Browsing by Subject "Poverty alleviation"
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- ItemOpen AccessDeveloping a pathway out of poverty in the Global Coffee Production Network - a case study of employment creation for baristas in the speciality coffee industry(2017) Anderson, Robyn; Lincoln, MervynWith a narrowly defined unemployment rate of 26.5% in South Africa, this paper contributes to the salient task of exploring a job creation programme in a high growth sector of the global coffee production network, namely the production of espresso based beverages by baristas for sale in restaurants, cafes, and hotels. Situated in the qualitative paradigm with an inductive research agenda, this research utilises the case study method to explore Ground UP, a skills training programme of a local not-for-profit, which provides barista skills training that unemployed people can use to become economically active in context of the specialty coffee industry. By applying the concepts of upgrading in the context of a global production network and a descriptive focus on both the Ground UP programme, as well as the characteristics and dynamics specialty coffee industry in South Africa, this research examines the potential for this industry to offer a pathway out of poverty. Applying a theoretical lens to this descriptive case study, the theme of governance features strongly, and the analysis reveals that Ground UP, as an agent of palliative development, can help beneficiaries to access a pathway out of poverty. It is also argued that the extent to which they will be able to capture the gains in the specialty coffee industry in the longer term will be impacted on external factors and other key players in the industry as well as their positioning in a global production network.
- ItemOpen AccessSmall scale farmers utilization and perceptions of Bambara groundnut production in South Africa: a case study in a semi-arid region of Limpopo(2017) Cook, David; Pereira, Laura; Johnston, PeterWorld food security will be one of the greatest global challenges in the 21st century and utilisation of an increased range of food crops is generally regarded as being vital to meeting this challenge, including the use of legumes. Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) is an African indigenous legume that shows great potential to improve the food and economic security of small scale farmers living in semi-arid regions of South Africa. This study sought to investigate the potential for Bambara groundnut to enhance the food and economic security of small scale farmers in the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 43 Bambara groundnut producers were interviewed about Bambara groundnut production and their perceived enablers and barriers of utilizing Bambara groundnut. The study found that the majority of Bambara groundnut producers were old (>65 years of age), female small scale farmers who produced the crop for primarily household use. There were however a small number of farmers who produced Bambara groundnut on a larger scale, mostly to sell. Most farmers perceived that local demand was higher than supply and were able to obtain a high market value for Bambara groundnut. There appeared to be potential economic opportunities for many of the farmers to sell Bambara groundnut. The main reason why most farmers in this study did not sell Bambara groundnut was because the yields they obtained were too low. The main enablers perceived by farmers for Bambara groundnut production were a) The high nutritional value of Bambara groundnut; b) The good taste of the seeds; c) The nitrogen fixation properties of this legume and its ability to improve soil fertility; d) The legume intercrops well with maize; e) Bambara groundnuts high drought resistance; f) Cultural traditions associated with Bambara groundnut; and g) Use as animal feed. The main barriers were a) Low yielding characteristics of Bambara groundnut; b) Lack of available farmland; c) Lack of irrigation; d) Poor land management practices; e) Low soil fertility; and f) The crop's susceptibility to water logging. Overall the farmers were positive about Bambara groundnut production and could potentially benefit from advancements made in this sector of agriculture. The study concludes with recommendations to help improve small scale farmers' production of Bambara groundnut with the aim of improving their food and economic security.