International Journal of Rural Management current issue

Evaluation of Agri-environmental Measures: Analytic Hierarchy Process and Cost-effectiveness Analysis for Political Decision-making Support

Ziolkowska, J. — 2009-09-29

In this article, we discuss the implementation of two evaluation approaches—the Analytic Hierarchy Process and the cost-effectiveness analysis for political decision-making support in agri-environmental policy. The approaches represent two different ways of evaluation: hierarchical weighting for estimation of immeasurable environmental benefits and effectiveness analysis focused on economic aspects. These methods can be used separately; however, the combination of the approaches in one evaluation system can help to consider different economic and ecological aspects of environmental protection to a wider extent. The main objective of the article is to investigate which agri-environmental measures would be recommended for political strategies to maximize environmental benefits or else to minimize the realization costs of the measures. The investigation is based on results of a case study conducted in voivodship Subcarpathia in Poland including interviews with agricultural experts, agri-environmental advisors and farmers. The results show that the measures ‘Extensive meadow farming’ and ‘Organic farming’ denote the highest environmental benefits with regard to the envisaged environmental objectives defined in the National Agri-environmental Programme 2004–2006. The cost-effectiveness of agri-environmental measures is differentiated depending on the stakeholder group. The results can be helpful to support political decision-making processes considering simultaneously regional priorities of the environmental protection in rural areas.

Local Culture, Technological Change and Riverine Fisheries Management in Kerala, South India

Santha, S. D. — 2009-09-29

This article primarily examines the role of cultural components in riverine fisheries management. Components of culture, in this article, are defined as those values, norms, beliefs, sanctions, knowledge systems and technology that influence fishing practices of riverine fisherfolk. It also examines the modifications that take place to these cultural components and their implications on fisheries management. The findings signify that cultural components aid in judicious use of resources. However, the primary purpose of these components could be in ensuring fairness in distribution or in regulating conflicts among different stakeholders. The findings also reflect on the dynamics of culture. Cultural components evolve, modify or disappear due to the influence of contextual factors such as technological change. This article is based on an ethnographic fieldwork among two riverine fishing communities along the Pamba–Achankovil river basin in Kerala, India. Interview guides and focused group discussion are the primary tools of data collection.

Good Governance Practices by Local Administration in Jordan and USA

Yaghi, A. — 2009-09-29

Practicing good governance is a way of strengthening democracy. Good governance from citizens’ perspective means to receive quality public services by democratic means. The aim of this article is to explore how citizens evaluate the performance of local administration in providing them with basic services, and whether Jordanians and Americans perceive good governance practices differently. To this end, a random sample of 790 residents in 10 municipalities is surveyed during 2005 and 2006. Using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) reveals that the Jordanians and Americans have different opinions about good governance. Findings suggest that the Jordanians evaluate the overall performance of local administration more favourably than the Americans. However, there are differences in citizens’ evaluation of the itemized services delivered to them as well as in the way good governance is maintained in Jordan and the United States of America (USA). Finally, citizens in both countries report unfavourable evaluation of governments’ performance in handling financial matters and in the ability of local officials to fulfil their campaign promises.

Olive Entrepreneurship in the Southern Hemisphere: The Case of New Zealand

Alonso, A. D. — 2009-09-29

New Zealand's olive-growing industry has experienced continuous development in recent years; recent reports and success stories not only indicate progress achieved in quantity, but also, and more importantly, in quality. However, to date, research on this industry and particularly from entrepreneurs’ perspective is very limited. For example, little is known about the business goals of olive growers, or challenges they may face while developing their olive groves. The present case study explores these dimensions of olive growing in New Zealand using a quantitative approach.

The findings demonstrate the very developmental stage the olive growers are undergoing, as well as several challenges, including marketing issues, that are limiting the further development of olive growers’ operations. Implications include the need to strengthen marketing efforts of the olive oil product, both at a domestic and at an international level, particularly in view of the potential future increase of olive oil production in New Zealand.

Assessment of People's Participation under Watershed Development Programme in the State of Kerala, India

Chandran, K. M., Joseph, E.J., Chackacherry, G. — 2009-09-29

People's participation and the influence of socio-psychological characteristics of the beneficiaries on their participation were assessed under a watershed development project in the State of Kerala, India. The results indicate a ‘target-oriented’ approach, without much attention to social organization for promoting people's participation. Most of the beneficiaries of the project have medium level of participation in watershed-related activities. Socio-economic status, level of modernization and extension participation of the beneficiaries are the characteristics which can be used to discriminate between people with low, medium and high levels of participation. The five socio-psychological characteristics of beneficiaries in the study, together, explain 96.8 per cent of the variance observed in participation level between beneficiaries having less than one ha and those having more than 1 ha landholding. There exists potential for the implementing agencies of development projects for identifying and promoting such characteristics of the beneficiaries for improving their involvement under the project.

Analysis of an Agricultural Transformation Prototype (ATP) for Raising Rural Area's Superiority in Taiwan

Chang, P.-C., Wen, I-J., Lai, C.-m. — 2009-09-29

Under globalized capitalism, prospering industry and commerce and continuously expanding cities, the importance of agriculture has been gradually diminishing with the relatively backward rural development. This has been the common phenomenon all over the world. Therefore, thinking deeply on how to make a modulation on the rural industrial structure and how to start, economically, the re-development of the rural area have globally become the most important issue to maintain the sound rural development.

An ATP, at the Huashan area in mid-Taiwan, was selected as our illustration in this study. First, discussion and analysis on the whole environment of Taiwan's rural area and the ATP were carried out via information collection, case study and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. Strategies toward the local sustainability development were also proposed.

Expanding People's Might--Putting Social Infrastructure into the hands of the Community: Investigation into a Village Community

Kumar, A. — 2009-09-29

There is increasing evidence of the social infrastructure failing the rural poor. In view of the failure of the responsible agency to deliver on various fronts; it is essential to examine possible solutions to bridge the gaps in the provision of social infrastructure and services. Possible solutions like technological innovation and social mobilization through communitarian responses present challenges in replication and extension. Greater centralization or decentralization to address service delivery failure is limited, in that, it is known to lead to entrenchment of power—either at the global or local levels. These limitations enforce the quest for alternatives. This article presents one such alternative—of expanding people's control, by transferring infrastructure directly into the hands of the people, through community organizations. It also explores the necessary amendments and regulations that need be made before such transference takes place; and the necessary caveats.

Rural Indian and Indigenous Australian Women Working Towards Empowerment: A Proposed Cross-cultural Study

Moyle, T. L., Dollard, M. F. — 2009-09-29

The aim of this article is to introduce and discuss the notion of a comparative study between India and Australia in the area of rural work psychology. It has been argued that there is enormous scope for work psychology to be applied to and contribute to rural development (Dollard et al. 2004). This article explores an aspect of work psychology in the form of personal and economic empowerment of women in rural communities by engaging women in group enterprise. A large body of research taken from developing countries explores entrepreneurial activity using micro-credit to overcome poverty, increase income and enhance well-being. No such comparison study has been introduced amongst indigenous women in Australia. Through the process of case study analysis, the empowerment of rural Indian women engaging in group enterprise is examined. This article explores the scope for future research for the inclusion and examination of indigenous women in income-generating activities within a rural and remote setting.

The Effects of Relocation on Wages: A Decomposition Analysis

Hyder, A. — 2009-09-29

This article estimates the wage differentials between the natives and the relocated workers. Nationwide Pakistan Labor Force Survey 2005–06 has been used with a total sample of 10,401 working individuals. Two wage equations are estimated for those living in that area since birth or those who relocated during the last 10 years or so. Oaxaca-Binder methodology has been used for decomposition analysis. This decomposition analysis further helps to investigate the ‘treatment’ and ‘endowment effect’. The overall decomposition results are in favour of native workers.

When Facilities Become Excessive: An Empirical Study in Tamil Nadu

Ramesh, R., Narayanasamy, N. — 2009-09-29

Tamil Nadu is one of the very few states that have ensured domestic water supply in even the remotest of villages. The problem, as of now, is relating to proper management of water service delivery to reach all the households, and maintenance of the technical installations/facilities created. The target of government of India with regard to levels of service to rural areas is 55 litre per capita daily (lpcd); and the dream is being able to deliver 70 lpcd. An empirical verification was done to find out the adequacy of facilities to fulfill this dream. According to the findings of this study, there are excessive facilities in almost all the villages, to the extent that some of the villages get more than twice of the vision contemplated. This is because there is excessive physical infrastructure available for water supply in almost all the villages that were studied. This is resulting in excessive pumping of water from the ground, wastage, adding to the pumping charges in terms of electricity bill and maintenance of the facilities.

An Investigation of Pro-Poor Growth Index in Agriculture Sector of Pakistan--1984-85 to 2004-05

Zaman, K., Ahmad, M. — 2009-09-29

The aim of this study is to explore the interrelationship between agriculture growth, inequality and poverty in Pakistan. To this end, the study examines as to what extent the poor have benefited from growth while taking into account the magnitude of growth and the benefits of growth achieved by the poor from 1984–85 to 2004–05.The research concludes that the proportional reduction in poverty is an increasing function of the Pro-Poor Growth Index (PPGI) and Poverty Equivalent Growth Rate (PEGR) as proposed by Kakwani and Pernia (2000) and Kakwani and Son (2004). Results indicate that higher the PEGR, higher will be the poverty reduction.

Technological Capital and Sustainable Livelihood: Does Technological Capital of Watershed Influence Sustainable Livelihood?

Mohapatra, B., Suar, D. — 2009-09-29

This study examines whether technological capital influences livelihood of people in watersheds. Data were collected from 130 watersheds of Orissa (India). Information on dimensions of technological capital and sustainable livelihood was collected using interview schedules and questionnaires. Measures of economic, psychological, social and ecological sustainability assessed sustainable livelihood. Technological capital was assessed on adequacy, professional support, understanding of measures and land use. Results suggest that better technological capital improves sustainable livelihood in the watershed. Understanding of measures increases economic well-being of people, better land use enhances psychological well-being of people and professional support promotes social equity among people. Adequacy of measures, understanding of measures, adequacy of professional support and better use of land improve ecological upkeep of the watershed. Understanding of measures, land use and professional support received are critical technological parameters for influencing more than one sustainability dimension. Ecological sustainability of the watershed enhances psychological well-being of people.

Village Panchayats' Common Lands: A Study of their Institutional Framework in Haryana State--Case Study

Malik, A. S. — 2009-09-29

The statutory authority pertaining to management of common lands lies with the state legislatures and administrations, which enact and effect laws pertaining to the subject of land including common lands. Hence, Haryana State has adopted ‘The Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act 1961.' The Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Rules 1964 (for Haryana) provides an account of comprehensive details of various kinds of provisions necessary for regulating and managing the common lands in the state. Some relevant provisions to this effect are also made there in the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act-1994.

It is concluded that there is complete control of the State Government in managing the village common lands of the state. The State Government possesses all requisite executive and administrative powers for the said purpose. The executive authority vested in officials from secretariat to village levels enables the Government for effective management of shamlat land related affairs in the state. The Gram Panchayat is entrusted with the significant responsibility to perform all kinds of functions relating to the utilization, protection and preservation of these lands.

But inspite of an effective constitutional arrangement, it is found that a large area of common land in the state has remained unutilized mainly because of the absence of resources and innovative ideas in this regard. Therefore, there is an urgent need to evolve a policy measure for improving the potentiality of common lands to earn more income for the village panchayts in the state.