International market openness has long been regarded as critical for economic development, and recent evidence highlights the distinct roles of financial and trade openness, particularly in emerging and developing economies. This study examines the impact of financial and trade openness on economic growth in ten emerging and developing countries from 1970 to 2023. It employs a dynamic panel generalized method of moments (GMM) model, which is selected for its ability to address potential endogeneity and dynamic relationships within panel data. The analysis finds that both financial and trade openness positively influence economic growth and that stable macroeconomic conditions and political stability enhance these growth-promoting effects. In the context of growing geo-economic tensions, trade fairness, and national security concerns, the study underscores the need for policies that balance global integration with national interests. These findings suggest the importance of designing policies that promote greater integration into global financial and trading systems while ensuring sound macroeconomic fundamentals and supportive institutions. The study recommends that policymakers pursue strategic liberalization and strengthen governance structures to achieve sustained and inclusive growth.

Orientation: Graduate unemployment remains a pressing economic challenge across Africa. The rapid advancements in technology, machine learning and artificial intelligence have further reduced job opportunities for young graduates, including those in agriculture. Research purpose: This study explores industry perceptions of employability skills required for agricultural graduates in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) era in South Africa. Motivation for the study: The 4IR era is transforming the agricultural sector, requiring graduates to develop skills that align with technological advancements. Understanding employer expectations can help higher education institutions adapt curricula to meet workforce demands. Research approach/design and method: A mixed-method approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative data. The study employed a cross-sectional research design, with semi-structured questionnaires administered to 150 employers in the Cape Winelands District, Western Cape. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were applied to examine employability determinants, while thematic analysis was used for qualitative insights. Main findings: Graduate employability is strongly linked to gender, multilingual abilities, academic performance, and soft and hard skills. Employers emphasised the importance of practical experience, communication and digital proficiency in modern agricultural techniques. Practical/managerial implications: The misalignment between industry needs and academic curricula contributes to graduate unemployment. Strengthening collaborations between universities and employers can bridge this gap, offering students hands-on experience and job opportunities to improve employability. Contribution/value-add: This study highlights the importance of industry participation in curriculum development, ensuring agricultural graduates acquire essential skills for success in the evolving 4IR-driven sector.

Smallholder agriculture is crucial for sustaining rural livelihoods across South Africa; nevertheless, involvement in global value chains (GVCs) is still restricted. This study examines the socio-economic determinants affecting the incorporation of smallholder maize farmers into global value chains in the Eastern Cape, a region marked by significant rural poverty and dependence on agriculture. The study evaluates the engagement levels of 200 farmers by a cross-sectional survey and multinomial logistic regression analysis. Findings indicate that elevated education levels and income substantially enhance the probability of moderate involvement in value chains; yet, no farmers attained complete participation owing to institutional impediments, including the absence of export permits. These findings indicate that human characteristics alone are inadequate; structural barriers are also essential. The report advocates for structural reforms, particularly those aimed at enhancing education, broadening market access, and eliminating licensing obstacles, to foster inclusive and sustainable participation of smallholder farmers in global value chains.

Commercialising indigenous chicken production offers substantial potential for smallholder farmers in developing countries to improve rural livelihoods and alleviate poverty. However, despite strong market demand for indigenous chickens, few farmers have successfully scaled up production to commercial levels since the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated factors influencing the commercialisation of indigenous poultry production systems using a cross-sectional research design. A total of 150 farmers were surveyed, and a multiple regression model was applied to identify key determinants of commercialisation. The findings indicate that access to extension services (p < 0.01), gender (p < 0.05), household size (p < 0.05), loadshedding (p < 0.01), transportation costs (p < 0.01), reduced income (p < 0.05), market distance (p < 0.01), and COVID-19-related disruptions (p < 0.05) significantly influence commercialisation levels. Regression analysis confirmed that loadshedding and market access were among the most critical constraints, with farmers facing severe operational challenges due to inconsistent electricity supply and limited market penetration. Additionally, post-pandemic trends, including persistent supply chain disruptions and rising feed costs, continue to hinder commercialisation efforts. To address these challenges, the study recommends targeted government interventions, such as improving extension services, investing in value-adding processing equipment, and establishing centralised transportation systems. Additionally, policies should consider the unintended consequences of market interventions to avoid potential distortions. Strengthening access to markets and mitigating transaction costs could enhance commercialisation prospects and contribute to the sustainable development of the indigenous poultry sector.