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Subject: search.filters.subject.300208 Farm management, rural management and agribusiness

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    Determinants of smallholder horticultural farmers’ participation in the Impact Accelerator Subsidy (IAS) programme in Botswana : case study from Kweneng District : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agribusiness at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Ramothudi, Otlaadisa Jacob
    This study examines the determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in the Impact Accelerator Subsidy (IAS) programme, a horticulture subsidy initiative in Botswana, with a focus on market dynamics and co-financing barriers to smallholder farmer engagement. Despite the IAS programme being ambitious in stimulating horticultural production and improving livelihoods through partial input subsidies and technical support, the participation of smallholder farmers has been uneven and constrained. The study employed a qualitative case study design, engaging smallholder farmers in three categories: participants, intended participants, and non-participants across Kweneng District in Botswana, through semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, document reviews, and field observations. The data were analysed guided by Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic data analysis framework, where the themes are inductively derived from the data. The findings of this study show that while some farmers participated, enabled by ownership of land, access to adequate borehole water and external funding sources, broader systemic barriers dominated. Chief among these barriers were a high co financing threshold, which excluded resource-poor farmers and the prevailing unregulated market conditions that subjected farmers to exploitative pricing and inconsistent demand. Other challenges included weak extension service delivery, policy ambiguity, and logistical infrastructure challenges. These challenges undermined the uptake and participation in the IAS programme. The study argues that without adequately addressing the underlying market dysfunctions and offering more inclusive financing models, the transformative goals of the IAS programme remain limited. This study concludes by calling for revisions that prioritise market formalisation, strengthen farmers' bargaining power, and provide more equitable cost-sharing arrangements. These insights offer insights on designing subsidy models that are accessible and sustainable in the context of Botswana’s horticulture sector.
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    Exploring the role of mobile internet in the capability expansion of Nepalese farmers : a research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of International Development, Massey University
    (Massey University, 2025-02) Ban, Bikas
    This research report aims to improve the understanding of the role mobile Internet plays in expanding the capabilities of Nepalese farmers. A notable gap is evident in the existing research literature regarding the value added by mobile Internet in enhancing farming and agricultural productivity in Nepal. Given the widespread adoption of the mobile Internet and its instrumental roles, a comprehensive study is needed to address this gap. This research report makes an initial exploration in that direction. Apart from the immediate impacts of mobile Internet in farming, the results and findings are also analysed using Sen’s Capability Approach to understand the role of mobile Internet technology in the capability expansion of the farmers. A sample of five farmers was selected using purposive sampling gain some initial insights. A qualitative data analysis method is used to codify and categorise the accumulated data into separate themes. The results showed a positive relationship between mobile Internet use and farmers' productivity and income. An expansion in their capabilities is also observed due to the benefits received using mobile Internet. However, specific barriers and challenges also remain that prohibit the benefits from being achieved to a greater extent. Suggestions received from farmers during the interview and policy recommendations formulated through the data analysis have been incorporated in the report to extend its potential benefits.
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    How farm input sales representatives inform their advice and interactions with farmers : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Simpson, Laura
    Embedded advisors, such as farm input sales representatives (FISRs), are part of a network of rural professionals who have a fundamental role in supporting on-farm decision making and innovation. The role of the embedded advisor is to provide advice on products and services the company they work for provides. Research into agricultural advisory has identified the knowledge gap in how embedded advisors gain their knowledge and expertise through their interactions. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the interactions within embedded advisor networks, the information which these advisors seek, and the actors who provide this information to the embedded advisor. Using two case studies, data is gathered through semi-structured interviews of two FISRs who work for the same input supply company. Interview questions enquired about how these FISRs build their networks, the actors they interact with, the knowledge shared through their networks, and their opinions on the important factors of the role. The results confirm the importance of networks to an advisor. These networks are a combination of actors who are either internal or external to the company which employs them and provide knowledge that is relevant to the products the FISR sells to farmers. The internal actors include their FISR colleagues and members from the inhouse agronomy team. External actors include farmers, and actors from supplier companies, market supply companies, local agricultural contractors, and from industry good organisations. FISRs will go to different actors within their network to gain technical product knowledge, information on practical use of products, and for a sounding board on advice, interactions, and emotional support. The focus of the FISRs is to provide relevant advice to farmers, which challenges the view from previous studies that implies embedded advisors show sale target bias. FISRs are in a constant state of learning through non-formal learning practices with other actors in their networks. This study contributes to the knowledge in the interactions within agricultural advisory networks by focusing on the role of the embedded advisor.
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    A supplier development framework for agri-food value chains in developing countries : a test on a dairy value chain in Sri Lanka : a thesis with publication presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences, Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) DeSilva, Leeza
    Agri-food value chains (AVC) in developing countries, including dairy value chains (VC), face significant challenges. A key issue is farmers' limited capacity to improve their operational performance (e.g., product quality, delivery, and production efficiency) despite the support they may typically receive, which hinders the achievement of their triple-bottom-line (TBL) outcomes. In an AVC, farmers supply commodities that buyers (e.g., processors) purchase to add value. The concept of supplier development (SD) refers to a buyer taking an effort—strong or weak—to improve the capability and/or performance of their supplier. This makes SD (as understood in operations and supply chain management), an attractive proposition for predicting and explaining how farmer development initiatives by buyers can improve farmers' operational performance and their TBL outcomes. The objectives of the study were to: (i) study the dairy VC of Sri Lanka to understand how farmer development takes place through a milk processor; (ii) develop and test a theoretical model that predicts and explains the relationship between processor-led farmer development initiatives, farmer capability, processor-farmer relationship, and a farmer’s sustainable performance; (iii) analyze farmer heterogeneity to enable milk processors and other interested parties to better focus on farmer development initiatives; (iv) develop an index to measure the overall sustainable performance of dairy farmers and facilitate efficient, sustainability-focused development. The model developed through the literature posited that farmer development—farmer training (FT), financial support (FS), evaluation and feedback on farmer quality performance (EFFQP)—results in farmer TBL performance, through the mediation effects of farmer capability (FC) and processor-farmer relationship (PFR). Data collected from 324 Sri Lankan dairy farmers were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The heterogeneity analysis was conducted using cluster analysis, while the parameters of the sustainability index were estimated by fitting an index-creating model to the data. The findings supported the overarching hypothesis. FS as well as EFFQP were found to be having a more substantial positive impact on sustainable farmer performance than FT. Cluster analysis identified three distinct clusters—labeled as laggers, accelerators, and leaders—based on the cluster variables used. Laggers were found to be significantly underachieving in economic outcomes and FC, compared to accelerators. Notable differences in farmer and farm characteristics were identified across these clusters, and cluster-specific suggestions were provided to milk processors and policymakers to improve the FC and TBL outcomes of the farmers. The overall sustainability index, which considered farmer TBL outcomes and their enablers, suggested that all components and sub-components of the index are important (weight-wise) but farmer capability as a category commanded the highest weight (0.236) and farmer’s economic outcomes as a category commanded the lowest weights (0.170). The implications of these empirically generated weights were discussed and how the study contributes to new knowledge was argued.
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    A comparative analysis of profitability : certified organic vs. non-certified organic tea farming systems in Phongsaly District, Lao PDR : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agribusiness in Agribusiness at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Nampanya, Niphaphone
    Demand for organic tea is rising in both domestic and international markets, emphasising the need for sustainable, certified organic farming practices to meet environmental goals and capture higher prices. The shift toward certified organic farming aligns with regional efforts to meet global demand backed by standards, creating new opportunities for smallholder producers. With limited land availability, improving productivity and profitability on current tea farms is the most feasible approach. This study examines factors affecting profitability for certified organic (CO) and non-certified organic (NCO) tea producers, and factors influencing producers’ decisions to participate in CO farming system in Phongsaly district, Phongsaly province, Lao PDR. The study used a survey technique complemented by an interview technique for in-depth data collection. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey of 304 tea producers (122 CO and 182 NCO producers) and a semi-structured questionnaire for face-to-face interviews with eight key informants representing producer organisations, tea processors, and government officials. Multiple linear regression was used to identify factors affecting profitability in CO and NCO farming systems, while binary logistic regression analysed factors influencing CO participation decisions. The multiple linear regression demonstrated that farm size, production costs, extension support, and financial support significantly affected profitability, whereas education, farming experience, and labour availability were not that significant. Binary logistic regression revealed that farm size, market support, and financial support were the most substantial positive factors in CO participation, with smartphone ownership as a negative factor. Although age, education, tea farming experience, and extension support positively influenced CO adoption, they were not statistically significant. To enhance profitability and encourage certified organic adoption, the study recommends equipping tea producers with targeted training and cost-analysis tools through effective extension services and market and financial support.
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    Seaweed value chain sustainability assessment in the Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agribusiness, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Manawatu Campus, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Mario, Angelo Luigi
    Value chain study has been crucial in developing the agricultural sector in developing countries, including Indonesia. The study of the value chain in the agricultural sector can present a better understanding of value addition improvements within each stage of the value chain. Indonesia is known as the biggest archipelago country in the world; however, the Indonesian fisheries sector’s GDP contribution is relatively low compared to the land agriculture sector, which indicates that it has not reached its full potential in contributing to the country’s economy. In the Indonesian fisheries sector, seaweed is considered to be the main commodity of the sector, with an average production of around 10 times greater than other fisheries commodities. This indicates the importance and influence of seaweed commodity to the Indonesian fisheries sector, hence the improvement in the seaweed sector is expected to bring significant implications to the Indonesian fisheries sector moving forward. However, any development goals must consider sustainability to ensure that the sector's growth does not compromise environmental conditions, social equity, or long-term economic viability. In the seaweed industry, sustainability is essential to maintaining the sector's long-term success and safeguarding the livelihoods of coastal communities. Furthermore, value chain studies in Indonesia are still limited, especially those focusing on the seaweed sector and sustainability assessment. The gap is notable in the Indonesian fisheries sector, where seaweed stands as the most influential commodity based on production volume. Several provinces in Indonesia are known as centers of seaweed production, including East Nusa Tenggara Province, with Kupang Regency being its main contributing area. The main aim of this study is to comprehensively analyse the seaweed value chain in the Kupang Regency and to assess the sustainability of the seaweed value chain. The findings of this study are invaluable to value chain players, policymakers, and other researchers in the development of the Indonesian seaweed industry in terms of optimizing governance and management of the value chains, ensuring their sustainability, and enhancing their socio economic contribution. This study was conducted in the Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. A qualitative approach was used in this study. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interviews with key players of the seaweed value chain in the region, while secondary data was obtained from the local government database. The findings of this study identified that the seaweed value chain in the Kupang Regency is divided into two types of value chains: unprocessed and processed seaweed, which are performed by smallholder farmers, local intermediaries, inter island traders, small-scale processors, and carrageenan processor as the value chain players. In terms of sustainability, the study indicated that the seaweed value chain is more prone to negative impact caused by external factors (climate and pollution-related) outside of the seaweed value chain compared to its internal factors, where both factors have historically imposed a critical threat to the sustainability aspect of the seaweed value chain in the Kupang Regency.
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    The role of producer organisations : the economic impact of membership on smallholder tea farmers in Myanmar : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agribusiness at Massey University, School of Agriculture and Environment, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Naw Diana
    Myanmar, despite its ideal climate conditions for tea cultivation and its being one of the major tea producers, smallholder tea farmers in the country face numerous challenges, including limited access to value-addition techniques, market information, affordable credit, and adequate infrastructure. Numerous studies suggest that producer organisations can address these issues by providing technical training, facilitating market access, and enabling collective bargaining, among other benefits. However, there is a significant research gap in understanding the economic impact of these organisations on Myanmar's tea industry. This study addresses this gap by exploring how producer organisations influence farmers' decisions to join and how membership subsequently affects their profitability. The study adopts a quantitative research approach using survey data collection methods. Before the survey, pre-interviews were conducted to gather insights and develop a comprehensive and relevant survey questionnaire. A survey was conducted with 400 smallholder tea farmers, comprising 239 members and 161 non-members of producer organisations. Econometric techniques, including probit regression and propensity score matching (PSM), were used to analyse the data. The probit regression model identified significant factors influencing the decision to join producer organisations, such as certification, access to market information, extension services, and education level. Specifically, certification increased the likelihood of joining by 89%, access to market information by 24%, extension services by 43% and education by 5.33%. In addition, the impact of membership on profit per acre was assessed using PSM, which revealed that membership significantly enhances profitability. The Nearest Neighbour Matching (NNM) and Radius Matching (RM) methods showed that membership results in significant average profit increases of 698,094 MMK and 640,183 MMK per acre, respectively. These results indicate that membership in producer organisations significantly enhances the profitability of smallholder tea farmers. The study suggests that encouraging wider participation in producer organisations is essential for enhancing the economic outcomes of more farmers. Producer organisations should strengthen their efforts, particularly in remote and less accessible areas, to inform farmers of membership benefits. Furthermore, governments and NGOs should actively support the development of producer organisations. Strengthening producer organisations' roles in facilitating certification, improving market linkages, and supporting sustainable farming practices will contribute to Myanmar's tea industry's long-term growth and sustainability.
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    Comparative analysis of member benefits in the specialty coffee cooperative and the conventional coffee cooperative : a case study in Shan State, Myanmar : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agribusiness at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Hlaing, Hnin Nu
    Cooperatives play a significant role in enhancing smallholder farmers’ access to markets, increasing their income, and mitigating rural poverty. In Myanmar, agricultural cooperatives are seen as key to improving the socio-economic conditions of smallholder farmers, particularly in rural areas where agriculture is the primary livelihood. Although Shan State, holds significant potential for quality coffee production, many coffee farmers in the region face challenges in producing high-quality coffee and accessing profitable markets. Thus, this study focuses on comparing the member benefits of the specialty coffee cooperative and the conventional coffee cooperative in Shan State, examining their impact on the livelihoods of smallholder coffee farmers. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed, and data was collected through online Zoom interviews, using the convenience sampling method. The interviews were conducted with 18 cooperative members and 5 cooperative leaders and data were analyzed using qualitative methods. The study examined multiple dimensions of member benefits, including economic gains, social support, market access, quality control, and community development. The results revealed that the specialty coffee cooperative, managed by a professional team, enables access to international markets, offering higher prices for higher quality specialty coffee. In contrast, the conventional coffee cooperative, with lack of professional team, primarily caters to neighboring markets with lower quality standards. While the specialty coffee cooperative provides significant marketing, financial, and environmental benefits, the conventional coffee cooperative focuses on meeting immediate needs, such as providing low-cost agricultural inputs and services, but struggles with long-term sustainability and significant economic gains for its members. The results of this study are specific to the context of Shan State region and may not be generalizable to other areas. However, they may offer some important implications. While cooperatives themselves should aim for professional management and targeted training to the needs of members to maximize long-term sustainability and benefits for their members, policymakers should focus on creating a supportive environment for cooperatives by improving infrastructure and providing access to affordable credit and market information.
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    Smallholder livelihoods and the marketing of milk : a case study of dairying in the Mvomero district of Tanzania : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024-12-23) Wassena, Fred
    Smallholder dairying is undergoing a transition from subsistence to commercial farming in Tanzania. There are ongoing efforts to promote commercial dairying in Tanzania because it is regarded as a potential pathway for reducing poverty among smallholder farmers. The Tanzania Government and other development agencies have been implementing and supporting several programs, projects, and initiatives to enhance dairying-derived households to integrate into formal dairy markets. Promotion of commercial dairying regards income as the key option for enhancing the livelihoods of the smallholders, and hence poverty alleviation. Such notions are aligned with much of what has been reported in research focusing on commercial dairying, where market participation is regarded as the best option for improving smallholders and eventually, their livelihoods. Limited research has provided on other aspects of smallholders’ livelihoods, beyond income, which may be crucial in promoting commercial dairying. By employing a livelihoods approach through pathways concept, this study aims to explore how smallholders coordinate during milk market participation and why. Through such, this study brings more emphasis on the need to incorporate other aspects beyond income, which reflect on smallholders’ actual livelihood circumstances and self-processes that also contribute to their livelihood outcomes. Through the livelihood lens, the concept of coordination provided a crucial contribution to the understanding of how smallholders participate in formal and informal milk markets in Tanzania. This way provided a broader understanding of how smallholders get to participate in the dairy markets in the way they do, and eventually paved the way to developing best-bet strategies for poverty alleviation which reflect on their actual settings. Smallholders coordinated in the formal and informal milk markets at variable levels within and across their four social groups, where patterns were evident in their tribal identity, kinship relations, roles of men and women, and dynamics of household milk consumption. Differences across the smallholders’ social groups were evident in the aspect the nature of dairying was attached to their institutions of identity and marriage, where the Maasai emerged to have stronger links than the Mbulu and Sukuma tribal groups. Similarities across such tribal-affiliated groups emerged in their women’s identity around milk. The smallholders belonging to Maasai and Mbulu coordinated by strongly deriving on their tribal networks in accessing milk markets. The four social groups also varied in the ways their family members' networks were important in the access to labor, milk markets, and use of the income obtained from selling milk, whereas the Maasai had significant levels of involvement of their family members’ networks as compared to others. The similarities in milk consumption across the four groups emerged as evident in their common tendency to retain a portion of milk for household nutrition. However, there were increasing trends of portioning more milk to go for commercial exchanges rather than retaining household nutrition among some Maasai smallholders. The roles of men and women remained significantly linked to the traditional than non-traditional arrangements across the smallholders’ groups, but trends are shifting because of the growing demand in the formal markets and increasing recognition of the contribution of milk to household income. The study highlights that the smallholders’ coordination during milk market participation is produced through diverse patterns that are associated with gender, the extent of dependence on cattle and milk for their livelihoods, and adherence to their cultural institutions and norms. The increase in cash transactions around milk is an important market factor while the impact of social and cultural capital remains significant as non-market factors, in influencing smallholders’ coordination. The transition towards commercial dairying such as market formalization is significant in challenging, transforming, and undermining the smallholders’ existing sociocultural institutions and norms associated with coordination during smallholders’ participation in formal and informal milk markets. Based on the key findings, this study contends for a thorough consideration of the complexity and diversity of smallholders when designing and implementing strategies for poverty alleviation in Tanzanian rural areas. The study acknowledges the significant complementarity of social, human, and financial capital through milk, which is essential in the strategic planning and implementation of the rural development policies. In addition, the study emphasizes the realization of the values that agricultural products carry beyond monetary, and how such may implicate in strategizing poverty reduction. Lastly, the study argues that culture is among the key factors to be considered in promoting commercialization. The theoretical usefulness of employing the coordination concept in the livelihood analysis, for providing an in-depth understanding of smallholders’ market participation and enlightening the importance of understanding social agency in influencing livelihood actions is highlighted. Therefore, more research is required to explore different contexts of culture and their implication in milk market participation or commercialization, their implication in facilitating access to various opportunities for vulnerable groups; and understanding the dynamics of men and women in engaging with a mix of milk markets, and their perceptions.
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    The contribution of kumala to traditional food systems in two districts of Tanna Island, and its potential for increasing food security : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Horticulture and Ethnobotany at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Nasse, Amanda
    Sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas) is considered a versatile food crop owing to its robust adaptability to diverse soil conditions and environmental conditions. In Vanuatu sweetpotato is a significant food security crop that smallholder farmers cultivated within traditional cropping system. Within the national and local context, sweetpotato has played a significant role as recovery crop that supports the farmers and increasing urban population buffer against food scarcity during the aftermath of natural disasters. The research reported in this thesis examined and explored how kumala (sweetpotato) contributed to smallholder farmers livelihood and enhanced food and nutrition security. The aim of the study was to understand the significant role of kumala within the traditional food system and draws on smallholder farmers perspectives. Storian is the overarching cultural approach that underpinned the research process in this study, supported with the use of qualitative methods of collecting data these included, semi structure interviews, secondary data, and field observation. Subsequently the data collected through the interviews and storian were analysed using qualitative data analysis. The research study was carried out in Tanna Island, a society with stronghold of traditions and cultural activities that are interwoven in the livelihood of smallholder farmers influencing the farmers perception on the production of kumala. This research highlights kumala is a favoured food security and recovery crop featured as response to recovery program. Kumala has a role in the traditional food system which is enhanced by existing social and cultural ties. The study put forward a critical perspective on leveraging on short term resilient crops that emerge through strengthening and revitalize the role of kumala within the local food system can strengthen household resilience and enhance food security for smallholder farmers.