scholarly journals Understanding the Influence and Effects of Devolution on Agricultural Development: A Case Study of Garissa County, Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 110-114
Author(s):  
Hussein Abdi Ali ◽  
Salah Abdirahaman Farah
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
County Government ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
County Governments ◽  
The Public ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Research Findings

The Agriculture sector in Kenya is as important as the country. Much of the agricultural function was transferred to the devolved units when the new constitution was passed by Kenyans and promulgated. The question many are asking is, have county governments initiated strategies in place to improve food security and ultimately contribute to the economy. Agriculture is the major contributor of our economy today. Kenya needs to be a self-sufficient country and feed its people. County governments have a huge role in ensuring this objective achieved. Based on this, a research title is proposed “Understanding the influence and effects of devolution on agricultural development: A case study of Garissa county, Kenya” The research seeks to clarify to the public and the other stakeholders concerned if actually devolved units have done anything to improve the agricultural sector since its inception. Have county governments put clear, achievable and practical strategies for this sector to grow and how best can counties improve this important sector. The research findings will be very helpful to those who are involve in the agricultural sector, directly or indirectly. The research objectives are; to compare performance of agriculture before and after devolution, to evaluate the achievements of devolution in the agricultural sector, to analyse the challenges faced by county governments in developing this sector, to examine the perception of the public on the best strategies to improve agriculture in Kenya and to give synthesised recommendations to all stakeholders. The research was conducted within Garissa County, four out of the six sub counties. A total of 310 respondents were engaged ranging from farmers, the general public and the staff of the county government The research found out that there is a gap in the sector that needs attention. Agricultural production, although remained steadfast over the years, has been in deplorable situation. The research findings is helpful to all stakeholders-both levels of governments, farmers, the public and non-state actors.  The research commends that the County governments should use bottom-up approach strategy when making critical decision affecting the department. This will aid them obtain raw and unbiased information for action. The department of agriculture experts should be deployed to all sub counties (at the grassroots). 95 percent of these staff stay at county headquarters doing nothing. Their presence at the villages, farms will come in handy or the farmers. People with experience and experts should be employed to spearhead this exercise. Routine visits should be made to the farming areas.

scholarly journals Compliance with the Planning Standards in Regulating Building Lines. The Case of Kisii Town, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-111
Author(s):  
Wilfred Ochieng OMOLLO
Keyword(s):  
Public Interest ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Spatial Development ◽  
County Government ◽  
The Public ◽  
Residential Developments ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Public Interest Theory ◽  
Building Plans

Planning standards provide a basis for controlling land use to attain orderly spatial development. This study examined the extent to which developments in Kenya have been complying with the planning standard on building lines, having Kisii town as a case study. It also investigated the factors contributing to the observed non-compliance. The analysis was based on the public interest theory of regulation. A sample size of 364 residential developments was randomly and proportionately drawn from the seven neighbourhoods. Remote sensing and questionnaires were used to collect data and thereafter analyzed using GIS, descriptive and inferential statistics. Research findings disclosed that most residential developments did not comply with the recommended building lines. The results of hypothesis similarly confirmed low compliance that was statistically significant. Non-compliance was found to be caused by the failure of the County Government of Kisii to ensure that developers obtained the obligatory development permissions in addition to meeting other requirements namely using registered professionals and ensuring regular inspection of buildings during construction. Also, the interpretation of the applicable planning standards of building lines by the County Government when approving building plans was misleading and eventually contributed to non-compliance. These problems ensue due to insufficient development control, therefore contributing to unsustainable spatial development. This study addresses a critical issue in spatial planning practice and aims to contribute to the specialist literature by demonstrating how compliance with the planning standards that regulate building lines may be statistically and spatially evaluated.

scholarly journals Teaching Process Skills to Pre-Engineers using Situated Learning – A Case Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Pamela A. Maher ◽  
Janelle M. Bailey ◽  
Allan M. Tucka
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Situated Learning ◽  
Public Speaking ◽  
Oral Communication ◽  
Physics Students ◽  
The Public ◽  
Two Year College ◽  
Before And After ◽  
K 12

In this case study, undergraduate students presented physics concepts to patrons at a planetarium. This created an early opportunity for these pre-professionals to practice the process skill of oral communication to a lay audience. The case study resulted from working with students participating in a grant called the da Vinci project. It reports on a situated experience pre-engineering and calculus-based physics students had working with their professor to create a brochure and present a physics concept to patrons visiting a public planetarium. Working closely with their professor, students were able to use this required professional skill in a real world (situated) context. This opportunity helped bridge the gap between these pre-professionals’ experiences in training and in their careers in STEM fields. Thirty students attending a two-year college in the Southwestern US self-selected to participate in the project. Each student participant built a kit-based model of a machine, designed an informational flyer aligned to state K-12 physical science standards, and presented informally to the public visiting a planetarium. Data were collected from the students via written reflections before and after the presentation and from email correspondence with their professor. Qualitative analyses of these reflections assessed the students’ progress toward a finished presentation. Results suggest that obstacles to public speaking fluency come from the fear of making mistakes or giving out misinformation. Opportunities to engage in informal public speaking helped overcome these obstacles. Students demonstrated increased confidence in their ability to share their knowledge with the public after undergoing guided informal speaking practice. The opportunity for students to practice public speaking during their undergraduate training can increase confidence and better prepare them for a career.

scholarly journals Congresses of the Moscow Rural Society: a system for the development of agrarian reforms. 19th – early 20th centuries.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-127
Author(s):  
Valentina A. Nokhrina ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Rural Society ◽  
The Public ◽  
Successful Solution ◽  
History Of ◽  
Economic Zones ◽  
Central Scientific

In the proposed article, on the basis of the materials of the Moscow Society of Agriculture identified in the fund of the Central Scientific Agricultural Library. With the involvement of the developments of researchers on the history of agrarian thought in Russia in the 19th and early 20th centuries, forms of communication between the scientific and professional communities are determined for the modernization of the agricultural sector of agriculture after the peasant reform of 1861 of the year. The publication highlights the main forms of communication: the publishing activity of the Society, the organization of exhibitions and congresses. To assess the large-scale activities of the Moscow Society of Agriculture for 110 years, a brief overview of its practical work is presented, and the role in the agrarian rationalization of agriculture in Russian historiography is revealed. Members of the Moscow Society have made a significant contribution to the study of the state of agriculture, ways of evolution and methods of increasing its productivity. On the example of materials from three All-Russian congresses on agronomic assistance to the population, the organizational aspects of resolving issues of agricultural management in the regions of Russia. The role and significance of the public initiative is especially valuable today, when the problems of innovative renewal and modernization of the agricultural sector are becoming a national task. For its successful solution, the documents of the congresses can be useful, since they make it possible to trace the genesis of the processes of agricultural development in various thematic areas and economic zones in historical terms and to avoid possible mistakes in decision-making.

Agricultural Information Systems (AGRIS) as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 109-133
Author(s):  
Lukman Raimi ◽  
Ferdinand Ndifor Che ◽  
Rufai Mohammed Mutiu
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Public ◽  
General Management ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Production Increase

The absence of well-developed agricultural information systems (AGRIS) has continued to hinder agricultural development in Africa. Efforts designed to modernize agriculture through AGRIS by the public and private sectors have been hindered by administrative bottlenecks, weak political will from governments, display of ineptitude by farmers/associations, and institutional corruption. In view of the foregoing, this chapter discusses AGRIS as a catalyst for SDGs in Africa. An effective AGRIS will strengthen decisions on the general management of the agricultural sector. Deploying the AGRIS for the management of agriculture will boost food production, increase the GDPs and directly strengthen the actualization of SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 10, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 14, SDG 15, SDG 17, and indirectly impact other SDGs. Ultimately, this chapter suggests leveraging AGRIS for mitigating all the identified challenges to agricultural development in the continent.

Agricultural Information Systems (AGRIS) as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa

2022 ◽  
pp. 626-649
Author(s):  
Lukman Raimi ◽  
Ferdinand Ndifor Che ◽  
Rufai Mohammed Mutiu
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Public ◽  
General Management ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Production Increase

The absence of well-developed agricultural information systems (AGRIS) has continued to hinder agricultural development in Africa. Efforts designed to modernize agriculture through AGRIS by the public and private sectors have been hindered by administrative bottlenecks, weak political will from governments, display of ineptitude by farmers/associations, and institutional corruption. In view of the foregoing, this chapter discusses AGRIS as a catalyst for SDGs in Africa. An effective AGRIS will strengthen decisions on the general management of the agricultural sector. Deploying the AGRIS for the management of agriculture will boost food production, increase the GDPs and directly strengthen the actualization of SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 10, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 14, SDG 15, SDG 17, and indirectly impact other SDGs. Ultimately, this chapter suggests leveraging AGRIS for mitigating all the identified challenges to agricultural development in the continent.

Examining Attitudes towards Welfare in an In/Security Regime: Evidence from Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 661-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Padmore Adusei Amoah
Keyword(s):  
Political Stability ◽  
Welfare Policies ◽  
Welfare Spending ◽  
The Public ◽  
Security Regime ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Economic Landscape

This article examines the extent to which Gough and Woodʼs (2004) classification of most sub-Saharan African nations as insecurity regimes is still relevant by analysing public responses and attitudes towards general and specific (healthcare) welfare policies in Ghana, using a mixed-method design. Ghana presents a fascinating case study not only due to the changing socio-economic landscape but also because of the prevailing socio-political stability. The research findings demonstrate that most participants wanted more welfare spending (including on healthcare) but remained reluctant to rely on government provisions due to distrust and perceived inefficiencies in the public sector. The findings also depict the continuing reliance on family and social networks as safety nets and sometimes in preference to state arrangements. The article argues that Ghanaʼs welfare regime may be gradually shifting from the classic insecurity regime (albeit still relevant) to one resembling the less effective informal security regime – at least from the publicʼs experiences – and demands a careful integration of individual, familial, and community networks in current and future formal welfare arrangements.

scholarly journals Agricultural Policies and Rural Development in Nepal: An Overview

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-46
Author(s):  
Deepak Chaudhary
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
National Economic ◽  
The Government ◽  
Rural Nepal

This paper analyzes agricultural development in terms of policy and implementation in Nepal. More than two-thirds populations in Nepal reside in the rural area and most of them depend on agriculture. Subsistence form of agriculture is common in Nepal. Rural Area and agriculture are interrelated; like two parts of the same coin. The contribution of agriculture to national Gross Domestic Product is remarkable; however, it is declining over the decades. In fact, the agricultural sector cannot attract young people; the trend of migration from rural to urban is significantly increasing. The poverty is exceedingly marked in rural Nepal. The Government of Nepal emphasizes agriculture development in for poverty alleviation. Order to alleviate poverty, rural development, and national economic growth through the policy level. However, available data and qualitative analysis reveal that the outcome from the agricultural sector is not satisfactory due to several factors. In such situation, more than half of the population has been facing food insufficiency. Because of weak policy and implementation, the agriculture sector s been suffering poor outcome. In that way, the government of Nepal along with concerned authorities should effectively implement agriculture policies in order to reduce poverty and rural development. The agriculture-rural accommodating policies and successful performance are crucial for poverty alleviation and rural development.

Care, Values and an Uncaring Media

2004 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Public Sphere ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Media Discourse ◽  
The Public ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
The University

Evidence of ‘dissemination’ is now seen as part of research delivery by grant-giving bodies such as the ESRC and Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Drawing on the growing body of research into media sources (Manning 2001, Davis, 2000) and relating it to debates on the public sphere (Habermas 1989), the paper will ask what (if anything) researchers have to gain from involvement with the mass media and whether specialised help can assist in bringing social policy research from the margins into the mainstream of media discourse. It will look in particular at the special difficulties of disseminating ‘fuzzy’ qualitative research findings which do not lend themselves to obviously eye-catching headlines. The paper will draw on an ESRC funded experiment at the University of Leeds as a case study with which to explore these issues.

Rural Development through the Formation of Zonal Agro-Ecological Clusters

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 651
Author(s):  
Liudmila KASHIRSKAYA ◽  
Olga VORONKOVA ◽  
Alexey SITNOV ◽  
Rustem SHICHIYAKH ◽  
Margarita KUDINOVA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
The Public ◽  
Market Capacity ◽  
Organic Products ◽  
Main Production ◽  
Rural Producers ◽  
Agricultural Entrepreneurship ◽  
Agricultural Regions

Today, the degree of agricultural development, and, in the future, the level of national food security, the public health and the quality of life, are largely ensured by innovative developments in the field of alternative agriculture, the preservation of natural resources and, above all, the main production facility – land. At the same time, the unfilled market capacity of organic products and the significant land potential for the development of organic farming create all the necessary prerequisites for enhancing the competitiveness of Russian rural producers. The development of agricultural entrepreneurship towards the greening of land use, organic production and development of the domestic market for organic (ecological) products in the format of zonal agro-eco clusters is one of the strategic directions for implementing reforms in the agricultural sector. The paper presents the directions of the formation and development of zonal agro-eco clusters for the production, processing and sale of organic products in the agricultural regions of Russia.

Policy Change in an Authoritarian Regime: Mexico Under Echeverría

1977 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merilee S. Grindle
Keyword(s):  
Federal Government ◽  
Policy Change ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Public Investment ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Agricultural Investment ◽  
The Public

The six-year presidency or sexenio of Luís Echeverría Alvarez was initiated in December of 1970. Six years later, significant changes had taken place in the public policies espoused by the Mexican regime. Most importantly, perhaps, the federal government shifted its public investment priorities away from an overriding preoccupation with industrial development toward greater concern for agricultural development. From 1971 to 1976, Echeverria's administration allocated more money to the agricultural sector than any sexenio since that of Miguel Alemán (1946 to 1952). The change occurred gradually, federal public investment in agriculture growing from 14.5% of the total in 1971 to 20% budgeted for 1975 and 1976. Increased attention to agriculture was achieved primarily through proportional reductions in investments for industrial and infrastructure development. Along with a revision in sectoral allocations went a change in policy concerning both the anticipated outcome and the target population for agricultural investment.

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