Abstract: Sustainable agriculture sustains the economic viability of farm operations. It satisfies human food, fiber and energy needs. It maintains or enhances the resource base upon which it depends by emphasizing soil conservation, nutrient recycling, biologically based-pest management and biodiversity. It takes advantage of the knowledge and skills of farmers. It is durable and resilient to disturbance, pest outbreaks and market variability. It makes the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources. It integrates, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and pest control tools with production practices. Sustainable Development is measured based on goals established by the Commission on Sustainable Development of United Nations such as Poverty reduction, Governance, Health, Education, Demographics, Natural hazards, Atmosphere, Land, Ocean- seas and coasts, Freshwater, Biodiversity, Economic development, Global economic partnership and Consumption and production patterns. Other consideration in measuring Sustainable Development is composed of eight Millennium Development Goals such as: To Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; Achieve universal primary education; Promote gender equality and empower women; Reduce child mortality; Improve maternal health; Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; Ensure environmental sustainability and Develop a global partnership for development. Using the Qualitative and Quantitative Methods, the present research aims to describe the Sustainable Agriculture and to analyze the Role played by Sustainable Agriculture on Sustainable Development in Rwanda.

Abstract: This study is aimed to determine the role of ownership structure on a company’s performance using 31 Palestinian companies listed at Palestine Exchange during 2008-2013. The study use regression analysis method, the role of variables of ownership structure which includes: ownership concentration and institutional ownership. The results show insignificant positive relationship between ownership concentration and ROA, ROE, while there is a significant positive relationship between ownership concentration and Tobin Q. The research also found that there is insignificant positive relationship between institutional ownership and ROA, ROE, while there is a significant positive relationship between institutional ownership and Tobin Q. 

Abstract: Uttar Pradesh is the largest state of the country having 75 districts with population of 116.20 million peoples during 2001 and fifth largest area in the country. It is situated between 23°52ʹ and 31° 28ʹ north latitude and 77° 04ʹ and 84° 38ʹ east longitude. The reported area of the state is 24.2 million ha, out of which net area sown is 16.68 million hectare. The grass cropped area is 25.5 million ha. The cropping intensity in the state is 153 percent. Farming community is dominated by small and marginal farmers (91percent) Average size of holding is only 0.83 ha per farmer. However, the average size of holding of marginal farmers is 0.40 ha only. The state accounts for 11 percent India’s net area sown and contributes more than 41.1 million tonnes of food grains which is about 30 percent of India’s wheat, 20 percent of paddy, 21 percent of sugarcane, 34 percent of groundnut, 17.5 percent of  rapeseed, 8 percent of fruits and 16 percent of vegetables. Uttar Pradesh is the largest milk producing state of the country with an annual milk production of 11.7 million kilo liters accounting for 16 percent of total milk production of the country. Keeping in view of vast potential, the state has major role to play in ushering in farm sector led economic growth of the country.

Abstract: India is an agricultural country and one third population depends on the agricultural sector directly or indirectly. Agriculture remains as the main stray of the Indian economy since times immemorial. About 18 %* of the country’s income is from agriculture sector which provides employment to more than half of the work force in the country. With food being the crowning need of mankind, much emphasis has been on commercializing agricultural production. In earlier days when the village economy was more or less self-sufficient the marketing of agricultural products presented no difficulty as the farmer sold his produce to the consumer on a cash or barter basis.

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present the effectiveness of quality management in supply chain management practices through literature reviews. Previous studies reported mixed and ambiguous results of the relationship between QM practices and performances in SCM. This study investigated impacts of QM practices on various performance measures of SCM as well as the reasons and the barriers of the SCQM practices of firm. When a company purchases items from a vendor they will receive the items and depending on the nature of those items, a quality inspection may be performed. The inspection of products is also appropriate in other areas of the supply chain such as inspections during the manufacturing process, inspection of the final finished product, and inspections while the items are stored in the warehouse.

Abstract: This study investigated the effect of macroeconomic fundamentals on stock market prices in Nigeria using quarterly data. The period (1985-2011) covered in this study is a period of very significant  and active stock market development in Nigeria as well as a period of economic shocks including global economic and financial meltdown. The Co-integration and Error Correction Model (ECM) statistical techniques, Impulse Response Function (IRF) as well as Variance Decomposition analysis were employed to examine the relationship between the nine selected macroeconomic fundamentals and the stock market prices. This study revealed that there is long-run relationship between stock market prices and the selected macroeconomic fundamentals in Nigeria. It further revealed that macroeconomic fundamentals were strongly and jointly significant in explaining the variations in stock prices in Nigeria. The recommendations of this study amongst others include that government should pay attention to foreign direct investment in Nigeria, and maintain policies that will encourage more FDI attraction which will help to expand the stock market activity and the industrial sector.

Abstract: This study attempts to identify determinants of commercial banks’ profitability in Zimbabwe since the inception of the multiple-currency system. The study covered from 2009-2013 and multiple linear regression techniques were adopted to examine effects that each explanatory variables has on return on assets, return on equity and net interest margin. Research findings revealed that bank-specific factors have greater influence on bank profitability than other external determinants. The study also identified that banks’ profitability was on rollercoaster ride and that there was greater variability in deposits growth among banks since inception of multiple-currency regime. More interestingly, the study evidenced the holding of signalling, expected bankruptcy and efficiency-structure hypotheses in the Zimbabwean banking industry.

Abstract: Internet banking allows banks to provide information and offer services to their customers conveniently using the internet technology. However, studies have shown that customers have perceptions that impact on the uptake and continuous usage of the platform. The purpose of this study is to understand the effect of customer perceptions on usage of internet banking in commercial banks in Kenya. This study used descriptive research design while a stratified random sampling technique was used to select subjects to represent the target population which was made up of 1,837,312 customers of commercial banks within Nairobi County. An estimated 384 respondents were targeted to participate in the study. 272 questionnaires representing a 71% response rate were received and analysed. Based on the findings of the research it was concluded that customers have perception that have an effect on usage of internet banking. 

Abstract: Donor organizations and development agencies view projects as important vehicles to achieving their stipulated objectives and targets. According to Antill (1974), a project is only successful if it comes on schedule, on budget, it achieves the deliverables originally set for it and it is accepted and used by the clients for whom the project was intended. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which procurement practices employed by International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGO’S) operating in Kenya affect project implementation. The study was based on the principal agent relationship framework. The target population comprised 302 INGOs registered by the NGO Coordination Board to operate in Kenya as at 30th August 2014. Respondents mainly comprised project managers in the INGOs, while the sample size was 172 organizations, arrived at using the Yamane (1967) formula for calculating the sample size. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 2, and Microsoft Excel 2010 computer software. The study revealed that majority of the respondents perceive procurement planning, vendor selection, contract monitoring and control, as well as procurement negotiations as important factors for successful implementation of projects. This notwithstanding, there exists two sets of challenges on the way towards successful execution of the above four key procurement functions. First, some organizations lack documented policies on how to carry out procurement planning, vendor selection, contract monitoring and control, as well as procurement negotiations. Second, some vendors, despite having been prequalified based on merit, eventually demonstrate lack of capacity to adhere to the agreed upon delivery timelines and performance standards. The study recommends concerted efforts and resources to be employed to ensure that the procurement practices adopted by an INGO result in a positive contribution to the projects being implemented.

Abstract: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the policies instituted by the government of Zimbabwe in promoting the survival and growth of SMEs using a case of SMEs in Glen View Area 8. This was done with a view to draw up strategies aimed at improving the contribution of SMEs to Zimbabwe’s GDP.  The research used a qualitative research design, a random sample was chosen to which a survey questionnaire was administered to collect data. Interviews were also conducted with personnel from the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Harare City Council Department of Health and Social Services. Findings indicated that little had been done by government in addressing SME concerns and accord priority to the SMEs so that they are enabled to contribute to the betterment of the economy. Challenges found to be facing SMEs were issues such as capital availability, difficulties in procuring raw materials, low technological capabilities, and difficulties in securing permits and licences. The study recommended that SMEs are a significant sector that should otherwise be contributing significantly to the economy and recommended that government should prioritise SMEs by establishing finance schemes, training programmes and encourage clustering.

Abstract: A proper marketing mix is crucial for the success of any tourist destination. This study examines the effects of the marketing mix on choice of tourist accommodation by domestic tourists in Kenya. This study was conducted in selected tourist destinations within Nairobi city and Nakuru town with a sample size of 384 respondents: 254 respondents from Nairobi city and 130 respondents from Nakuru town surveyed using multistage sampling procedure. Primary data was collected through questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS 16.0. This study revealed that the price, products/service, location, people, processes, physical evidence and promotions were all important attributes in determining choice of accommodation by local tourists in Kenya. This study encourages the tourism and hotel industry players to have a thorough understanding of the Kenyan domestic tourist so that they can have focused marketing strategies and marketing mixes targeted and packaged towards satisfying the needs of different market segments.

Abstract: The research study was undertaken with a view to identify business characteristics that result in fast growth of MSE. Primary data was collected from 99 randomly selected MSE through structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of SPSS. By using this software, analysis of variance was carried out to examine the variation in the growth of MSEs related to the variation in each of the independent variables selected. As two dependent variables were used to measure growth in this study, the result of this software shows different statistical result for both of them.  The  ANOVA  and t-test result  indicates,  there  is  a significant variation  on  the growth  of MSEs in relation to the variations of type of business, legal status, formal record, borrowing and competition level if growth is measured using asset growth.  If growth is measured using employment growth, the deference in types of business, having formal recording practice and borrowing brings difference in growth. But the ANOVA and t-test result shows there is no significant difference in growth with respect to the difference in registration with MSE office and age of business whether it is measured with asset or employment growth.

Abstract: This article aims to explore economic potentialities of Ghumte Peak, Baglung in terms of tourism, herbs/shrubs and livestock. It is the results of combining qualitative information and feedbacks derived from field observation, opinion survey, and interviews with locals, telephone conversation with tourism experts and quantitative data obtained from corresponding VDCs, DDC and Ghumte Development Forum (GDF), Baglung. Owing to heart-touching culture, trekking, wildlife observation, rock-climbing, site seeing, hunting, slate mines, organic production, herbs/shrubs and livestock potentialities of Ghumte Peak and its surrounding area, this area is found as an asset/nectar tree. But it depends on multi-pronged approach of development and co-operation among civil society, development partners, local/national/international governments and financial institutions.