scholarly journals Exploring the challenges of pepper smallholder farmers in Sarawak: a qualitative study

Food Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (S5) ◽  
pp. 96-103
Author(s):  
M.N. Mazlan ◽  
A.R. Saili ◽  
J. Saili ◽  
F. Zulkefli ◽  
S. Syahlan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Pepper Plant ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Government ◽  
Government Authority

The pepper plant is considered a valuable and popular choice of crop in Malaysia despite market fluctuation affecting its prices and other constraints in the pepper industry. In addition, pepper plant is mainly grown in rural areas of Sarawak and the growers are mainly smallholders who face tough challenges in the industry. Thus, this research endeavours to explore the challenges faced by pepper growers in Sarawak as seen from their perspectives. Qualitative data with a phenomenological approach was conducted to allow an in-depth understanding of their challenges. Data analysis of six semi-structured interviews on the pepper growers was conducted at an agreeable place to the participants. A sampling method was done via snowball sampling. The findings indicated several main themes of the challenges. The emerging main themes revealed that the challenges were associated with a shortage of workers, climate, profits, government assistance, pest, and crop diseases. The result will provide useful information for the government authority, agricultural agencies, and help to formulate the action plan to enhance pepper cultivation.

Minimisation and management strategies for refurbishment and renovation waste in Hong Kong

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann T.W. Yu ◽  
Kelvin S.H. Mok ◽  
Irene Wong
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Construction And Demolition Waste ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Demolition Waste ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

PurposeThe capacity of landfills will reach saturation in the 2020s. There are more than 50,000 buildings in Hong Kong over 30 years old and which may require extensive refurbishment under the Mandatory Building Scheme. Additionally, most new owners/tenants tend to renovate their premises before moving in. Hence, there is an urgent need in Hong Kong, to explore strategies and measures to enable the development of effective refurbishment and renovation (R&R) waste management for such projects. The objectives of this paper are to investigate the process of R&R for identifying the perceived barriers and thereby the strategies for minimisation and management of R&R waste in Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approachDesktop study, semi-structured interviews, site observations and document reviews were used as the data collection methods to achieve the objectives of this research. Considering the nature and characteristics of the industry structure, the snowball sampling process was deployed for data collection. Thematic analysis and content analysis were used for data analysis. Waste minimisation and management strategies for R&R projects were then discussed and developed by the research team and a focus group meeting was held to validate the research findings. Six strategies were then proposed to the government.FindingsR&R projects contribute 10–20% of the construction and demolition waste. The barriers to recycling of R&R waste can be grouped into six major categories: (1) lack of sorting and storage spaces, (2) high cost, (3) insufficient government supporting policy, (4) complicated recycling processes, (5) immature recycling market and (6) insufficient public education. Also, six strategies are proposed in this study, which include (1) pre-refurbishment audit, (2) development of recycling market, (3) sea reclamation, (4) incineration, (5) government support and (6) education and research.Originality/valueThe strategies and measures proposed in this research could most adequately serve as reference for the government officials, building professionals and academic researchers. Such knowledge would make possible the development of effective strategies and measures for minimising and managing R&R waste.

scholarly journals The shortcomings of emergency remote teaching in rural settings of Zimbabwe during COVID-19 school closures: Lessons from China’s experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Nhongo ◽  
Baba P. Tshotsho
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Teaching Approaches ◽  
School Closures ◽  
Rural Settings ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
The Government ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenological

Background: In the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, schools were forced to close indefinitely with no clue as to when they would reopen. Upon school closures, remote teaching was adopted, with online teaching becoming the most preferred mode of instruction, yet the Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure was not adequate enough across the country.Aim: This article scrutinises the remote teaching approaches that were put in place in Zimbabwe in response to the closure of schools during the COVID-19 lockdown. The article investigates how the adopted approaches were suitable for conditions in rural settings.Setting: The study looks at the challenges faced in the implementation of remote teaching during COVID-19 school closures in rural areas of Matabeleland provinces in Zimbabwe.Methods: The study adopted a qualitative phenomenological approach to analyse the teaching approaches that were put in place by the government and other stakeholders. Twenty teachers from 20 rural schools drawn equitably from two provinces, Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North, were interviewed on the shortcomings of these remote teaching approaches.Results: The results revealed that the remote teaching approaches that were put in place excluded learners in rural settings. This is because of the challenges in infrastructure, economic condition and restrictions on remote teaching approaches imposed by the government.Conclusion: As Zimbabwe is facing economic hardships and infrastructure development challenges, it was supposed to adopt emergency remote teaching instead of long-term approaches. A variety of approaches that suit specific physical environments should have been adopted instead of sticking to only one throughout the country.

Digitalization and rural entrepreneurial attitude in Indonesia: a capability approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fikri Zul Fahmi ◽  
Medina Savira
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rural Entrepreneurship ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Capability Approach

Purpose This paper aims to identify how digitalization affects entrepreneurial attitudes in rural areas in Indonesia, a country in the Global South. The development of digital technology can help entrepreneurs, in that faster and easier information acquisition helps rural communities to identify new opportunities and innovate. Yet, digital development generates higher disparity, and thus, not all people can benefit from digitalization. Although digital technology can facilitate the development of entrepreneurship, its benefits depend on individual preferences. In this regard, the capability approach is used so as to reflect how different valuations of digital technology in rural entrepreneurs influence their attitude with regard to recognizing business opportunities and taking risks. Design/methodology/approach A double case study approach is used in which this study examines two cases of rural entrepreneurs in Indonesia that represent different uses of digital technologies and socio-economic rural contexts: coffee entrepreneurs in Kintamani and craft producers in Kamasan village. In so doing, semi-structured interviews were conducted with local entrepreneurs and communities according to purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The qualitative data were then analysed using a constant comparative technique which allows us to develop a conceptual argument by observing patterns within and between the cases. Findings The findings show that digitalization shapes the attitude of rural entrepreneurs differently, although the same opportunity from using digital technology is present in the village. Social and environmental factors facilitate the rural entrepreneurs to consider using digital technology to develop their businesses. However, as each individual entrepreneur has a different valuation of digital technology, the benefits it offers – such as broader market opportunities and new business ideas – vary. Entrepreneurs who consider digital technology to be a valuable resource for developing their businesses are more curious to explore its benefits. Originality/value The capability approach provides a new perspective in understanding rural entrepreneurship. First, the authors demonstrate that the success of rural entrepreneurship is influenced not only by concrete things (e.g. resources) but also the individual perspective on these resources which may vary across entrepreneurs. Second, the authors show not only the potential differences in socio-cultural contexts in which the capability approach is applied but also how socio-cultural values and collectivism influence the individual valuation of resources that could benefit entrepreneurs.

scholarly journals The Influence of Media on Students’ Views Regarding Refugeehood in Turkey: A Phenomenological Study of Seventh-Grade Students

SAGE Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824402091459
Author(s):  
Yusuf Keskin ◽  
Sevgi Coşkun Keskin ◽  
Deniz Yüceer
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Seventh Grade ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Classroom Activities ◽  
The Media ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
Children’S Views ◽  
Selection Of

In Turkey today, one of the most frequently mentioned issues in the media is the influx of refugees, mostly from Syria. While most refugees are attempting to reach Europe by crossing through Turkey illegally, some consider Turkey an asylum center. This study used a phenomenological approach and qualitative experiment to determine how the phenomenon of refugeehood discussed in the media in Turkey affects children’s views on the issue. The sample was determined using the convenience sampling method, and 31 seventh-grade students (18 girls and 13 boys, all aged 14 years old) were selected. “Having previously met refugees” was used as a basic criterion in the selection of students, while classroom activities, letters, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Descriptive and content analyses revealed that there were both positive and negative changes in students’ views regarding refugees, depending on the content of the news in the media, which was an important factor in influencing these changes.

scholarly journals ETIKA SUBSISTENSI PETANI KOPI: MEMAHAMI DINAMIKA PENGEMBANGAN AGROFORESTRI DI DATARAN TINGGI SUMATERA SELATAN

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin Martin ◽  
Didik Suharjito ◽  
Dudung Darusman
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Cash Income ◽  
Still Life ◽  
Coffee Plantations ◽  
Land Rehabilitation ◽  
Community Forests ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Coffee Farmers ◽  
The Government

<p>ABSTRACT<br />The importance of agroforestry for smallholder farmers has been the discourse and policies of many parties worldwide. However, agroforestry development through land rehabilitation, reforestation and community forests for traditional coffee growers in the uplands has not shown success yet. In fact, some of the innovations that come from the outside can be received by farmers. The study aims to describe the innovation adoption experienced by traditional coffee farmers in Semende, with a focus on the development of agroforestry program. The research was conducted with descriptive phenomenological approach. The research findings indicate that the cautious attitude of farmers in accepting the innovation brought by the government congruent with the concept of Scott’s subsistence ethics, but in a different context. For coffee farmers, subsistence ethics is a perspective on collateral sufficiency cash income to meet the needs of food and other necessities of life, so it does not depend on other people and socially can follow the life of the village, not only a security for could still life. Traditional coffee farmers in Semende just planted a few trees in the garden to avoid risks that could reduce the guarantee to live independently. We suggest that the policy of land rehabilitation, reforestation and agroforestry in coffee plantations plateau (upstream) as in Semende designed based on the principles that strengthen the self-reliance of farmers.<br />Keywords: agroforestry, land rehabilitation, coffee farmers, subsistence ethics</p><p>ABSTRAK<br />Nilai penting agroforestri bagi petani kecil telah menjadi wacana dan kebijakan banyak pihak di seluruh dunia. Namun, pengembangan agroforestri melalui program rehabilitasi lahan, penghijauan dan hutan rakyat bagi petani kopi tradisional di dataran tinggi belum menunjukkan keberhasilan. Pada kenyataannya, beberapa inovasi yang datang dari luar dapat diterima petani. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan adopsi inovasi yang dialami petani kopi tradisional di Semende, dengan fokus terhadap program pengembangan agroforestri. Penelitian dilaksanakan dengan pendekatan fenomenologis deskriptif. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sikap hati-hati petani dalam menerima inovasi yang dibawa oleh pemerintah sebangun dengan konsep Scott tentang etika subsistensi, namun dalam konteks yang berbeda. Bagi petani kopi, etika subsistensi adalah perspektif tentang jaminan kecukupan pendapatan tunai untuk memenuhi kebutuhan pangan dan kebutuhan hidup lainnya, sehingga tidak tergantung kepada orang lain dan secara sosial dapat mengikuti kehidupan desa, bukan sekedar jaminan untuk tetap dapat hidup. Petani kopi tradisional di Semende hanya menanam sedikit pohon dalam kebun untuk menghindari resiko yang dapat mengurangi jaminan hidup mandiri. Kami menyarankan agar kebijakan rehabilitasi lahan, penghijauan dan agroforestri di kebun kopi dataran tinggi (hulu DAS) seperti di Semende dirancang berdasarkan prinsip yang menguatkan keswadayaan petani.<br />Kata kunci : agroforestri, rehabilitasi lahan, petani kopi, etika subsistensi</p>

scholarly journals Lived Experiences of Pneumonia Victims in Davao City: A Phenomenological Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Dave Mendoza Pregoner ◽  
Stephen Aseo ◽  
Angel Dominguiano
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Medical Society ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
The Government

An access to primary care offered by the government has been the major concern of this study, which are deprived with complicated perceptions specifically in rural areas. The study engaged a phenomenological approach that characterized human experiences, and mainly to observe the behavioral response of people involved in this research. Also, it uses a purposive sampling technique that involves handpicking participants based on pre-selected criteria. The results gained specified themes through the use of thematic analysis. Based on the identified results, there were four themes introduced in the study that encompasses the problem; and the four themes that were mentioned were Financial Barriers, Structural Barriers, Cognitive Barriers, and Psychological Barriers. Each theme has sub-themes that mimic the problem of the community to the medical society within its access to health services. With regards to this result, the researchers came up with certifying alternatives that would develop the governments’ capabilities in giving quality to health services. It was determined that people should be able to comprehend the barriers hindering them to access the health services. Thus, they should commit themselves on appealing an effective communication to the government. The lingering biases and prejudices of medical experts to the remote communities should be dissipated instantly to avoid future complications. In this similar way, the two should submit to an organized and to an effective stabilized relationship for a better response.

scholarly journals Changing University Students’ Mindset: From Job Seekers to Job Creators

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 433-443
Author(s):  
Hartono Hartono
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
College Graduates ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Growth Mindset ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Government

The government continues to encourage the growth of entrepreneurship in Indonesia. Currently, university graduates are generally more interested in becoming workers or employees than in creating jobs. Indonesia still needs around 4.75 million entrepreneurs. Data from the Ministry of Education and Culture shows that in general, college graduates are more interested in becoming job seekers than job creators. Therefore, universities have the responsibility to change the students’ mindset from wanting to become job seekers to job creators. This research is a qualitative study using the phenomenological approach. Data collection was carried out by means of semi structured interviews by selecting 20 students from private universities in Jakarta. The results of this study indicate that students’ mindset from job seekers to job creators cannot change without improvement of entrepreneurship education at universities. The students’ mindset must be changed from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Curricula and learning methods that are too theoretical must be transformed into learning that emphasizes practical elements and entrepreneurial mental development

scholarly journals Assessing the poverty impact of internal resettlement programs on the ethnic minorities in Lao PDR

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Souphalack Bounpadith
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
The Government ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Resettlement Programs

<p>This research assesses how poverty-based resettlement programs make a contribution to poverty reduction and controlling migration of ethnic people in rural Laos. In 2009, the government of Laos launched new resettlement programs in six northern provinces. The programs aimed to improve the accessibility to land of people who were remaining poor in some rural areas. Primarily, poor people were required to resettle in a village where land could be available for them.  I investigated two resettlement sites in Thathome district, Xiangkhoang province. I applied a qualitative approach to examine the poverty experiences of settlers. In particular, I focused on identifying the causes and impacts of poverty-based resettlement programs on ethnic migrants. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather responses from migrants, government officers and host villagers. Two focus group interviews were organized with migrant participants who came from different locations.  The findings revealed that poverty-based resettlement programs did not directly address the core causes of poverty and migration of poor people in rural Laos. Conversely, the improper planning and implementation of programs were responsible for poverty that happened in the resettlement sites. The programs were carried out while the local government was hampered by insufficient funds. There was little support and assistance provided to settlers during the transitional periods. As a result, settlers faced worse hardship than they had in their original villages. Poverty-based resettlement programs instead of reducing poverty had created a situation whereby there was a greater potential for poor people to become trapped in continued poverty.</p>

scholarly journals EFFECT OF MICROFINANCE ON SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ LIVELIHOOD IN RWANDA: A CASE STUDY OF NYAMAGABE DISTRICT

AGROFOR ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eularie MUTAMULIZA ◽  
Edouard MUSABANGANJI
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Nearest Neighbor ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Nearest Neighbor Matching ◽  
The Government

Microfinance in Rwanda is considered as one of the most crucial mechanisms in the implementation of the Government program to reduce poverty and to increase economic growth. However, despite the effort made by the Government of Rwanda to put in place microfinance institutions in rural areas, little is known about the effects of microfinance on smallholder farmers’ income in Nyamagabe District of Rwanda. This study aimed at examining the contribution of microfinance services to the income of smallholder farmers in Nyamagabe District. Primary data were collected from 240 respondents randomly selected in 3 sectors of Nyamagabe District using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and Propensity Score Matching was used to assess the effect of microfinance on smallholder farmers’ livelihood. The results from descriptive statistics showing that 117 respondents were participants in microfinance services and 123 were nonparticipants and more men were committed to participate and to access microfinance services than women. Results from Propensity Score Matching Model using both Kernel Based Matching and Nearest Neighbor Matching showed that the households participating in microfinance services increased their total annual income by 256,674 Rwandan francs and 228,246 Rwandan francs more than non-participants, respectively. The study recommended that smallholder farmers should be encouraged to participate in microfinance services to increase their income and agricultural productivity. The use of SACCOs and microfinance services needs to be promoted in order to provide an instrument for mobilizing savings and extending credit.

scholarly journals Investigating the accessibility factors that influence antenatal care services utilisation in Mangwe district, Zimbabwe

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leoba Nyathi ◽  
Augustine K. Tugli ◽  
Takalani G. Tshitangano ◽  
Molyn Mpofu
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
District Health ◽  
The Government

Background: Maternal and infant mortality remains a huge public health problem in developing countries. One of the strategies to minimise the risks of both maternal and infant mortality is access to and utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) services.Aim: This study aimed to investigate the accessibility factors that influence the use of ANC services in Mangwe district.Methods: A qualitative approach using explorative design was adopted to target women who have babies under 1 year of age. The study was conducted in Mangwe district, Matabeleland South province, Zimbabwe. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and observations. Data saturation was reached after 15 women who were conveniently sampled were interviewed. Field notes were analysed thematically using Tech’s steps. Lincoln and Guba’s criteria ensured trustworthiness of the study findings.Results: Accessibility factors such as lack of transport, high transport costs and long distances to health care facilities, health care workers’ attitudes, type and quality of services as well as delays in receiving care influence women’s utilisation of ANC services in Mangwe district, Zimbabwe.Conclusion: The study concluded that women were still facing problems of unavailability of nearby clinics; therefore, it was recommended that the government should avail resources for women to use.Recommendations: Mangwe District Health Department should provide mobile clinics rendering ANC services in distant rural areas.

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