Thesis
Beekeeping, finance, and development : an exploration of development interventions in Fiji
Southern Cross University
Master of Science (MSc), Southern Cross University
2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.201
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Abstract
Alleviating poverty is at the top of the global agenda for sustainable development and is important to reduce inequality, improve the livelihoods of those most disadvantaged, and support equal access to basic livelihood resources. Those in poverty are most commonly agricultural workers and living in rural areas. As such, rural and agricultural development forms an integral component of poverty alleviation. Interventions for rural and agricultural development are widespread and vary greatly. The two prominent strategies addressed in this thesis are finance for development and beekeeping for development. This thesis seeks to answer the question “can beekeeping and financial services support rural and agricultural development?”. To answer this question, the thesis explores and describes the beekeeping industry and its role in rural development in Fiji and evaluates the effectiveness of financial support available for the start-up and growth of beekeeping enterprises. A mixed-method, case study methodology was used. Throughout the study, data were gathered through key informant interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and thematic and content analysis for qualitative data. The beekeeping industry in Fiji was found to be lucrative, indicating beekeeping is a suitable income-generating activity to promote for development. Finance interventions were found to be appropriate in the case study area. Although, the study highlighted the importance of providing adequate capacity building for beneficiaries to manage their beekeeping enterprise long-term. It is recommended that financial support provided to new beekeepers aligns with the experience and skill level of beekeepers. It is also recommended that development interventions include training in both business skills and technical beekeeping skills to increase efficacy. Considering the finance for beekeeping literature is so limited, this is an important finding that contributes to the growth of the field. The recommendations provided in this thesis can guide development practitioners to effectively support rural, agricultural, and low-income households to adopt beekeeping as a sustainable livelihood activity.
Details
- Title
- Beekeeping, finance, and development : an exploration of development interventions in Fiji
- Creators
- Jordanna Hinton
- Contributors
- David Lloyd (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityKerrie Stimpson (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityCooper Nat Schouten (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityJerry Vanclay (Supervisor) - Southern Cross University
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Master of Science (MSc)
- Theses
- Master of Science (MSc), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University
- Number of pages
- 112
- Identifiers
- 991013022834302368
- Copyright
- © J Hinton 2021
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Resource Type
- Thesis