Research Reports

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Browsing Research Reports by Subject "300210 Sustainable agricultural development"

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    The effects of AD voluntary substitution programmes in the livelihoods of coca-growing communities in Colombia : an analysis based of participatory approaches to development
    (Massey University, 2021) Castro, Eduardo
    At present, Colombia is the largest coca-producing country in the world. About seventy percent of the total area under coca cultivation worldwide is in this country. The Colombian government has responded to this challenge in two different ways. On the one hand, it has implemented forced eradication activities, such as aerial spraying, to destroy coca crops. This strategy has been largely criticized by scholars and local people for its short-term results and its negative impacts on coca-producing communities and the environment. On the other hand, the government has executed alternative development (AD) programmes aimed at addressing economic and social obstacles in these communities while providing them with productive alternatives to coca crops. This research aimed to analyse the effectiveness of AD programmes considering a key aspect in their implementation, which is the participation of the communities involved. To achieve this, this research project explored the effectiveness of the current AD programme, the National Comprehensive Plan for the Substitution of illicit crops (PNIS) through the lens of participatory approaches to development. The research found that the participation of the communities in the PNIS and other previous AD programmes in Colombia has been limited. In some scenarios, participation has been used as a buzzword on working papers rather than a real means to empower communities and build sustainable alternatives. Despite its PNIS stated purpose of addressing the limitations of past AD programmes; in practice, it has not shown clear differences with those past experiences. The government’s short-term approach of reducing coca crops in the shortest possible time has been imposed to the detriment of a long-term objective that seeks to transform the regions and guarantee the well-being of the communities affected by the crops.
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    Food security and sustainable development : the relationships between food security and trade and agricultural policy in Samoa : a research report presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Masters of International Development at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) Lima, Justin
    As the global community continues to face challenges in achieving the United Nations 2030 Development Agenda on Sustainable Development, food security has emerged at the forefront of discussions. International policies aside, the true challenge is at the national level of small island developing states with dwindling local agriculture-based food systems, such as Samoa, struggling with limited resources and import dependency. The government of Samoa has made robust improvements in the agriculture and trade sectors compared to other Pacific Island countries, underpinned by a sector-wide policy approach to development. Guided by sector plans, the agriculture and trade sectors should be thriving however, strengthening Samoa’s access to food to ensure a food secure country remains a challenge. Framed around sustainable development thinking, this research explores Samoa’s trade and agriculture sector policies and its contribution (or lack thereof) to food security. This report has used qualitative data collection methods, such as a document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders of the agriculture and trade sectors in Samoa. Findings highlight the misalignment of Samoa’s policies and reveal critical gaps that have resulted in challenges to developing a policy framework for effective implementation. There is a critical need for re-assessment of priorities within the agriculture and trade sectors in the areas of agriculture production and trade if Samoa wishes to address its food security concerns, and in turn, its wider sustainable development objectives.