and Böcher, 2008); and the differences in interests and expectations from the involved actors (Nemes, 2005; Giessen and Böcher, 2008; Shucksmith, 2010).
Most of the theoretical background related to integrated rural development explores the expected changes in policies and interactions from the involved institutions, describing how organizational culture should be modified in order to ensure the success of development strategies. However there is limited exploration about the interests and drivers that could possibly encourage the participation of key actors, given the challenges that must be addressed when participating in such integrated strategies. The present research work focuses in a theoretical exploration about the different implicit benefits and challenges found when designing and applying integrated rural development initiatives. For this analysis we evaluated the main differences that exist between traditional and integrated strategies and explored the expectations and motivation drivers from the involved actors to actively participate in IRD. Due to each case-study is framed by its own characteristics, in order to analyze the theoretical background and its empirical applicability; we explored the analyzed concepts in a selected case from the northern part of Mexico where integrated projects have been encouraged to promote rural development. In this empirical case we analyzed the challenges that have been undertaken by the different actors, their main motivation drivers, as well as the experiences gained during the designing and development process of the integrated projects.
The main objective of this paper is to explore in an empirical case what literature is identifying as motivation drivers, benefits and challenges in integrated rural development. Additional to demonstrate whether its benefits can overcome all sort of challenges that must be addressed by the involved actors to succeed in integrated ventures generating sustainable business models.
Keywords: Integrated Development, Mexico, Rural, Sustainable Development, Value Chain.
Black African Jews, The Nigerian Question and The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel: A Comparison of Igbo and Yoruba Claims to Jewish and Judaic Traditions
Fatai Ayisa Olasupo
Department of Local Government Studies, Faculty of Administration
Obafemi Awolowo Universiy, Ile-Ife , Osun-State, Nigeria.
Volume 07, Issue 04, Pg. 51-65, 2014.
Abstract: In the last two decades, small communities within Igbo (and other smaller ethnic groups in Eastern Nigeria); and the Yoruba speaking ethnics groups of Nigeria have been calling for State/Provincial, National and International attention that, they have Jewish blood connections. But they lack synergy in mounting common campaign for their joint cause. Rather, they have been campaigning separately for local, national and international recognition as Jews. While both already have local recognition, they are yet to have national and international ones. How true are these conflicting claims? And how far has international community reacted to these?
Keywords: Black Africa, Jews, Igbo, Yoruba, Jewish and Judaic Traditions
A Philosophical reflection on sustainable politics in Africa: constraints and possibilities
Mary Stella Chika Okolo
Department of Communication and General Studies,
Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
Volume 07, Issue 04, Pg. 66-78, 2014.
Abstract: There are so many reasons for politics to deserve priority attention in the affairs of any nation. As the science of government, politics defines the rate and pace of development of any nation. For this reason, state managers should be able to translate political power into service-oriented enterprise. This will require providing disciplined leadership, encouraging the emergence of informed and active civil society, keeping corruption in firm check and guaranteeing freedom and rights of citizens to pursue their legitimate activities.
Investigations, however, reveal that the modern African government is seriously faced with the problem of corruption and leadership crisis. To say this is to underscore the questions of preparations for political office, perception, social grounding, political priorities, expectations and strategies expected of African leaders. The need to evaluate the place of the individual in governance is critical when one reflects on the role an individual can play in the (mis)creation of ideology and nation building. Mandela’s integrated approach and Robert Mugabe’s zero sum politics are good instances of far-reaching effect of how an individual’s value and behavior can shape national and international politics.
Yet, it is imperative that for politics to succeed and endure, political concerns should be placed on a structural frame outside the reach of power holders. If this is the case, why are African states still struggling with leadership crisis when these states have constitution clearly spelling out the dos and don’ts of office holders? While this question springs from politics, its resolution lies outside of it. It requires sustained reflection to grapple with the nuances posed by constraints in achieving this goal and the possibilities of its realization. A philosophical reflection, then, provides the platform to adequately interrogate the problems preventing the emergence of clean politics in Africa as well as point up road map for its actualization and sustenance.
The paper will tease out obstacles that obstruct the emergence of clean politics that existing views failed to mention. Also the paper will cut through layers of accepted understanding of the character of African politics and provide new and challenging insights into the power game in African politics. In addition, the paper will further a better understanding of the categories of social order in the makeup of African politics and provoke interest in the activities of leaders and followers. In a globally interconnected world an adequate understanding of the political affairs of Africa has great impact in strengthening or weakening mutual relationship with other nations.
Keywords: Africa, government, Leadership, Philosophy, Politics
How emotional, economic and material dependency may produce poverty for women
Antonella Rissotto a, Maurizio Norcia a
a Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies – National Research Council, Italy
Volume 07, Issue 04, Pg. 79-90, 2014.
Abstract: Dependencies, mainly for women, represent a factor that studies from ‘70s on have detected as originating a greater risk of social exclusion and vulnerability and, ultimately, of poverty. Main dimensions of dependency emerged from literature regard following aspects: 1) economic (income sources); 2) material (non-economic help in the management of the household from family of origin and friends); 3) emotional (need of an external emotional support). This contribution originates from a 2012 research on poverty and social exclusion, conducted in Italy by National Research Council, involving almost 1000 subjects. Three indexes have been built, referring to different dependencies detected by literature: Economic Dependency Index (EDI), Material Dependency Index (MDI) and Emotional Dependency Index (EDI). These indexes, together with other indicators, have been used with the aim of comparing female versus male respondents. Furthermore, women’ profiles have been drawn out that are potentially vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion (elderly women, women with precarious jobs and divorcees) more than others.
Keywords: poverty, dependencies, feminization of poverty
Inclusion in Italian School: mutual perception of Italian and foreign students
Maurizio Norcia a, Antonella Rissotto a
a Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies – National Research Council
Volume 07, Issue 04, Pg. 91-94, 2014.
Abstract: This article is about dynamics of inclusion and reciprocal perception among Italian and foreign students, a particularly relevant topic in Italy. In Italy, in fact, proportion of foreign students has increased much in last 15 years, from 0,7% to 7,9% of the total number of students.
The increased presence of migrant students in the schools of our country has strongly raised the issue of the importance of observing and studying the coexistence of Italian and foreigners, mainly from social and psychological points of view. The study focuses on psychology of coexistence, analyzing perceptions owned by Italian and foreign students about mutual presence: is students’ estimate of number of students from other Countries (Italy included) correct? Which characteristics correlate with wrong estimates (by shortcoming or excess)?
The context in which the research has been carried out was the Junior High School, both because School is a sort of laboratory for studying dynamics of coexistence inasmuch it represents a well-defined and scaled-down setting compared to social context as a whole and because this way it is possible to prevent since later, in the education, conflicts tend to emerge.
Keywords: Inclusion, perception of diversity, prejudice
Dynamics of inclusion in School: a study in Italy
Maurizio Norcia a, Antonella Rissotto a
a Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies – National Research Council, Italy.
Volume 07, Issue 04, Pg. 95-102, 2014.
Abstract: The paper focuses on the dynamics of inclusion and coexistence in School between Italian and foreign students, a particularly relevant topic in Italy. The data provided by the Department of Education in 2011 and for the past 15 years show, in fact, that from 1996/1997 to 2010/2011 foreign students have increased from 0.7% to 7.9 % of the total number of students.
The increased presence of migrant students in the schools of our country, however, does not automatically imply a change in the reciprocal representations of “foreign”: the only Contact (simply sharing the same living spaces) is not sufficient to reduce the level of stereotype and prejudice and to promote inclusion. The study examines which other factors could influence inclusion by creating a typological index aimed at observing students’ attitudes towards diversity/similarity, homogeneity/heterogeneity. Furthermore, Index is correlated with various social-demographic characteristics of the individuals involved and their families.
Keywords: Inclusion, Contact Hypothesis, perception of diversity, prejudice
Enhancing Sustainability Practices in Canadian Construction Industry: A case for an academic program in Sustainability
Faisal Arain
School of Sustainable Building and Environmental Management,
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Volume 07, Issue 04, Pg. 103-110, 2014.
Abstract: Sustainability in all aspects of our life is certainly an emerging trend. All industries including Construction Industry are taking active initiatives to support sustainability practices. Construction always has been a major player in Canada’s economy. In the global economy, construction occupies a still larger position. Around the world this industry accounts for $8 trillion a year of economic activity or about 15% of the world’s GDP. Moreover, this amount is projected to grow to $12 trillion by 2020. During this time period, Canada is expected to move from seventh to fifth place in terms of the world’s largest construction market. This emphasizes the need for aptly trained professional in all domains of sustainability.
Sustainable development issues and environmental concerns are becoming popular with Canada’s construction industry’s ever increasing activities. Contemporary construction practices adhere to traditional methods of construction; negative environmental impact during and after construction phase is certainly an area of interest for construction professionals. Technological advancements in the engineering and construction industry is contributing to achieving sustainable construction practices, however industry has been complaining regarding lack of training/education to produce construction professionals with sustainability competencies. There is a growing need for construction professionals with sustainability skillsets, which are crucial for enhancing sustainability practices, especially given the growing complexity of construction projects and construction-related environmental law. Academic institutions have a responsibility to address this emerging need of the industry to support national economy. The competence of an academic program in the core area of sustainable built environment is in imparting to its students the necessary expertise to practice professionally for promoting and enhancing sustainability practices at every level of the industry. The study identifies the need for an academic program in sustainability in Alberta, Canada. To achieve the study objectives, an extensive review of existing training programs in the domain of sustainability is carried out. The study also identifies emerging trends in sustainability practices in the industry. This forms the basis for a proposed academic program for training professionals to address emerging needs of the industry in the sustainability domain.
The study suggests that a baccalaureate level program in sustainability will help training our students better to address the needs of sustainability professionals in the local and global built environment industries that await them. There is a dire need for the proposed educational program that should address the required skillset to produce career ready professionals for sustainable practices in construction industry. The study findings would be of interest to sustainability experts, construction professionals, and faculty involved with sustainable built environment education.
Keywords: Built Environment, Construction Practices, Education, Pedagogy, Sustainability.
Development of new model for computation of external costs of hydropower dams
Sanaz Tajziehchi a, Seyed Masoud Monavari b, Abdulreza Karbassi c, Seyed Mahmoud Shariat d
a,b,d Department of Environment and Energy,
Science and Research, Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.c Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Volume 07, Issue 04, Pg. 111-122, 2014.
Abstract: Construction of hydropower dams is inevitable in areas with low precipitation. These types of constructions can impose external costs to local people. In order to estimate the external costs, it is necessary to identify and calculate not only the impacts of pollutants and destruction of different environmental units but the advantages of dam construction for the net benefit, as well. In order to compute the true external costs of hydropower dams, the earlier software known as SIMPACTs was revised. The new software is called HECAM that stands for Hydropower’s Environmental Costs Analysis Model. In the present investigation Alborz dam that is located in northern part of Iran was selected as the case study. The external cost resulted from the calculation as per in the SIMPACTs Model is US$/ MWh164 US $/ KWh or 0.16 or 49 million dollars in a year. had It ought to be pointed out that original model had some bugs,which were removed. Eliminating the bugs from SIMPACTs, furnished US$ 1/KWh instead of US$ 0.16/KWh. It should be noted that this figure does not include advantages and disadvantages of dam construction of dam. Besides, HECAM model encompasses the costs of electricity generation, irrigation and drainage, aquatics and potable water. Moreover, incomes due to the sale of electricity, the exclusion of pollutants, the development of cultivated area, the sales of aquaculture products and potable water, and flood prevention are also included in this new model.
Keywords: Social, Economic, External, Costs, Hydropower, HECAM