A study of the factors that affect agribusiness financing in Zambia: a case study of smallholder farmers in Chibombo district.

Thesis of Master of Business Administration in FinanceLimited access to agricultural financing is a constraint to the development of the Smallholder Farmers (SHFs) of the agriculture sector. The formal financial institutions face a challenge to provide agricultural credit that meets the unique demands of SHFs in the agricultural. Although SHFs face several challenges, lack of capital for investment contribute significantly to reduced production, increased food insecurity, and persistent poverty, especially in rural areas of the country. The research aimed to address three fundamental inquiries: the extent of financial inclusivity, the factors influencing access to finance, and the exploration of alternative financing models. Through a comprehensive study involving data collection, analysis, and interpretation, this research sheds light on the financial landscape for these farmers. A descriptive research design was employed which led to the adoption of a mixed-methods approach. The target population for investigation was drawn from 48,000 SHFs in Chibombo district. The sample size was 100 to whom semi structured questionnaires was administered for data collection based on a two-stage sampling procedure (purposive and saturation). The reliability of instrument was accessed using a half- split technique. The data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. A multiple logistic regression was conducted to determine the relationship between dependent and independent variable variables. The findings reveal a stark reality of exclusion, with only 19% of SHFs surveyed reported having accessed credit and only 8% of rural SHFs were utilizing formal banking services. These statistics reveals a considerable hurdle in their efforts to secure financial resources for enhancing agricultural activities and livelihoods. The study delved into credit access challenges, both on the demand and supply sides, and identified variables such as gender, age, and income that impacted credit availability. Logistic regression analysis further explored the influence of these variables on credit access. In response to these challenges, the research proposed innovative financing models tailored to the unique needs of SHFs. These models include mobile money lending, peer-to-peer lending, guarantee schemes, collateral substitutes, and group lending. Each model offers an avenue to empower farmers economically and overcome barriers to financial access. The study recommended that the Government initiatives should focus on improving rural infrastructure, including road networks and transportation systems. Further, incentivize institutions or partnerships that actively participate in community-based financing initiatives by offering tax breaks or grants to them. Lastly, regulatory bodies should collaborate with financial institutions to develop a regulatory framework that supports and governs mobile money lending to ensure consumer protection and fair competition. In conclusion, this research contributes to the discourse on agriculture financing by providing insights into the financial realities of rural SHFs in Zambia. The proposed models present actionable pathways to uplift these farmers, foster sustainable development, and promote financial literacy. As Zambia seeks to enhance its economic landscape and empower its agricultural sector, the findings of this study offer valuable guidance for shaping policies and interventions that can drive lasting positive change

The potential for bi-lateral agreements in medical tourism: A qualitative study of stakeholder perspectives from the UK and India

BACKGROUND: Globalisation has prompted countries to evaluate their position on trade in health services. However, this is often done from a multi-lateral, rather than a regional or bi-lateral perspective. In a previous review, we concluded that most of the issues raised could be better addressed from a bi-lateral relationship. We report here the results of a qualitative exercise to assess stakeholders' perceptions on the prospects for such a bi-lateral system, and its ability to address concerns associated with medical tourism. METHODS: 30 semi-structured interviews were carried out with stakeholders, 20 in India and 10 in the UK, to assess their views on the potential offered by a bi-lateral relationship on medical tourism between both countries. Issues discussed include data availability, origin of medical tourists, quality and continuity of care, regulation and litigation, barriers to medical tourism, policy changes needed, and prospects for such a bi-lateral relationship. RESULTS: The majority of stakeholders were concerned about the quality of health services patients would receive abroad, regulation and litigation procedures, lack of continuity of care, and the effect of such trade on the healthcare available to the local population in India. However, when considering trade from a bi-lateral point of view, there was disagreement on how these issues would apply. There was further disagreement on the importance of the Diaspora and the validity of the UK's 'rule' that patients should not fly more than three hours to obtain care. Although the opinion on the prospects for an India-UK bi-lateral relationship was varied, there was no consensus on what policy changes would be needed for such a relationship to take place. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst the literature review previously carried out suggested that a bi-lateral relationship would be best-placed to address the concerns regarding medical tourism, there was scepticism from the analysis provided in this paper based on the over-riding feeling that the political 'cost' involved was likely to be the major impediment. This makes the need for better evidence even more acute, as much of the current policy process could well be based on entrenched ideological positions, rather than secure evidence of impact

Genetic diversity and heterotic grouping of the core set of southern African and temperate maize (Zea mays L) Inbred lines using SNP markers

The establishment of heterotic groups and heterotic patterns is crucial to a successful maize hybrid breeding programme. Molecular markers can be used for differentiating maize into heterotic groups which can be used for maximum exploitation of heterosis. A core set of 45 maize inbred lines was selected from 96 maize inbred lines that were obtained from major breeding programmes in Zambia, Zimbabwe, CIMMYT, IITA, and USA. The 45 in- bred lines were assessed for their genetic diversity and assigned to different heterotic groups using 129SNPs. The genetic distance ranged from 0.03 to 0.99, with the highest distance observed between inbred lines B73 and Mo17 and the least between L3233 and N3. The inbred lines were clustered into four groups which corresponded to the N, SC, BSS, and Lancaster heterotic groups. The genetic divergence among temperate inbred lines was larger than that among tropical inbred lines. Temperate inbred lines with potential to improve the heterotic response of the N and SC heterotic groups were identified. The study has shown that including temperate inbred pairs from established and well-known heterotic groups is recommended for effective molecular characterisation of Southern African maize inbred lines. It is recommended that the genetic distance based grouping should be verified by combining ability studies

Identification of global inhibitors of cellular glycosylation

Small molecule inhibitors of glycosylation enzymes are valuable tools for dissecting glycan functions and potential drug candidates. Screening for inhibitors of glycosyltransferases are mainly performed by in vitro enzyme assays with difficulties moving candidates to cells and animals. Here, we circumvent this by employing a cell-based screening assay using glycoengineered cells expressing tailored reporter glycoproteins. We focused on GalNAc-type O-glycosylation and selected the GalNAc-T11 isoenzyme that selectively glycosylates endocytic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-related proteins as targets. Our screen of a limited small molecule compound library did not identify selective inhibitors of GalNAc-T11, however, we identify two compounds that broadly inhibited Golgi-localized glycosylation processes. These compounds mediate the reversible fragmentation of the Golgi system without affecting secretion. We demonstrate how these inhibitors can be used to manipulate glycosylation in cells to induce expression of truncated O-glycans and augment binding of cancer-specific Tn-glycoprotein antibodies and to inhibit expression of heparan sulfate and binding and infection of SARS-CoV-2

The feasibility of introducing rapid diagnostic tests for malaria in drug shops in Uganda

BACKGROUND: National malaria control programmes and international agencies are keen to scale-up the use of effective rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria. The high proportion of the Ugandan population seeking care at drug shops makes these outlets attractive as providers of malaria RDTs. However, there is no precedent for blood testing at drug shops and little is known about how such tests might be perceived and used. Understanding use of drug shops by communities in Uganda is essential to inform the design of interventions to introduce RDTs. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study, with 10 community focus group discussions, and 18 in-depth interviews with drug shop attendants, health workers and district health officials. The formative study was carried out in Mukono district, central Uganda an area of high malaria endemicity from May-July 2009. RESULTS: Drug shops were perceived by the community as important in treating malaria and there was awareness among most drug sellers and the community that not all febrile illnesses were malaria. The idea of introducing RDTs for malaria diagnosis in drug shops was attractive to most respondents. It was anticipated that RDTs would improve access to effective treatment of malaria, offset high costs associated with poor treatment, and avoid irrational drug use. However, communities did express fear that drug shops would overprice RDTs, raising the overall treatment cost for malaria. Other fears included poor adherence to the RDT result, reuse of RDTs leading to infections and fear that RDTs would be used to test for human immune deficiency virus (HIV). All drug shops visited had no record on patient data and referral of cases to health units was noted to be poor. CONCLUSION: These results not only provide useful lessons for implementing the intervention study but have wide implications for scaling up malaria treatment in drug shops