Socio-economic Upliftment Research Articles

The Copernican shift in space tourism and its implications for tourism in the Great Karoo

With the widely anticipated launch of commercial suborbital space travel in the near future, space tourism is finally set to come into its own after decades of frustration. This article outlines the history of space tourism and describes how suborbital space travel differs from conventional space exploration. A key distinction is made between a space industry funded primarily by the public sector, and an industry that derives its revenues from the tourism-driven ‘space experience economy’. Recent legislation in the USA has paved the way for a space economy which is answerable to the dictates of private enterprise – hence the ‘Copernican shift’ in how space tourism is being conceptualised. The erosion of the hegemony exerted by traditional space industry players, such as NASA, has encouraged many high-profile private entrepreneurs to invest heavily in what amounts to a new space race – namely that of being first to market with a viable, safe, suborbital space tourism offering. One of the concomitants of the shift is the number of spaceports that is being constructed worldwide. This article argues that it is inevitable that southern Africa will come to require a custom-built spaceport and that the Great Karoo is ideally endowed to host such a facility. This should profoundly affect the development of tourism in the arid interior and holds out encouraging possibilities for socio-economic upliftment in the region.

Epizootiology, pathogenesis and immunoprophylactic trends to control tropical bubaline fasciolosis: an overview.

On the Indian sub-continent, nearly 5,000years ago, the domestication of the riverine buffalo-the incredible Asian dairy animal was initiated. It plays a versatile role in socio-economic upliftment of its owners from the rural agricultural communities in Asian, African, South American and a few European countries. Comparatively, buffaloes are lesser evolved and susceptible to infectious diseases than cattle. However, poor body thermoregulation and wallowing nature predisposed them to snail borne infections, especially tropical fasciolosis-an incessant major constraint on buffalo production and improvement programmes. This review article is an insight into the global prevalence, varied epizootiological factors, offers possible explanation to pathophysiological clinical signs, deleterious effects of the tropical liver fluke, involving hepato-biliary system, haemopoitic system, endocrine glands and their secretions, oxidative stress, altered metabolism and significant fall in food conversion efficiency with unaffected digestibility of nutrients. Besides, the authors have briefly discussed and reviewed the developments and significance of successful immunodiagnostic approaches for detecting and forecasting the disease during early pre-patency and feasibility of developing a cost effective immunoprotection strategies against tropical fasciolosis.

The Urban and Rural Spaces: Consequences of Nature Conservation and the Rural to Urban Migration. ACase of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, Zimbabwe Sector

KEYWORDS Transboundary Conservation. Conservation Refugees. Alleviating Poverty. Rural to Urban Migration ABSTRACT Over the past two decades, there has been an increase in the number of transboundary conservation initiatives in the Southern Africa region. Among other consequences these initiatives exert on biodiversity protection and promotion of the non-consumptive tourism sector, the creation of opportunities as well as 'alleviating poverty' for the local people has been a development myth. While a number of scholars, authorities and development practitioners believe that transboundary conservation initiatives promote 'socio-economic upliftment' of local people, reality in the Great Limpopo Transfrotnier Conservation Area has proved otherwise. Because of involuntary displacement or relocation to pave way for such an initiative and in search of better opportunities, local people migrate from the marginal rural areas to towns and cities across international borders where they work as laborers. Using the case of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, Zimbabwe sector, this paper looks at the urban space as sinks to the rural to urban migration. It argues that this is one of the consequences of the failure to meet objectives of empowering local people by transboundary conservation initiatives.

Ethnobotanical and pharmaceutical evaluation of Capparis spinosa L, validity of local folk and Unani system of medicine

This paper describe ethnobotanical and pharmaceutical importance of Capparis spinosa L, (Capparidaceae) used by many local people since century under the traditional, Ayurvedeic, Chinese and Unani system of medicine. The present endeavour was, therefore, conducted during summer 2010 with the aim to document and prepare detail ethnobotanical inventory and pharmaceutical importance of C. spinosa and also to explore its agro-industrial potentialities for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Information’s about C. spinosa were collected through semi-structured interviews and discussion with the local elderly and experienced people up to age group 60 by using standard protocol. Additionally, all available literature on C. spinosa was reviewed and studied. The results showed that C. spinosa is a multipurpose plant and used for the curing of various human ailments including gastro-intestinal problems, strangury, inflammation, emmenagogue, anemia, liver dysfunction, rheumatism, antispasmodic analgesic; anthelmintic; antihaemorrhoidal; aperient; deobstruent; depurative; diuretic; expectorant; and general body tonic in indigenous, Ayurvedeic, Chinese and Unani system of medicines. The current study also documented that C. spinosa has peculiar aroma and therefore, used in pasta sauces, pizza, fish, meats and salads in many places. The young fruits and tender branch tips are used in pickled and also as a condiment agent. The study also revealed that the tender young shoots including immature small leaves are eaten as a vegetable. Additionally, ash from burned caper roots has been used as a source of salt in indigenous system. The present study concluded that C. spinosa is Plant of the Millennium, has applications for the development of pharmaceutical and food industries and also possess agro-industrial potentialities. Therefore, sustainable utilization and exploration of C. spinosa is suggested for the socio-economic uplift of the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Key words: Capparis spinosa, pharmaceutical value, economic uses, traditional system of medicine, human ailments.

The Urban and Rural Spaces: Consequences of Nature Conservation and the Rural to Urban Migration: A Case of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, Zimbabwe Sector

KEYWORDS Transboundary Conservation. Conservation Refugees. Alleviating Poverty. Rural to Urban Migration ABSTRACT Over the past two decades, there has been an increase in the number of transboundary conservation initiatives in the Southern Africa region. Among other consequences these initiatives exert on biodiversity protection and promotion of the non-consumptive tourism sector, the creation of opportunities as well as 'alleviating poverty' for the local people has been a development myth. While a number of scholars, authorities and development practitioners believe that transboundary conservation initiatives promote 'socio-economic upliftment' of local people, reality in the Great Limpopo Transfrotnier Conservation Area has proved otherwise. Because of involuntary displacement or relocation to pave way for such an initiative and in search of better opportunities, local people migrate from the marginal rural areas to towns and cities across international borders where they work as laborers. Using the case of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, Zimbabwe sector, this paper looks at the urban space as sinks to the rural to urban migration. It argues that this is one of the consequences of the failure to meet objectives of empowering local people by transboundary conservation initiatives.

A ‘Creative Class’ in South Africa’s Arid Karoo Region

There is an increasing number and variety of creative small enterprises in South Africa’s desert Karoo region. The Karoo has come to acquire considerable cachet in recent years and is being rebranded as a desirable tourist destination. It has also attracted many well-qualified and experienced migrants from urban areas. This paper draws on mainstream ‘lifestyle media’ coverage to describe this phenomenon and examines it through a lens informed by Richard Florida’s influential work, The Rise of the Creative Class. The concept of the ‘creative class’ refers to those people who make a living from creative pursuits, including artists, designers and knowledge-based professionals. The paper analyses a sample of entrepreneurs in-migrants to the Karoo, and speculates on what informs the recent re-visioning of the region. It posits the new rural ‘creative class’ as a form of social capital and explores some of the implications of this for the socio-economic upliftment of the Karoo.

Evolution of Reservation in India

Reservation is a tool of increasing social diversity in organizations. It is one of the measures taken by the government to establish social justice. Reservation as a tool for socio-economic upliftment was adopted as a short-term measure for specific categories of people who for various reasons were discriminated against and deprived. This policy was adopted as the means to provide opportunities in employment. While the weaker sections should be given due opportunity, it is necessary to break the vicious circle of limited sections cornering the opportunities.

Perspectives of Family Planning among Youth of Jabalpur City, Madhya Pradesh, India

Girls are the core of human dynamics only healthy female can make socio-economic upliftment of the country. College girls are in reproductive age and are future mothers, their awareness towards family welfare programme is significant. Therefore it is necessary to have health concern information for the understanding of dimensions and magnitude of awareness towards health and family welfare programme among reproductive age group A sample of 250 randomly selected other backward class college girls of Jabalpur city, Madhya Pradesh, were surveyed. Sample colleges were selected by praportational probability allocation method. Study was conducted in various colleges of Jabalpur. It has been noted that 90.4% girls accepted two children norms in family. 96.0% students mentioned there should be one male and one female child in family. Age of first conception should be 22- 25 years as accepted by majority of girls. Ideal difference between marriage and first conception should be 2-3 years accepted by 40.0% girls each. The source of information regarding planning of family is television. 98.4% girls correctly accepted limitation of children is possible.44.8% girls have opinion that 3 years spacing between two children is ideal.97.6% girls have heard about contraceptives. 95.8% girls are aware of female contraceptive devise. 36.0% girls suggested oral pills to be safest measure. 56.0% girls agreed that purpose of using contraceptives is to delay first conception.41.6% girls believed that contraceptives cannot be used while breast-feeding, and 16.8% accepted that use of contraceptive can cause undesirable effect on physical beauty of women. Study shows that girls have positive attitude regarding planning of family, but there is lack of knowledge regarding various issues of contraceptives. Therefore this is suggested that education courses like population education should be included in the syllabus of students, so that girls can develop life skills for their better future.

Dropout Youth and Small Entrepreneurship: An Approach to Improve Livelihoods of Rural People in Bangladesh

This study analyzed the performance of the six-selected small enterprises of rural dropout youth at Nilphamari district of Bangladesh. It examined the youth's participation in different small enterprises and its impact on socioeconomic development of rural poor youth. Initially 150 rural dropout youths were selected for getting overall information. Thereafter, 30 rural dropout youths were identified who had taken agricultural entrepreneurship as their means of living. It revealed dropout rate at primary and secondary level schools decreased over the year. The rate of taking agricultural entrepreneurship was comparatively lower than wage laborer. The average annual income from enterprises such as livestock and poultry, nursery, fish farming, homestead gardening, horticultural and stock business were Tk. 62444, Tk. 24333, Tk. 40500, Tk. 21000, Tk. 34000 and Tk. 58571 respectively. Average change in household income was 101 percent after being involved with different small enterprises. Household assets value was increased by 164 per cent after involvement with different small enterprises. There was 138 percent increased in working days which indicated self employment opportunities of rural poor youth. Participation of the rural drop out youth to small enterprises contributed significantly towards socioeconomic upliftment of them in general and reduced the poverty gap in particular.

Tinapa Business Resort: A Strategy for Sustainable Rural Livelihood in Cross River State, Nigeria

The development of Tinapa Business Resort in Cross River State has served as an anchor point to service other tourism destinations. At the same time it is transforming Calabar into a natural paradise with internal and external influences over the livelihood of most rural communities especially Adiabo community through income generation, investment opportunity, employment generation, and socio-economic upliftment. This paper critically assessed the various ways in which the development of Tinapa Business Resort has impacted on the livelihood of Adiabo (host community) as regards employment provision by the various construction companies, emerging socio-economic activities in the enclave community, present employment distribution and ecological problems in the area. Data were obtained using a combination of questionnaires, interviews direct field observation and on the spot assessment. Systematic random sampling techniques was employed to allow every member of the population have equal chances of being selected. However, Data collected reveals that Tinapa Business Resort has impacted significantly of the livelihood of the host community. Therefore the sustainability of this laudable investment (Tinapa Business Resort) will be greatly determined by the interplay of the stakeholders, continual utilization of the resort and general tourism growth within the region.

Observations of ethno-botanical studies in India

While going through the ethno-botanical information so far available in the various literature from India, it has been found that there is a wealth of information on wild plants in Indian ancient literature. However, they have yet not received the due attention concerning the data on the useful plants of India as has been accumulated since over 100 years by now. It is pity that the recent publications on ethno botany have shown utter ignorance on the literature published since 1840s to 1950, which has documented substantial information on the useful wild plants of India. Unmindful of the past work, these have been redocumented by the ethno biologists during last 40 years. In the present communication the author has stressed the need for careful scrutiny of literature published earlier while documenting ethnobotanical information. Besides, the methodology involved in the preparation of each product should also be essentially recorded not only for the benefit of the society but also for the adaptation of suitable measures for their sustainable utilization towards the socioeconomic upliftment of the tribal and rural people. It is hoped that the observations given in this paper are made for the betterment of the entire nation including that of tribal communities.

Entrepreneurial Characteristics and Attitude of Pineapple Growers

Nagaland, the 16th state of India in order of statehood, is situated between 25° 6' and 27° 4' latitude north and between 93o 20' E and 95o 15' E longitude of equator in the North Eastern part of the India. Endowed with varied topography, soil and agro climatic conditions it is known for its potentiality to grow all most all kinds of horticultural crops. Pineapple being grown since long organically by default is one of the most promising crops of the state with emphasis being laid for commercialization by the government of Nagaland. In light of commercialization, globalization and scope of setting small-scale industries, a research study was undertaken to examine the socio-economic and personal characteristics, entrepreneurial characteristics and attitude of the pineapple growers towards improved package of practices of pineapple cultivation. The study was conducted in Medziphema block of Dimapur district of the Nagaland state of India following ex post facto research design. Ninety pineapple growers were selected from four different villages of Medziphema block based on proportionate random selection procedure. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents had medium level of entrepreneurial characteristics in terms of knowledge level, risk orientation, self confidence, management orientation, farm decision making ability and leadership ability and most of them had favourable attitude towards improved package of practices of pineapple cultivation. The variables age, education, farm size, risk orientation, management orientation and sources of information utilized were found important to influence the attitude of the respondents. The study revealed that favourable attitude and entrepreneurial characteristics of the pineapple cultivators might be harnessed for increased production of pineapple in the state thereby bringing socio economic upliftment of the marginal and small-scale farmers.

Measurement of Attitudes of Rural Women Towards Self-Help Groups

Self-help groups (SHGs) have emerged as an effective mechanism of empowerment and development of women as well as being on efficient mode of promoting group action and technology dissemination. Initiatives were undertaken at the Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), Ludhiana to facilitate the formation of women's SHGs and to develop their capabilities through training programmes for harnessing the benefits of value addition and processing technologies for employment and income generation. The study attempts to assess the attitude changes in women about SHGs as a result of training. The evaluation of SHGs was conducted at attitude construct. A Likert-type scale consisting of 26 items was developed, for which Cronbach's alpha coefficient of reliability was observed as 0.85. The survey instrument contained five sections; namely, socio-economic upliftment; education and training; marketing and entrepreneurship qualities; technology adoption and participatory research; and banking/credit aspects. The training group consisting of 30 participants of SHGs responded to five-section survey instrument. Significant t-test results for mean values of attitude of women before and after the training showed a significant change in attitude of women in all the five areas as a result of training. Positive orientation towards a task paves the way for success. The study exemplifies the impact of training in instilling positive orientation. For addressing the issues of rural poverty, enrichment of the system with social capital through empowerment and formation of women SHGs; provision of financial and credit support; creation of market-driven and decentralized extension system; use of media-mix for technology transfer and informal education at rural level; conduction of need-based training and strong political will need to be emphasized.

Synergising entrepreneurship, incubated business and socioeconomic upliftment in rural India

The challenges and opportunities of economic liberalisation all over the world have led to new business strategies to meet sustainability. Tremendous competition and customer awareness have shaken the traditional concept of business. India is a developing nation with rural-based economy and in this context, the paper analyses the prospects of 'incubated business' in fostering rural entrepreneurship by downsizing technology directly to the rural masses. Since there is huge potential in harnessing the existing abundance of resources, manpower and infrastructure in the rural areas of the country, a systematic approach is emphasised to build linkages between education, research, enterprises, finance and government by dwelling upon the concept of business incubation. The paper draws a profile of 'rural business hubs' currently being established in India on war footing and discusses a case study of a hub to analyse the prospects of business incubation for socioeconomic upliftment of rural masses in India.

A survey of potential huperzine A natural resources in China: The Huperziaceae

The Huperziaceae is comprised of two genera, Huperzia and Phlegmariurus. Because of the content of Lycopodium alkaloids like huperzine A, which are used to treat a number of human ailments, plants of the Huperziaceae are experiencing a rapid decline in China, mostly due to over-harvesting. Because of this trend, we engaged from 1995 to 2001 in an investigation of the natural resources of the Huperziaceae in China. The main objectives of this study were: to catalog Huperziaceae plant resources including the occurrence, general distribution, and abundance of the various Huperziaceae species in China; and to determine traditional use and pharmaceutical values of each species. Twenty-nine species, 2 varieties, and 2 forma of Huperzia and 19 species of Phlegmariurus were identified through field investigation, collection, visits with local traditional doctors, and review of specimens in herbaria and of the literature. Ethnobotanical studies of these plants revealed that 33 of these species are used by the local communities for medicinal purposes. One species, Huperzia serrata, is one of the most popular. As a result, it is observing the greatest decline, mandating a change in collection practice and general attitude towards these plants. Introduction of conservation plans and training of the local communities regarding appropriate collection practices of these plants and their marketing in China are required to reverse the trend of decline among these species. In addition, development of cultivation or other propagation practices, such as in vitro propagation, would have the added benefits of socio-economic uplift of the local communities and sustainability of this important source of huperzine A.

‘Catching the development train’: perspectives on ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ development in post-apartheid South Africa

Government policy in post-1994 South Africa, whilst upholding the principles of community participation and development, has been firmly wedded to a neoliberal growth agenda. This paper critically examines whether one element of that new growth agenda, that of Spatial Development Initiatives, has catalysed both ‘bottom-up’ development and also meaningfully assisted micro-entrepreneurs through more ‘top-down’ interventions. The paper focuses on two specific projects, namely the Saldanha Steel Plant and the Paternoster Fish Market, which have been components of a Spatial Development Initiative in the Western Cape. The serious constraints faced by communities in engaging with opportunities for socio-economic upliftment is clearly a cause for concern, and it is suggested that a careful re-evaluation of South Africa’s development paradigm is urgently required.

Sustainable harvest of medicinal plants at Bulashbar Nullah, Astore (Northern Pakistan)

Rapid decline of plant resources due to their conventional use needs ex-situ and in-situ conservation, training of the community regarding collection of medicinal plants and their marketing. In this regard, the Bulashbar valley, Astore, District Diamer was identified as a case study. The main objectives of this activity were to enlist economic, medicinal and aromatic plants including their occurrence, general distribution and abundance in the project areas; to determine traditional use and pharmaceutical values of each medicinal plant species found in the project area. Ethnobotanical studies of the area revealed that 33 plants were being used by the local communities for medicinal purposes. Two species, Bunium persicum and Ephedra gerardiana, are recommended for in vitro cultivation to obtain quick benefits. While Hippophae rhamnoides can be sustainably used for socio-economic uplift of the local communities.

Design Guidelines for Low-Volume Macadam Pavements in South Africa

Macadam principles in pavement engineering were applied in South Africa up to around 1960. Mechanization and increased production requirements led to a decline in the use of macadam layers. More recently interest in macadam pavements in South Africa was renewed because of the labor-friendly construction methods. Much of the experience that had been available was lost as people retired, and new techniques of construction gave a new perspective. There is thus a need to provide guidance to new entrants to the industry and capture the experience that was common knowledge several decades ago. The aim of this report is to present a guideline document for construction of appropriate and economic macadam pavements based on extensive South African research coupled with vast experience in the construction of these layers. Guidance on appropriate use of the different variants of macadam layers, the material properties, the structural design process and catalogue, functional design considerations, and construction practice is provided. It was found that under the current socioeconomic upliftment program macadam principles provide an appropriate and cost-effective solution to paving urban streets.

DÖVLƏT PROQRAMLARININ REGİONLARIN İNKİŞAFINDA ROLU

This article discusses the areas covered by the state programs, how the programs contribute to the development of individual regions, and the importance of the socio-economic development strategy of the country as well as the regions. In addition, the 3 main state programs that existed during the past periods were analyzed, the existence of the programs During this period, socioeconomic upliftment, further improvement of the entrepreneurial environment, increase in investment, opening of new enterprises and workplaces and, as a result, increase in the employment of the population were observed in the regions.

A Strategy for Agricultural Progress and Socio-Economic Upliftment: Federation of Farmers' Associations of Nigeria

Journal Article A Strategy for Agricultural Progress and Socio-Economic Upliftment: Federation of Farmers' Associations of Nigeria Get access Chukwudi Obinne Chukwudi Obinne Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Community Development Journal, Volume 29, Issue 1, January 1994, Pages 40–46, https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/29.1.40 Published: 01 January 1994