Municipal District Research Articles

Sustainable Development Objetive 12: Eco-Efficiency Ratio of the District Municipality of Campoverde, Province of Coronel Portillo - Peru

Objective: Determine the eco-efficiency index of the District Municipality of Campoverde, 2023. Method: To diagnose the eco-efficiency baseline, the 2016 Eco-efficiency Guide for Public Sector Institutions from the Ministry of the Environment was used. The Delphi survey was applied to experts to determine the importance of the eco-efficiency indices, and for the eco-efficiency index itself, th Manuel Emilio Reátegui Ingae methodology for estimating the level of sustainable development of territories was employed. Results: The consumption indicators are: 22.47 kWh/worker/month (electricity), 39.16 gallons/vehicle/month (90-octane gasoline), 124.14 gallons/vehicle/month (diesel), 3.48 m³/worker/month (water), 0.01 kg/worker/month (paper and ink or toner) and 0.02 kg/worker/month (other papers). Originality/Value: By determining the state of eco-efficiency, measures can be taken to improve the consumption of resources demanded by the District Municipality of Campoverde.

Investigation of Spatiotemporal Changes and Impact Factors of Trade-Off Intensity in Cultivated Land Multifunctionality in the Min River Basin

Exploring the interrelationships and influencing factors of the multifunctionality of cultivated land is crucial for achieving its multifunctional protection and sustainable use. In this paper, we take the Min River basin as a case study to construct a multifunctional evaluation system based on “agricultural production, social security, ecological service, and cultural landscape” using multi-source data. We analyze the spatial and temporal characteristics of the multifunctionality of cultivated land through kernel density estimation (KDE) and visual mapping. Subsequently, we assess the trade-off strength between the multifunctional aspects of cultivated land using the root mean square error (RMSD). Finally, we identify the drivers of the multifunctional trade-off intensity of cultivated land and analyze their influencing mechanisms using Geographic Detectors. The results show that (1) from 2010 to 2020, the multifunctional structure of cultivated land in the study area underwent significant changes: the levels of agricultural production, social security, and ecological service functions first increased and then decreased, while the levels of cultural landscape function and comprehensive function continued to increase. The spatial distribution is characterized, respectively, by “high in the east and low in the west”, “high in the west and low in the east”, “high in the north and low in the south”, “high in the whole and sporadically low in the northeast”, and “high in the middle and low in the surroundings”. (2) During the study period, the trade-off strengths related to social security functions increased, while the trade-off strengths of the remaining multifunctional pairs of cultivated land showed a weakening trend, with high values of trade-off strengths among functions particularly prominent in the Nanping Municipal District. (3) Both natural and human factors significantly affect the multifunctional trade-off strength of cultivated land. Among the specific factors, elevation, slope, average annual temperature, and per capita GDP are the key factors influencing the strength of the trade-offs between functions. The results of this study provide empirical support for enriching the understanding of the multifunctionality of cultivated land and offer a decision-making basis for promoting the differentiated management of cultivated land resources and the synergistic development of its multifunctionality.

Experiences of ecosystem changes on food services of mopane woodland communities in Vhembe, South Africa

Mopane woodlands have been shifting. While it is important to understand the spatial patterns that characterise this phenomenon, it is even more important to understand the impacts of shifting Mopane woodlands on rural communities that rely on them. This study sought to establish the impacts of shifting mopane woodlands on the production of indigenous plant food in Ward 12 of Musina local municipality in the Vhembe District municipality in the Limpopo province of South Africa. To accomplish this, the study utilised a hybrid inductive approach involving thematic-based questionnaire interviews and an exploratory view to gain insight into the narratives of focus group participants. Results revealed that seven (7) out of eleven (11) indigenous plant foods are becoming extinct, thereby limiting food sources of indigenous and local people who used to rely on them. The spatial pattern of the plant foods that are still available has now changed as they no longer grow within the reach of local communities. The community members are struggling to adapt to these changes. From these observations, we recommend that local and regional levels’ policies related to natural resource management should consider the unique challenges faced by communities experiencing disruptive ecosystem changes and provide the necessary support for sustainable adaptation.

PSIV-16 The role of veterinary services on nutrition schemes, management, and health practices for sheep and goats in rural Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, North West Province of South Africa

Abstract Poverty is a feature of rural households, and as a result rural people usually adopt low-input agriculture to alleviate poverty. Many households in Ngaka Modiri Molema District keep animals, particularly sheep and goats, for a variety of reasons, including as source of income, milk, and meat. However, they lack the management skills that are necessary for their livestock to increase their productivity. Inadequate animal management, including poor feeding and housing standards and poor application of proper animal health procedures are compounded by a lack of agricultural experience and low-input farming methods. In addition, poor animal nutrition, sickness and a high prevalence of parasites, and low animal production output further contribute to low overall productivity. Therefore, support offered by the veterinary services, and the impact these interventions have on sheep and goat farming among rural farmers need to be investigated. The present study will seek to describe the feeding schemes and management practices adopted by sheep and goat owners, as well as the role of veterinary and extension services in the development of such practices. Health care provided to sheep and goat farmers by the veterinary services will also be determined. A survey will be conducted in Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, a rural area in North West Province of South Africa. The study population will consist of all farmers, both female and male, rearing sheep and goats. Animal and farm information level data and general farm management practices will be collected via a questionnaire survey. Using the Statistical Kit for STATA (version 16), data will be examined by computing frequency, percentages, and proportions based on the characteristics of the sample population. This survey will help to provide opportunities for resource-poor farmers in rural areas to develop their flocks.

Evaluating the Resilience of the Cocoa Agroecosystem in the Offinso Municipal and Adansi North Districts of Ghana

Evaluating the Resilience of the Cocoa Agroecosystem in the Offinso Municipal and Adansi North Districts of Ghana

Understanding the drivers of the catchment hydrological cycle of the Jonkershoek Valley catchment, South Africa

Understanding trends in hydro-climate variables and the impacts of land use on the streamflow is crucial for the development of appropriate catchment water management strategies. Jonkershoek (146 km2) is an important headwater catchment in the Table Mountain Group (TMG) geological region, contributing flow to the Cape Winelands District Municipality in the Western Cape. This study analyses hydro-climate variables at annual, monthly, and seasonal scales using an integrated approach composed of statistical homogeneity testing for abrupt changes, Mann-Kendall tests for trend analysis, and the Indicators of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) tool for streamflow alterations. Analyses were conducted for three headwater sub-catchments within the Jonkershoek value, each with different land use history.Homogeneity test of rainfall and streamflow data spanning from 1946 to 2019 identified gradual downwards change points for annual rainfall and streamflow across the sub-catchments. Moreover, the change points for streamflow were inconsistent with those of rainfall. The identified change points in streamflow were consistent with the timing of afforestation activities in Tierkloof, whereas in Bosboukloof and Langrivier they could be attributed to earlier climatic variability. Furthermore, Mann-Kendall test detected significant (p < 0.05) decreasing trends for both annual and seasonal rainfall which coincided with most of the streamflow trends. Trends were strongest for the winter season suggesting a possible shift in climate patterns which influence winter rainfall. Winter streamflows declined by 15.5%–39.5%. Analysis of hydrological flow indices indicated significant decrease in 1-,7- and 30-day annual maximum extremes during afforestation which were attributed to high evapotranspiration rates of pines. The opposite was observed during clearfelling period in Bosboukloof. The median monthly flow also showed a decrease for winter months. This shows that climate variability and land-use change by afforestation have major impacts on streamflow. The findings of this study are important to inform policymakers on the impacts of climate change and land use, allowing pro-active mitigation and adaptation.

Problems of vaccine prevention of whooping cough among the indigenous peoples of the north of Russia on the example of Nenets, living in the territory of the Vorkuta Municipal District

Problems of vaccine prevention of whooping cough among the indigenous peoples of the north of Russia on the example of Nenets, living in the territory of the Vorkuta Municipal District

Adoption status of integrated pest management (IPM) practices among vegetable growers of Lamjung district of Nepal

The widespread use of highly toxic pesticides for agricultural purposes has raised concerns about their hazardous impact on both human health and the environment. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a strategy designed to tackle pest problems and reduce pesticide use, with the aim of protecting both human health and the environment. This study was conducted in Besishahar, Sundarbazar, Rainas, and Madhyenepal municipalities of the Lamjung district of Nepal in the year 2023 with a sample of 100 vegetable-growing farmers to assess the adoption of IPM practices in vegetable cultivation. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data, and the logit model was used to identify the factors affecting the adoption of IPM practices in vegetable cultivation among farmers. Respondents were grouped into two categories, adopter and non-adopter, based on the extent of adoption of IPM practices. The findings revealed that only 37 % of the total respondents adopted IPM practices for vegetable cultivation. The easy availability of chemical pesticides and lack of bio-pesticides were the major constraints for the adoption of IPM practices in the study area. The output of the binary logit model indicated that greater participation in training, higher education levels, and increased contact with extension agents significantly influence the adoption of IPM practices in vegetable cultivation. The findings could be used to formulate better policies towards increasing the adoption of sustainable approaches in agriculture and regulation.

P029 PERCEPTIONS AND PERSPECTIVES OF RURAL NEPALESE PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION: A QUALITATIVE STUDY GUIDED BY THE LEVESQUE FRAMEWORK

Background and objective: High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. These diseases can be reduced if hypertension is identified, managed and controlled. Disease burden in Nepal is high, resources are limited, and the population is socioeconomically vulnerable. Developing tailored interventions for hypertension management requires understanding of challenges and facilitators of healthcare. This qualitative study investigated barriers and facilitators impacting treatment and control of patients with hypertension in rural Nepal. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews among hypertensive patients(n=15), medical officers(n=3), Female Community Health Volunteers(FCHVs)(n=9), Frontline Health Workers(FLHWs)(n=15), medical officers(n=3), and local government representatives(n=5) from Panchkhal and Bethanchowk municipalities of Kavrepalanchok district, Nepal. Focus group discussions with FCHVs(n=7) were also conducted. Recordings were coded, transcribed and themes were identified. Patients with hypertension were approached door-to-door by FCHVs. FCHVs and FLHWs were accessed through health facilities. The framework developed by Levesque et al., was used to conceptualize access to care from the viewpoints of various stakeholders. Emerging themes were mapped as the ability to-perceive, seek, reach, pay and engage. Results: Most participants felt the need for care after experiencing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision. Trust in health facilities facilitated care, although unavailability of medicines and insufficient qualified staff were important obstacles. Some used homemade therapies for hypertension control highlighting a gap in awareness of treatment methods. Geographical inaccessibility of health facilities, as well as financial difficulties, were other important barriers identified. Patient's expected prompt service and reduced out-of-pocket expenditure. Medication-taking behavior was influenced by factors including forgetfulness, perceived need and side effects. Support from family, community, and local levels was identified as crucial for hypertension management. Conclusions: This qualitative study highlights the multifaceted challenges for hypertension treatment and control in rural Nepal. Addressing identified barriers and leveraging facilitating factors are essential for reducing hypertension.

Determination of Adoption Traits and Key Production Constraints of Improved Maize Varieties Using Participatory Research Appraisal

Introduction: Maize is a staple crop critical to the food security and livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the availability of improved maize varieties, adoption rates among farmers remain suboptimal. Understanding the traits that drive adoption and identifying key production constraints is essential for the development and dissemination of varieties that meet farmers' needs. Aims: This study aimed to identifying the most valued traits of improved maize varieties from the farmers' perspective, assessing the socio-economic and biophysical factors influencing the adoption of these varieties and identifying the main production constraints faced by farmers in different agro-ecological zones. Study Design: The study was conducted in three regions representing diverse agro-ecological zones. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a representative sample of maize farmers. Data collection involved focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and household surveys. PRA tools such as pairwise ranking and matrix scoring were employed to capture qualitative and quantitative data on adoption traits and production constraints. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place at Ejura Sekyeredumasi, Nkoranza South District and Wenchi Municipal district, between June 2017 and December 2017. Methodology: Descriptive statistics were used analyzed the demographic characteristics of maize farmers as well as socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption of improved maize farming technology using SPSS 16 version. Data collected included; socio-demographic characteristics, adoption of improved maize varieties and constraints to maize production. Results: The results showed that about 78 % and 18 % of farmer respondents perceived that both fertilizers and improved seed were too expensive. Other constraints to maize production were drought, high cost of other agro-inputs, lack of improved cultivars and poor soil fertility significantly influenced the adoption of improved maize farming technologies in the area Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of incorporating farmers' preferences and addressing context-specific production constraints in maize breeding programs. Enhanced extension services, improved seed distribution systems, and tailored agronomic practices are recommended to increase adoption rates and improve productivity. Participatory approaches in agricultural research are vital for aligning breeding objectives with the real-world needs of smallholder farmers, ensuring the relevance and impact of improved maize varieties in the Ghana.

Livelihood Vulnerability from Drought among Smallholder Livestock Farmers in South Africa

The impacts of drought and climate change on agriculture have become increasingly apparent, and affect smallholder livestock farmers. Farmers’ livelihoods rely on agriculture; thus, they are vulnerable to the primary and secondary impacts of climate change. In South Africa, policies for increasing the resilience of smallholder livestock farmers who have suffered from agricultural drought have not paid sufficient attention to the level of livelihood vulnerability. This study assessed the level of livelihood vulnerability of smallholder livestock farmers in the drought-stricken Frances Baard District Municipality in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The livelihood vulnerability of 217 randomly selected farmers from the municipality were determined using the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and Livelihood Vulnerability Index of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (LVI-IPCC), which includes seven components and 34 subcomponents addressing livelihood. A high level of livelihood vulnerability, with an LVI score of 0.436, was determined and attributed to high-risk livelihood strategies, food, social networks, health, water, sociodemographics, natural disasters, and climate change. The LVI-IPCC of 0.04 also showed moderate vulnerability due to high exposure, high sensitivity, and low adaptive capacity, especially for the Phokwane, Dikgatlong, and Magareng districts in the Frances Baard municipality. Given continued drought recurrences, it is crucial for the government and other stakeholders to implement strategic and targeted sustainable interventions. The resilience of smallholder livestock farmers should be enhanced by increasing their adaptive capacity through diversified livelihood options while decreasing exposure and sensitivity to agricultural drought risks.

County-to-district reform and "smart growth": The perspective of urban spatial expansion

Urban spatial expansion is a critical aspect of the policy of replacing counties with districts. This paper analyzes the spatio-temporal advancement of administrative division in China between 2000 and 2016, uses the Multi-Period method to examine the impact of county-to-district reform on urban spatial structure and “smart growth”. We find that the abolition of county borders leads to population migration within the city towards the newly established municipal districts, resulting in an irregular urban shape and a polycentric structure, particualrly the proactive-type reform. Further analysis shows that city-county merger promotes population polycentricity, but has no effect on employment polycentricity, leaving newly established municipal districts facing the “sleeping city”. Reformed counties expanded significantly but did not achieve substantial growth. The county-to-district reform inhibited overall urban economic growth, but cities with better population-industry match have less negative or uncertain effects.

Investigating Supply Chain Enablers and Barriers in the Agricultural Industry in the Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa

Investigating Supply Chain Enablers and Barriers in the Agricultural Industry in the Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa

The Value of Decentralizing Water Service Authority to Local Municipalities from the District Municipalities in South Africa

The decentralization of Water Service Authority (WSA) from District Municipalities to Local Municipalities in South Africa aims to enhance service delivery, improve efficiency, and foster local accountability. This study investigates the potential benefits and challenges associated with this decentralization process. Through a comprehensive review of policy documents, case studies, and stakeholder interviews, this research explores the impact on water service quality, financial management, and community engagement. The findings suggest that decentralization can lead to more responsive and context-specific water management practices, although it also poses significant challenges in terms of capacity building and resource allocation.

Exploring the institutional barriers to rural water management in Ghana

ABSTRACT Framed within policy support for bottom-up community water management in development practice in the global south, this paper explores the institutional barriers that impede effective community management of water infrastructure in water-stressed rural communities in the Upper Manya District and Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, using data collection methods such as in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with local government and community water management committees and participant observation across four communities. The findings revealed that irregular and inadequate monitoring, poor financial auditing and transparency, inadequate technical support, and limited community engagement were the institutional barriers confronting sustainable rural water management. The study argues that in community water management, hybrid models are more likely to work better than models that focus entirely on either top-down or bottom-up approaches since the former can strengthen technical capacity, financial accountability, and the experimentation of infrastructure co-design initiatives. The paper concludes that by addressing institutional lapses in Africa's infrastructural management regimes, rural populations can become part of, rather than left behind, in the global quest to ensure water availability and sustainable water management for all.

Factors affecting the level of commercialization of smallholder pig farmers in the west rand district municipality of gauteng, South Africa

This study aimed to analyse the factors influencing the smallholder pig farmers’ level of commercialization in the agricultural markets in the West Rand District of Gauteng Province, South Africa. A total population sampling was used, where data was collected from 84 smallholder pig farmers by a semi-structured questionnaire. Version 28.0 of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), binary logistic regression, and multinomial logit models were used to analyse the collected data. The results showed that 78.6% of the smallholder pig farmers lacked commercialization. The results further indicated that the pig unit size, level of the farmers’ commercialization, number of piglets per sow, and farmers’ affiliation had a significant influence on the smallholder pig farmers' access to high-value markets. Variables such as credit availability, market accessibility, and the quantity of the piglets per sow significantly impacted the level of commercialization among the interviewed smallholder pig farmers. Smallholder farmers’ access to commercial and high-value pig markets is not easily accessible; therefore, the municipalities and local agricultural departments should make provision for an agricultural extension program that will prioritize and concentrate on the smallholder farmers’ access to the high-value market.

Distribution of host-specific Bacteriodales marker genes in water sources of selected rural areas of Vhembe District, South Africa

Access to safe drinking water sources and appropriate sanitation facilities remains a dream in low and middle-income countries including South Africa. This study identified the origin of faecal pollution by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting host-specific Bacteroidales genetic markers to track the distribution of human-specific (BacHum) and animal-specific (cattle—BacCow, chicken—Cytb, pig—Pig-2-Bac, dog—BacCan) markers in water sources used by rural communities of the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM). Results revealed the prevalence of BacHum, BacCow, and BacCan in all surface water sources in Thulamela Local Municipality (TLM) and Collins Chabane Local Municipality (CLM) during wet (100%) and dry seasons (50–75%). Cytb was not detected in untreated spring water in TLM and CLM, and Pig-2-Bac was not detected in untreated hand-dug well water in TLM during both seasons. Household-level analysis detected Cytb (28.8% wet, 17.5% dry), BacHum (34.4% wet, 25% dry for Pig-2-Bac) in stored untreated spring water in CLM, and Cytb (42.9% wet, 28.5% dry) in untreated hand-dug well water in TLM. Despite differences in detection frequencies of host-specific Bacteroidales, the study highlights the public health concern of faecal pollution in rural VDM households.

Exploring the patterns of dry and wet spells: a case study of Ethekwini District Municipality, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Exploring the patterns of dry and wet spells: a case study of Ethekwini District Municipality, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Challenges encountered by SMMEs in accessing bank credit: a case of Vhembe District Municipality

Policymakers and scholars universally accept and recognize the influence of small, macro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) on stimulating economic growth and job creation. To succeed and prosper, SMMEs need to establish a sound financial management function; therefore, it is vital to investigate the financial challenges these firms are experiencing. The objective of this paper was, to investigate possible challenges that SMMEs experience when applying for credit from banks. The study sought to answer the main research question - ‘What challenges are encountered by SMMEs when applying for credit from banks? The study adopted a qualitative research methodology. The population used in this research was derived from SMMEs and banking officials in the Vhembe District Municipality area. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 10 research participants. An interview guide was used to gather data from the participants; the data was analyzed using Atlas.ti. The results indicated that most SMMEs in the Vhembe district are not adequately supported, especially in the areas of financial resources, as well as in financial literacy skills and expertise. Specifically, this study identified that the credit application challenges faced by SMMEs are related to - lack of collateral security, lack of financial application education, complex bank credit access regulations, non-satisfaction of banks’ qualifying criteria, as well as stringent credit system, and documentation requirements.

Modelling the effects of entrepreneurship education and passion on youths’ entrepreneurial intention in the tourism sector

ABSTRACT Tourism is an important sector within the South African economy, and tourism entrepreneurship drives this sector. A significant portion of entrepreneurship research concentrates on the samples of higher education students and the general population, not focussing on the youth, whether they are higher education students or not. Therefore, the central objective of this paper was to explore the relationships between three independent variables, namely, entrepreneurship education (ED), entrepreneurial meaning (EM), and entrepreneurial passion (EP) and the dependent variable, entrepreneurial intention (EI) of the general youth population regarding starting tourism-related business. It further analysed the impact that levels of general education may have on both the independent and dependent variables. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from a purposive sample of 400 youths residing in different regions of the King Cetshwayo District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) on SmartPLS software version 4.0.8.5 was used to evaluate the relationships between the independent variables and dependent variables. The results show, among others, statistically significant positive relationships between youths’ ED, EP and their EI in the tourism sector. The study recommends that it is imperative for business decision-makers of the study area (KCDM) and academics to comprehend how ED and EP influence the EI of youths and their ability to establish and manage their own businesses, including tourism businesses. This will foster youth entrepreneurship.