AIDS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

AIDS - Essay Example This essay would further point out the issue of ethics for the research that took place. The children included in the study of AIDS should not have been taken as subjects because it was unjust for them. These children were under the care of foster parents and no real parents would have allowed the research to take place on them considering the side effects of the drugs. Their rights were violated by the medical institutes because they did not appoint an advocate for the whole process. In a research like this it is necessary that a neutral advocate is kept in between so that he can watch over the children and find out if anything wrong goes around. Foster children were chosen as the subjects of the research although these children are not mature enough to decide about their good and bad. Children should never be asked for permission in this matter and the state should have taken up the matter to not allow the research on these children. The family of the children was informed about th e process and side effects that the drug may have on the children. The medical institutes also provided a helpline number along with the possible problems that the child may have to face to the family.

Time Management Essay Example for Free

Time Management Essay Study: â€Å"Working to live: Why university students balance full-time study and employment According to Valerie Holmes, within this group 83 per cent of students worked at some point during term-time of their degree programmed. In total 58 per cent of those students who worked did so to either cover or contribute to basic costs of living. While the majority of students felt they could balance work and study, half of all students questioned felt that working could have a negative impact on their degree classification. Valerie Holmes, (2008) Working to live: Why university students balance full-time study and employment, Education + Training, Vol. 50 Iss: 4, pp.305 – 314 http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1728331 | The work–study relationship: experiences of full†time university students undertaking part†time employment Journal of Education and Work Volume 23, Issue 5, 2010 Ralph Halla* Pages 439-449 Publishing models and article dates explained Received: 21 Apr 2010 Accepted: 14 Jul 2010 Version of record first published: 29 Nov 2010 Abstract Work and study commitments of full†time undergraduate students at the University of New South Wales were investigated in four surveys conducted in 1994, 1999, 2006 and 2009. Respondents to the surveys reported the amount of time they spent during term time in paid employment, studying outside of formal class hours and in leisure activities (1999 and 2006 only). Fifty full†time students in 2006 and 37 in 2009 who were identified through the survey as working in excess of 10 hours per week were interviewed about their work and study relationships. Findings are consistent with UK studies showing an increase in part†time work by full†time students. In addition, a steady decrease was found in hours of study outside normal class time and in time spent in leisure activities. Reasons for working offered by interviewees were predominantly financial although many reported that gaining work experience, even in areas not related to their studies, was an important consideration. While some of the students interviewed felt that the government should provide more support for full†time students, the majority thought that the university should cater more for the needs of working students by providing more online facilities for assignment submission and communication and more flexible timetables and submission requirements. In the absence of any likely moves by governments to provide financial support to students, universities need to recognize the increasing demands placed on full†time students by part†time work and to implement procedures to assist working students. http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cjew20 Literature: More students balance school with jobs By Jacob Serebrin | January 25th, 2012 | More than half of full-time university students in Quebec work while attending school and more than 40 per cent of all undergraduates work more than 20 hours weekly says a new study by the Fà ©dà ©ration à ©tudiante universitaire du Quà ©bec, a provincial lobby group that wants lower tuition. On top of that, more than twice as many full-time students aged 20 to 24 in the province work part-time jobs than students did in the 1970s. The workloads are hurting their educations: 43 per cent of full-time undergraduates say that their jobs have negatively affected their studies and 30 per cent say their jobs mean they’ll take longer to finish. It’s worst for PhD students—six in 10 say work forced them to prolong their studies. It’s not just students in Quebec who are putting in long hours between classes. According to the 2011 Canadian University Survey Consortium study 56 per cent of undergraduates in Canada work. The average number of hours is 18 per week. Nearly a fifth (18 per cent) work more than 30 hours weekly. One third of working students report â€Å"a negative impact on their academic performance.† The latest research also builds on a November 2010 report put out by FÉUQ that said employment income accounts for more than 50 per cent of the average full-time student’s income in Quebec. Predictably, FÉUQ is using the results of both studies to argue against a tuition increase that will take effect this fall. The hike will see tuition for in-province student’s rise by $325 a year to $3,793 in 2016. It’s easy to dismiss FÉUQ’s concerns–the province has the lowest fees in the country. But the fact that so many students are working so much suggests many are already at the breaking point. It also rebuts the claim by Quebec politicians that the increase would return tuition to 1968-9 levels, adjusted for inflation, which is what finance minister Raymond Backhand told the National Assembly. The claim that today’s students are paying less than past students has also been a favorite of the Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities, which represents administrators. Perhaps tuition was indeed more expensive in the 1968-9s. But in the 1970s, students could afford to work less in coffee shops and clothing stores—and more on their studies—than students of today. http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2012/01/25/more-students-balancing-school-and-part-time-jobs/ Vol. 1, Issue 1 spring 2005 The Effects of College Student Employment on Academic Achievement By: Lauren E Watanabe Mentor: Jana Jasinski Review of Literature As money and resources become more scarce for college students, jobs become more of a necessity rather than an after school activity. Any changes to students routines will lead to changes in academics, whether they are positive or negative. Employment among college students has been increasing rapidly. Its effect on the academic performance of students has been questioned by many researchers (Green, 1987). Some of the issues raised in the literature concern matters such as the number of hours worked, whether or not the students jobs pertain to their majors, and the students workloads. As more students are employed, they face having to balance their academic requirements, extracurricular activities, and employment responsibilities to maintain their lifestyles (Furr Elling, 2000). The literature reviewed below examines how employment has affected academic achievement. Much of the research indicating that employment negatively affects students academic achievement stated that an increase in the amount of hours worked was the most influential factor. In one study, more hours worked decreased the likelihood of being an A student (Pritchard, 1996). According to Furr and Elling (2000), 29% of the students working 30-39 hours per week and 39% of those students working full time indicated that work had a negative and frequent impact on their academic progress. Those who take on part-time jobs are less engaged in school before they enter the labor force, and part-time employment, especially for more than 20 hours weekly, further exacerbates this problem (Steinberg et al., 1993, p. 175). Furr and Elling (2000) also found that upperclassmen worked more hours than freshmen, indicating that the older students would be more likely to suffer in their academics. Therefore, w orking full time has an even greater impact on academics because, often times, working 40 or more hours further decreases a students college grade point average (GPA) and is negatively related to completion of a bachelors degree (Astin, 1993). The act of balancing school work with the labor market may also lead students to put forth less effort into both because they are spreading themselves too thin (Astin, 1993). According to these researchers, it is not the job itself that causes the problems, but the overload on the amount of time worked because students who work more hours each week spend less time on homework, [and] pay attention in class less often (Steinberg Dornbusch, 1991, p. 307). Not all of the research has shown negative GPA effects from the amount of hours a student is employed. Some findings indicated that employment had either a positive effect or none at all. A number of researchers, for example, found that hard work built stronger academic character because it taught the students time management skills, gave them experience outside of the classroom, and provided them with more satisfaction in college (Pennington, Zvonkovic, Wilson, 1989). Dallam and Hoyt (1981) suggested that a good balance between stu dents credit hours and working hours forced students to be more organized and to have better time management. They also found that students who worked between 1 and 15 hours per week showed a slightly higher GPA than those whose workloads were heavier and those who were not working at all (Dallam Hoyt, 1981; Li-Chen Wooster, 1979). Not only were higher GPAs found in students that maintained jobs, but Green (2001) also stated that they had gained job skills, experience, knowledge of a variety of jobs, a sense of accomplishment, a feeling of responsibility, and money for personal and school expenses (p. 329). Other researchers, when comparing high and low academic performance and the amount of hours students worked, found that the amount of hours employed did not have an adverse effect on their academics (Pinto, Parente, Palmer, 2001). Similarly, Watts (2002) analysis of 19 students at the University of Brighton found that 4 of 12 working undergraduates said that working did not affect their academics and 5 said that it actually had a positive impact. Although some of the previously mentioned studies used samples of high school students rather than undergraduates, their results were consistent. The fact that some contained samples of less than 50 students, however, may have accounted for some of the differences between the positive and negative academic results. Not accounting for the amount of time actually put into the job, researchers have found that the type of employment a student holds has an impact on academics. Dead-end jobs such as a cashier or fast food worker tend to have a negative effect (Li-Chen Wooster, 1979), whereas high-quality, part-time jobs that seemed to develop career-related skills may in effect contribute to increased levels of career maturity, and these types of jobs are more likely to be flexible and work with students schedules (Healy, OShea, Crook, 1985). These types of jobs allow for hands-on experience that cannot be gained in the classroom alone. For example, of the 600 full-time students at Lamar University surveyed, 91 out of 215 students whose jobs related to their majors had a mean GPA of 2.98, while those whose jobs were career unrelated had a mean GPA of 2.66 (Li-Chen Wooster, 1979). Also, student comments suggested that employment related to a potential career provided additional experience. For example, 10 out of 23 comments of a 120 nursing student survey at a university indicated that they were gaining more practical experience . . . and that as all [their] employment is in care areas, [they felt] it [had] extended [their] experience (Lee, 1999, p. 448). As money and resources become more scarce for college students, jobs become more of a necessity rather than an after school activity. Any changes to students routines will lead to changes in academics, whether they are positive or negative. Though the research results were not always consistent, it was a common theme that the more hours worked led to decreased academic performance, but that working in general did not necessarily have a negative effect on grades. When it came to students jobs as they applied to their majors, the effects were positive in that they provided experience beyond the classroom (Lee, Mawdsley, Rangeley, 1999). The following study will look at these variables as well as class standing, the amount of credit hours taken, and flexibility of the work schedule in order to determine the positive or negative relationship of working and academics. Other variables, such as demographic factors, will also be examined. http://www.urj.ucf.edu/vol1issue1/watanabe/literature.php

The Case of Chilli Pepper Value Chain

The Case of Chilli Pepper Value Chain With the emergence of globalization and internationalization of trade, development agencies in development cooperation increasingly aim at a sustainable, growth-oriented integration of developing countries into the world economy. Value chain development has received more emphasis especially in development projects and programmes. Improvements in the productivity of subsistent farmers are pre-requisites to the achievement of full contributions of agriculture to overall growth and development. Recent global policies propose that farmers can get out of poverty by being better linked to markets. Markets in recent times are changing fast and competition is becoming increasingly fierce. If businesses aspire to stay in the market, they need to make sure that their products and services meet continuously changing market requirements and demand conditions (Matthias et al. 2009). millions of subsistent farmers and rural communities especially in Africa are working to improve their livelihoods in an environment with low or little government support for producers, processing companies and supermarkets within agricultural markets (Renà ©, 2006; Martin, 2006). While access to markets remains an important medium for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), there remain low levels of investment in agriculture, poor infrastructure, as well as limited access to technological innovation, Business Development Services (BDS), and market information and weak commodity value chains still inhibit smallholder farmers full access to markets (Aldonas, 2009). Ghana is currently running an agrarian economy and agriculture by no doubt the largest sector. The rate of the countrys economic growth seems to fall on the performance of the agricultural sector. The agriculture sector employs at least 50.6 percent of the working population, and most of them are small-scale farmers in developing countries. This rises to above 75 percent in the rural areas (Brempong 2003). More than 35 percent of Ghanas Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from agriculture (FASDEP 11, 2007). Market orientation among producers and processors still remains a stumbling block. For value chains and marketing systems in agriculture, there exist mutual benefits where farmers are hooked-up to the needs of consumers, working closely with suppliers and processors to produce the specific goods consumers demand (Roduner, 2007). Similarly, consumers are link-up to the needs of farmers via information flows. Development and promotion of value chains in agriculture is often about improving access to markets and ensuring a more efficient flow of products with the assurance that all actors in the chain benefit. Government and Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) promoting value chain development have made it a core responsibility to supporting farmers to sell their products via value chains. But the question which needs deeper investigation is: do emphases on value chain development bring about an improvement in market access and income to farmers? The development of the value chain concept does not automatically result in benefits for smallholder farmers. The value chain concept is yet to assume its full potential in its intervention strategy among the chilli pepper farmers in the Tolon Kumbungu District. Value chains development can only overcome the cycle of poverty if they are deliberately designed to improve farmer livelihoods, so they need to be pro-poor (Gertan, 2009: p 2). As a new concept among development practioners, there is the tendency of selection of inappropriate value chain instruments that is not responsive to the needs of the smallholder farmers. Market in this context refers to the total supply and demand for a particular product farm products in both locally and internationally markets. The process of marketing must be customer oriented and provide profit for farmers, transporters, traders and processors otherwise they will not be able to stay in business. Value chains in this context refer to all the steps that a product takes, from its point of origin farm to the consumer. A value chain represents a specific type of supply chain where the chain actors actively seek to support each other so they can increase their efficiency and competitiveness. The actors invest in money, effort and time and build relationships with one another to reach a common goal of meeting and satisfying the needs of consumers hence, they can maximize their profits. Value chain development in agribusiness treats production as a chain of activities, each of which adds value and cost to the final product. As the product makes it way via the value chains, the value of the product increases. Actors are the specific players involved in producing, processing, trading or consuming a particular agricultural product. They include direct actors producers, traders, retailers and consumers which are commercially involved in the chain and indirect actors which provide financial or non-financial support services, such as; business service providers; bankers, credit agencies, researchers and government. The German Technical Cooperation of the Market Oriented Agriculture Programme (GTZ/MOAP), International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and Savanna Agriculture Research Institute (SARI) are currently focusing on employment-oriented private sector development and agriculture. The value chain development concept has been adopted by these organizations as part of their core development strategies especially in the chilli pepper industry in the Tolon-Kumbungu District of the Northern region of Ghana since the year 2005. Their main aim of the intervention in the chilli pepper business is to reduce poverty and to stimulate the growth of the local economy by fostering sustainable relationships among actors, thereby bringing about their competitiveness in domestic, regional and export markets (MOAP, 2005). While these seem laudable, the problem of market access still exists. As a tropical crop, chilli pepper can survived in both tropical and temperate climates. In 2005 the global production amounted to 27.5 million tons (AVRDC, 2005). Considering developing countries in particular, chilli pepper is considered the most popular vegetable crop, being grown on an area of 0.73 million hectares in sub-Saharan Africa in 2005 (AVRDC, 2005). Chilli pepper is a common agricultural product produced and consumed in Ghana. The crop is used in nearly all Ghanaian dishes. The annual demand for chilli pepper is estimated at Ghc 27,000 and accounts for about 9.6% of total food expenditure in Ghana (GLSS IV, 2000), while consumption is expected to rise with increasing population. The crop is ranked the fifth most important crop in the Northern Region of Ghana. Quite a number of households and individuals are involved in its production in the region. It is estimated that about 41.3% of households in the Northern region engaged in chilli pepper production, making the region second only to the Brong-Ahafo as the region producing significant quantities of chilli pepper in the Northern sector of the country (Nsiah-Gyabaah, K. 2002). Therefore, any poverty alleviation program that includes the promotion of the crop as part of its strategies could have high potential for achieving greater impact, as chilli pepper has become an important cash crop for the majority of the people cultivating and trading in it. However, due to the effects of globalization, liberalization and increasing competition in agriculture markets, it is apparent that strategies aiming at reducing rural poverty need to move beyond a focus on increasing productivity. 1.1 Problem Statement Millions of subsistent farmers in developing countries and for that matter Ghana are working to improve their livelihoods with limited government support for producers, processing companies and supermarkets within agricultural markets (Renà ©, 2006; Martin, 2006). While access to markets remains an important medium for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), there remain several factors including weak commodity value chains still hinders smallholder farmers to access markets (Aldonas, 2009). The main concern in development cooperation is how to reduce poverty. Many development organizations believe that agriculture value chain development is a strategic means of bringing about market access and income to farmers. Vibrant value chains are said to be more efficient in bringing products to all actors including small-scale producers and poor consumers should at least benefit from value chain development. Competitiveness in agribusiness in both local and international markets is noted to be one of the most commonly quoted objectives of value chain development. But this seems not to hit its full potential with the chilli pepper value chain in the Tolon-Kumbungu District. Chilli pepper farmers are still faced with an enormous marketing constraint of having to find credible buyers after harvest. They remain price takers and face the risk and uncertainties of fluctuating markets. The farmers feel highly vulnerable and unable to withstand the risks and achieve sufficient production to participate in value chain (Mitchell et al. 2009). Against this background, chilli pepper farmers in the study area still grapple with unassured markets for their raw materials and see themselves as price takers thinking that they have no control over prices and have to accept whatever is offered. Lack of economic equity among actors endangers the chilli pepper value chain intervention in the study district. Value chain development needs to priorities the constraints described above if they are to work for poorer farmers. As a contribution to understanding and solving these problems, an empirical research is needed to investigate into why chilli pepper farmers in the Tolon-Kumbungu district are not being paid sufficiently for their produce. 1.2 Research Questions 1.2.1 Main research question: What are the prospects and challenges of chilli pepper value chain development in the Tolon-Kumbungu District? . 1.2.2 Sub Questions 1. Does value chain development bring about an improvement in market access and income to farmers? 2 What are the entry barriers faced by farmers in the value chain marketing system? 3. What support do farmers need to function as active players of the value chain? 4. What strategies can be adopted to upgrade value chains in terms of product, process, and functions? 1.3 Research Objectives 1.3.1 Main Objective The general objective is to assess the prospects and challenges of the chilli pepper value chain development in the Tolon-Kumbungu District. 1.3.2 Sub Objectives 1. To find-out ways by which value chain development can lead to market access and income 2. To identify the entry barriers faced by farmers in the value chain marketing system. 3. To identify the requisite support required by farmers to function as active players of the value chain. 4. To identify strategies for upgrading of value chains in terms of product, process and functions. 1.4 Significance of the Study Pro-poor growth approach in recent times has become one of the key concerns of development organizations especially in developing countries. The matter with this approach lies in the promotion of economic potentials of the smallholder farmer and the disadvantaged (Altenburg, 2007). Nearly 35% of Ghanaians fall below the poverty line and a majority of these people reside in deprive communities where agriculture is the main source of livelihood. The introduction of the value chain as a development intervention tool is not only timely, but it is also appropriate. The value chain concept has gained more and more recognition in development projects and programmes with the primary aim of reduction in economic inequality by improvement in market access and income of all actors along the chain. Well functioning value chains should create a platform for efficient and mutual benefits of all actors including small scale producers and poor consumers, should benefit from value chain development. However, as a new concept among development practioners, it is likely to be engulfed with many critical operationalization problems. Hence, efforts should be stemmed up to facilitate the efficiency of the value chain development concept to aid in the attainment of the UN number one Millennium Development Goal eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. One surest way of doing this is to unearth the challenges and prospects of the value chain development concept as an intervention tool in agribusiness development among smallholder farmers, hence the study. The study is also expected to bring to bear the challenges and prospects of the chilli pepper value chain and how it can be improved to make it more pro-poor. The findings will also be useful to value chain practioners. Last but not the least, the result of the research could also serve as a basis for further research on the chilli pepper industry in the Northern Region of Ghana. 1.5 Scope of the Study The study will be organized into five chapters. Chapter one will cover the background of the study, problem statement, the research questions, the objectives of carrying out the study and significance of the study. Chapter two will explore the pertinent conceptual and empirical literature on the topic under consideration. Also, chapter three will consider the research methodology with regard to the study design, sampling method, data sources, study instruments and analytical tools and techniques. Chapter five will present the study results. Chapter five will present the discussions of the research findings while chapter six will offer the summary, the conclusion and recommendation thereof. Figure 1.1 Conceptual Frame Work Tolon-Kumbungu Chilli Pepper Value Chain Analysis 1. PRODUCERS Grow Harvest Dry 3. WHOLESALERS Fresh chilli pepper Dried chilli pepper Powdered Chilli pepper 4. TRADERS Fresh chilli pepper Dried chilli pepper Powder chilli pepper CHALLENGES PROSPECTS OF CHILLI PEPPER VALUE CHAIN IN THE TOLON-KUMBUNGU DISTRICT 2. INPUT PROVIDERS Availability of Equipment Seed Fertilizers Value chain Supporters: research extension, financial service providers, government, regulatory bodies, trust and power relations etc 6. CONSUMERS Fresh chilli pepper Dried chilli pepper Powdered pepper 5. PROCESSORS Fresh chilli pepper Dried chilli pepper 1.4.1 Conceptual Frame Work The conceptual framework portrays linkages of the main actors of the chilli pepper value chain in the Tolon-Kumbungu District that may influence the efficiency of the chain. The framework demonstrates that for chilli pepper value chain to maintain a functional level that will make it efficient and sustainable, input providers, producers, transporters, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers must work and coordinate effectively. Producers of chilli pepper are the most essential actors of the chain but face the most constraints and need preferential treatment though the entire actors involved in the chain must equally function well which among others include: input providers, transporters, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Value chain supporters service providers (research and extension, rural banks, regional etc), National, district, community administrations, regulatory bodies, legislations, infrastructure and Socio-cultural factors influencing business attitudes, trust and power relations all influence the efficiency and sustainability of the chain. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction This chapter is essentially a review of past works that have been done in the field of value chain with special emphasis on value chains in agribusiness. To this extent, both published and unpublished literatures will be reviewed. Gaps in some theories and concepts will be identified, amendments done and acknowledgement made. Value addition processes Value addition consists of activities that tend to improve products with the intension to increase returns for operators in the value chain. Cramer and Jensen (1994) consider value addition in commodity marketing to consist of those efforts that affect transfer of ownership and create time, place and form utility to commodities. Time utility is created through storage, to make commodity available over time. Place satisfaction is through transportation services, making the commodity available to those wanting it. Finally, form utility is added to a commodity through the processing function. Will (2006) on the other hand identified two possibilities for Value addition: (1) Value Capturing and (2) Value Creation. Value capture is described as the process of improving current production, processing and trading structures/processes. Value creation is however seen as the process of innovation in a new product. To create value, it is necessary to identify the promising market opportunities and assess production and marketing risk. What these fails to capture is to whether smallholder farmers can position themselves to be able to meet consumer demands and be able to at least have assured markets. Value addition as preached by development organizations stresses the need for its application at every stage of the production line. No efforts is been made to find-out the possibility of participation by low income and disadvantage farmers to actual stand-up to the task. Also, development organizations operationalizing value chain intervention models need to be questioned on the successes and the way-forward regarding their methods of intervention especially among smallholder farmers. This study is geared towards addressing these gabs, and will propose strategies for value chain intervention in agribusiness among smallholder farmers. Five value addition processes have identified for horticulture especially chilli pepper (Figure 1.0 below). Chilli pepper traders, through marketing activities create, time, space and forming utilities, by buying, and/or sorting before selling fresh to capture value or create value by drying before sales (Schipmann, 2006). Indeed, the transformation processes that take places in the chilli pepper value chain include grinding of fresh pepper into a hot pepper paste, or drying to obtain a dried chilli pepper which is also the intermediary product for powdered chilli pepper when milled. The powdered chilli pepper is also used for producing Shito, a local pepper source, when cooked with other ingredients. All the transformational activities of the chilli pepper crop were rudimentarily carried-out before the introduction of the value chain intervention and even in recent times. Output from functional process by smallholders may probably not meet EuroGAP and GlobalGAP requirements hence, lacks the competitiveness for both local and international markets. Mainstreaming smallholder farmers in value chains implies the preparedness to play a facilitating and linkage roles by development organizations through the provision and maintenances of equipments for the low income farmers. Even though, the transformational change is mainly carry-out by traders and processors in and outside the district, helping the farmers to add value through minimal processing (functional upgrading) has the possibility of increasing their profit margins. What level of processing should be prescribed for producers to make them competitive and increase their profit margins? The study will unearth the possible avenues for increasing in the profit margins of the chilli pepper farmers. Figure 1.0: Value Addition Processes in the chilli pepper Chain. PRODUCTION PROCESSING PRODUCT Fresh Chilli pepper None/Sorting Fresh Chilli Pepper Chilli pepper paste Grinding Dried Chilli Pepper Drying Powdered Chilli pepper Milling Shitto Cooking Adapted from Schipmann, 2006 Smallholders all over the world are faced with increasing imperative to integrate themselves into the market to generate cash income in other to improve their livelihoods. The development of the chilli pepper value chain in the Tolon-Kumbungu district of the Northern region of Ghana is therefore seen as a means to improve the crops potential for improving the livelihoods of the population who depend on it for their livelihoods. Improving agricultural productivity through the promotion of market oriented agricultural development program is seen as a catalyst for growth and development in rural communities. For, the integration of rural population into the national and international markets is seen as one of the best options for successful poverty reduction (Stamm, 2004; OXFAM, 2002). Indeed, the development and realization of the value chain development strategy is expected to contribute to achieving a better competitiveness in the local, regional and international markets. By so doing smallholders will be empowered to be capable of managing and maintaining connections with diversified and growing markets. This, it is hoped, will also translate into increased income for all operators along the commodity chain, the creation of employment and consequently the improvement of the livelihood in rural and urban areas (Will, 2006). Although, recent economic growth in Ghana has had limited impact in reducing high poverty rates, particularly in rural areas, the emergence of value chain as a tool for development intervention in the chilli pepper sector will present a new prospects for promoting agriculture and rural development in Ghana, and expanding opportunities for inclusion of resource poor farmers in a dynamic and high value markets. The growth in chilli pepper production however poses new challenges for public policy, particularly if policy markers are concerned about integrating smallholder farmers into the export markets. Literature is currently being reviewed on the following thematic areas and would be incorporated in the final thesis document. They include but not limited to; Standardization in agribusiness in developing countries, Horticulture marketing in developing countries, FBO development, and contract farming. CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction This chapter is devoted to the study design, methods and tools of the research. 3.2 Study Design This study will be descriptive and cross sectional in the sense that, data will be systematically collected at a particular point in time, analysed and presented to give a clear picture about the state of the value chain intervention strategy in the Tolon-Kumbungu District. 3.3 Profile of the study area: 3.3.1 Location and size The Tolon-Kumbungu District is one of the 45 districts created by the erstwhile Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) Law 2007 in 1988 with Tolon as the capital. It lies between latitude 9 ° 16 and 9 ° 34 North and latitudes 0 ° 36 and 0 ° 57 West. It shares common boundaries with Savelugu/Nanton District to the North, Tamale Metropolis to the East and Central Gonja District to the South (Tolon-Kumbungu District Assembly profile, 2001). The district covers an area of about 2, 741 square kilometers with a population of 132,338 (female, 66,269, male, 66,069) (PHC, 2000). The current (2006) population is estimated as 145, 876 with the growth rate of 3%. Population density is approximately around 50 inhabitants per Kilometer Square. The District lies between latitude 10-20 north and longitude 10-50 west, shares border with West Mamprusi District in the west and south and the east with Savelugu/Nanton District and the Tamale Municipal Assembly (Tolon-Kumbungu District Assemb ly, 2001). . The major vegetable crops grown in the area are chilli pepper, tomatoes, onion, okra and garden eggs. Chilli pepper actors are among the few people to have received support services from development agencies operating in the district and outside the district (Tolon-Kumbungu District Assembly, 2001). Source: Encyclopedia of the Earth 3.2.2 Topography and Drainage The District is located 180 meters above sea level and the topography is generally undulating with shallow valley that serves as stream courses and isolated hills. This District is among the few Districts in the Northern region on which the White Volta tress passes. Other major natural water systems in the metropolis include; Dalun, Bontanga, Golinga, Jaagbo dam and Tolon dams. However, many smaller dams are also dotted around (Tolon-Kumbungu District Assembly profile, 2001). 3.2.3 Climate and Vegetation There is a unimodal rainfall pattern with a mean annual rainfall of 1100mm in the District between April/May to September/October. As a result staple crop farming is highly restricted by the short rainfall duration. The mean dry temperature range from 33 ° C to 39 ° C with mean night temperature ranging from 0 ° C to 22 ° C. The mean annual day sunshine is approximately 7.5 hours. The District exhibits both short and tall grass interspersed with drought resistant trees such as shea trees Neem, Dawadawa and Mahogany. During the rainy seasons the Distrct becomes green and making the vegetation more luxuriant. In the dry seasons, however water becomes scarce as a result of poor vegetation cover. The grasses dry up and the accompanying bushfires destroy the soil nutrients and expose the soils to serious erosion (Tolon-Kumbungu District Assembly profile, 2001). 3.2.4 Soil The types of soil that can be found in District include sandstone, mudstone and shale. These soil types are inadequately protected resulting in serious erosion during rain seasons. 3.2.5 Food security and environment The main crops cultivated per households are cereals 99.8 percent, legumes 88.3 percent, tubers 80.6 percent, vegetables 35.7 percent and 15.3 percent cultivates fruits. The major crops currently grown in the District are maize, groundnuts, yam, cassava, sorghum, rice, cowpea, millet, pegion pea, and soya-beans. Others are chilli pepper, tomatoes, onion, okra, and garden eggs. Industrial crops grown are cotton, tobacco (grown as cash crop but also for local consumption), groundnuts, cashew, sheanuts, and soya-beans (Tolon-Kumbungu District Assembly profile, 2001).. The main problem facing crop production is the hazardous environment for crop farming reflected in perennial flooding of farmlands. Unfavorable weather conditions (drought), erratic rainfall, perennial bush fires and declining soil fertility. Some of these problems are however due to poor environmental management relating to inefficient farming practices and hunting for fuel wood. 3.2.6 Agriculture potential in the District Despite the challenges facing agriculture production, the District is endowed with numerous potentials which when exploited will help transform agriculture in the district. Among these potentials are; Land potential resources which is readily available, Irrigation facilities-Bontanga and Golinga for all year cropping, Research Institutions SARI, ARI and UDS, Availability of farm labour, Research Extension Farmer Linkage- to create effective technology transfer and adoption. Others include; commercial production of legumes (soya-bean) and vegetables (chilli pepper), commercial production of roots and tubers (yam and cassava), small and large ruminant production and Industrial cash crop production. 3.2.5 Ethnicity and Cultural Values Apart from Nyankpala community in the District which is ethnic diversity, almost all people in the villages are Dagombas. Towns in the district are; Tolon, Kumbungu, Nyankpala, Dalun, Wantugu, Tali, Kasulyili, Yoggu, Gbulahagu, Kpendua, Tibung, Lungbunga, Gbullung, Grimani, Chirifoyilli, Zangbalung, Voggu, Yepeligu, Tingoli and Gundaa. 3.2.6 Religion According to the 2000 Population and Housing Census, Islam is the predominant religion in the District with 65% of the population affiliated to it. 3.2.7 Land Tenure System Land tenure systems in the District include free hold/inheritance and negotiations/temporary use. 3.2.9 Occupation The economy of the Tolon-District Assembly is dominated by agriculture, commerce and trade and services. Until the 1995s over 90% of all indigenous people in the District were farmers (PHC, 2000). 3. 4 Research Approach Research methodology is an important component of any study and provides the framework upon which the whole process is dependent (Brown, 1996). It is recommended that the methodology is conducted thoroughly to efficiently produce accurate and precise data in order to achieve the research goals and objectives. I intend to give an-in-depth explanation of the research approach and process, methods of data collection, sampling procedure, size and methods, background of study area and scope, and data analysis. The choice in using a particular research approach would depend on a number of factors: the purpose of the research, its sub-research objectives, practicability and validity, available financial resources, time, the skill of the researcher in data analysis and interpretation and social organization among others. 3.5 Sampling Method Two main sampling techniques prominently used in various research studies will be adopted and applied for the study. These are probability and non-probability sampling (Twumasi, 2001). Probability sampling gives every item in the universe an equal chance of inclusion in the sample. Under this method, the simple random sampling technique will be used to select respondents from the nine chilli pepper farmer groups in the study area. This is to make sure that each chilli pepper farmer within the nine farmer groups has an equal chance of being included. Non-probability sampling such as purposive sampling procedures will also be used (Bernard, 1998). According to Preston (2002), applying purposive sampling can yield insights and in-depth understanding rather than empirical generalizations In this sampling procedure, the researcher purposively choose the particular units of the universe to constitute the sample on the basis that the small mass that they so select out of a huge one will be typical of the whole (Yin, 1993). The judgment of the researcher plays an important part in this sampling technique. The importance of adopting this design is the relative advantage of time and money inherent in the sampling. In light of the above, the snowball or chain sampling strategy will be used, because I will be dealing with chilli pepper farmers who are beneficiaries of the value chain development concept and belong to the nine chilli pepper farmer groups and are in a best position to respond to questions. Group members will serve as linkages by recommending persons who are members of the group to be interviewed. Accordingly, it is useful for the researcher to use more than one method in data collection. The methods are selected to complement each other and to allow for triangulation. Triangulation r

Patrice Lumumba’s Struggle Against Belgian Imperialism Essay -- Politi

Patrice Lumumba’s Struggle Against Belgian Imperialism It is hard to believe that in 2002 there is still imperialism being practiced in the world, but the fact of the matter is, it is. Imperialism is the policy of extending a nation’s territory or power by establishing dominance over other nations. A modern example of imperialism is the Congo. At the 1885 Berlin Conference, where the European powers carved up most of Africa among themselves, they sanctioned the claim of Belgian King Leopold II to sole authority over the Congo, a land mass 75 times the area of Belgium. The Congo was virtually his private property. He wiped out some 10 million people, around half the population, in his determination to extract every last penny of profit.[1] The Congo, later renamed Zaire, and now called the Democratic Republic of Congo, is endowed with immense mineral wealth in. At the time of the rise of the independence movement in 1958, Congo was among the world's largest producer of copper, uranium, cobalt, industrial diamonds, and rubber.[2] In the late 1950s and early 1960s there was a mass movement of resistance against the Belgian government. At the forefront of this struggle was Patrice Lumumba. In October 1958 Lumumba, a former postal employee, helped to found the Congolese National Movement (MNC), the first nationwide Congolese political party.[3] MNC gained much mass appeal because it united the Congolese people across the divisions of language and culture in a struggle against the imperialist rulers. The Belgian government buckled under the pressure of the resistance and reluctantly agreed to declare June 30, 1960 Independence Day and to hold free elections. MNC won more seats then any other party and Lu... ... the Congolese people when he wrote, â€Å"This is a fearsome story of colonial brutality, of the way in which the United Nations serves the world's major powers, and of the primacy of profit over democracy.†[9] People from South Korea to Puerto Rico are struggling against imperialism. Lumumba’s fight has been documented in numerous books and movies. It is important that oppressed people learn from other oppressed people in the movement to end imperialism. [1] Charlie Kimber, Dark Heart of Imperialism, Issue 92 of â€Å"International Socialism Journal,† Autumn 2001, http://www.isj1text.ble.org.uk/pubs/isj92/kimber.htm [2] Brian Williams, Imperialism vs. Congolese Freedom Struggle, Issue 28/Vol 65 â€Å"The Militant,† July 23 2001, http://www.themilitant.com/2001/6528/652852.html [3] Ibid [4] Ibid [5] Ibid [6] Kimber [7] Ibid [8] Ibid [9] Ibid

Human and Nature

This paper is about nature where I have used different metaphor to define different natural thing and a poem at the end. A metaphor is like a simile because it is a comparison that is made between things. However, the explicit use of the word ‘like' or ‘as' which you see in a simile, is not used in a metaphor which is rather a comparison of two unlike things using the verb â€Å"to be†. Hence, a metaphor sounds more forceful and suggestive, but is still very common in speech.Nature is the beautiful world around us apart from human made phenomena. Nature is beyond the human imagination, every creature has it’s own behavior and responsibility towards nature. We humans think ourselves most superior creature but we are the one not being responsible towards the nature. Nature has such power that we forget our sorrow when we are in it’s lap. â€Å"Nature is wisdom†, it has such a large creation that no human can ever think of it.I think Real wisdom l ies or exists within the greenery of Nature. Nature consist of galaxies, solar systems, planets, vegetation, including plants, grass and trees, Fowls, including birds, chickens and peafowl’s, Animals, including man the masterpiece of Creation nature's brainchild and other mammals, both on land and in the sea, Insects, reptiles, fish, bees and a host of other named and unnamed, known and unknown, species. The beauty of Nature is for all to see.The music of Nature an amazing thing where birds chirp and sing, soft sky has no end it’s like endless tunnel to nowhere, flowers are nature's makeup, thunder is the anger of clouds, volcano is the earth getting angry, mist is floating tear drops, rising sun is the wakeup call where as sunset is bedtime for all, stars are peek holes to heaven, moon is the flash light of god, snow is the cloud's dandruff , trees are apartment buildings for bugs, wind is nature’s breath. I think nature is really great. Nature is smile on our face.Nature has such a power that brings smile in our face. Even in this age of high technology, where many people who live in cities and work full time with computers are still aware of weather and the seasons. We all know that the short, rainy winter days is less pleasant than a warm sunny June day. Most of us cheered at the return of spring, and we mostly have certain pleasant or striking memories we associate with each season. But nature has lots of things beyond seasons which can really pleasant our life and make lots of beautiful memories.Nature is mother she feeds us like a child. We all know that basic things that keep us alive come from nature. But we are so selfish that we think of ourselves rather than thinking of nature. We just take from nature and never think of returning. Humans are greedy beast . We are busy fulfilling our desire rather than remembering our responsibility. We think that we are in the industrialized world and there is nothing that human being cannot a chieve nowadays we have been to the moon, and have invented the Internet.Mesmerized by these fascinating achievements, there is one thing that people should not forget: what we depend on. How long would we be able to live without nature and without technological advancement? We had been living without technology for thousand of year but without nature we have not spend a single moment. Even if we destroy us, plus most of other life form, there will still be nature. The soil, ocean, atmosphere and weather would still interact with solar power to allow some life to exist. Earth cannot be a barren place like the moon with any life.Nature is life. Thus we have to be aware of nature and raise our voice to save nature. Nature Nature is our mother she feeds us like a child. All creatures are our siblings so let’s keep them alive. Flower and plants are her makeup that keeps her like a bride Do plantation to keep the bride pride. Wind is her breath that keeps us alive Say no to pollu tion to have a healthy life.Rivers are blood in her vein Never put harmful chemical that makes her pain. Today everything seem to be modern and computerized But actual thing is that nature is our life Nature is our mother; Nature is our life, Save the nature, and save your life. Reference:- http://www. saidwhatguides. co. uk/metaphors. php http://www. pandorascollective. com/naturemetaphors. html Number of words: 751 Paragraphs: 5

Analysis of Elizabeth Birchs Speech on Human Rights essays

Analysis of Elizabeth Birchs Speech on Human Rights essays In Elizabeth Birchs speech on Hate Crimes, presented on August 15, 2000 at the Human Rights Campaign, she speaks out about what she believes is right. She begins the speech with the statement, I am honored to speak here as a gay American. This is an effective attention getting device. The audience is curious to know how her sexual preference is going to tie into the rest of the speech. Her preview statement is about Americas family not yet being complete. She is going to tell the audience why it is not yet whole. The thesis is clear, and it leaves the audience interested. The specific purpose of the speech is to speak out as a homosexual about human rights and to encourage voting for Al Gore in the 2000 presidential campaign. The speech design used is both the pros of Hate crimes (Problem), Government control (Problem), Homosexuality, (Pros of) Al Gore (Solution), (Cons of) George Bush. The content was well chosen, it definitely got the point across. It was suited for the occasion and audience, being a Human Rights Campaign. Birch used a number of different kinds of supporting material. She began the speech with different hate crimes, which are actual examples. To show the severity on which the topic she was going to present, she described the way Matthew Shepard, a gay teenager, was killed. Birch also used a statistic to prove her point with numbers, stating that Americans can be fired in 30 states on the simple basis of being gay. A third-person narrative was also used in Birchs speech when she talks about her own children in hope that when they grow up they will accept her as a homosexual. Birch did a good job of using an ample amount of supporting material to sustain her arguments. I would not suggest she use any other supports. The main appeal used by Birch in this spe...