An exploratory study on the marketing strategies adopted by small micro and medium enterprises in Johannesburg Central Business District

Over the years marketing theory development has been limited and small enterprises often have to rely on marketing models used in big businesses. There are a number of marketing strategies that are currently applied by large companies in South Africa which cannot be implemented by small retailers. This is because of the complexity of some of the marketing strategies alluded above are not suited to small retailers because of their limited educational background and resources. Facing the problem of intense competition, SMME entrepreneurs often have to rely on price and other short term strategies to market and sell their products to the ultimate consumer. Entrepreneurs are constantly faced with challenges that restrict their productivity and economic potential. SMMEs face the challenge of marketing their products and services properly to the right markets in order to get returns from their investments. The data for the study was collected by means of interviews. The study used a judgemental sampling. Findings from the study prove that entrepreneurs rely on word of mouth, reducing prices and other low cost promotional strategies for marketing and sale purposes. The findings indicate that it might be useful for SMME’s to change their promotional strategies to suit the South African consumer market to ensure long term profitabilityKIM201

Supercritical fluid extraction of pesticides in sediment from the Okavango Delta, Botswana, and determination by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) and mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

The study reports supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of pesticides in sediment samples from the Okavango Delta, the headwaters of which originate from Angola and traverse through Namibia into Botswana. An acetone modifier and fractional extraction by pressure ramping gave recoveries ranging from 55 to 86% for the 15 pesticides studied. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), aldrin and 4, 4-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (4, 4’-DDT) were identified at concentration ranges of 1.1 to 30.3, 0.5 to 15.2 and 1.4 to 55.4 μg/g, respectively by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) and were unequivocally confirmed by gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-ToF-MS). The study indicated an increase of pesticide concentrations in the direction of water flow from the Panhandle (point of entry) to the lower delta. The results show that there are ramifications associated with activities either upstream or downstream; hence close monitoring is required for the long-term preservation of the delta.Keywords: organochlorine pesticides; sample preparation; modifier; static extraction; dynamic extraction; fractional extraction

Assessment of the macro-micro linkages between rural livelihoods, agricultural research innovation systems and agricultural policy changes in Malawi

This thesis argues that the full impact of Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) driven research, that works to enhance not only agricultural production and productivity but also market linkages cannot be captured effectively using only microeconomic level studies; but rather requires the use of a combination of micro and macro-level analysis. This is because the innovation systems perspective entails the collaboration of different actors across the entire agricultural value chain. Therefore this study aimed to firstly quantify the degree to which AIS driven research impacts upon the livelihood outcomes of rural smallholder farmers. Second, the study aimed to determine the extent to which a combination of macro-economic and agricultural policy shocks impact upon household incomes in the maize-based farming system in Malawi; given macro-micro linkages as strengthened by AIS research. The first objective was tackled by using quasi-experimentation with propensity score matching to establish a valid counterfactual and single differencing to measure impact. The second objective was achieved by using a combination of quantitative and qualitative statistical and econometric tools to delve into the dynamics of the maize market at different levels and to develop a model that is capable of capturing the maize market dynamics. A multi-equation partial equilibrium model of the national maize market was therefore developed and linked in a top-down unidirectional manner to the local maize economy via a price-linkage equation. A non-behavioural arithmetic micro-accounting approach was adopted to estimate household incomes that were linked to the local economy, through which macroeconomic level maize price changes transmit. The results of the study empirically demonstrate that AIS driven research impacts positively upon the livelihood outcomes of rural households. This is demonstrated with participating households exhibiting statistically significant higher production outcomes (upland crop production, maize harvests, value of assets, and value of livestock); household incomes as well as human capital outcomes in some cropping seasons. In addition participating households also had much higher statistically significant fertilizer use prior to the implementation of the fertilizer subsidy program in the country; and statistically significant higher fertilizer use patterns for the first two cropping seasons following the implementation of the subsidy program. Participating households had greater linkages with the market economy which allowed them to take greater advantage of market incentives but which also made them more vulnerable to policy shocks. This study therefore shows that the analysis of the impacts of the paradigm shift in agricultural research towards an innovation system orientation cannot be contained at the household level, as this would lead to the formulation of inadequate policies that do not take into account the effects of greater market linkages of the rural households. Policy implications are that increasing production and productivity and linking farmers to markets may not in itself be enough for sustained livelihood improvement, as the resultant greater linkages to the market economy may be detrimental to household livelihood outcomes in the face of uncoordinated policies. In order for the paradigm shift in agricultural research towards an innovation systems perspective to be effective in sustaining an entrepreneurial culture in rural societies in Africa, there is need to foster the diversification out of agricultural enterprises for income, while supporting productivity improvements for food security. In addition any interventions should be implemented only after systematic analysis of the potential consequences of the resultant enhanced macro-micro linkages. This would help to ensure that there is no mismatch between policies and livelihood improvement strategies.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Developmentunrestricte

Monitoring and simulating threats to aquatic biodiversity in the Okavango Delta: field and laboratory methods

The Okavango Delta, situated in northwest Botswana between E22.0°-E24.0° and S18.0°-S20.5°, is the world's second largest inland wetland region. The Delta is actually an alluvial fan and is fed mainly by the Okavango River whose catchment lies largely in the highlands of central Angola (Fig 1). The river flows south-east through the Caprivi Strip in eastern Namibia, before entering into Botswana as a large river, some 200 m in width. The size of the Delta changes significantly throughout the year - during the dry season, the Delta is approximately 7,000 km2, and more than doubles in size to over 15,000 km^{2} during the wet season (Ramberg et al. 2006)

The Okavango; a river supporting its people, environment and economic development

The Okavango basin comprises the Cuito and Cubango active catchment areas in Angola, in addition to the Kavango–Okavango non-active catchment in northern Namibia and Botswana. The Okavango River water and its ecosystem resources are critically important sources of livelihoods for people in the basin. Pressures from livelihoods and development are already impacting on the environment. These pressures may increase in the future due to the rapid increase in population, the peace process and associated resettlement activities in Angola, and major development initiatives in Botswana and Namibia. For instance, possible future increase in water abstraction from the Okavango River may affect the long-term environmental sustainability of the Okavango Delta by minimizing channel shifting and thereby reducing spatial biodiversity. The paper argues that while conservation of the natural environment is critical, the pressing development needs must be recognized. The reduction of poverty within the basin should be addressed in order to alleviate adverse effects on the environment. The paper recommends that the development of sustainable tourism and community-based natural resource management initiatives may be appropriate strategies for reaching the Millennium Development Goals of poverty alleviation and achievement of environmental sustainability in the Okavango Basin. These initiatives have a comparative advantage in this area as demonstrated by the performance of the existing projects

Spatial and Seasonal Variability in Surface Water Chemistry in the Okavango Delta, Botswana: A Multivariate Approach

The annual flood pulse in the Okavango Delta (Botswana), has a major influence on water chemistry and habitat. We explore spatial and temporal patterns in a suite of chemical variables, analysed from 98 sample points, across four regions, taken at different stages of the flood cycle. The major pattern in water chemistry is characterised by an increasing gradient in ionic concentration from deep-water sites in the Panhandle to more shallow, distal regions to the south. Concentrations of cations, anions, dissolved organic carbon, and SiO2 are significantly higher in the seasonally inundated floodplains than in permanently flooded regions. Several variables (including Na and total nitrogen) significantly increase from low flood to high flood, while others (including HCO3, SiO2, and Cl) increase in concentration, initially between low flood and flood expansion, before declining at maximum flood extent. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that hydrological variables (water depth, flow velocity, flood frequency, and hydroperiod class) significantly explain 17% variation in surface water chemistry. Predictions of increasing flood volume in the near future may result in a decline in alkalinity and dilution of DOC. Our study provides an important baseline from which to monitor future change in the Delta

Systems approaches to innovation in crop protection. A systematic literature review

The objective of this paper is to explore the extent to which systems approaches to innovation are reflected in the crop protection literature and how such approaches are used. A systematic literature review is conducted to study the relation between crop protection and systems approaches to innovation in 107 publications. The analysis of the crop protection literature demonstrates that only a small fraction is systems-oriented as compared to the bulk of publications with a technology-oriented approach. The analysis of agricultural innovations systems literature shows that, although crop protection is addressed, the potential of this systems approach remains largely unexplored for crop protection innovation. A large share of the publications included in this review focus on cropping or farming ‘systems’ while ‘innovation’ often equals the development, transfer, adoption and diffusion of crop protection technologies at farm level. There is relatively little attention for the institutional and political dimensions of crop protection and the interactions between farm, regional and national levels in crop protection systems. The traditional division of roles and responsibilities of researchers as innovators, extension personnel as disseminators, and farmers as end-users, is challenged only to a limited extent. The majority of publications discusses ways to optimise existing features of crop protection systems, without exploring more structural transformations that may be required to enhance the resilience of crop protection systems

Harga Diri Bandar Judi Dadu di Desa Pauh 1 Rawas Ilir Kabupaten Musi Rawas Utara

This study discusses the self-esteem of dice bookies in the village of Pauh 1 Rawas Ilir, Musi Rawas Utara District. The method in this research is to use qualitative research with a descriptive approach. Furthermore, the data collection method in this study is to use observation, interviews and documentation. The results of this study indicate that the background for the three subjects to become dice bookies is due to economic factors, where the three subjects have difficulty finding other jobs while many needs must be met. Accompanied by the public's view of the work of the three subjects as dice bookies, it can be concluded that the three subjects know that the public often insults or gossips themselves but the three subjects choose to be silent and don't care

Bassins de rift à des stades précoces de leur développement: l'exemple du bassin de Makgadikgadi-Okavango-Zambezi, Botswana et du bassin Sud-Tanganyika (Tanzanie et Zambie). Composition géochimique des sédiments: traçeurs des changements climatiques et tectoniques

This thesis presents the results of a multidisciplinary study of sediments, with an emphasis on geochemistry, with the following objectives : 1) improve our understanding of geochemical processes occurring as a result of erosion, transport and deposition in two rift b asin in their early stage of development; 2) reconstruct environments in these two regions of the rift during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene and 3) define sedimentary and geochemical criteria to allow us to discriminate tectonic setting and climate change in nascent and early stage rift basins. The two basins chosen to represent early stagerift development were 1) the Makgadikgadi-Okavango-Zambesi basin located in NW Botswana and 2) the Mpulungu Basin, located at the south-western extremity of Lake Tanganyika. The geochemical study of sediments and water of the Okavango Delta revealed the presence of elevated arsenic in the groundwater occuring as a result of the dissolution of oxides under reducing conditions. The presence of elevated arsenic in the sediments in linked to organic rich clays, deposited under lacustrine conditions during periods of higher rainfall and possible impoundment of the river by the Thamalakane Fault. The geochemical results were used as a proxy fro climate change in the Mpulungu basin. The results indicate a remarkable excursion which coincides with the Younder Dryas event. This environmental event appears to be the most important event in southern lake Tanganyika during the period 23-3 ka, which is characterized by the transport of weathered material into the basin due to a change in vegetation cover in the catchment area.Cette étude utilise une approche multidisciplinaire à dominante géochimique, avec plusieurs objectifs : 1) mieux comprendre les processus géochimiques au cours du cycle de genèse des formations sédimentaires (érosion-transport-accumulation) pour des stages précoces de l'évolution d'un bassin de rift : 2) reconstruire les environnements caractérisant ces deux régions du Rift Est-africain au cours du Pélistocène et de l'Holocène et 3) définir des critères sédimentologiques et géochimiques permettant de discriminer l'activité tectonique et les changements climatiques au cours de l'évolution de ces deux bassins du rift. Les deux bassins considérés comme illustrant deux stages précoces successifs de l'ouverture d'un bassin de rift, sont : 1) le Bassin de Makgadikgadi-Okavango-Zambeze (MOZ), situé dans la région nord-ouest du Botswana et 2) le Bassin de Mpulungu, qui constitue l'extrémité sud-est du Bassin du Lac Tanganyika (Tanzanie et Zambie). L'étude géochimique des sédiments et des eaux du Bassin de l'Okavango a révélé la présence anormale d'arsenic dans les eaux souterraines du delta résultant de la dissolution sous conditions réductrices dans les sédiments. La présence de l'arsenic dans les sédiments est liée aux argiles riches en matière organique déposés dans les conditions lacustres résultant de périodes à pluviométrie plus importante qu'aujourd'hui et du barrage des écoulements de la rivière de l'Okavango apr la faille de Thamalakane. Les données géochimiques ont été utilisées comme marqueur deschangements du climat dans le bassin de Mpulungu. Les sédiments révèlent une excursion remarquable qui coïncide avec le Younger Dryas. Cet événement environnemental apparaît comme le plus important dans la région sud du lac Tanganyika pour la période 23-3 ka, caractérisée par un apport de matériel altéré dans le bassin, suite à une modification importante du couvert végétal

Research Capacity for Operationalization of the Malawi Agricultural Sector Wide Approach (ASWAp)

The Agricultural Sector-Wide Approach (ASWAp) aims to support priority activities in the agricultural sector in Malawi that would increase agricultural productivity, reduce hunger, enable people access to nutritious foods, and increase the contribution of agroprocessing to economic growth.i ASWAp directly supports the objective of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) of reducing poverty and transforming the economy from an importing and consuming to a manufacturing and exporting one. Agricultural research plays a vital role in making the ASWAp programme a success; yet, to date there has been no effort to explicitly link the research strategies of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) institutions to the ASWAp research agenda. Thus, as a first step toward facilitating the development of an “ASWAp-responsive” research strategy for NARS institutions, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), under the auspices of its Malawi Strategy Support Program (MaSSP), conducted an assessment of the strategic research and planning capacity within NARS institutions and the general readiness of NARS institutions to respond to ASWAp research needs.Non-PRIFPRI1; GRP32; MaSSPDSG