Management information sources and communication strategies for commercially oriented smallholder beef cattle producers in Limpopo province, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-56
Author(s):  
Obvious Mapiye ◽  
Godswill Makombe ◽  
Cletos Mapiye ◽  
Kennedy Dzama
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Communication Channels ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Management Information

A survey was conducted to identify management information sources and communication channels used by commercially oriented smallholder beef cattle producers ( n = 62) in Limpopo province, South Africa. A total of 62 commercially oriented smallholder farmers under the Limpopo Industrial Development Corporation-Nguni cattle project were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data on farmers’ demographic and farm characteristics, sources of information and communication channels used. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to evaluate factors that influenced farmers’ choices of information sources and communications channels used. Findings show that government extension (53% of the respondents) and other farmers (30%) were the major sources of management information for the farmers. Based on the logistic regression results, the decision to choose government extension as the main source of information was mainly influenced by respondents’ gender ( p = 0.001) and access to training ( p = 0.023). Communication was mainly through farm-to-farm visits (56%) and the use of mobile phones (30%). Based on the current findings, the infusion of modern information communication technologies such as mobile phone-based innovations with the existing government extension service could further strengthen the capacity of farmers to share information among themselves as well as providing feedback to extension agents. Furthermore, it is essential to take cognizance of farmers’ socio-economic factors when identifying and characterizing their management information sources and communication strategies.

scholarly journals Burden and predictors ofStaphylococcus aureusandS. pseudintermediusinfections among dogs presented at an academic veterinary hospital in South Africa (2007–2012)

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel N. Qekwana ◽  
James Wabwire Oguttu ◽  
Fortune Sithole ◽  
Agricola Odoi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Veterinary Hospital ◽  
Isolated Species

BackgroundStaphylococci are commensals of the mucosal surface and skin of humans and animals, but have been implicated in infections such as otitis externa, pyoderma, urinary tract infections and post-surgical complications. Laboratory records provide useful information to help investigate these infections. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the burdens of these infections and use multinomial regression to examine the associations between variousStaphylococcusinfections and demographic and temporal factors among dogs admitted to an academic veterinary hospital in South Africa.MethodsRecords of 1,497 clinical canine samples submitted to the bacteriology laboratory at a veterinary academic hospital between 2007 and 2012 were included in this study. Proportions of staphylococcal positive samples were calculated, and a multinomial logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of staphylococcal infections.ResultsTwenty-seven percent of the samples tested positive forStaphylococcusspp. The species ofStaphylococcusidentified wereS. pseudintermedius(19.0%),S. aureus(3.8%),S. epidermidis(0.7%) andS. felis(0.1%). The remaining 2.87% consisted of unspeciatedStaphylococcus. Distribution of the species by age of dog showed thatS. pseudintermediuswas the most common (25.6%) in dogs aged 2–4 years whileS. aureuswas most frequent (6.3%) in dogs aged 5–6 years.S. pseudintermedius(34.1%) andS. aureus(35.1%) were the most frequently isolated species from skin samples. The results of the multivariable multinomial logistic regression model identified specimen, year and age of the dog as significant predictors of the risk of infection withStaphylococcus. There was a significant temporal increase (RRR = 1.17; 95% CI [1.06–1.29]) in the likelihood of a dog testing positive forS. pseudintermediuscompared to testing negative. Dogs ≤ 8 years of age were significantly more likely to test positive forS. aureusthan those >8 years of age. Similarly, dogs between 2–8 years of age were significantly more likely to test positive forS. pseudintermediusthan those >8 years of age. In addition, dogs 2–4 years of age (RRR = 1.83; 1.09–3.06) were significantly more likely to test positive forS. pseudintermediuscompared to those <2 years of age. The risk of infection withS. pseudintermediusorS. aureuswas significantly higher in ear canal and skin specimens compared to other specimens.ConclusionsThe findings suggest thatS. pseudintermediusandS. aureuswere the most commonly isolated species from dogs presented at the study hospital. Age of the dog and the location of infection were significant predictors of infection with bothStaphylococcusspecies investigated. Significant increasing temporal trend was observed forS. pseudintermediusbut notS. aureus. This information is useful for guiding clinical decisions as well as future research.

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 A gross margin analysis for Nguni cattle farmers in Limpopo Province, South Africa

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253657
Author(s):  
Mapule Valencia Nkadimeng ◽  
Godswill Makombe ◽  
Obvious Mapiye ◽  
Cletos Mapiye ◽  
Isaac Oluwatayo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Nguni Cattle ◽  
Margin Analysis

Factors such as increases in population, urbanization, growth in per capita income and changes in consumer taste and preferences are causing gradual increases in livestock product consumption and demand. South Africa is addressing this predicted increase in livestock products demand by commercializing smallholder livestock producers. The Limpopo Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Nguni Cattle Development Project is an example of such effort. The economic performance of these efforts needs to be evaluated. We use gross margin analysis to evaluate the performance of the Limpopo IDC Nguni Cattle Development Project. Additionally, we use regression analysis to identify factors influencing gross margins. Our results indicate that although smallholders show potential to commercialize, they lack commercial farming experience and require that a strong extension support system be used as one of the strategies to improve profitability. We also noted that individual farmers were more profitable than group farmers. Multiple regression analysis shows that three variables could be used to stimulate gross margin among the Limpopo IDC Nguni Cattle Development Project farmers. These are herd size, distance to market and farm size. Since farm size is a given, policy should focus on assisting farmers to build their herds and to have better access to markets.

scholarly journals Determinants of climate variability adaptation and mitigation strategies harnessed by smallholder maize farmers in Sebayeng village, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Food Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 410-417
Author(s):  
Q. Mangwane ◽  
I.B. Oluwatayo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The Government ◽  
Adaptation And Mitigation

Climate variability is an issue of serious concern especially in a water-scarce country like South Africa. This is because a sizeable number of households in the country reside in the rural area where rain-fed agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the people. This study, therefore, examined factors influencing the choice of climate variability adaptation and mitigation strategies employed among smallholder maize farmers in Sebayeng village, Limpopo province, South Africa. Primary data were collected from a random sample of 160 smallholder maize farmers through the administration of a structured questionnaire. While descriptive statistics were used to describe and analyse respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics; multinomial-logistic regression model was employed to analyse factors influencing farmers’ choice of climate variability adaptation and mitigation strategies. Analysis of the data collected showed that the majority of farmers (72.5%) do not adapt and/or mitigate climate variability. Nonetheless, of those mitigating or adapting to climate variability, 11.9% of the farmers used shifting planting dates (early planting which runs from October to mid-December) as their strategy because it comes at no cost. Also, about 11.9% harnessed irrigation facilities, 4.3% used conservation agriculture and 3.8% used drought-tolerant varieties. The result of the logistic model revealed that awareness of climate variability, membership of association, occupation and marital status of respondents were found to have a significant influence on the type of adaptation and mitigation strategies chosen by the farmers. The study, therefore, recommends that the government should provide more training for farmers through workshops and seminars to boost their awareness level about climate variability, its adaptation and mitigation. Farmers should also form cooperatives; in that way, they will gain more access to agricultural incentives and they should be encouraged to engage in other economic activities such as processing and marketing of agricultural products to enhance their income.

Lived Experiences of Young People who Live with Mental Healthcare Users in Limpopo, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamakota Maggie Molepo ◽  
Faniswa Honest Mfidi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Young People ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Burden Sharing

Mental illness is more than just the diagnosis to an individual – it also has an impact on the social functioning of the family at large. When a parent or relative has a mental illness, all other family members are affected, even the children. The purpose of the study was to provide insight into the lived experiences of young people who live with mental healthcare users and the way in which their daily coping can be maximised. A qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological research was undertaken to explore and describe the lived experiences of young people who live with mental healthcare users in the Limpopo province, South Africa. Audiotaped, unstructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 young people who grew up and lived with a family member who is a mental healthcare user in their homes, until data saturation was reached. A content analysis was used to derive themes from the collected qualitative data. Four major themes emerged as features reflective of the young people’s daily living with mental healthcare user, namely psychological effects, added responsibilities, effects on school performances, and support systems. This study recommends that support networks for young people be established through multidisciplinary team involvement and collaboration and the provision of burden-sharing or a relief system during times of need. With the availability of healthy coping mechanisms and support systems, the daily living situations and coping of young people could be maximised, thereby improving their quality of life while living with their family members with mental illness.

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