Estimating the potential of beekeeping to alleviate household poverty in rural Uganda

<div><p>Robust evidence underpinning the role of beekeeping in poverty alleviation is currently lacking. This study estimated the production potential for beekeepers in Northern Uganda by quantifying current production assets (equipment and knowledge) and impact on rural income streams range of proposed interventions. Intervention scenarios evaluated the economic benefits to be derived from different hive types combined with year-round provision of a nectar source (<i>Calliandra calothyrsus</i>) planted at varying density. Findings show that the type and number of beehive combinations used influenced the amount of revenue streams generated by the beekeepers. Addition of 20 log hives increased incomes 10 times, 20 KTBs increased revenues 16 times and Langstroth 18 times. Adding <i>Calliandra</i> trees as a forage source to the baseline scenario yielded revenues up to 17.6 times higher than the baseline. Implying that good management plus the introduction of a reliable nectar source, to off-set dry season challenges (absconding), could improve beekeeping productivity in Northern Uganda. Further research is required to validate <i>in situ</i> the impact of modelled scenarios on both honey yield and other ecosystem service benefits.</p></div

The buzz about bees and poverty alleviation: Identifying drivers and barriers of beekeeping in sub-Saharan Africa

The potential of beekeeping to mitigate the exposure of rural sub-Sahara African farmers to economic stochasticity has been widely promoted by an array of development agencies. Robust outcome indicators of the success of beekeeping to improve household well-being are unfortunately lacking. This study aimed to identify the key drivers and barriers of beekeeping adoption at the household level, and quantified the associated income contribution in three agro-ecological zones in Uganda. Beekeepers were generally the most economically disadvantaged people in the study areas and tended to adopt beekeeping following contact with non-government organisations and access to training. Whilst incomes were not statistically lower than their non-beekeeping counterparts; their mean household well-being scores were significantly lower than non-beekeeping households. The inability of beekeeping to significantly improve well-being status can in part be attributed to a lack of both training in bee husbandry and protective equipment provision such as suits, gloves and smokers. These are critical tools for beekeepers as they provide the necessary confidence to manage honey bees. Rather than focussing solely on the socio-economic conditions of farmers to effectively adopt beekeeping, future research should also attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of development agencies’ provision to the beekeeping sector

Respuesta de la comunidad microbiana del suelo a manejos agrícolas diferentes en Santa Clara, Cuba

Seven farms (two state, two cooperatives, and three private farms) were selected for assessing effects of farm management on the microbial biomass and the structure of the microbial community, as well as, the responses to seasonality on these two bio-indicators in these three representative farming systems. All farms are located on brown calcareous soil. Soil samples from the 0-20 cm depth were collected from two fields of each farm. Soil microbial community was assessed through two analyses: microbial biomass carbon and phospholipid fatty acid. The technological differences in soil management, among the three farming systems, affected both microbial biomass carbon and the microbial community composition. The differences were most pronounced between the private and the state farms. The statistical analyses demonstrated that the total of phospholipid fatty-acid were significantly higher in cooperative farms. The use of fallow in these farms seems to have positive effects on soil microbial communities. Seasonality has a clear effect on both indicators. Summarizing, both indicators demonstrated sensible responses to disturbances caused by farm management and seasonality in the conditions of Cuban agriculture. Keywords:  farming systems, microbial biomass carbon, phospholipid fatty-acid analysis (PLFA), soil qualitySiete fincas (dos estatales, dos cooperativas y tres privadas) fueron seleccionadas para evaluar los efectos del manejo agrícola en la biomasa microbiana y en la estructura de la comunidad microbiana, así como, la respuesta a la estacionalidad de estos dos bio-indicadores en los tres sistemas agrícolas. Todas las fincas se encontraban sobre suelos pardos con carbonatos. Las muestras fueron colectadas en dos campos de cada finca a una profundidad de 0-20 cm. La comunidad microbiana fue evaluada a través de dos análisis: carbono de la biomasa microbiana y los fosfolípidos. Las diferencias tecnológicas en el manejo de los suelos, entre los tres sistemas agrícolas, afectaron el carbono de la biomasa microbiana y la estructura de la comunidad microbiana. Las diferencias fueron más pronunciadas entre los sistemas privados y estatales. Los análisis estadísticos demostraron que el total de los fosfolípidos fue significativamente superior en los campos de las cooperativas. El uso del barbecho en estas fincas parece tener efectos positivos en la comunidad microbiana del suelo. La estacionalidad tuvo un claro efecto en los dos indicadores. En resumen, estos bioindicadores demostraron respuestas sensibles a los disturbios causados por el manejo y la estacionalidad en las condiciones de la agricultura cubana. Palabras clave: análisis de ácidos grasos fosfolípidos (PLFA), calidad del suelo, carbono de la biomasa microbiana, sistemas agrícola

When workplace unionism in global value chains does not function well : exploring the impediments

Improving working conditions at the bottom of global value chains has become a central issue in our global economy. In this battle, trade unionism has been presented as a way for workers to make their voices heard. Therefore, it is strongly promoted by most social standards. However, establishing a well-functioning trade union is not as obvious as it may seem. Using a comparative case study approach, we examine impediments to farm-level unionism in the cut flower industry in Ethiopia. For this purpose, we propose an integrated framework combining two lenses, namely a vertical one (governance and structure of global value chains) and a horizontal one (socio-economic context). We identify 10 impediments that point to three major dimensions contributing to unionisation. These three dimensions include awareness of and interest from workers, legitimacy of trade unions, and capacity of trade unions to act. Furthermore, our results suggest that private social standards may, in certain cases, be counterproductive for the efficient functioning of trade unions. Although we argue that there is no ‘quick fix’ solution to weak workplace unionism at the bottom of global value chains, we stress the importance of considering the dynamics of, and interactions between, the impediments when designing potential support measures that mitigate negative impacts

Good governance and social responsibility in the South African wine industry

The paper reviews the institutional structure or strategic framework, the Wine Industry Transformation Charter and Scorecard, adopted on 31 July 2007, through which good governance and social responsibility programmes are fostered, implemented and monitored in the South African wine industry. In other words, the paper outlines how the wine industry seeks to foster social change through integrated socioeconomic support structures, as based on the Wine Industry Plan (WIP). The wine charter and scorecard components are a representation of good governance in the industry, whereas the social capital development approach is the focus of social responsibility programmes in the wine industry. The seven components of the wine transformation charter are: (i) ownership, (ii) management/control, (iii) employment equity, (iv) skills development, (v) enterprise development, (vi) preferential procurement, and (vii) rural development, land reform and poverty alleviation. Five areas that constitute the programmes of social responsibility are: (i) the responsible alcohol use, (ii) rural development and poverty alleviation, (iii) security of tenure, (iv) land, and (v) sectoral determination. The implications for the agri-food sector and conclusions are provided

Quality of Gum Arabic in Senegal: Linking the Laboratory Research to the Field Assessment

The objective measurements of quality based on invisible chemical attributes of gum arabic are compared with the assessment done by collectors based on visible attributes with the aim of bringing together the users’ quality requirements and the production and marketing practices of collectors. We find that good quality as defined on field is not always good when measured in laboratory; yet such measures can help target different market niches. Moreover, improving quality on field increases the likelihood of obtaining chemically good gum. We also investigate determinants of supply by collectors and traders of two quality attributes namely size and cleanliness of gum nodules. Quality supply is influenced by harvest and post-harvest knowledge and practices, environmental factors and market factors including the behaviour and experience of traders and price

A validity assessment of the Progress out of Poverty Index (PPI) for Rwanda

Development organisations need easy-to-use and quick-to-implement indicators to quantify poverty when requested to measure program impact. In this paper we assess the validity of the Progress out of Poverty Index (PPI)TM, a country-specific indicator based on ten closed questions on directly observable household characteristics, by its compliance to the SMART criteria. Each response receives a pre-determined score, such that the sum of these scores can be converted into the likelihood the household is living below the poverty line. We focus on the PPI scorecard for Rwanda, which was validated using two national household surveys conducted in 2005/06 and 2010/11. The PPI is Specific, Measurable, Available cost effectively, and Timely available. Yet, its Relevance depends on the way it is used. Although it accurately distinguishes poor from non-poor households, making it a useful reporting tool, its limited sensitivity to changes in poverty status restricts its usefulness for evaluating the impact of development projects

Understanding job satisfaction in a labor intensive sector: Empirical evidence from the Ethiopian cut flower industry

This paper analyses the determinants of job satisfaction in the cut flower industry in Ethiopia. Using primary survey data of 358 workers and focus groups conducted in 5 similar farms, we find that organizational extrinsic rewards are the main determinants of job satisfaction. Intrinsic and social extrinsic rewards however, appear to have little predictive power. Moreover our findings suggest that there are no gender differences in levels and predictors of job satisfaction, however we do find educational differences and explain why. To end, we discuss the implications of this study along with limitations and suggestions for future research

The influence of contracts on smallholder pepper (

Introduction. Costa Rica’s pepper production (Piper nigrum L.) is relatively low, but for the farmers involved it presents an interesting cash cropping activity. This paper aims to analyse whether contracts with processing firms offer an incentive for farmers to invest in pepper production and thereby increase their income. We analysed the characteristics of farmers with formal and informal contracts to see if this influences their way of producing pepper, their yields and income. The second goal of our work was to study whether market conditions (one or more buyers) influence contract uptake and pepper production. Materials and methods. A survey was conducted in 2000 among 63 farmers, 32 of whom had access to only one buyer and 31 of whom could sell to three potential purchasers. Characteristics of farmers, farms and pepper production were compared in terms of market conditions and forms of contract. A subsample of 24 farmers was revisited in 2008. Results. Overall, the effects of contracts in terms of improving access to inputs and increasing yield and productivity were limited. However, formal contracts were endorsed by income-constrained farmers, especially in the early phase of establishing themselves in the market. In subsequent phases, and under more competitive market conditions, producers seemed to prefer verbal commitments to formal contracts. In situations where a monopsony situation prevailed, there were lower yields. Conclusion. Contracts are important in the start-up phase, and competitive market conditions favour a process of moderate intensification which stimulates high returns at relatively low costs to the most established pepper producers