The state of rural transport research in South Africa - gauging the policy shifts : 1994 - 2014

This paper explores the state of rural transport research in South Africa covering the period 1994 -2014 with a particular focus on gauging the policy shift. The sustainable development theoretical framework is employed as the over-arching analytical tool. The paper draws from an extensive desktop literature review of rural transport policy research output accessible in the public domain covering the twenty year period. The main findings confirm a discernible transport paradigm shift underpinned by contestations regarding rural transportation policy planning and implementation. The paper also discusses rural transport research blind-spots and opportunities for valorizing the research output for the benefit of rural communities across the country.Paper presented at the 34th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 6-9 July 2015 "Working Together to Deliver - Sakha Sonke", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.The Minister of Transport, South AfricaTransportation Research Board of the US

Locked-up gains AND missed opportunities: A RAPID REVIEW OF the 2007 and 2018 versions of THE rural transport Strategy for south africa

This paper serves to explore rural transport policy implications and directions in South Africa. Making use of a systems and gap analysis approach, the paper examines and compares the main pillars of the 2007 Rural Transport Strategy and the 2018 Rural Transport Strategy (RTS) review with a view to highlighting the nuanced changes in emphasis as a basis for understanding the desired impact of the current RTS in terms of facilitating access to socio-economic opportunities for rural communities and stimulating and oiling rural economic development. The relative currency of rural transport issues addressed in the 2018 iteration of the RTS are analyzed in the context of trend-setting national and international policy shifts impacting and impacted by the rural transport sector. The findings underline the rural transport policy gains that have filtered through into the 2018 RTS while at the same time highlight missed rural transport policy changing opportunities. In addition, some possibly transformative policy options in both iterations that have remained trapped through inaction are discussed. The paper concludes by making suggestions on how the missed opportunities could be reclaimed through local level innovative and collaborative transport engagement approaches.Papers Presented at the 2018 37th Southern African Transport Conference 9-12 July 2018 Pretoria, South Africa. Theme "Towards a desired transport future: safe, sufficient and affordable"

An exploratory analysis of constraints and impediments at South African land ports of entry

Facilitating regional trade and commerce is vital for the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It also constitutes a pivotal policy plank for South Africa in terms of bolstering regional economic integration. However, a host of constraints and impediments located and operating at different scales make prospects for increased and unencumbered economic activity amongst the countries of this regional economic community (REC) untenable. One such formidable impediment is a non-tariff barrier associated with land ports of entry (POEs). This paper presents an exploratory analysis of constraints and impediments at selected POEs into South Africa. This is achieved through taking stock of the status quo at 15 of the 53 official POEs with a view to exploring challenges related to the efficient movement of people, goods and information into and out of South Africa. Literature reviews were supplemented by insights gleaned from interaction with a cross-section of stakeholders including truck drivers, travellers, and customs officials. In addition, on-site observations at POEs ensured that a richer understanding and interpretation of the research findings was achieved. While the research findings attest to the existence of pockets of good practice at some POEs, the overwhelming evidence was of POEs largely operationally manacled and hamstrung by structural constraints. The study provides recommendations revolving around the need to adequately plan for and upgrade the physical infrastructure, for example, in terms of redesigning clearing facilities to facilitate easy flow of pedestrian and commercial traffic, deploying adequate infrastructure for law monitoring and enforcement, as well as implementing a raft of strategic and operational measures at individual POEs aimed at optimising the use of the port and minimising border delay. In the long-term, institutional reform relating to, for example, the establishment of a single agency dedicated to border management, a commitment to continuous capacity building as well as the development of one-stop-border-posts (OSBP) at selected POEs are considered integral to efforts to finding long-term solutions.Paper presented at the 35th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 4-7 July 2016 "Transport ? a catalyst for socio-economic growth and development opportunities to improve quality of life", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.The Minister of Transport, South AfricaTransportation Research Board of the US

Effect of rate and method of phosphorus application on the growth and development of 'Pasja' crops

‘Pasja’ (Brassica campestris x napus) was grown at Lincoln in 2008, with banded or broadcast phosphorus (P) fertiliser applied at 0, 20, 40 or 60 kg/ha at establishment on a Templeton silt loam soil of moderate fertility (Olsen P of 9-17 mg/ kg range for individual plots). Total dry matter (DM) production, leaf to stem ratios and leaf area development were measured over time and related to the biophysical environment. Final DM yield increased with P rate from 3,730 kg DM/ha for the control to ~5,000 kg DM/ha at 60 kg P/ha. The leaf to stem ratio declined from between 22 and 31 at 17 days after emergence to 10.3 at the final harvest. Leaf area index (LAI) for the control crops was lower than for those that received P fertiliser, but there were no differences among the P fertilised crops. Total accumulated intercepted solar radiation (RIcum) was 8% greater when P was applied compared with the control. This difference was the main contributor to differences in total dry matter yield and was independent of the application method. Keywords: BrassicaPastoral 21’ program and New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Limited

Prospects for leveraging private sector logistics firms to support rural access to healthcare : some insights from Mozambique

For many rural communities across southern Africa, access to even the most basic healthcare is not guaranteed. Competing demands by public sector agencies for limited transport resources, plus poor vehicle maintenance standards, prevent public health system motor pools from being available consistently to reach health centers on a regular basis. The irregular availability and use of transport also results in higher overall costs of distribution of medical commodities due to vehicle breakdowns, higher rates of product wastage, and higher personnel costs per successful delivery. As a result, medical commodities including vaccines and essential medicines are not provided reliably or in sufficient supply, needlessly impacting the health of these communities. This paper reviews current transport practices within the Ministry of Health (MISAU) and highlights existing trends in commercial transport with a view to presenting considerations in which the two sectors could collaborate to achieve improved reliability and increased efficiency of the distribution of medical commodities. A mixed method approach was employed to gather, review and process information. The field research was conducted from September to November, 2013 as well as from January to February 2014 ? before and after the onset of the rains. The research findings indicate in the main that MISAU recognizes the mounting challenges it would face in continuing to support the current model ? and the missed opportunities to broaden access to healthcare. In response, it is pursuing a path of decentralization and private sector engagement in order to capture and realize greater efficiencies and develop a more sustainable and equitable path for improvement.Paper presented at the 34th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 6-9 July 2015 "Working Together to Deliver - Sakha Sonke", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.The Minister of Transport, South AfricaTransportation Research Board of the US

Irrigation Management Strategies for Fodder Beet (\u3ci\u3eBeta vulgaris\u3c/i\u3e L.) Crops

The production of fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in New Zealand is concentrated in the South Island, and often requires irrigation to achieve high yields. Development of efficient irrigation management strategies requires information on the effect of timing and rate of irrigation on crop growth. A field study was conducted on a moderately deep soil at Chertsey, Canterbury, New Zealand, to evaluate crop growth responses to five irrigation managements: Rain-fed (control), weekly replacement of full evapotranspiration (FullET-weekly), and 50% of evapotranspiration replaced weekly (HalfET-weekly), fortnightly (HalfET-2weekly) or 3-weekly (HalfET-3weekly). Irrigation to replace ET was adjusted to account for rainfall received between irrigation events. The crop was sown on 11 October 2015. Dry matter (DM) and green leaf area index (LAI) were quantified at 4-weekly intervals from 21 December 2015 until 16 May 2016. Water use efficiency (WUE) was calculated from weekly time domain reflectometry and neutron probe measurements of volumetric soil water content (to 0.8 m depth) and crop biomass. Final yield was lowest for Rain-fed (17.1 t DM/ha) and highest for FullET-weekly (28.9 t DM/ha) treatments. The remaining treatments did not differ in yield, producing 22.4±1.6 t DM/ha, but differed significantly from the Rain-fed and FullET-weekly treatments. Yield differences were associated with the rate of leaf area expansion and duration of critical LAI values (≥ 3.0 m2/m2), which were greater for FullET-weekly than for other treatments. Rain-fed and FullET-weekly treatments resulted in the highest and lowest WUE (81 versus 47 kg DM/ha/mm). The remaining treatments did not differ in WUE, averaging 67±3.6 kg DM/ha/mm. Our results show yield benefits from irrigation, with the best outcome from FullET-weekly given the soil type and weather conditions. However, under water restriction conditions, the HalfET-3weekly management is recommended over more frequent partial ET replacements because it would reduce irrigation costs without penalising yield

KSD IRTP : planning & delivering more integrated & sustainable rural access systems

This paper revolves around the data-driven development of an integrated rural transport plan (IRTP) for King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality (KSD) in the Province of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The IRTP's departure point is that there is a high socio-economic price to pay if the travel and transport needs of the poor rural majority are not adequately provided for. This realization compelled KSD to seek to craft an inclusive intervention regime with a view to not only to improving access to socio-economic opportunities, but also stimulating sustainable economic development. The KSD IRTP was thus structured around four strategic pillars, as follows: ? Establishing and strengthening KSD?s spatial logic through spatial reorganization by way of coordinated development of an interlinked network of rural service nodes and transportation linkages ? nodal and linkage development ? Improving access to socio-economic opportunities through not only integrated planning but also development of a responsive, balanced and sustainable transportation system ? Widening economic choices by ensuring that the plan stimulates and oils not just the mainstream economy, but also facilitates and entrenches KSD?s ?second economy?, and ? Establishing and nurturing a community-based service delivery agenda, especially given KSD?s privileged position not only at the epicentre of a relatively impoverished rural region, but also at the coal face of development endeavours. The KSD IRTP provides both strategic direction and operational guidance to the development of transport for sustainable rural development in KSD. As indicated above, it does this through the medium of strategic intervention pillars undergirding it. These pillars find expression in and are supported by the KSD IRTP Action Agenda. The KSD IRTP Action Agenda is an amalgam of proposed policy positions, supported by intervention options, which are in turn, buttressed and made operational through detailed specific action items. Finally, a selection of projects (which seek to find a balance between focusing on investment for economic growth and investment in social redistributive measures to ensure development endeavours also reach poor households in KSD) are drawn complete with indicative costs ? providing a blueprint for plan implementation.Paper presented at the 35th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 4-7 July 2016 "Transport ? a catalyst for socio-economic growth and development opportunities to improve quality of life", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.The Minister of Transport, South AfricaTransportation Research Board of the US

Independent and combined effects of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene, and improved complementary feeding, on child stunting and anaemia in rural Zimbabwe: a cluster-randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Child stunting reduces survival and impairs neurodevelopment. We tested the independent and combined effects of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and improved infant and young child feeding (IYCF) on stunting and anaemia in in Zimbabwe. METHODS: We did a cluster-randomised, community-based, 2 × 2 factorial trial in two rural districts in Zimbabwe. Clusters were defined as the catchment area of between one and four village health workers employed by the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care. Women were eligible for inclusion if they permanently lived in clusters and were confirmed pregnant. Clusters were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to standard of care (52 clusters), IYCF (20 g of a small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement per day from age 6 to 18 months plus complementary feeding counselling; 53 clusters), WASH (construction of a ventilated improved pit latrine, provision of two handwashing stations, liquid soap, chlorine, and play space plus hygiene counselling; 53 clusters), or IYCF plus WASH (53 clusters). A constrained randomisation technique was used to achieve balance across the groups for 14 variables related to geography, demography, water access, and community-level sanitation coverage. Masking of participants and fieldworkers was not possible. The primary outcomes were infant length-for-age Z score and haemoglobin concentrations at 18 months of age among children born to mothers who were HIV negative during pregnancy. These outcomes were analysed in the intention-to-treat population. We estimated the effects of the interventions by comparing the two IYCF groups with the two non-IYCF groups and the two WASH groups with the two non-WASH groups, except for outcomes that had an important statistical interaction between the interventions. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01824940. FINDINGS: Between Nov 22, 2012, and March 27, 2015, 5280 pregnant women were enrolled from 211 clusters. 3686 children born to HIV-negative mothers were assessed at age 18 months (884 in the standard of care group from 52 clusters, 893 in the IYCF group from 53 clusters, 918 in the WASH group from 53 clusters, and 991 in the IYCF plus WASH group from 51 clusters). In the IYCF intervention groups, the mean length-for-age Z score was 0·16 (95% CI 0·08-0·23) higher and the mean haemoglobin concentration was 2·03 g/L (1·28-2·79) higher than those in the non-IYCF intervention groups. The IYCF intervention reduced the number of stunted children from 620 (35%) of 1792 to 514 (27%) of 1879, and the number of children with anaemia from 245 (13·9%) of 1759 to 193 (10·5%) of 1845. The WASH intervention had no effect on either primary outcome. Neither intervention reduced the prevalence of diarrhoea at 12 or 18 months. No trial-related serious adverse events, and only three trial-related adverse events, were reported. INTERPRETATION: Household-level elementary WASH interventions implemented in rural areas in low-income countries are unlikely to reduce stunting or anaemia and might not reduce diarrhoea. Implementation of these WASH interventions in combination with IYCF interventions is unlikely to reduce stunting or anaemia more than implementation of IYCF alone. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UK Department for International Development, Wellcome Trust, Swiss Development Cooperation, UNICEF, and US National Institutes of Health.The SHINE trial is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1021542 and OPP113707); UK Department for International Development; Wellcome Trust, UK (093768/Z/10/Z, 108065/Z/15/Z and 203905/Z/16/Z); Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation; US National Institutes of Health (2R01HD060338-06); and UNICEF (PCA-2017-0002)

Spatial mapping and analysis of integrated agricultural land use and infrastructure in Mhlontlo local municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa

The study spatially mapped and analysed agriculture land use and infrastructure requirements in Mhlontlo Local Municipality linked to ASGISA Eastern Cape's agrarian transformation and rural development initiatives. Emphasis was placed on informing ASGISA Eastern Cape's broader rural infrastructure programme in support of agrarian transformation and rural development for the Eastern Cape province. The study approach was participatory, extensively involving discussions with stakeholders, visits to project areas, internal and external workshops and document analysis. The results show that the municipality has a huge potential for agriculture and improved utilisation of available arable agricultural land that still needs to be realised. The poor state of basic infrastructure for economic and social service delivery remains a key constraint to sustainable and productive agricultural land use and rural development in Mhlontlo Local Municipality. This fi nding tends to hamper the contributions of the rural labour force to productive agricultural enterprises as well as limiting the knowledge base of rural people. This study recommends an integrated approach to rural agricultural transformation in Mhlontlo which requires infrastructure investments with a broader scope that transcends agricultural land use developments. For example, direct agricultural infrastructural investments and activities need to be complemented by investments in social services aimed at reducing poverty and stimulating socioeconomic growth and development of the local municipality.