Participatory methods, guidelines and good practice guidance to be applied throughout the project to enhance problem definition, co-learning, synthesis and dissemination

Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Exploring the Impact of Analyst Knowledge of Socio-Technical Concepts on Requirements Questionnaires Quality

This paper explores the potential for a proposed socio-technical process model in enhancing analysts’ domain knowledge for the requirements elicitation phase. Following design science guidelines, we have developed a ST process model with demonstration in the self-care management area. Evaluation will be done using empirical investigation with a randomized two group experimental design, where the objective is to see the potential for the proposed process model in enhancing analysts’ domain knowledge, interview readiness, and questionnaire quality

Concepts and practices in agricultural extension in developing countries: a source book

The first chapter outlines the emerging challenges faced by agricultural R&D sectors and how paradigms are evolving in response to these changes and challenges. The second chapter traces the evolution of agricultural extension thinking and practice. It highlights some generic problems faced at various stages of evolution and approaches to address them. It highlights the factors identified in literature as contributing to successful knowledge dissemination processes and creating higher access to clients to the services. While reflecting on the challenges and opportunities, the chapter also explores the possible future of extension services in developing countries. The third chapter gives an account of the various extension models, approaches and methods that have been tried out in developing countries and the experiences. The chapter concludes with the transition being made to agricultural innovation systems from Research & Extension systems and highlights the role of extension services in this context. Chapter four highlights the importance of farmer groups in providing effective extension services and promoting innovation. It explains in detail the processes, approaches and methods involved in group formation and development, management, performance assessment and, monitoring and evaluation. Chapter five lists and describes in detail the various tools and methods used in participatory research and development processes. Chapter six focuses on the very important issues of Monitoring and Evaluation as systems for learning and for facilitating reflective action cycles. The importance of participatory approaches in M&E, process monitoring and outcome mapping are highlighted. This book can be used by students and practitioners of extension, researchers and decision-makers. This is a collation of knowledge regarding the practice of extension and is not intended to be used as a recipe or blue print. Based on the context and the requirement, the approaches and tools should be selected, adapted and used. There is a built-in flexibility that would allow the user to employ his/her experience, creativity and imagination in adapting and using the approaches and tools described in this source book

Applying innovation system concepts in agricultural research for development: a learning module

This learning module is expected to have multiple uses. One, a source material for trainings that could be organized at different levels, and two, as reference document to upgrade the knowledge of staff of partner organizations about innovation systems approach and applications. The design of the learning module includes guidance notes for potential trainers including learning purpose and objectives for each session; description of the session structure (including methods, techniques, time allocation to each activity); power point presentations, presentation text, exercise handouts, worksheets, and additional reading material. There are also evaluation forms and recommended bibliography for use by future facilitators. The module has been prepared in the style of a source book and it assumes that the reader is familiar with the concepts, procedures and tools used in participatory research approaches. Users can pick and choose the sessions/idea/tools/concepts that are most relevant and appropriate in specific contexts and for specific purposes. This is work in progress. The module is being continually refined and updated, based on application of the concept and tools in the project and elsewhere and, lessons learned in the process. Case studies will be prepared to supplement this module. Therefore, IPMS would like to encourage users of this learning module to actively provide feedback, including suggestions on how it can be improved

Human Dimensions of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries: An Overview of Context, Concepts, Tools and Methods

This document aims to provide a better understanding of the role of the economic, institutional and sociocultural components within the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) process and to examine some potential methods and approaches that may facilitate the adoption of EAF management. It explores both the human context for the ecosystem approach to fisheries and the human dimensions involved in implementing the EAF. For the former, the report provides background material essential to understand prior to embarking on EAF initiatives, including an understanding of key concepts and issues, of the valuation of aquatic ecosystems socially, culturally and economically, and of the many policy, legal, institutional, social and economic considerations relevant to the EAF. With respect to facilitating EAF implementation, the report deals with a series of specific aspects: (1) determining the boundaries, scale and scope of the EAF; (2) assessing the various benefits and costs involved, seen from social, economic, ecological and management perspectives; (3) utilizing appropriate decision-making tools in EAF; (4) creating and/or adopting internal incentives and institutional arrangements to promote, facilitate and fund the adoption of EAF management; and (5) finding suitable external (non-fisheries) approaches for financing EAF implementation

Managing urban water services through segmentation, service and price differentiation: findings from sub-Saharan Africa

Water is life and its provision is vital not only for purposes of sustaining life but also for convenience, health, sanitation and economic well being. The United Nations estimates that over one billion people living in developing countries lack access to safe water, with a substantialp roportion of thesel iving in Africa. As a consequenceo f urbanisation and rapid growth of cities, urban water utilities in developing countries face an enormous challenge in meeting the water requirements of urban dwellers. The challenge is even greater when the prevailing poverty, high levels of debt and declining funding (in form of official developmenta ssistance)a re taken into account. In particular, Sub-Saharan Africa is facing low levels of water services and water supply coverage. Under thesec ircumstancesa, key objective for water utilities in Sub-SaharanA frica is to provide services to the growing urban population, including the poor, in a financially sustainable manner. To achieve this objective, utility managers need innovative methods of financing and managing urban water services. A systematic approach consisting of market segmentation, service and price differentiation is proposed as a suitable method of managing urban water services in Sub-Saharan Africa. This approach is the subject under investigation in the research, which is reported in this thesis. Using primarily the case study research methodology but also incorporating surveys, interviews and f6cus group discussions within the case study, research was carried out to investigate the use of a systematic approach consisting of segmentation, service and price differentiation for managing urban water services in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. The detailed field research was carried out in Kenya and South Africa, and two case studies were prepared. Among the key findings was that this approach offers a framework for water utilities to structure their service delivery with appropriate pricing and serve more customers (including people living in informal settlements) at affordable cost, while achieving financial sustainability. The finding leads to the conclusion that segmentation, service and price differentiation is a suitable methodology that utilities can use to improve urban water servicesi n Sub-SaharanA frica

Introducing loop-closure for phosphates into a provincial development strategy: An analysis of overlaps of primary and secondary phosphate processing technologies

Almost 90% of the global phosphoric acid demand can primarily be linked to fertiliser production for application onto agricultural lands (PotashCorp, 2014). To fulfil the phosphate fertiliser demand in South Africa’s arable soils, the country largely relies on the mining and processing of the extensive igneous phosphate ore deposits found in Phalaborwa, Limpopo (DMR, 2008); but this extractive approach to procuring phosphates is not sustainable. Moreover, due to rising phosphate demands and declining ore grades, worldwide phosphate ore reserves are expected to last only approximately 100 - 400 years (Smil, 2000). The intensification of phosphate resource consumption has also resulted in increased phosphate loads in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influents thereby exerting pressure on existing treatment systems and potentially, on water ecosystems in which these phosphates end up. Therefore, it is because of the myriad difficulties associated with linear phosphate resource flows that there has been ongoing research on the recovery of phosphate nutrients from wastewater (Durrant, et al., 1999; Levlin and Hultman, 2004; Sikosana, 2015) and sourceseparated urine (Ganrot, 2005; Pronk and Kone, 2009). Consequently, the purpose of this dissertation is to investigate a novel approach to loop-closure through the recovery of urine-bound phosphates. Uniquely, this research considers the subsequent integration of the recovered phosphate into existing primary phosphate processing facilities – stimulated by a process to develop a sub-national minerals beneficiation strategy for the kwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province in South Africa. Not only does the investigation seek to understand the technical potential of reintroducing waste-bound phosphates into the phosphate value chain but it also seeks to understand the potential for the respective contribution into the socio-economic sphere of sustainable development through employment creation. Three research approaches were used in obtaining results in this dissertation. Firstly, flowsheet simulations of Dihydrate phosphogypsum (DH) and Hemihydrate phosphogypsum (HH) producing processes were done. The materials balance simulations included a base case where a secondary phosphate source was not introduced in the process and the case where it was introduced into the processes in the form of struvite recovered from sanitation infrastructure. Secondly, a socio-economic assessment was carried out. This involved a cost analysis of implementing a reverse logistics network that collects urine from non-sewer-served areas, processes it into struvite and transports the struvite into a phosphoric acid complex, such as the one owned by Foskor in Richards Bay. In addition to this, the quantity of jobs was determined. Lastly, interviews and desktop research were used to learn about past experiences in recycling thereby providing insight regarding key considerations when implementing extended producer responsibility schemes. With the assumptions that are detailed in Chapter 3, the results of Chapter 4 reveal that it should be possible, from a technical standpoint, to integrate struvite into existing phosphoric acid generation processes. However, the use of struvite in such a process raises concern in the form of loss of phosphoric acid production if the feed tonnage is kept constant. Furthermore, there is a presence of magnesium in the product acid which has been known to adversely affect the formation of gypsum crystals. Additionally, when using the struvite cost obtained from Sikosana (2015) it can be argued that there is little to no process-related financial benefit in integrating struvite in a phosphoric acid generation complex such as the investigated DH and / or HH processes. The socio-economic analysis showed that implementing a reverse logistics network for the recycling of phosphates would cost 147,000 ZAR per ton of struvite generated whilst creating approximately 9,000 to 18,000 jobs (depending on the approach) in the respective collection, processing and transportation phases in recycling, if urine collection were to be extended to all households in KZN not served by network sewer systems. Furthermore, the study revealed that the funding model in the extended producer responsibility scheme would have to contribute an average of 152,000 ZAR per year, through some form of subsidy, for every job that exists in the network. Critical insight was drawn from the literature study and interviewing process. It was found that the key considerations that need attention when setting up an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme include a well-governed and aligned producer responsibility organisation (PRO) to assist the producer in achieving their respective production targets. Secondly, there is evidence that mandatory approaches to EPR funding have been less successful as funding approaches for EPR schemes in South Africa; in fact, the more successful EPR schemes have been voluntary / industry driven approaches. As a basis, the work in this dissertation can be used in influencing future work in the phosphate loop-closure context. It can then be concluded that the return of urine-derived struvite, as a secondary phosphate raw material, into industrial phosphoric acid processing should be technically possible. In doing so, a more circular phosphate value chain could be achieved. The reintroduction of a secondary phosphate source in the HH and DH processes would therefore bring about new work opportunities, and thus the upliftment of the socio-economic status of the individuals involved in the reverse logistics that facilitate struvite supply. It is recommended that technical questions, for example the specifics of how struvite interacts with sulphuric acid, be further investigated from a thermodynamic and reaction kinetics perspective. Also, there is enough evidence to start an expert discussion about the suitability of existing mechanisms that have been accepted and used by industrial producers to give effect to their extended environmental responsibilities, for application in phosphate loop-closure