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Application of Dynamic Programing in Agriculture, Economics and Computer Science
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, December 2020
Pages:
49-54
Received:
3 November 2020
Accepted:
3 December 2020
Published:
16 December 2020
Abstract: In this paper we have studied the Dynamic programming problem and major area of applications of this approach has been introduced. Dynamic programming provides a means for determining optimal long-term crop management plans. However, most applications and their analysis on annual time steps with fixed strategies within the year, effectively ignoring conditional responses during the year. We suggest an alternative approach that captures the strategic responses within a cropping season to random weather variables as they unfold, reflecting farmers’ ability to adapt to weather realizations. Multistage decision problems a problem of dynamic programming problem there is numerically challenging. So for the analytical results, dynamic programming is able to obtain the optimal agricultural product problem, and also decides how many it consumes and how many it saves in material and permanently store in each period economically. However, in this study, the problem is considered deterministic in which all input parameters are constant. The objective is to find a sequence of actions (a so-called policy) that minimizes the total cost over the decision making horizon the purpose of this paper has been to introduce application of dynamic programming techniques by way of example. The end result of the model formulation reveals the applicability of dynamic programming in resolving long time of the problem.
Abstract: In this paper we have studied the Dynamic programming problem and major area of applications of this approach has been introduced. Dynamic programming provides a means for determining optimal long-term crop management plans. However, most applications and their analysis on annual time steps with fixed strategies within the year, effectively ignorin...
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Policies and Practices of Nature Conservation in Africa: Ideological Challenges, Bottlenecks and Strategic Vision and Options for Protected Areas Sustainable Management
Ntiranyibagira Elysée,
Umuziranenge Gloriose
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, December 2020
Pages:
55-72
Received:
21 July 2020
Accepted:
3 August 2020
Published:
25 December 2020
Abstract: Africa is the continent of nature conservation per excellence, the testing ground for conservation policies and the symbol of degradation of protected areas worldwide. Though the internalization of international conservation policies and standards has had positive impacts on the extension of protected areas networks, these ones are undergoing increased pressure that considerably threaten biodiversity. Such evolutions call for a revision of the management systems on the basis of preliminary in-depth and rigorous analysis of conservation policies and practices. The study aimed to: (1) explore and synthesize the state of art on conservation policies and practices, (2) identify and analyze the gaps existing between management standards and field practices and (3) detect challenges and bottlenecks and define innovative strategic options for efficient and sustainable management. The research relies on the interpretative synthesis and analysis of the hudge literature available on the nature conservation. The results showed that the dominant model of inhabited protected areas and social exclusion broke the historical harmony between populations and natural resources, disrupted traditional ways of life and generated devastating and continuous social conflicts. They revealed that the lack of management tools, the limits of eco-tourism, the inefficiency of participatory programs and the financial gaps lead to increased anthropic pressures and degradation that have transformed most of protected areas into open agro-pastoral parks. More specifically, the lack of management goals, categories and plans for most of protected areas and the absence of appropriate and regular assessments generate visual navigations and improvisations in management systems that result into glaring discrepancies between theoretical management categories and field practices that have globally failed to maintain original situations or to induce progress. Finally, the poor performance of the management systems results from conflicts of ideologies, interests and agendas between actors having strongly imbalanced means, positions and powers. Such conflicts come from the primacy of powerful external actors, the central role of national governments and the democratic deficits in the management mechanisms, the preeminence of ecological interests over socio-economic benefits, the selective international funding, the emerging privatization of conservation and the marginalization of local communities. To address these ideological and practical challenges, prior and deep assessments of management systems are needed for strategic declassifications, reclassifications and classifications of protected areas before the promotion of rebalanced powers between actors in favor of local communities, administrative and financial autonomies, community based joint shareholdings, double universal mechanisms for compensatory financing and domestic patriotic tourisms.
Abstract: Africa is the continent of nature conservation per excellence, the testing ground for conservation policies and the symbol of degradation of protected areas worldwide. Though the internalization of international conservation policies and standards has had positive impacts on the extension of protected areas networks, these ones are undergoing incre...
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Key Factors That Influence Sustainability of Community Based Advocacy Groups After Phaseout of Donor Support
William Kholongo,
Edward Lambert,
Emmanuel Kaunda,
Sam Katengeza,
Anthony Malunga
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, December 2020
Pages:
73-79
Received:
7 December 2020
Accepted:
15 December 2020
Published:
25 December 2020
Abstract: It is the wish of every stakeholder to see that donor supported structures such as community-based advocacy groups (CBAGs) continue to operate beyond donor support. Various studies show that donor-initiated structures which are often instituted at huge costs experience difficulties with regards to sustainability. This is because such structures reportedly cease to operate after their initial funding runs out resulting into wastage of human and financial resources that could have been invested effectively. However, there is dearth of information regarding the extent to which donor-initiated advocacy groups continue to serve the grassroots, years after phasing out of the donor support. The present study investigated the sustainability of CBAGs, taking a case of advocacy groups initiated and supported by DanChurchAid (DCA) in Malawi. Specifically, the study identified key factors that influence continued operation of CBAGs after years of donor cessation. A combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches was used to collect data from 226 respondents and 16 CBAGs sampled from Karonga, Dowa, Lilongwe, Mwanza and Neno districts from May to June 2020. Secondary data provided preliminary information and cross-validation of information. Descriptive statistics, logit regression and Critical Content Analysis were used to analyze the data. The study identified nine factors that are essential for continued operation of CBAGs namely age of the respondent, marital status of respondent, responsiveness of duty bearers, availability of basic systems and procedures, unity among members, community contribution, linkages and networking, fundraising skills, and availability of exit strategy. It was also noted that need to end corruption, increased prevalence of community problems, and expectation for future benefits were key motivators for members to continue serving in the CBAGs, years after donor support. The study recommends the need to encourage supporting organisations to develop exit strategies which would help to concretize the phasing out plan for supporting the CBAGs. Donors and well-wishers should consider investing in the weak institutional areas of the CBAGs such as organization registration, fundraising and organization systems and procedures which are critical to the institutionalization of the CBAGs. Finally, supporting organisations should design integrated advocacy interventions that achieves advocacy agenda without compromising the personal needs of the CBAGs members. This would require supporting the members with livelihoods activities which will in turn offer immediate needs as the members pursue advocacy work.
Abstract: It is the wish of every stakeholder to see that donor supported structures such as community-based advocacy groups (CBAGs) continue to operate beyond donor support. Various studies show that donor-initiated structures which are often instituted at huge costs experience difficulties with regards to sustainability. This is because such structures rep...
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