Gavin Fraser

Publications

• A PRODUCTION FUNCTION FOR CRICKET: THE SOUTH AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

  KELCEY BROCK, GAVIN FRASER AND FERDI BOTHA

  Postgraduate conference, Department of Economics, Rhodes University; 01/2011

  Production functions are common to any productive activity. Although it may not appear obvious, cricket is no different. Production functions in cricket provide a wide range of information, utilized to enhance efficiency and maximize the probability match success. Given these benefits, this study in... [more] Production functions are common to any productive activity. Although it may not appear obvious, cricket is no different. Production functions in cricket provide a wide range of information, utilized to enhance efficiency and maximize the probability match success. Given these benefits, this study involved the derivation of a production function for the South African SuperSport Series and an analysis of technical efficiency. An econometric analysis was conducted on data from the 2004-2011 cricket seasons and in light of the findings, it was concluded that the most optimal strategy for South Africa involved a combination of attacking batting and defensive bowling. Furthermore, South Africa had a relatively low variable substitutability and a high degree of technical efficiency.

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• Foreign direct investment in the agriculture sector of South Africa: Do GDP and exports determine locational inflows?

  T.S. DLAMINI, FRASER, G.C.G.

  Journal of Studies in Economics and Econometrics. 01/2010; 34(2):57 - 68.

  This study investigates the causal link between agricultural foreign direct investment (FDI), agricultural exports, and agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) in South Africa for the period 1994 – 2006. The central goal of this paper is to answer the question of whether there exists any complemen... [more] This study investigates the causal link between agricultural foreign direct investment (FDI), agricultural exports, and agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) in South Africa for the period 1994 – 2006. The central goal of this paper is to answer the question of whether there exists any complementary relationships or not between the two sets of variables. The paper utilizes the Granger causality method and the error correction method (ECM), in a bivariate setting. The results show that while there is a bi-directional causality from FDI to exports, there is only one-way causality from GDP to FDI. Rather than FDI stimulating agricultural productivity, agricultural productivity stimulates FDI. Thus, an increase in agricultural productivity is envisaged to yield increased FDI in the agricultural sector of South Africa.

• THE IMPACT OF CONTAMINATED FERTILIZER ON PINEAPPLE GROWERS IN THE EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

  Gary Hill, Gavin Fraser

  Rhodes Postgraduate Conference, Rhodes University, Grahamstown; 01/2010

  A framework has been established to determine the impact of contaminated fertilizer on pineapple growers in the Eastern Cape. Farmers in the region unwittingly made use of contaminated fertilizer which infected pineapples with higher than permissible levels of the heavy metal toxin cadmium. The frui... [more] A framework has been established to determine the impact of contaminated fertilizer on pineapple growers in the Eastern Cape. Farmers in the region unwittingly made use of contaminated fertilizer which infected pineapples with higher than permissible levels of the heavy metal toxin cadmium. The fruit was deemed unfit for use, translating into large financial losses for growers and influencing all participants in the industry. The pineapple trade was devastated. Pineapple production costs and revenues are adapted from previous studies as much of the necessary data was sub judice because of the pending legal action. Despite the problems with data, it was established that the farming operations were severely compromised because of the contamination.

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• Economics of meat production from springbuck ranching in the Eastern Cape Karoo

  THULA S. DLAMINI, GAVIN FRASER

  Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa Conference, Cape Town, South Africa; 01/2010

  The feasibility of springbuck based meat production in the Eastern Cape Karoo (EC Karoo) was analysed through a stochastic budgeting model, while overtly taking cost and price risk into consideration. Monte Carlo simulation of a springbuck based meat production enterprise was used to quantify the ri... [more] The feasibility of springbuck based meat production in the Eastern Cape Karoo (EC Karoo) was analysed through a stochastic budgeting model, while overtly taking cost and price risk into consideration. Monte Carlo simulation of a springbuck based meat production enterprise was used to quantify the risks that would be faced by ranchers. Springbuck ranching has been proven a viable alternative in the production of highly nutritious and healthy venison that is in high demand in European markets and more recently with a promising and growing local demand. The results indicate that in the EC Karoo, springbuck ranching for meat production is a viable business. As the call for more environmentally friendly rangeland utilisation economic systems intensifies, rangelands owners in the EC Karoo have a practicable alternative to broaden their incomes with springbuck based meat production.

• How the leopard has changed its spots: past dynamics and future opportunities – F.R. Tomlinson Commemorative Lecture.

  FRASER, G.C.G.

  Agrekon. 01/2010; 49(1):1 - 16.

• Resource use efficiency in sole sorghum production in three villages of Kaduna State Nigeria

  BAIYEGUNHI, L.J.S., D.O. CHIKWENDU, FRASER, G.C.G.

  African Journal of Agricultural Research. 01/2010; 5(3):172-177.

  In explaining the differences in the efficiency of farms, it is necessary to look into the use of resources to show the close links existing between the performance attained from resources on individual farms and efficient allocation of resources between farms of different sizes. This study estimate... [more] In explaining the differences in the efficiency of farms, it is necessary to look into the use of resources to show the close links existing between the performance attained from resources on individual farms and efficient allocation of resources between farms of different sizes. This study estimates the productivity of farm resources on small and large scale farms in three villages of Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Production data were collected using a structure questionnaire from a representative sample of 78 sorghum farmers. The study used the double log production function to determine the relationship between farm resources and the efficiency of resource use. Empirical results showed that seed, fertilizer and labour inputs are statistically significant in explaining the variation in sorghum output in the study area. However the estimates of the ratio of the marginal value productivities (MVP) and marginal factor cost (MFC), point clearly to the non optimal combination of inputs among the farmers, it showed that the farm resources were inefficiently utilized for sole sorghum production by small and large scale farmers, hence, the need for resource adjustment. Implications for regional and national food policies are discussed.

• Credit Constraint and Household Welfare in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  BAIYEGUNHI, L.J.S., FRASER, G.C.G., DARROCH, M.A.G.

  African Journal of Agricultural Research. 01/2010; 5(16):2243 - 2252.

  Rural households in developing countries may remain trapped in poverty by a lack of finance needed to undertake profitable investments. Improved access to credit could generate pro-poor economic growth if the credit constraints that poor households faced are relaxed. This study examines the effect o... [more] Rural households in developing countries may remain trapped in poverty by a lack of finance needed to undertake profitable investments. Improved access to credit could generate pro-poor economic growth if the credit constraints that poor households faced are relaxed. This study examines the effect of credit constraints on household welfare among the clients of the Eastern Cape Rural Finance Corporation (ECRFC), in the Amathole District Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province. Credit constrained households are identified based on direct elicitation of credit status from survey questions, and then an endogenous switching regression model is used to analyse the effect of credit constraints on the welfare of a representative sample of 150 households. Empirical results indicate that households with older household heads, more access to land, higher value of assets and higher debt repayment capacity are less likely to be credit constrained, and that increased access to credit can improve the welfare of credit constrained households.

• Profitability in Sorghum Production in Three Villages of Kaduna State Nigeria.

  BAIYEGUNHI, L.J.S., FRASER, G.C.G.

  Journal of Applied Sciences Research. 01/2009; 5(10):1685-1691.

  Poverty in Nigeria is overwhelmingly a rural problem. In 1985, 86.6 percent of those living below poverty line of US 1 per day were in the agricultural sector. This figure dropped to 66 per cent in 1992. However, of the total population of poor people in 1992, 10 million were living in the rural are... [more] Poverty in Nigeria is overwhelmingly a rural problem. In 1985, 86.6 percent of those living below poverty line of US 1 per day were in the agricultural sector. This figure dropped to 66 per cent in 1992. However, of the total population of poor people in 1992, 10 million were living in the rural areas and are engaged in farming. Nigerian small-scale farmers are characterized by the use of unimproved inputs and traditional production tools that are capable of generating only very small incomes. This low income of the farmers leads to vicious cycle of poverty with low levels of savings and investments, which in turn leads to low productivity and low income. In explaining the poverty status of farmers, it is necessary to look into the profitability of their farm enterprise to show the close links existing between productivity and farm income. This study attempts to estimate the profitability of sole sorghum production on small and large scale farms, it uses the gross margin analysis to determine the farm income on small and large scale farms. Empirical results indicate that the farmers are making profits, given the benefits relative to costs involved in sorghum production on both the small and large scale farms. To fully tap the potential of increase productivity and farm income, the study surmises that expanded access to improved technologies on sorghum production should be extended to the farmers through extension services.

• An analysis of institutional and technical factors influencing agricultural marketing amongst smallholder farmers in the Kat River Valley, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  B. JARI, FRASER, G.C.G.

  African Journal of Agricultural Research. 01/2009; 4(11):1129 – 1137.

  Smallholder farmers in the Kat River Valley do not use output markets effectively due to a number of factors. The technical and institutional factors that demoralise them from marketing are identified in this paper. It is asserted that an explicit analysis in the relationship between technology, ins... [more] Smallholder farmers in the Kat River Valley do not use output markets effectively due to a number of factors. The technical and institutional factors that demoralise them from marketing are identified in this paper. It is asserted that an explicit analysis in the relationship between technology, institutions and markets may be useful in developing livelihood improving programs. Therefore, by identifying such factors, the paper seeks to find out ways of improving market participation among the smallholders, hence, livelihood development. The multinomial regression model was used to investigate the factors that influence marketing choices among smallholder and emerging farmers in the area under study. Empirical results show that market information, expertise on grades and standards, contractual agreements, social capital, market infrastructure, group participation and tradition significantly influence household marketing behaviour.

• Nguni cattle marketing constraints and opportunities in the communal areas of South Africa: Review

  L. MUSEMWA, A. MUSHUNJE, M. CHIMONYO, G. FRASER, C. MAPIYE, V. MUCHENJE

  African Journal of Agricultural Research. 01/2008; 3(4):239 – 245.

  Cattle production is the most important livestock sub-sector in South Africa. It contributes about 25 - 30% to the total agricultural output per annum. However, cattle productivity is declining due to diseases and parasites prevalence, lack of feed resources, and poor breeding and marketing manageme... [more] Cattle production is the most important livestock sub-sector in South Africa. It contributes about 25 - 30% to the total agricultural output per annum. However, cattle productivity is declining due to diseases and parasites prevalence, lack of feed resources, and poor breeding and marketing management. To increase sustainability and contribution of cattle in eradicating hunger and poverty in communal areas, there is need to make use of locally adapted breeds. In South Africa’s communal cattle enterprise, the Nguni breed is becoming a very important socio-economic drive for the resource-poor farmers. Nguni cattle development projects have been initiated in South Africa to improve livelihood of communal farmers. However, these projects are mainly concentrating on solving production constraints and ignoring marketing factors. This paper reviews the neglected marketing constraints and opportunities faced by beneficiaries of the Nguni cattle development program.

• Relative Technical Efficiency and Productivity of Cotton Farmers in Manicaland Province of Zimbabwe: A Study of Communal Area and Resettled Farmers

  A. MUSHUNJE, FRASER, G.C.G., A. BELETE

  Journal of Agricultural and Food Economics. 01/2008; 3(1-2):55 - 68.

• Multinomial logit analysis of household cooking fuel choice in rural Kenya: the case of Kisumu District

  M.O. PUNDO, FRASER, G.C.G.

  Agrekon. 01/2006; 45(1):24 - 37.

  The study uses multinomial logit model to investigate the factors that determine household cooking fuel choice between firewood, charcoal, and kerosene in Kisumu, Kenya. Empirical results indicate that level of education of wife, the level of education of husband, type of food mostly cooked, whether... [more] The study uses multinomial logit model to investigate the factors that determine household cooking fuel choice between firewood, charcoal, and kerosene in Kisumu, Kenya. Empirical results indicate that level of education of wife, the level of education of husband, type of food mostly cooked, whether or not the household owns the dwelling unit, and whether or not the dwelling unit is traditional or modern type are important factors that determine household cooking fuel choice. Implications for regional and national fuel policies are discussed.

• Sustainability of traditional agriculture in the Southern African savannas of Botswana

  FRASER, G.C.G., L. MABUSELA

  South African Geographical Journal. 01/2003; 85(1):11 - 17.