Ounongo Repository
The Ounongo Repository (OR) is the institutional repository of Namibia University of Science and Technology. Ounongo means "knowledge. in the Oshiwambo and Otjiherero languages. The OR is administered by the Library, with technical assistance from DICT, and its aim is to collect, organize, manage, store, preserve, publish and make accessible worldwide, the knowledge assets or intellectual output of the University's researchers, staff and post-graduate students. Users may set up RSS feeds to be alerted to new content.
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Determination of vulnerability of food systems to price and climatic shocks in SACU countries: Case of Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
(Namibia University of Science and Technology., 2023) Musarurwa, God’spower
Despite widespread poverty and hunger, there is on-going chronic food and nutrition insecurity throughout Africa. Disruptions in food systems are the result of a combination of long-running conflicts, economic stagnation, price shocks, catastrophic weather occurrences and the degradation of livelihoods and family-based support structures. This research determines vulnerability of food systems to price and climatic shocks in three SACU countries namely Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The study's specific objectives encompass assessing the influence of rainfall volatility and inflation on food production, exploring the variables shaping the food security model and comparing vulnerability indices across the three countries. The dataset comprises key indicators such as the food production index, inflation, food imports, precipitation, crop production index and livestock production index. The analysis employs Stata to examine time-series data spanning from 2000 to 2022. For the first two objectives, the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) was employed to examine the causality of variables leading to food system vulnerability. The findings revealed that inflation affects food production in both the short and long run in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, along with similar impacts of rainfall volatility in Namibia and Botswana. However, rainfall volatility in South Africa does not exhibit a short-run effect on food production. For the second objective, certain variables, particularly the crop production index and livestock production index, emerge as crucial in shaping the food security model across the three countries. Inflation and rainfall volatility affect these variables, thereby influencing overall food production and food security. In addressing the third objective, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to compare vulnerability indices. The PCA results showed that Botswana has a significant percentage of its vulnerability index classified as "most vulnerable." This suggests that major risks and challenges related to the causes of food insecurity are present in Botswana. According to this vulnerability index, the population of Botswana is far more likely than those in Namibia and South Africa to experience food insecurity. These findings support the preceding explanation in this study that food insecurity is far more prevalent in Botswana than it is in Namibia and South Africa, according to recent statistics. Recommendations stemming from the study include the implementation of climate-resilient agricultural practices, policy harmonisation to address inflation and climatic shocks, and improved access to financing and financial services for small-scale farmers. These findings contribute valuable understanding for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance food system resilience in the face of price and climatic challenges.
Assessment of the abundance and selected population characteristics of Hartmann’s mountain zebra Equus zebra hartmannae in Iona National Park, Angola.
(Namibia University of Science and Technology, 2021-03) Chicomo, Milcíades Rafael
Monitoring wildlife populations across time and space is key to their conservation and management. This was the basis for my study about Hartmann’s mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae). Since peace was achieved in Angola, a rapidly increasing level of collaboration between Angolan and visiting scientists and institutions has seen biodiversity research prospering. As a result of these collaborative initiatives, monitoring of wildlife is gaining a new dynamic. To contribute to this dynamic, ensure continuous wildlife monitoring in Angola, and promote the development of management and conservation strategies, we carried out the present study. Its goal was to assess the abundance and population characteristics of Hartmann’s mountain zebra, a near-endemic species restricted to the extreme south-west of the country, in Iona National Park (INP). This study was carried out under the scope of the SCIONA project, funded by the European Union, which aims to strengthen cross-border ecosystem management and wildlife protection in the Namibian-Angolan Iona-Skeleton Coast Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA). It was implemented a camera trapping approach centered on waterholes, as means of non-invasively sampling the Hartmann’s mountain zebra (HMZ) population, and used spatial capture-recapture (SCR) to provide estimates of demographic parameters such as abundance and density. Results showed a population size of HMZ of 428 adult individuals, 33 juveniles, and 17 foals. The population of HMZ is dominated by females at all age classes, indicated by the sex ratio of 1:3.46 (male:female), which is typical of some equid member species. This HMZ population presented an age structure dominated by adult individuals, representing 89.6% of the total population, and this proportion suggests an aged population which raises concern due to anthropogenic and environmental threats that the population is subject to. Of particular concern, the study unveiled an emerging population of hybrids of Equus zebra and Equus asinus, so-called zonkey, with a population of 19 adult individuals. HMZ, donkey and zonkey are active at waterholes all day, as shown by their activity levels, but the three species present distinct periods in which one of the species is more active. HMZ, donkey and zonkey are active at waterholes during all day, but their activity peaks at different periods, at night for HMZ, and during middle afternoon for donkey and zonkey. This shift of HMZ to nocturnal activity can be associated with a learned or acquired fear behaviour from human disturbance at waterholes during daylight,
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mostly by stock farmers with goats and cattle. This population estimate, based on rigorous camera trapping census methodologies, constitutes an accurate baseline population for a continuous monitoring programme in the park, and highlights conservation concerns for HMZ growth and success in Iona.
Exploring factors influencing e-learning dropout rates in the post-COVID-19 era
(International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, 2024-07) Kaisara, Godwin; Peel, Clayton; Niemand, Cornelius J. P.; Bwalya, Kelvin Joseph
The COVID-19 period ushered in a paradigmatic shift towards exponential growth of ubiquitous e-learning. Despite the well-documented benefits of e-learning, which received unprecedented attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, little has been reported on factors influencing student dropout rates in courses delivered via e-learning. In this paper, the authors explore the factors contributing to student discontinuations in nonvolitional postpandemic conditions. Adopting a multimethod qualitative research design, the authors investigated the factors leading to increased student dropout rates from e-learning programs. The researchers used thematic analysis to interpret the data, resulting in the emergence of five themes. The findings reveal several factors contributing to failure to complete studies on programs delivered via e-learning. Although not exclusively conclusive, the study’s findings indicate skills gap solutions and resource concerns which need to be addressed to convert market demand and enrolment into optimum completion rates, thereby increasing e-learning’s success.
Technical resource use efficiency of small-scale maize farmers in the Etunda irrigation project, Omusati region in Namibia.
(University of Science and Technology, 2023-09) Tshupo Kitso Baitshoki
Namibia has identified agriculture, among other sectors, as a strategic development area to achieve its vision of economic growth through industrialisation. Maize production is a vital contributor to Namibia's socio-economic development, with an average per capita consumption of 44kg per year, higher than other cereals such as pearl millet. This study aims to investigate the technical resource utilisation efficiency of small-scale maize farmers at the Etunda Green Scheme Irrigation project in the Omusati Region of Namibia.
A total of 47 small-scale farmers at the Etunda Irrigation Scheme were surveyed using a census sampling method and a structured questionnaire to capture data. A Cobb-Douglas function for production under the Stochastic Frontier Model was used to estimate the technical efficiency of producers, whereas an enterprise budget was used to evaluate their profitability. The average technical efficiency of this study is 90%, which means the farmers are using the available resources efficiently. The study reveals that producers’ technical efficiency is influenced by tractor power, seeds and fertilisers. Tractor power, seeds and fertiliser elasticities are 0.761, 0.087 and 0.442, respectively. Farm specific socio-economic factors were modelled to estimate farmer’s technical inefficiency. The results reveal that gender and extension services had a significant and negative impact on the technical efficiency of producers. The results also show that the majority of producers (81%) operated at a loss, with fertiliser accounting for 51% of total production costs.
The study recommends that policymakers incentivise local fertiliser production through availing of funds to citizens and non-citizens who wish to do fertiliser production business or remove taxes on imported fertilisers which will significantly drop production costs. There is a need to provide farmers with comprehensive technical training and robust extension services, ensuring they utilise technical resources to their fullest potential, thereby maximising profitability. It is highly recommended that farmers have intensified access to technical training and effective extension services to enhance their efficient use of technical resources to enhance profitability.
Evaluating the performance of marketing channels for small and medium scale producers of selected vegetables produced using Olushandja-Ogongo canal water, Namibia.
(Namibia University of Science and Technology, 2023-02) Maija S.N. Shetunyenga
Namibia has achieved a significant improvement in local supply of fruits and vegetable throughout the country from both commercial and communal areas. However, vegetable marketing is still a challenge to farmers particularly the small to medium sized. This study evaluated the performance of marketing channels used by small-medium scale vegetable producers utilising Olushandja - ogongo canal water. Using a random sampling procedure, a sample of 53 vegetable producers from the study area was drawn. A survey consisting of a structured questionnaire was used to conduct face-to-face interviews with the vegetable producers. The study focused on the 5 dominant crops grown in the study area, which were; Tomato, Cabbage, Butternut, Onion and Green pepper. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression and marketing efficiency measures were used to analyse data. All vegetable producers under study were involved in informal market channels although there was a reasonable number of producers who also used formal markets, in addition to informal markets. Transport, storage facilities, membership to a marketing association and access to marketing information all had a significant positive relationship with choosing mixed marketing channels when informal markets served as a baseline group through logistic regression. There was a strong correlation between channel length, producer’s share and marketing margin. The study tested for relationships between variables in case of Tomato and butternut which where the most dominant crops. In tomato, the study found a significant relationship when marketing efficiency was regressed against channel length, farmer’s price, marketing cost and marketing margin. On the other hand, channel length and marketing costs had a significant relationship with marketing efficiency in Butternut. Transport cost was the highest marketing cost incurred by producers. The study found that the direct channels had high marketing efficiency with over 100% as compared to intermediated channels. An intermediated channel that involved wholesalers had the least marketing efficiency index. Crops that had high efficiency measures in most channels were Cabbage and Green pepper while Tomato and Butternut had the least efficiency measures. The study calls for marketing bodies to help organise farmers in terms of production and linking them to the markets.