1358 research outputs found
Sort by
Managing nutrient interactions for improved agronomic efficiency under contrasting soil carbon levels in smallholder farms
No full textMuch of Sub –Saharan Africa is plagued by food insecurity due to low and variable soil fertility recurrent droughts and limited access to external inputs among other reasons. Variable levels of soil fertility caused result from diverse soil fertility management methods as well as parent materials of origin leading to inconsistent responses to fertilizer and manure, within and across fields and farms. It was hypothesised that soil organic carbon can be broadly used to define soil fertility domains for fertilizer use efficiencies. An analysis of the profitability of farmer management practices using a decision support tool, Nutrient Expert for Hybrid Maize (NE), was also carried out. Soil fertility was broadly categorised into three domains based on soil organic carbon (SOC) as an indicator of fertility as follows: field type1 ≤4 g C kg-1 soil, field type 2, >4–6 g C kg-1 soil and field type 3 >6 g C kg-1 soil. Nutrient omission experiments were set out to ascertain attainable yields, indigenous nutrient supplies and nutrient responses in Dendenyore ward, Hwedza district over two seasons, 2011/12 and 2012/13. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with plot sizes of 4.5 x 5 m2 and three replicates. Data was analysed by GENSTAT 13 using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to examine site effects and treatment on maize productivity and site means were separated by Tukey’s 95 % confidence interval. Treatments used were i) zero fertilizer control, ii) Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), (iii) N, Phosphorus (P), Sulphur (S), iv), PKS and v) NPKS. Maize productivity was significantly influenced by nutrient management across all sites, with site mean yields on soils with >4g C kg-1 soil (Field types 2 and 3) ranging 3–3.2 t ha-1 significantly higher than for Field Type 1 which were less than 1 t ha-1. Crop yield responses to N and P ranged from 1.2–2.35 t ha-1 and 0.71–2.10 t ha-1, respectively with the highest responses on soils with >4g C kg-1 soil. Response to K was not significant. Across all sites indigenous N and P supplies were not enough to support a yield of one tonne of maize per ha without external nutrient input. The indigenous N supplies ranged from 8.5 kg to 27.6 kg N ha-1, whilst indigenous P supplies were 2.2–11.7 kg P ha-1. The second set of experiments involved applications of N, P, K and S alone or in combinations with manure, lime and micronutrients in a complete randomized block design with plot sizes 4.5 x 5 m2 and three replicates. Data was analysed using GENSTAT 13 with site, treatment and year as fixed effects in a general ANOVA. Sole manure and a zero fertilizer control were the other treatments. Combinations of manure and fertilizer yielded the highest ranging from 2.67–5.55 t ha-1 across sites. Addition of sole manure on soil with 4 g C kg-1 soil there was a significant increase to 2 t ha-1. The liming effect was only evident on soil with 4g C kg-1 soil) must be targeted for application of fertilizers to increase productivity in smallholder farms. The hypothesis that SOC can be used as an indicator of soil fertility status was accepted. Analysis with NE clearly showed that socio-economic status and soil fertility management practices were linked thus soil fertility and resource endowment cannot be separated. Smallholder farmers must target the more fertile soils and build up soil fertility on the soils with <4 g C kg-1.1. International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) and International Foundation for Sciences (IFS
An assessment of the impact of post dollarisation corporate mergers and acquisitions on equity value of corporate entities in Zimbabwe
No full textThe purpose of the study was to assess the impact of corporate mergers and acquisitions on
the value of shareholders’ equity. The study was motivated by an increase in the number of
studies showing inconsistent results on the impact of mergers and acquisitions on the value of
shareholders’ equity. The objectives of the research were to investigate the motives behind
and the methods used to effect the merger and acquisition activities in Zimbabwe; and to
assess the subsequent benefits of such activities. The hypothesis of the study was that
combined companies should exhibit improved financial performance which translates to an
increase in equity value after the transaction.
In order to achieve the objectives, both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the study
were taken into consideration. Three in-depth interviews were conducted with top executives
of three out of the six acquiring companies to gather qualitative data and the evaluation of
financial performances for a total of six acquiring companies using ratio analysis for premerger
and post-merger periods was conducted to cater for the quantitative analysis aspect. A
regression model was used to determine how each of the ratios applied affected the value of
shareholders’ equity.
The major findings were that growth and lower production/operation costs were the common
motives for mergers in Zimbabwe. Also, of the interviewed sample, all mergers were financed
by both cash and share swap. The evaluation of financial performance showed that the
financial position of firms after the merger had decreased as compared to that before the
merger.
The conclusion arrived at was that merger and acquisition activities negatively impact the
value of shareholders’ equity. It was recommended that firms consider organic growth as
opposed to inorganic growth
Etiology and risk factors of meningitis in patients admitted at a Central Hospital in Harare
No full textObjective: To determine etiology and risk factors of meningitis in patients admitted a tertiary referral Hospital in Harare.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: Tertiary, urban-based referral hospital.
Subjects: Patients suspected of having meningitis admitted at Parirenyatwa hospital were consecutively recruited into the study until sample size accrual.
Main Outcome Measures: (a) Prevalence of pathogens associated with meningitis, (b) Risk factors of meningitis.
Results: Two hundred and ninety six (296) patients with clinically suspected meningitis were recruited into the study, 51.7 %( n=115) were male. Meningitis was confirmed in 20.6% (n=61) cases with the following pathogens, C. neoformans 45.9 % ( n=28); S. pneumoniae 27.9 % (n=17); tuberculosis 4.9 % ( n=3); probable viral meningitis 6.6% (n=4 and other bacteria 14.8% (n=9). Patients from crowded households were also more likely to suffer from meningitis than those from sparsely populated households (p<0.001). Conclusion: C. neoformans was the single commonest cause of microbiology positive meningitis. The use of latex agglutination increases the proportion of detected pathogens both fungal and bacterial when used in conjunction with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gram stain and culture. Cryptococcus neoformans and S. pneumoniae are the leading causes of meningitis in patients admitted at Parirenyatwa Hospital
Challenges and strategies to survive in Zimbabwe’s hostile business environment: The case of manufacturing firms in Harare
No full textThe quantitative study sought to ascertain the strategies that manufacturing
firms adopted in order to survive in Zimbabwe’s hostile business
environment. The survival of a firm in such an environment depends
on its capacity to deal with a number of challenges that threaten its
survival. Through factor analysis the main challenges being faced by the
192 manufacturing firms that were identified through stratified random
sampling are cheap imports, liquidity crunch, corruption, political
instability, inadequate infrastructure and restrictive labor regulations.
The underlying strategies that are being used to survive include downsizing,
partnerships, offshore financing, alternative sources of water
and power, and retrenchments. The results of the study can serve as a
guide to policy makers in their endeavor to formulate policies of formalising
the informal sector
Enhancing business opportunity identification processes in Zimbabwe's manufacturing sector: The case of Harare's manufacturing setor
No full textThe manufacturing sector in Zimbabwe plays a critical role in the economic development of the country such as employment creation, contributing to the country's GDP and saving and generating foreign exchange. It is for this reason that the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) has crafted a number of programmes aimed at rejuvenating the sector since it started to decline in the late 1980s. However, the programmes seem to have benefitted foreign competitors as the sector experienced further decline, resulting in the country becoming a net importer, capacity utilisation in the sector declining and unemployment rising as firms closed shop. This study sought to establish why the sector is failing to identify opportunities that are presented in the government initiated programmes thereby allowing foreign competition to benefit at their expense. The study sought responses from top managers of the sampled 68 manufacturers in Harare. The sample was drawn from the 16 sub-sectors that constitute Zimbabwe's manufacturing sector. Study findings reveal that the sampled firms have weaknesses in the way they scan the environment. The study is concluded by proffering relevant recommendation
Effectiveness of internal financial control policies in public sector institutions: The case of the Ministry of Defence Zimbabwe
No full textThe research assessed the effectiveness of internal financial control policies in Public sector Institutions, focusing on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for the period 2010 to 2013. The study was necessitated by the need to improve effectiveness of internal controls in the Zimbabwean Public Sector. This was in light of the severe budget over-runs, misappropriation of funds and negative audit reports.
The main objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of internal financial controls in place within the public sector. This was done through an assessment of the usage of and adherence to internal controls, coupled with uncovering the challenges and potential strategies associated with implementing and using effective internal controls.
Relevant literature was reviewed in line with the mentioned objectives. This led to the methodology section. A survey with 92% response rate was used for the research and questionnaires were used to gather data from the respondents. The respondents were all employees at the MOD. Interviews were conducted with the Chief Internal Auditor and one Director to obtain in depth answers and also to clarify unclear responses thus improving validity and reliability of results.
Major findings were that despite general adherence to internal controls, the internal controls in place are not effective. The findings also included challenges faced in using internal controls and identified potential strategies to enhance effectiveness of internal controls. The study also revealed the importance of creating a conducive environment for effective implementation of internal controls. There is no obvious flouting of control procedures put in place.
The conclusion reached was that the internal controls at the MOD are ineffective. It was also concluded that there is reasonable adherence to the usage of internal controls in place despite the existence of several challenges such as outdated manuals, lack of inadequate funding and lack of appropriate training.
The study recommended that management must continuously update policy and procedure manuals used and at the same time institute the necessary training to bring about effectiveness of internal controls. It was also recommended that management should professionalise the MOD through recruiting, training and development of qualified personnel. Furthermore, continuous dialogue with Ministry of Finance was suggested to reduce excessive budget overrun
Survival patterns of patients enrolled into Island Hospice Service palliative care programme
No full textIntroduction and Background: Palliative care services aim to attain the best quality of life of
patients. However, the lack of information on the survival of patients under palliative care has
resulted in the implementation and assessment of care models being focused on reach without
much consideration of the quality of care and the quality of life of patients in the context of
survival. Amongst the few studies undertaken elsewhere, the target groups and settings to which
the findings are inferable to are distinct to the Zimbabwean scenario. This study’s main aim was,
therefore, to determine the survival of patients after enrolment into Island Hospice Service (IHS),
a Zimbabwean palliative care programme established as the first hospice in Africa.
Methodology: The study took the form of a Retrospective Cohort Design with data obtained
from a computerized database at IHS. A total of 597 patients enrolled in the programme between
01/01/06 and 31/12/07 were included in the study and were retrospectively followed up with
respect to mortality from their respective dates of enrolment to the study end-date of 31/12/08.
Observations were censored on the study end-date and date of transfer or relocation.
Results: This study found that the overall median survival of patients referred to the IHS
palliative care programme is 419 days. This estimate is considerably higher than that found from
other previous studies which range from 11 to 54 days. Patients diagnosed with HIV only were
noted to have longer survival compared to those with Cancer only as well as those with both HIV
and Cancer. The median survival estimates for patients with Cancer only and those with both
Cancer and HIV were observed to be 84 days and 113 days respectively whilst that for those
with HIV only was indeterminate. Some statistically significant differences in survival were also
observed for study factors such as gender, age, source of referral and functional status but with
variations under the specific disease groups.
Conclusion: Patients enrolled in the IHS programme generally live longer relative to other
palliative care programmes. The survival patterns of these patients are influenced by several
factors, key among them being the disease status and functional status on enrolment. The study
identified the need to incorporate survival data in care planning and modelling. Providing some
awareness of the IHS Palliative Care programme to health professionals is also recommended as
a possible strategy to improve the timing of referrals. This study also presents an opportunity for
further epidemiological inquiry that may contribute to the organisation’s cancer prevention
efforts