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La gestión del regadío multifuncional se viene debatiendo en términos que incorporan tanto la preocupación por su impacto socioeconómico y ambiental, como discusiones acerca de los intereses público-privados que emanan de su promoción. Con ello, las cuestiones sobre quién forma parte de la toma de decisiones y en qué medida participa o ejerce cierto control o influencia sobre el conjunto de actores centran el debate sobre su legitimidad y gobernanza. El presente artículo profundiza en estos aspectos de la mano de un caso de estudio, el corredor agroecológico que conforma el Parque Natural El Hondo y el Parque Natural Agrario Los Carrizales (Elche, Alicante). En base a la realización de entrevistas semi-estructuradas y cuestionarios y con el fin de profundizar en su modelo de gestión y las relaciones de poder entre partes interesadas, este artículo analiza 1) las cuestiones que generan mayor preocupación y debate en el sistema agroecológico El Hondo-Los Carrizales y 2) el nivel de gobernanza en la toma de decisiones que emana de su gestión. Los resultados muestran un reconocimiento social escaso del carácter multifuncional de ambos parques, así como la necesidad de afianzar su gestión de forma integrada y adaptativa para con ello aumentar su resiliencia frente a los impactos del cambio climático y maximizar su potencial agronómico, ambos dos aspectos clave para la supervivencia del sistema El Hondo-Los Carrizales.

Al llarg de les darreres dècades i de forma progressiva s’ha intensificat l’atenció científica i la mobilització social al voltant del rol de l’agricultura en l’ús i la gestió dels béns comuns. En aquest context, s’ha apostat pel caràcter multifuncional de l’agricultura com a enfocament capaç d’integrar la funció productiva amb les funcions ambientals, patrimonials o paisatgístiques de la seva pràctica. Aquest article té per objectiu endinsar-se en el debat existent al voltant de la multifuncionalitat de l’agricultura i la seva legitimació social com a mecanisme de gestió territorial dels béns comuns. Per fer-ho, es duu a terme, en primer lloc, una revisió de la literatura científica que ha tractat aquesta qüestió per, tot seguit, analitzar, a partir del buidatge dels informes de l’Eurobaròmetre, quins són els vincles existents entre la multifuncionalitat, la sostenibilitat de l’agricultura i la seva legitimació social.

Kull, Michael (2014)European integration and rural development. Actors, institutions and powerFarnham (England): Ashgate Publishing Limited, 188 p.ISBN 978-14-094-6854-7

La gestión del regadío es protagonista de un debate multifocal y supra escalar donde parte de la sociedad cuestiona los límites socioeconómicos y ambientales asociados a su práctica, poniendo el énfasis en su capital territorial y su capacidad de adaptación ante los retos venideros. En el ámbito sur-europeo la yuxtaposición de canales tradicionales, modernizados y de nueva creación explica buena parte del dinamismo protagonizado por la matriz rural. Los resultados obtenidos en tres casos de estudio de carácter multifuncional y marco sur-europeo (canal Segarra-Garrigues –Lérida–, canal de la Neste –Hautes-Pyrénées– y canal de la Muzza –Lombardia–) enfatizan el debate sobre el futuro del regadío y apuesta por una gestión territorial del mismo.

Aldomà, Ignasi (2012) La batalla per l’aigua. Una proposta per superar els desconcerts hídrics i garantir la gestió integral del seu cicle a Catalunya Lleida: Pagès editors, SL. 199 p. ISBN: 978-84-9975-213-6

En la comarca del Alt Empordà (Girona), el olivar ha configurado históricamente un paisaje de alto valor económico, cultural y ambiental si bien desde mediados del siglo XX se encuentra en fuerte regresión. Uno de los municipios situados en el límite de la plana altoampurdanesa que mejor ejemplifican este proceso de abandono y casi desaparición del olivar es Navata. Este artículo analiza los cambios experimentados en el olivar de este municipio en el periodo 1957-2004 a través tanto de la elaboración de una cartografía de usos y cubiertas del suelo a escala de detalle como del análisis de fuentes estadísticas y orales, ejercicio que pone de relieve la pérdida del 90% del olivar existente a mediados del siglo pasado. La helada de febrero de 1956 fue uno de los principales causantes, pero no el único. Sin embargo, tanto la importancia del olivar como elemento identitario y de conservación de la biodiversidad como el carácter diferenciador del aceite que se obtiene a partir de variedades propias de la zona (especialmente la argudell), justifican la necesidad de impulsar políticas que ayuden a su recuperación.

Hervieu, Bertrand (dir.) (2010) Les mondes agricoles en politique: De la fin des paysans au retour de la question agricole París: Presses de la Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques. 450 p. ISBN: 978-2-7246-1164-9

This research seeks to craft a framework for the implementation of the selected sustainable development programs in Lesotho in the three Government Ministries: Ministry of Social Development (Child Grant Program), Ministry of Energy and Meteorology (Development of Cornerstone Public Policies and Institutional Capacities to Accelerate Sustainable Energy for All Progress, normally called Sustainable Energy for All [SE4All] project), and Ministry of Forestry, Range, and Soil Conservation (Reducing Vulnerability from Climate Change in the Foothills, Lowlands, and the Lower Senqu River Basin Project (RVCC). The study's main objective is to develop a framework of a model for the implementation of the selected sustainable development programs in Lesotho. The research employs a cross-sectional qualitative method whereby a case study was conducted in the three government ministries to solicit the views from the officials on the development of a framework for the implementation of those cited sustainable development programs. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were used as well as secondary data from books, articles, UN documents, government legislation, regulations, and policies. The recommendations from the empirical findings were aligned with policy and legal frameworks, good governance, financial framework, integrated approaches, capacity building, coordination and collaboration of ministries, stakeholders' engagement, and skillful professionals. As part of contributing to the body of knowledge, this study proposed two models; one dwells on the research objectives (Conceptual Model) and, another, on five phases for managing sustainable development programs (Program Management Model). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Ecologiae et Bioethicae is the property of Uniwerystet Kardynala Stefana Wyznskiege w Warzawie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study explores centralized contract farming sustainability among tobacco smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. Despite studies on centralized contract farming to date, little has been theorized with regard to its sustainability. Using mixed-method research, questionnaires, key informant interviews, document review and focus group discussions were employed in gathering data from farmers, Extension Officers and field officers of the contracting firms. Using Pearson Correlation Coefficient and thematic analysis findings revealed that centralized contract tobacco farming is unsustainable. Institutional contract arrangements are manipulative and are unwelcome to farmers. Economically, contracting firms find it viable as they obtain more profit at the expense of smallholder farmers. Although farmers are assured of inputs, extension service and market for the product, the contract terms are characterized by transaction cost, uncertainty and information asymmetry. Moreso, although financial and physical assets ownership have been increased, human, natural and social capital are a challenge. Shocks, stresses and seasonality still characterize the vulnerability context of the farmers as society has been exposed to women and child abuses, food insecurity, and social decay. The study therefore recommends an increased participatory action and learning in crafting and implementing contract terms by farmers, state and non-state actors for sustainability to be realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaysia has focused its self-sufficiency policy on rice and paddy production, which are the country's primary staple food and food crop. Throughout the Eleventh Malaysian Plan (2016–2020) and National Agro-Food Policy (2011–2020), Malaysia continues its proactive and progressive measures to promote paddy and rice sector development. The impacts of climate change, however, are projected to exacerbate challenges in increasing paddy yields and achieving food security in the future. Hence, this paper attempts to discuss climate change impacts on rice production and food security in Malaysia succinctly. Using Mann–Kendall and Sen's slope, our analysis exhibited the increased minimum (Tmin) and maximum (Tmax) temperature in the granary areas, ranging from 0.3°C to 0.5°C and 0.2°C to 0.3°C, respectively, in every decade. At the same time, precipitation has shown an increasing trend, ranging from 133 mm to 200 mm. Apart from the trend analysis, we conducted a literature review to substantiate our discussion. The findings signified that climate change poses a severe threat to paddy production, which eventually will affect food security as they are highly interrelated. Thus, it is high time for Malaysia to revamp its paddy and rice intervention strategies by giving due attention to enhancing the adaptive capacity of paddy farmers to cope with climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines social differences and drought vulnerability among subsistence livestock farmers in Mpakeni, Mpumalanga province, South Africa. This paper asks, how do social differences between households and power relations shape vulnerability to drought? This is against the backdrop that parallel exposure to climatic risks does not translate to similar vulnerability among households residing in the same community. In-depth interviews were used to obtain primary data from purposively selected participants in Mpakeni. Some key findings reveal that being a non-local elite, a migrant settler and some female-headed households, especially those burdened by the additional tasks of caregiving, amplifies the challenges of securing forage when depleted in communal grazing fields. This is partly due to reduced time allocated to shepherding their livestock to the bank of a local river. Also, non-local elite and those who lacked social ties to the headman found it difficult to get compensated when their livestock were eaten by wild animal upon illegal entry to a game reserve rich in vegetation. This paper argues that vulnerability studies that focus independently on issues like gender, ethnicity and class may miss the dynamics that shape individuals' vulnerability to drought, which could have severe consequences for implementing effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change in the form of temperature increases and rainfall variability has intensified in the last three decades. Recent studies in Southern Africa (of which Zimbabwe is part) have indicated the extreme vulnerabilities of smallholder farmers to the impact of climate change and recommended that appropriate adaptation measures be put in place. In-field rainwater harvesting is one of the adaptation strategies that has been adopted by some smallholder farmers in drought-prone regions. The study examines the effectiveness of in-field rainwater harvesting as a climate change adaptation strategy for smallholder farmers in Gwanda district, Zimbabwe. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires (administered to 45 smallholder farmers) and five key informants. We find that most respondents adopted pit planting and mulching in-field rainwater harvesting techniques. A few respondents practised deep tillage, dead level contours, ephemeral stream diversion, ridges/furrows and hillside sheet runoff. In-field rainwater harvesting techniques increase the time required for crop moisture to set in resulting in improved crop yields. However, farmers are reluctant to adopt in-field rainwater harvesting techniques as they are labour intensive and some require technical expertise. We recommend the implementation of programmes that will enhance the capacity of smallholder farmers to implement various adaptation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides are one of the most substantial damaging and recurrent disasters in the hilly areas of Bangladesh. In the last decades, devastating landslides have repeatedly hit the hilly regions of the country, typically due to climate change along with other anthropogenic causes such as high population density, unplanned land use, and rampant hill cutting. However, there is a lack of an official database to analyze the trends of the landslide disaster in Bangladesh. In this vein, this paper compiled a catalog of 204 reported landslides in Bangladesh that caused 727 deaths and 1017 injuries during the period 2000–2018. The average number of annual landslides is 19, with a 4% yearly growth rate, which results in 38 fatalities and 54 injuries yearly on average. Using data from three national and two regional newspapers, the study finds that monsoon summer is the most damaging season and 83% of landslides are primarily triggered by heavy rainfall. A Hot Spot Analysis tool (Getis-Ord- Gi* algorithm) was used to identify the spatial concentration of high and low landslide affected areas in Bangladesh. Of 64 districts in the country, eight were exposed by landslide episodes, five were recognized as profoundly affected. Moreover, three sub-districts (Chattogram City Corporation, Ukhiya and Teknaf) have been identified as hot spot areas. Finally, the study will assist academicians for continuing risk studies through understanding the trends of landslide related causalities; policymakers for formulating suitable policies considering the high landslide affected areas; consequently, help local communities to protect their life and properties through raising awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determinants of market channel choice are the contributing issues that influence production and sales. Despite their significance, yet adequate research has not been carried out on it, particularly in the North West Province, South Africa. Consequently, this paper assessed the socio-economic profile and the determinants of the choices of market channel utilized by Maize and Sunflower farmers in the North West Province, South Africa. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 163 respondents categorized according to those who were financially assisted (n = 101) and those who were not (n = 62). The choice of Market channels utilized by respondents was then analyzed using a Multinomial Logit Regression Model with Non-market participation as a reference category. Overall, the finding demonstrated that most respondents (65%) were utilizing informal markets, followed by non-market participation and formal markets with 20% and 15% respectively. The findings emanated from the Multinomial Logit Regression analyses revealed that factors such as age, marital status, gender, credit access, education, and farming experience significantly influenced the choice of the market channel among maize and sunflowers farmers in the study area. Policies aimed at improving the farmers' access to formal markets should be informed by these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on the concept and measurement of poverty has significantly improved from the traditional unidimensional (income/expenditure) analysis to the multidimensional concept of poverty and well-being. Following the Multidimensional Poverty Assessment Tool (MPAT), the study explored the potential of combining counting and participatory approaches in determining levels of deprivations and well-being in an upland farming community in the Philippines. Data from a random sample of 153 farming households and analyzed following Alkire and the Foster's methodology revealed that 3 out of 4 households are multidimensionally poor. Results of the study also show that farming households' ability to generate farm- and non-farm income in addition to the high degree of exposure to idiosyncratic and covariate shocks contribute to the high multidimensional poverty index. Further, the study presents implications of these results for antipoverty policy in the rural context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Climate change negatively impacted agricultural food production. Amidst the means of adjustment is the use of adaptation strategies to combat the detrimental effect. In order to promote zero hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and encourage sustainable agriculture, which were listed under the second goal of the Sustainable Development Goals, then, farmers must necessarily have recourse to controlling measures. Consequently, climate change adaptation strategy was identified as one of the key approaches to achieving the catalogue itemised under the second goal. Hence this study aimed to determine the synergy between climate change adaptation strategy and smallholder farmers' food security status in South Africa, in addition to exploring factors that influenced the duo. A cross-sectional survey was conducted where 346 maize farmers in Ngaka Modiri Molema District of the North West Province, South Africa were interviewed. Data were analysed using STATA software, while two-stage regression model was used to establish the bi-causal link. On the one hand, the result highlighted variables that influenced climate change adaptation strategies: awareness of climate change, access to irrigation and frequency of agricultural extension agent visit. On the other, instrumental variables such as climate change adaptation strategies, household expenditure, and marital status were statistically significant and impact food security status in the study area. The paper established the nexus between climate change adaptation strategy and food security among smallholder maize farmers in the study area. Hence, the study recommended that in order to increase food security status, climate change adaptation strategy must be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development (SD) has become a popular catchphrase in contemporary development discourse. However, in spite of its pervasiveness and the massive popularity it has garnered over the years, the concept still seems unclear as many people continue to ask questions about its meaning and history, as well as what it entails and implies for development theory and practice. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the discourse on SD by further explaining the paradigm and its implications for human thinking and actions in the quest for sustainable development. This is done through extensive literature review, combining aspects of the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Recursive Content Abstraction (RCA) analytical approach. The paper finds and argues that the entire issue of sustainable development centres around inter- and intragenerational equity anchored essentially on three-dimensional distinct but interconnected pillars, namely the environment, economy, and society. Decision-makers need to be constantly mindful of the relationships, complementarities, and trade-offs among these pillars and ensure responsible human behaviour and actions at the international, national, community and individual levels in order to uphold and promote the tenets of this paradigm in the interest of human development. More needs to be done by the key players—particularly the United Nations (UN), governments, private sector, and civil society organisations—in terms of policies, education and regulation on social, economic and environmental resource management to ensure that everyone is sustainable development aware, conscious, cultured and compliant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the perception and adaptation strategies employed by smallholder farmers to abate the effect of climate variability. Using a mixed method cross-sectional research approach on smallholder farmers in the Bosomtwe district, 152 farmer respondents were sampled from 12 communities by a simple random sampling technique. The quantitative data gathered were subjected to the tools of binary logistic regression analysis, multiple regression analysis, contingency tables and frequencies, embedded in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v. 17. Farmers' observations were consistent with meteorological data which revealed that temperature has been increasing since 1981 and rainfall pattern has been erratic. Perception of deforestation (p < 0.05) was a significant and positive predictor of climate change. A binary logistic regression analysis performed on disposition of farmers persistently practicing a particular adaptation strategy indicated that irrigation, mulch, use of agrochemicals and changing the type of crop cultivated were positive and significant at p =.027, p =.000, p =.020 and p =.035, respectively. Policy on adaptation must make room for and capitalize on local knowledge for sustainable climate action. Agroforestry should be introduced to farmers to curb such maladaptive practices of clearing of forests and help sustain forest and agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Households living in rural areas of developing countries rely on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods and, as such, are highly dependent on climatic conditions. The study is located in Gwanda a dry southern region of Zimbabwe. This study unearths and assesses the livelihood resilience strategies households employ to fight food insecurity in the face of harsh climatic conditions. Thus enhances understanding on how households in the area manage drought and also assist in guiding targeted interventions on areas in similar contexts. The researcher adopted a mixed methods approach were Qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques were used. Data were collected using questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observations. Probability random sampling was used to select 284 respondents. The study revealed that increased frequency and periodicity of drought has created a crisis of food insecurity. To fight this, households engage in several on-farm strategies. These strategies are effective and efficient in reducing households' vulnerability to food insecurity. Challenges such as the increased frequency and periodicity of drought, environmental degradation, water scarcity, inadequate knowledge and skills and shortage of financial capital reduce the effectiveness of the strategies employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governmental and non-governmental organizations have increasingly developed climate services and products to improve safety on Lake Victoria, Africa's largest and the world's second largest freshwater lake. Despite these efforts and other interests in efficient exploitation of natural resources, Lake Victoria is one of the most dangerous waterways in the world. Each year, around 5,000 people lose their lives on the lake due to navigation accidents. The purpose of this study is to analyze the perceptions of the stakeholders about climate change, meteorological services, causes of accidents, and cultural, social, and economic barriers that lead to lack of safety of navigation on Lake Victoria. The study uses anecdotal interviews with a convenience sample of five participants and surveys research with a convenience sample of 316 respondents from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The study makes a significant contribution to the understanding of the multilayered ecological, socioeconomic, environmental, technological, and health-related factors that influence the safety of navigation on the lake by harnessing the indigenous knowledge of the stakeholders about their concerns and experiences. The authors assert and reaffirm the importance of integrating indigenous and scientific climate knowledge, offering strategies to enhance climate services and make technological products culturally relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we elicit the effects of gender on poverty reduction efforts in South Africa. Gender plays a huge role in the household decision-making process, as a result, it can determine if whether the household falls into a poverty trap or falls out of poverty. Utilizing a recently Community Survey (2016) we employ a Categorical Principal Component Analysis (CATPCA) to identify potential poverty indicators in South Africa. We then regress the identified components (indicators) using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and the Weighted Ordinary Least Square (WOLS) methods to identify the influence they have on non-income poverty. The findings of the study reveal a negative but significant relationship between females residing in traditional (rural) areas and poverty. Furthermore, it was found that females residing in rural and farm areas were most likely to be in poverty compared to their male counterparts. These findings suggest the importance of culture in shaping geographic location of gender in relation to poverty incidences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The community-based natural resources management (CBNRM) programme in Botswana was developed to facilitate a partnership between local communities and government for the conservation of natural resources whilst giving local communities usufruct rights to natural resources. This study sought to establish the impact of the wildlife hunting prohibition on the livelihoods of rural communities. Data for this study was obtained through a cross-sectional survey. The findings of the study suggest that the wildlife hunting prohibition which was introduced in 2014 impacted on the livelihoods of rural communities in areas such as employment and income from community-based organisations (CBOs). Prior to 2014, CBOs had found themselves in a rentier-ship status without any direct participation in the operation and management of hunting safaris. The wildlife hunting prohibition, however, did not void existing leases such as leases for hotels and lodges or other natural resource uses such as gathering veldt products. Since its inception, the implementation of the CBNRM programme had been largely focused on the utilisation of wildlife resources with the result that wildlife hunting had generated revenues quickly and easily for local communities. This paper argues that the removal of the wildlife hunting prohibition should be considered for wildlife species noted for causing damage and/or whose population has shown an increase such as elephant and buffalo. The loss incurred by rural communities from the damage caused to property and crops by wildlife militates against the perceived earlier successes of the CBNRM programme in wildlife conservation and poverty reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Papeles de Geografia is the property of Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Murcia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Lack of access to markets occasioned by missing market information has constrained market participation among smallholder farmers in developing countries. Advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have helped in connecting rural farmers through mobile phone to market sources. This study investigated the adoption of mobile phone for marketing of agricultural produce among Qamata Irrigation Scheme (QIS) smallholder farmers in South Africa and the determinants of adoption. Two stage random sampling technique was used to interview 97 smallholder farmers employing a semi-structured questionnaire. Data generated was analysed using descriptive statistics and probit regression model. Analysis result shows that 71% of the smallholder farmers currently use mobile phone for agricultural marketing. Majority of the respondents (55%) used mobile phone to market their produce among relatives and neighbours. Probit regression result indicates that gender, social grant as main income source, private traders and local market marketing channel, monthly income, political and economic factors influence mobile phone adoption in agricultural marketing. Hence, we recommend mobile phone as marketing tool among smallholder irrigation farmers in South Africa. Concerted efforts should be made to address erratic network and high airtime tariff challenges to encourage mobile phone adoption in marketing among smallholder farmers in the country [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is discussed and presented for the scientific technique official development assistance (ODA) cooperation. The three factors of the scientific technique are the research cost, the research personnel, and the research equipment. In this study, we focused on the scientific technique ODA cooperation for the research equipment. Actually, research institutes have been continually supported for the scientific technique ODA cooperation of the research equipment. However, the government lead ODA for the research equipment has been rarely implemented. In this paper, we attempted to study the scientific technique ODA cooperation model for the research equipment. First, we discuss and present for the scientific technique ODA cooperation. Then, we discuss the scientific technique ODA cooperation for the research equipment and operation technology. Also, we analyzed the expected effectiveness of the scientific technique ODA cooperation model for the research equipment. The expected effectiveness is classified as qualitative effectiveness and the quantitative effectiveness. In this paper, the scientific technique ODA cooperation model and expected effectiveness are examined for the first time. We think this study is very useful for the scientific technique ODA policymaking and the scientific technique ODA cooperation of all research institutes around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]