Agricultural Development Area Research Articles

An analysis of the developmental differences in Borneo’s Southeastern and Northwestern Coastal Zones

In this research, Landsat TM images were used to extract the land use information for Borneo’s coastal zones (0 to 35 km) during three time periods (1990, 2000, and 2010). Then, in combination with the DEM and shoreline types, the developmental differences under the influences of the geographical boundaries of the Borneo coastal zones were examined from such perspectives as the spatial distribution characteristics of the land development, sea-land gradient variation characteristics, and comparative analyses of the different regions. The results indicated that the geographic boundaries, as well as the different countries, had great influences on the development of the coastal zones. The regions with the most active development in Borneo’s coastal zones were mainly located in the estuary bay, onshore with land on both sides, and the near-shore alluvial plain with DEM < 50 m. The northwestern coast zone showed relatively flat topography, and was close to an important international waterway. Therefore, the development in this area was found to be more intense than in the southeastern coastal zone, and which was characterized by a long developmental history. On one side of the geographical boundary, the development was also found to differ among the different countries. Malaysia was observed to be dominated by industrial plantations. Meanwhile, the industrial plantations, agriculture, and aquaculture in Indonesia were significantly increased, which was closely linked with the national economic policies. Furthermore, the development of Borneo’s coastal zones has led to vegetation degradation towards a constant inland development, plantation enlargements, agricultural development, and cleared and burnt areas, which have resulted in the land use transfer of 22,000 km2 of forest land within the 0 to 35 km range.

Análisis de amenazas a deslizamiento de tierra e inundación y su influencia socio ambiental en la gestión de riesgo en la microcuenca El Espinal, Pueblo Nuevo, Estelí

Esta investigación se realizó en la microcuenca El Espinal afluente del rio Pueblo Nuevo, departamento de Estelí, con el fin de delimitar las áreas susceptibles a deslizamiento e inundaciones y analizar los factores de vulnerabilidad. La metodología incluyó realizar una propuesta de manejo agroecológico de carácter cualitativo tomando en cuenta los aspectos biofísicos del territorio, mapeo de las amenazas a deslizamiento e inundaciones y la participación activa de los comunitarios para la propuesta de los lineamientos en base a las situaciones problemáticas encontradas en el estudio. La microcuenca presenta una alta susceptibilidad a deslizamiento en 16.82 km2, correspondiente al 19% del área de la microcuenca, siendo la comunidad de Macuelizo la que está en estado crítico. Se delimitó 2.4 km2 en área inundable, encontrándose 128 viviendas a una distancia menor a 50 metros, siendo las comunidades de mayor riesgo La Calera, Rosario y Paso Hondo. La vulnerabilidad global resultó alta en los aspectos económicos, técnicos, ecológicos, institucionales y físicas, siendo las comunidades de San José, La Calera y el Horno las que presentaron vulnerabilidad muy alta en base a los indicadores estudiados. La propuesta de manejo agroecológico zonificó tres áreas que son: zona protectora y restauración ecológica, zona de rehabilitación y zona de desarrollo agrícola. Según los resultados y el aporte y consenso de los actores locales se definieron cinco lineamientos estratégico y acciones concertadas para la prevención y mitigación de desastres naturales.

Soil water movement in the unsaturated zone of an inland arid region: Mulched drip irrigation experiment

Agricultural irrigation with trans-basin water diversion can effectively relieve the water paucity in arid and semi-arid regions, however, this may be accompanied by eco-environmental problems (e.g., saline soils, rising groundwater levels, water quality problems). The mechanism of soil water movement under irrigation in the unsaturated zone of arid regions is a key scientific problem that should be solved in order to evaluate agricultural water management and further improve current irrigation practices. This study investigated the impact of drip irrigation on soil water movement in the unsaturated zone of a cotton field in an inland arid region (the Karamay Agricultural Development Area), northwest China. Combining in situ observational physical data with temporal variation in stable isotopic compositions of soil water, we described the soil water flow system and mechanism in severe (Plot 1) and mild (Plot 2) saline-alkali cotton fields. The infiltration depths are 0–150 cm for both plots. Drip irrigation scheduling makes no significant contribution to local groundwater recharge, however, groundwater can move into the unsaturated zone through capillary rise during cotton flowering and boll periods. Plot 2 is less prone to having secondary soil salinization than Plot 1 due to the existence of a middle layer (approximately 100 cm thick), which elongated the distance between the root zone and aquifer. Rise in the water table (approximately 60 cm for Plot 1 and 50 cm for Plot 2) could be caused by lateral groundwater flow instead of vertical infiltration. We estimated the soil water storage changes in the unsaturated zone and proposed a conceptual model for deciphering the movement process of soil water. This study provides a scientific basis for determining the rise of groundwater levels and potential development of saline soils and improving agricultural water management in arid regions.

ANALISIS PENGGUNAAN LAHAN DAN ARAHAN PENGENDALIAN PEMANFAATAN RUANG DI KABUPATEN BOGOR

Bogor Regency has three strategic functions, as a buffer zone of Jakarta, water system conservation area, and agricultural development area. Rapid population growth led to the need for land better place to live and businesses, it triggers a change in land use that resulted in the violation of spatial pattern plan. Therefore, the spatial usage must be controlled, in order to be in line with the spatial pattern plan and support functions of Bogor Regency. The main purpose of this study was to formulate the control direction of spatial usage in Bogor Regency. The spatial analysis used to obtain information on land use, land ownership, location permits, and evaluation of land use on spatial pattern plan. Schallogram method used to determine the level of the hierarchy of the region, and factors affecting the inconsistency of land use on spatial pattern plan obtained by the analysis of field data. Formulation of the directives controlling spatial utilization is obtained by descriptive analysis. The results showed that 51.33% of exsisting land use in Bogor Regency has not been done and still can be directed in order to conform with the spatial pattern plan, the remaining 38.06% was suitable and unsuitable 10.62%. The factors that cause such inconsistency were the lack socialization policy less, the absence of licensing, housing needs, public facilities availability and accessibility, lands of usage before defined spatial pattern plan, the transfer of land ownership, and sortage of agricultural support facilities. The implications of these results were necessary to apply four control instruments, those are licensing, zoning regulations, provision of incentives and disincentives, and sanctions. Besides, the need for policy dissemination and surveillance, monitoring and evaluation periodically.

Do climate changes lead to income inequality? Empirical study on the farming community in Malaysia

Changes in climatic factors have different impacts on different social groups. But the farmers are considered to be the most vulnerable group because of their direct and indirect dependency on climatic factors. This study aims to understand the nature of socioeconomic impacts of climatic changes on the farmers in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of 198 paddy farmers in the Integrated Agricultural Development Area at North-West Selangor of Malaysia in 2009. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ordinal scale and percentile. The study reveals that climatic changes have adverse impacts on agricultural productivity, profitability, income equality, employment, farmer’s health, and government subsidy policy. The Kuznets ratio and Gini coefficient indicate that there is highly unequal distribution of income. Climatic changes are contributing to the widening of this income gap, because poor farmers are affected more by the adverse effects of climatic changes. The current government subsidy policy is not found appropriate and adequate to support and encourage the farmers to adequately adapt to the climatic changes and to reduce the inequality among the farming community. The paper ends up with recommending some policy guidelines to counter adverse effects of climate change on income of paddy farmers in Malaysia.

Do climate changes lead to income inequality? Empirical study on the farming community in Malaysia

Changes in climatic factors have different impacts on different social groups. Farmers are considered to be the most vulnerable group because of their direct and indirect dependency on climatic factors. This study aims to understand the nature of socioeconomic impacts of climatic changes on the farmers in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of 198 paddy farmers in the Integrated Agricultural Development Area at North-West Selangor of Malaysia in 2009. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ordinal scale, and percentile. The study reveals that climatic changes have adverse impacts on agricultural productivity, profitability, income equality, employment, farmer's health, and government subsidy policy. The study also finds considerable unequal income distribution among farmers. The study suggests that climatic changes contribute to the widening of income inequality, because poor farmers are affected more by the adverse effects of climatic changes. The paper ends up with recommending some policy guidelines to counter adverse effects of climate change on income of paddy farmers in Malaysia.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RICE SOILS FROM THE TIDAL FLAT AREAS OF MUSI BANYUASIN, SOUTH SUMATRA

Tidal flats in the Musi Banyuasin region that cover more than 200,000 ha are the largest area for agricultural development in South Sumatra Province. Only about a half of this has been used for tidal swamp rice fields, therefore, the other half needs to be developed. To obtain a better understanding of their properties for appropriate soil management, soil characteristics of the area need to be studied. To characterize the soil, thirty-four soil samples from seven soil profiles were analyzed for their chemical and mineralogical composition at the laboratories of the Center for Soil and Agroclimate Research and Development. The results indicate that soils from the tidal flat areas have an aquic soil moisture regime, the upper parts of the soils are mostly ripe, and most of the pedons show the presence of sulfidic materials below 65 cm of the mineral soil surface. The soils are classified as Sulfic Endoaquept (P1, P2), Histic Sulfaquent (P3), Typic Sulfaquept (P4), Fluvaquentic Endoaquept (P5), and Sulfic Hydraquent (P6, P7). Mineral composition of the sand fraction is dominated by quartz, while the clay minerals consist of predominantly kaolinite, mixed with small amount of smectite, illite, quartz, and crystoballite. Organic carbon content is high to very high, potential phosphate content of most pedons ranges from very low to medium, while potential potassium content varies from very low to medium in the upper layers and medium to very high in the bottom layers. Phosphate retention of topsoil sample varies from 56 to 97%, and is positively correlated (r2 = 0.73) with aluminum from amorphous materials. Exchangeable cations are dominated by Mg cation, and in all pedons cation exchange capacity values are medium to very high, and seem to be influenced by organic carbon. Specific chemical properties, particularly soil pH and content of exchangeable aluminum exhibit a significant change about 1-2 months after soil samples were taken from the field. Theoretically, interaction between good water management and fertilizer application are among the choices of management to make these soils productive.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RICE SOILS FROM THE TIDAL FLAT AREAS OF MUSI BANYUASIN, SOUTH SUMATRA

Tidal flats in the Musi Banyuasin region that cover more than 200,000 ha are the largest area for agricultural development in South Sumatra Province. Only about a half of this has been used for tidal swamp rice fields, therefore, the other half needs to be developed. To obtain a better understanding of their properties for appropriate soil management, soil characteristics of the area need to be studied. To characterize the soil, thirty-four soil samples from seven soil profiles were analyzed for their chemical and mineralogical composition at the laboratories of the Center for Soil and Agroclimate Research and Development. The results indicate that soils from the tidal flat areas have an aquic soil moisture regime, the upper parts of the soils are mostly ripe, and most of the pedons show the presence of sulfidic materials below 65 cm of the mineral soil surface. The soils are classified as Sulfic Endoaquept (P1, P2), Histic Sulfaquent (P3), Typic Sulfaquept (P4), Fluvaquentic Endoaquept (P5), and Sulfic Hydraquent (P6, P7). Mineral composition of the sand fraction is dominated by quartz, while the clay minerals consist of predominantly kaolinite, mixed with small amount of smectite, illite, quartz, and crystoballite. Organic carbon content is high to very high, potential phosphate content of most pedons ranges from very low to medium, while potential potassium content varies from very low to medium in the upper layers and medium to very high in the bottom layers. Phosphate retention of topsoil sample varies from 56 to 97%, and is positively correlated (r2 = 0.73) with aluminum from amorphous materials. Exchangeable cations are dominated by Mg cation, and in all pedons cation exchange capacity values are medium to very high, and seem to be influenced by organic carbon. Specific chemical properties, particularly soil pH and content of exchangeable aluminum exhibit a significant change about 1-2 months after soil samples were taken from the field. Theoretically, interaction between good water management and fertilizer application are among the choices of management to make these soils productive.

Grasslands, Invertebrates, and Precipitation: A Review of the Effects of Climate Change.

Invertebrates are the main components of faunal diversity in grasslands, playing substantial roles in ecosystem processes including nutrient cycling and pollination. Grassland invertebrate communities are heavily dependent on the plant diversity and production within a given system. Climate change models predict alterations in precipitation patterns, both in terms of the amount of total inputs and the frequency, seasonality and intensity with which these inputs occur, which will impact grassland productivity. Given the ecological, economic and biodiversity value of grasslands, and their importance globally as areas of carbon storage and agricultural development, it is in our interest to understand how predicted alterations in precipitation patterns will affect grasslands and the invertebrate communities they contain. Here, we review the findings from manipulative and observational studies which have examined invertebrate responses to altered rainfall, with a particular focus on large-scale field experiments employing precipitation manipulations. Given the tight associations between invertebrate communities and their underlying plant communities, invertebrate responses to altered precipitation generally mirror those of the plants in the system. However, there is evidence that species responses to future precipitation changes will be idiosyncratic and context dependent across trophic levels, challenging our ability to make reliable predictions about how grassland communities will respond to future climatic changes, without further investigation. Thus, moving forward, we recommend increased consideration of invertebrate communities in current and future rainfall manipulation platforms, as well as the adoption of new technologies to aid such studies.

Some aspects of sustainable land management agricultural land use areas within the territorial communities

Land Fund in Ukraine is experiencing excessive human impact, which is reflected in its performance exceeding the allowable agricultural development and land structure imbalance. The environmental condition of land resources close to critical. Among the largest land area occupied by agricultural land (71% of which - 76% is arable land). Violation environmentally acceptable ratio of arable land, natural grasslands and forests negatively affected the sustainability of agricultural landscapes. Throughout the widespread land degradation processes, among which the most ambitious is the erosion (about 57.5% of the territory), pollution (20% of the territory), flooding (about 12% of the territory). Sustainable (balanced) land is one of the key factors of sustainable nature of territorial entities and may be formed of a priority, taking into account environmental factors. In ecological optimization based on value criteria ekolohostabilizuyuchyh and anthropogenic pressures lands should necessarily provide for withdrawal of intensive land use, which in its modal properties can not ensure sustainability of land use. However, today in Ukraine within the territories of communities no project development to optimize land use on the basis of sustainable development. Accordingly, the purpose of the article was the study of certain aspects of Land Management sustainable development of agricultural land within the territories of local communities. The current structure of the land fund of Ukraine was actually formed in the Soviet period, under the influence of policies of extensive agricultural development. Violation environmentally acceptable ratio of arable land, natural grasslands and forests negatively affected the stability and condition of land, which is confirmed by relevant research. In such circumstances, balancing the land proposed to carry out in two stages - the ecological and economic. In ecological optimization criteria based on land value necessarily should include withdrawal from intensive land use, which in its modal properties can not ensure sustainability of land use. In this respect, proposed to use as a criterion factor environmental sustainability of land use and anthropogenic load factor. Assessing the impact of land in the sustainability area council, which depends on the stability of agricultural development area, and tillage intensity of land, construction work is characterized by a coefficient of environmental sustainability of land use. Proved that the crucial part of the ecological optimization of land use on the territory of local communities is a balanced structure of land on the basis of ecologically appropriate use. It is important that quality indicators improve the structure of agricultural land in the optimization occurs within the environmental feasibility, increases the stability of land use and contributes to sustainable and balanced agrolandscapes territory. Economic optimization based on the requirements of the environmental is the next stage will determine on the basis of performance indicators such structure of land crops, which will be harmonized achieved high performance, yield and profitability management. Keywords : sustainable development, environmental sustainability, economic optimization, ecological optimization, environmental sustainability factor, the factor of human activity.

Exploring future agricultural development and biodiversity in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi: a spatially explicit scenario-based assessment

Competition for land is increasing as a consequence of the growing demands for food and other commodities and the need to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services. Land conversion and the intensification of current agricultural systems continues to lead to a loss of biodiversity and trade-offs among ecosystem functions. Decision-makers need to understand these trade-offs in order to better balance different demands on land and resources. There is an urgent need for spatially explicit information and analyses on the effects of different trajectories of human-induced landscape change in biodiversity and ecosystem services. We assess the potential implications of a set of plausible socio-economic and climate scenarios for agricultural production and demand and model-associated land use and land cover changes between 2005 and 2050 to assess potential impacts on biodiversity in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. We show that different future socio-economic scenarios are consistent in their projections of areas of high agricultural development leading to similar spatial patterns of habitat and biodiversity loss. Yet, we also show that without protected areas, biodiversity losses are higher and that expanding protected areas to include other important biodiversity areas can help reduce biodiversity losses in all three countries. These results highlight the need for effective protection and the potential benefits of expanding the protected area network while meeting agricultural production needs.

Assessing paddy farming sustainability in the Northern Terengganu Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA KETARA): A structural equation modelling approach

Production instability and uneconomic sizes of planted areas are amongst the main issues and concerns for sustainability in Malaysian paddy farming. However, a sustainable development approach in the agricultural sector is not solely determined by such factors. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the level of sustainability in paddy farming based on five aspects that cover economic, social, ecology, institutional and technology indicators. The respondents consisted of 350 farmers who are members of the Water Consumer Group of the Northern Terengganu Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA KETARA). Based on questionnaires from structured interviews, the data were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results indicate that technological advancement is the primary positive factor that determined the level of sustainability in IADA KETARA. The economy, society and institutions were also positive factors. Thus, it can be concluded that technological advancement is the most crucial element for achieving sustainability in the Malaysian paddy sector. Nevertheless, the adverse ecological impacts that could result from the adoption of any technological advancements must not be underestimated by the stakeholders.

Regional management challenges in the formation of strategic guidelines of development of agricultural sector

Agricultural management is an important component of regional economic development, increase its efficiency depends on many factors, one of which is effective management. The strategic guidelines of development of agricultural sector, the necessity of developing new approaches to its regulation are considered. Regional management tasks, solution of which will contribute to expanded reproduction of agricultural development area are outlined

Developing More Green Agribusiness: The Case for Exploiting Malaysia’s Under-Utilised Rice Straw

Developing more potential green business is at the heart of sustainability. As an important third engine of economic growth Malaysia’s agriculture not only needs to grow, but also more importantly to grow sustainably. Rice provides staple food and abundant potentials for rice-based products, but it also produces abundant post-harvest wastes in the form of straws which do pose some environmentally serious disposal problems. Developing rice straw as raw materials in agri-based enterprises would only strengthen Malaysia’s rice sector through the development of value-added industrial chains while reducing the environmentally less friendly impact of the straw disposal. This paper examines factors that influence entrepreneurs’ decision to utilize rice straw as raw material for agribusiness development. The study involved in-depth interviews of 44 entrepreneurs located in the two largest granary area in Malaysia of the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) region (24 entrepreneurs) and Sekinchan (20 entrepreneurs) in the Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) in North-West Selangor. Results showed that straw availability, straw prices, straw potentials, government supports, and government environmental policies were all factors that may motivate or discourage agripreneurs in Malaysia to utilize rice straw as raw materials in for up-stream or down stream enterprises. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s2p532

Visegrad Countries - Agrarian Foreign Trade Development in Relation to Their Total Merchandise Trade Performance

The paper analyzes merchandise and especially agrarian trade of Visegrad (V4) countries. It especially analyzes their mutual trade relations. The main aim is to identify changes in the agricultural sector which have happened during the last decade and to compare differences existing in the area of merchandise and agricultural trade development. Another very important objective is related to mutual trade realized among V4 countries. In this case the paper identifies basic trends in the area of each country’s trade development. Mutual agrarian trade competitiveness is also analyzed. On the basis of the findings, it can be said that merchandise and agricultural trade for each V4 country changed significantly during the analysed time period. In relation to agricultural trade it can be mentioned that it represents only a marginal part of the total merchandise trade. Agrarian trade for individual V4 countries’ commodity structures as well as the territorial structure are very significantly concentrated. The predominant majority of agricultural trade – export as well as import – is carried out with EU countries. In this case it is necessary to emphasize that V4 countries are also important trade partners for each other. On the basis of Visegrad countries’ mutual trade analysis it is possible to say that the main traders active on the V4 market are the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The most competitive actors operating in the V4 market are Poland and Hungary. If we analyze each country’s export performance we can see that the V4 market is dominated by Poland and the Czech Republic.

Impact of an Innovative Market Information System for Pulses in Northern Karnataka

Access to information can be truly empowering and aid decision-making, especially in agriculture. Recently, the government and private agencies initiated few programs for adoption of Market Information Systems (MIS) in the areas of agricultural marketing and agribusiness development in the country. In this context, an attempt was made in this paper to analyze the results of one such innovative project for disseminating market-related information to the pulses growing farmers in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region by taking into consideration the before and after situations. The results revealed that majority of farmers possessed communication assets like television and cell phones, but did not have knowledge about area under crop sown, awareness of quality specification of N-spot exchange, and prices of dals prevailing in the neighbouring markets, even though the formal agencies were distributing information on the same. The results after the project's implementation proved that majority of the farmers were fully aware of the following: prices of pulses in the market, quality of seeds for sale, fertilizers, manuresm and in case of marketing, when to sell, where to sell, whom to sell, and what quantity was to be sold. The study suggested strengthening the existing formal sources of agricultural extension, including post harvest and marketing management techniques in transfer of technology programmes, and disseminating information using modern information communication technologies.

Does social network capital buy higher agricultural prices? A case of coffee in Masaka district, Uganda

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how social network capital may facilitate agricultural household market access in Uganda. Specifically, the paper investigates if social network capital has significant positive effects on the ability of households to receive higher prices for coffee. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, social network capital is modeled using a household utility maximisation problem that is dependent on consumption and social interactions. The authors assume that social network capital mediates economic benefits through its effect on information flow, market intelligence and collective bargaining. The paper uses two-stage least square econometric methods to investigate whether group involvement at the household level helps farmers to access markets with higher prices. Findings – The findings indicate that social network capital, measured in form of density of participation and attendance score, and multiplicative and additive indices of these, have significant positive effects on the ability to receive higher prices for coffee. Research limitations/implications – The authors realise that several weaknesses in the approach could compromise the validity of the findings. These weaknesses include: the cross-sectional nature of the data, the omitted variable bias, the endogeneity concerns of social capital, sample size and the dimensions that the paper choses to capture social network capital. Future research should explore the factors that can help households to engage more in group activities. Practical implications – The findings have important implications for government policy especially in areas of agricultural development and poverty reduction. Specifically, governments should pay close attention to various social groups as they can serve as important channels to achieve better market outcomes, as is the for coffee prices in rural Uganda. Social implications – Many governments in Sub Saharan Africa are constrained to provide basic public goods to the people. This is due to a combination of limited budgets and lack of good leadership. In such circumstances, the people have to rely on their collective/social effort to take advantage of markets opportunities. Such opportunities can be accessed using the existing social structures whose norms and the trust between members permit cooperation. Originality/value – The study contributes to a small but growing empirical literature on social groups and how they can mediate social economic outcomes especially for rural households. The empirical estimations take into consideration the endogeinety concerns associated with social network capital. The paper will be useful for policy makers and researchers who may have a keen interest in the roles that group activities play in agricultural development and poverty reduction.

Social capital, shocks and livestock investments: evidence from Masaka District, Uganda

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of a household's social capital in the form of community group participation and empirically analyses the roles that social capital plays in helping rural households rebuild productive assets after shocks. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, social capital is modelled as a household's intensity of group participation measured by the density and active participation in group activities as well as their multiplicative and additive indices. Instrumental variable methods were used to address the problem of endogeneity associated with social capital. Findings – The results indicate that household characteristics such as age, education level, dependence ratio and years of village residence as well as village-level characteristics such as the village population density are critical determinants of social capital. In addition, social capital measured in form of density of participation in group activities and attendance score as well as multiplicative and additive indices of these have significant positive effects on the household ability to rebuild livestock assets. Research limitations/implications – The authors realize that several weakness in the approach could compromise the validity of the findings. These weaknesses include: the cross-sectional nature of the data, the omitted variable bias, the endogeneity concerns of social capital and the identification strategy, sample size and the dimensions the authors chose to measure social capital. Future research should explore the factors that can help households to engage more in-group activities. Practical implications – The findings have important implications for government policy especially in areas of agricultural development and poverty reduction. Specifically, governments should pay close attention to the various social groups as they can serve as important channels to achieve better social economic outcomes, including the accumulation of rural assets, as is the case with livestock assets in rural Uganda. Social implications – Many governments in Sub-Saharan Africa are constrained to provide basic public goods to the people. This is due to a combination of limited budgets and lack of good leadership. In such circumstances, the people have to rely on their collective/social effort to take advantage of market opportunities. Such opportunities can be accessed using the existing social structures whose norms and the trust between members permit cooperation. Originality/value – The study contributes to a small but growing empirical literature on social groups and how they can mediate social economic outcomes especially for rural households. The empirical estimations take into consideration the endogeneity concerns associated with social network capital. The paper will be useful for policy makers and researchers who may have a keen interest in the roles that group activities play in agricultural development and poverty reduction.

Steadying the ladder

Purpose– This paper aims to draw lessons from China's development experiences, particularly in the areas of agricultural and rural development, to increase growth and reduce poverty in Africa South of the Sahara. It also examines China's rising economic involvement in Africa and makes recommendations for how the win-win outcomes from this engagement can be strengthened.Design/methodology/approach– In this paper, the authors compare the trends in economic and agricultural growth, as well as poverty and hunger reduction, in China and Africa South of the Sahara. The authors then examine strategies for development – in particular agricultural and rural development – and poverty reduction. Next, the authors review China's economic engagement in Africa in the areas of trade, investment, aid, and technical cooperation.Findings– Having conducted a comparative review of China and Africa's distinct development paths and current policy contexts, the authors discuss China's development lessons for Africa South of the Sahara and policy recommendations for China-Africa engagement related to agricultural and rural development, openness and liberalization, evidence-based policymaking, pro-poor policies, institutions and capacity, rising inequality, and environmental degradation.Originality/value– This paper rigorously integrates China's positive and negative development lessons for Africa in light of the most recent research on emerging domestic and international development strategies.

Ecosystem Principles as Tools in Sustainable Economic Developments

With the economic development and population growth, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively to meet the rapidly growing demand for food, fresh water, shelter, fibres and fuel. This has led to a substantial and largely irreversible loss of the biodiversity on earth. The ecosystem approach is created as a new concept to understand the environmental problems in economic development. Therefore, it is important to develop an ecological sustainable approach to economic development especially in the areas of urbanization, industrialization, agricultural, tourism and river basin development. Despite social, economic and political barriers to proper ecological consideration, it is urgent and imperative for human society to read between the lines of the environment and act fast so as not to destroy the environment upon which his existence depends.