fg
Volume XX |

Linking smallholder fish farmers to output markets: the dominance of collectors in aquaculture of Tam Giang lagoon, Central Vietnam

Abstract: Market access plays an important role in increasing smallholder’s income; however, informal markets are typical in developing countries. Traders often dominate agricultural markets. In Vietnam aquaculture, collectors are important actors and act as an intermediary in linking farmers and buyers. This research aimed to explore and analysis the functions and the dominance of collectors in linking with smallholder fish farmers in Tam Giang lagoon, central Vietnam. The qualitative research is applied through 55 semi-structured interviews including smallholder fish farmers, collectors, wholesalers, retailers, officers of local government and second information from statistic data and reports. The research findings showed that linking of smallholder fish farmers to output market has dependence on collectors while all aquatic products have to pass on collectors before distributing to next buyers. Collectors always have strategies to maintain the relationship with smallholders and they always have an advantage status in aquaculture value chain. Collectors are also considered as a barrier of smallholder farmers to access potential marketing channels. Informal transaction and trust are characterized in the interaction between collectors and smallholders.

Volume XX |

Spatial interlinkages of poverty determinants and social space of poverty in Hooghly District of West Bengal: a geographical perspective

Abstract: Poverty is generally regarded as an acute and multi-dimensional deprivation. As poverty is a complex phenomenon with multiple dimensions, no unique homogeneous criterion can be used for its measurement. Researchers and policy makers, therefore, try to collect or construct geographically disaggregated indicators that provide information about the spatial distribution of inequality and poverty within a country. The present paper tries to explore and analyze spatial interlinkages of poverty in Hooghly district with the help of Twelve indicators such as distribution of SC (Schedule Caste) and ST (Schedule Tribe) population, literacy rate, gap in male-female literacy, marginal workers, agricultural labourers, availability of drinking water, availability of electricity, latrine facility, access to banking services etc. The entire study is based on the secondary sources of data obtained from District Census Handbook (2011), District Statistical Handbook (2014), District Human Development Report (2011) etc. For measuring spatial intensity of poverty among the rural blocks of Hooghly district various statistical methods like Dimension index (Di), Kendall’s ranking co-efficient method, Composite Index (Ci), Standard Score (Z score) etc. have been used. As the determinants of poverty have its own linkages with evolving nature of society and space, in the second half of the paper, social location and the genesis of poverty in Hooghly district are also examined vividly. The spatial pattern of poverty and its interlinkages with poverty determinants show positive but differential impacts and it is observed that high intensity of poverty persist in three blocks namely Pandua, Goghat-I and Arambagh. The study also reveals that the severity of poverty is mostly concentrated amongst the lower strata of the society i.e. SC (Schedule Caste) and ST (Schedule Tribe) population because they have been deprived of getting different amenities to sustain their life and livelihood.

Volume XX |

Image of Hajduks and Uskoks and its role in formation of traditional sports and games as intangible heritage of Ex-Yugoslav area

Abstract: The history and cultural memory of hajduk’s and uskok’s movements in the Balkan territory are well-documented, and even became recognized as a part of tangible and intangible heritage through the Balkan region. The historical and cultural importance of those movements is mostly reflected in oral epic literature, toponomastics, and some local traditions and customs. The research aims to analyze the contexts of “hajduks and uskoks” heritage in the territory of former Yugoslavia (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro), and in particular, the reflections of cultural remains of those movements emphasized in oral traditions and traditional sports and games as intangible cultural heritage of the region. Special focus is placed on various traditional “hajduk games and skills” which were transmitted to the traditional sports events, and reflect great similarities on a regional level. This is confirmed by a comparison of selected events of the ex-Yugoslav area within different contexts. These events are perceived as part of living folk culture and sort of public memorialization of hajduk’s and uskok’s movements and historic battles, recently becoming a prospective element of intangible cultural heritage with international recognition (eg. Nevesinje Olympics, Alka of Sinj, Ljubičevo Equestrian Games, etc.). However, under the process of popularization and globalization, traditional folk sports and games became a sort of invented tradition under the process of commoditization and commercialization. The scopes and popularity of such sports events and traditions are limited and endangered, demanding more public attention, reaffirmation and support.

Volume XX |

Treehouse tourism: issues and way forward

Abstract: Tourism is a major global sector relevant for many economies, however it is also recognized that tourism brings various negative social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts. This is particularly the case of conventional/mass tourism. Different forms of so called – alternative tourism – are supposed to offset these negative impacts and to promote a more sustainable development. Treehouse tourism (TT) fits within these new sustainable and experiential trend. We must also recognize a grooving need to provide unique, specific travel and accommodation experiences by the tour operators and hoteliers, in order to be competitive with others. This, in turn, leads to an overuse of the term sustainable, in the situations which are not sustainable at all. Still, though the TT is widely recognized by world tour operators, the academic literature and associable debate on this topic is almost non-existent. The present article focuses on specifics, gaps and challenges of TT from biological, social and environmental perspective. At the end, most remarkable recommendations are provided – including the general TT model. Because of lack of previous literature, debate and the comparable statistics, the paper should be considered more as a start of debate, than a comprehensive analysis.

Volume XX |

Does the online education ensure the effectiveness of teaching and evaluation of Geography?

Abstract: Online education developed greatly during the Covid 19 Pandemic. Although there were online learning and teaching resources before 2020, they were not sufficiently tested or used. In modern geography, students must develop their skills, knowledge, be motivated and involved in geographic inquiry. Our objectives are related to the research question of this study, namely how students perceive this new form of evaluation, online evaluation, and whether they have certain preferences related to the tools used in online assessment (Google Forms and Wordwall). Data on students’ perceptions regarding these online assessment tools were collected through an online questionnaire on a sample of 85 fifth graders. The analysis methods were word cloud analysis and multivariate statistical analysis. The results obtained showed that students are open to online assessment through new methods. Moreover, this type of assessment offers them a simpler alternative to learn, with them better understanding or easily remembering the taught lesson. The appearance of the two user-friendly interface platforms or the easy to use mode is an important variable perceived by students, as they can induce in students the joy of participating in an online competition. There are also negative aspects reported by them, especially related to concerns regarding the internet connection or to time given being too short. The usefulness of these tools is not to be neglected at all, given that the target group has been continuing online education for more than a year and the teaching-learning process must adapt to the current context.