Climate Change Mainstreaming in Extension Agents Training Curricula: A Case of Mopani and Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-57
Author(s):  
Zafezeka Mbali Zikhali ◽  
Paramu L. Mafongoya ◽  
Maxwell Mudhara ◽  
Obert Jiri
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Information Gap ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Vhembe District

This study assessed the provision of informal training offered by the Limpopo Department of Agriculture, South Africa, to agricultural extension officers (AEOs). The study used surveyed 90 public extension officers purposively sampled. There were statistically significant differences in extension officers’ exposure to climate change between their education levels and in the provision of climate change training between extension officers’ work experience ( P⩽0.05). The study concluded that the majority of AEOs have not been fully exposed to climate information prior to their employment. This suggests that the information gap in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) stems from the slow mainstreaming and integration of climate change information.

Extension Agents’ Perception on Suitability of Climate Change Information Disseminated to Smallholder Farmers

2021 ◽  
pp. 002190962110046
Author(s):  
Zafezeka Mbali Zikhali ◽  
Paramu L Mafongoya ◽  
Maxwell Mudhara ◽  
Obert Jiri ◽  
Blessing Mudaniso
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Climate Information ◽  
Change Perceptions ◽  
Climate Change Information ◽  
Extension Work ◽  
Education Levels

This study examined gaps in climate information within public agricultural extension in Limpopo Province, South Africa. It assessed extension officers’ climate change perceptions, knowledge and climate education. Lastly, the study examined the extension approaches for overall suitability of climate information disseminated to rural smallholder farmers. The results indicated that participants were predominately male, with tertiary education. Education levels had an influence on exposure to climate education and extension approaches in disseminating agricultural information to farmers. There is a need to retool extension officers in climate change extension work, integrating indigenous knowledge to increase suitability and acceptability of information by smallholder farmers.

scholarly journals Determinants of youth unemployment in South Africa: evidence from the Vhembe district of Limpopo province

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mbulaheni Albert Dagume ◽  
Agyapong Gyekye
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Vhembe District

The persistent high unemployment rate confronting South Africa, in particular among the youth, continues to be a cause of concern for all stakeholders including academic researchers dealing with labor market issues. As a contribution to efforts at finding solution to the unemployment challenge, the study sought to investigate the nature and causes of rural unemployment amongst the youth using data on a sample of 580 randomly and systematically selected youth from the four local municipalities in the Vhembe district of Limpopo province, South Africa. Binary logistic regression model was estimated to determine the socio-demographic, as well as economic factors that influence youth unemployment. Results of the binary logistic regression model showed that having received (skills) training and work experience were associated with reduced odds of being unemployed. This study highlights the importance of skills training opportunities, as well as apprenticeship in mitigating the unemployment challenge among the youth. The provision of necessary training infrastructure and funding for skills training, as well as work integrated learning and extended career specific internship programs to help to equip South African youth with work experience are major recommendations from this study. Keywords: unemployment, youth, binary logistic regression, Vhembe district, South Africa. JEL Classification: J64

scholarly journals Effect of COVID-19 on the Marketing of Eggs: Case of Egg Layer Projects during the Pandemic in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1-3) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Nesengani
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
College Of Agriculture ◽  
The Government ◽  
Vhembe District

ABSTRACT The government of South Africa assisted beneficiaries with the establishment of projects to help alleviate poverty and create jobs in the country. Several projects were established amongst them: broiler production, vegetable production, and egg layer production. The focus of this study is on egg layer production. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on the marketing of eggs in the Vhembe district of Limpopo province, South Africa. In this study, the research design, which involved investigating the effect of COVID-19 on the marketing of eggs during the pandemic in the Vhembe district, using qualitative and explorative research was employed. The study employed focus group discussions where 7 members of the project from a total of 3 projects were interviewed. Egg layer projects have experienced a market loss of eggs during the past three months, structured interviews were also carried out with 1 extension officer in the college of agriculture who is responsible for conducting training and monitoring of such projects. The coded data were then analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22). The egg layer projects were facing the low market return of egg sales because of competition with commercial farmers who bring the stock to the local market. In conclusion, it is presumed that the results of this study would lead to informed decisions by the department of agriculture in terms of arranging markets and making sure that the commercial farmers do not compete with the projects in terms of prices of eggs.

Climate change impacts on water resources in a rural community in Limpopo province, South Africa: a community-based adaptation to water insecurity

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-598
Author(s):  
Sejabaledi Agnes Rankoana
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adaptation Practices ◽  
Community Based Adaptation

Purpose The study explored the impacts of climate change on water resources, and the community-based adaptation practices adopted to ensure water security in a rural community in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The participatory approach was used to allow community members to share their challenges of water scarcity, and the measures they have developed to cope with inconsistent water supply. Findings The study results show that the community obtains water for household consumption from the reticulation system supplied by Mutale River and the community borehole. These resources are negatively impacted by drought, change in the frequency and distribution of rainfall, and increased temperature patterns. The water levels in the river and borehole have declined, resulting in unsustainable water supply. The community-based adaptation practices facilitated by the water committee include observance of restrictions and regulations on the water resources use. Others involve securing water from neighbouring resources. Originality/value This type of community-based action in response to climate change could be used as part of rural water management strategies under climate change.

scholarly journals Efficiency of Health Care Risk Waste Management in Rural Healthcare Facilities of South Africa: An Assessment of Selected Facilities in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 2199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Foluke C. Olaniyi ◽  
Jason S. Ogola ◽  
Takalani G. Tshitangano
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
The Public ◽  
Efficient Management ◽  
The Social ◽  
Vhembe District ◽  
And Storage

Waste generated form healthcare facilities is a potential source of health risks to the public, if it is not properly handled from the point of generation to disposal. This study was conducted to assess the efficiency of healthcare risk waste (HCRW) management in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fifteen healthcare facilities were selected in Vhembe District for this study. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, observation and pictures. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed, while the quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25. In all the healthcare facilities; mismanagement of HCRW was noted at different points along the management chain. Poor segregation, overfilling of waste bins, inappropriate transportation and storage of waste in substandard storage rooms were observed in the facilities. All the waste from the district are transported to a private-owned treatment facility outside the district, where they are mainly incinerated. Enforcement of healthcare risk waste guidelines, provision of standardized equipment for temporary storage, empowerment of each healthcare facility to treat at least some of the waste, and employment of non-burn techniques for treatment of waste are recommended for more efficient management of healthcare risk waste in Vhembe District.

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