<p dir="ltr">Agricultural diversification stands out as a critical strategy for addressing challenges and seizing opportunities within the agricultural landscape, especially in regions like the Midwest of the U.S. This research delves into the dynamics, opportunities, challenges, and key success drivers associated with agricultural diversification in the Midwest, focusing on three primary crops: oats, peas, and wheat. Employing a case study methodology grounded in empirical and contextual inquiry principles, the research aims to grasp the nuances of diversified agriculture. Data collection integrates primary and secondary sources, including semi-structured interviews and participation in field days. The data collection period spanned from October 2022 to February 2024. Interviews with 29 stakeholders, including farmers, industry representatives, agricultural cooperatives, and non-profits, provided insights into diversified agriculture practices.</p><p dir="ltr">Each case study provides in-depth insights into the opportunities, challenges, and key drivers of success associated with promoting diversified agriculture initiatives. These case studies underscore the significance of innovation, market access, sustainability, and collaboration in driving success within the industry. The cross-case analysis offers a comprehensive examination of the potential for agricultural diversification in the US Midwest. Through a comparative analysis of the three case studies, commonalities and key themes emerge, shedding light on stakeholder dynamics, business strategies, operational aspects, and scalability factors.</p><p dir="ltr">In summary, this research significantly contributes to the body of knowledge on agricultural diversification, offering insights that can guide future decisions, agricultural practices, and research endeavors aimed at promoting sustainability and resilience in the agricultural sector in the US Midwest.</p>

Thesis (MScAgric (Agricultural Economics)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / This study discusses the importance of home production for home consumption (HPHC) and its economic contribution to South African Agriculture. The Income and Expenditure survey 2000 (IES 2000) dataset is used to draw conclusions in this study. IES 2000 contains a section on HPHC. HPHC aims to capture information on the quantities and values of home produce consumed and sold to the market. Home production often forms an important part of the livelihood strategies of rural households in developing countries. The study focuses on rural ...

At Constitutional level, legislation in South Africa entrenches the provision of food and water for all its citizens. In instances where citizens are unable to provide in these basic requirements for themselves, social assistance should be provided to ensure a healthy life for all. In this regard, legislation and Town Planning ordinances and regulations are in place to ensure that built-up environments in which we live and work are healthy and safe for all. However, this study revealed that food provisioning by community gardeners is peripheral in legislation, ordinances and regulations and the practice of urban agriculture is, in many instances, in conflict with the principle of safe and healthy food for all. Community gardeners/urban agriculturists are food farmers within the city who produce food for themselves and others without the checks and balances that are otherwise applicable to food brought into the city from outside. While food production on any piece of available land is vital for these community gardeners for their sustenance and survival, it could become a potential health hazard if no checks or testing measures are in place to ensure that the food being produced is safe for human consumption. The study sought the views and perceptions of community gardeners, residents, Environmental Health Practitioners and Town Planners in the eThekwini Metro region with regards to community gardening/urban agriculture and its impact on food provisioning to citizens. For data collection, a one-on-one interviewing survey method was used with all four groups and results were calculated and converted to average percentages and analysed. The results revealed that there was conflict between legislation, ordinances and regulations regarding the production of food in the built-up environment of the EThekwini Municipality. It was also revealed that there was no cohesive policy to control the production of food produced and sold by community gardeners in the study area. The need for control measures and regulations regarding food production and sale by community gardeners was highlighted. Moreover, where ineffective or none such measures or controls exist, a transparent and consultative process involving all stakeholders must take place in order to establish up viable and sustainable control measures. The people who will be most affected by these rules, namely the community gardeners, should be pivotal role players in the establishment of a sustainable urban agriculture policy. Recommendations to address the problems illuminated by the study are presented. / Environmental Sciences / Ph. D. (Environmental Management)

This study explores the perceptions of the value of community gardens by members and the relationship between this activity and homestead farming activities in Ogagwini, Umbumbulu District, KwaZulu-Natal. Establishing and supporting community gardens is consistent with the strategies adopted by South African national and provincial government to alleviate poverty, address food security and improve livelihoods for rural people. However, there is a lack of literature available on why rural people choose to involve themselves in community garden projects and whether these reasons are those intended by policy makers. There is abundant research on community gardening – most of it either urban or not specific as to setting. This literature is useful for the generic information it provides, but does not provide the scope of understanding that is unique to rural community gardening in South Africa. Thus this study contributes to understanding rural community gardens and possible adjustments needed by extension workers and development strategies to ensure effective food gardening practices in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The first extension facilitated community garden activities in Ogagwini were established in 1993 with the support of the provincial DAEA. Some community garden members are also members of the Ezemvelo Farmers Organisation (EFO), a group of farmers engaged in commercial small-scale farming. This research attempted to find out how community gardening activities were related to small-scale commercial homestead activities. Specifically, the study sought to investigate issues such as preferences among farmers between community gardens and homestead farming; the social and economic benefits derived from community gardens; and perceptions around environmental/ecological issues surrounding community gardens and homestead farming. A survey questionnaire on community garden activities and perceptions was given to EFO members and used to identify participants for this study. Committee members of the EFO (also members of community gardens) arranged for five gardens to be investigated. In-depth data was collected at the actual garden sites using semi-structured focus group discussions and participant observation. The data from the survey questionnaire was verified and clarified by semi structured probing during these discussions. A spiral approach was used to organise responses and make sense of the data within social, economic, and environmental themes. After three garden visits, no new knowledge was forthcoming and due to time constraints the study was limited to these three groups. The study found that there were no distinct linkages between homestead farms and community gardens, but that the systems operated on different principles. Community gardens were used to produce cabbages, carrots, beetroot, onions, green peppers and spinach mainly for consumption, whereas homestead farms produce field crops such as maize, amadumbes (taro), sweet potato, potatoes, pumpkins and peanuts. The study further identified social and economic benefits and environmental impacts and reinforces the importance of knowledge sharing amongst participants. The main benefits identified were income generation, sharing of knowledge and technical support The Department of Agriculture should carefully address sustainability issues when planning and implementing community gardens. This would include being able to carry on in the absence of an agricultural extension officer. Training programmes need to ensure that learning is transferable; that it is not overly commodity or technology specific and includes promotion of environmental awareness. This study has highlighted a number of potentially valuable issues for further situated research in the area of farming protocols, markets and the social value of community gardening within rural communities.

Antibiotics are routinely used in modern livestock production systems to treat and prevent disease as well as to enhance livestock production and/or outputs. This widespread use of antibiotics has led to a growing worldwide interest in antibioticfree animal production. The addition of feed supplements such as nucleotides to improve intestinal health as well as the early development of the immune system needs to be investigated as an environmentally-friendly nutritional management activity. In this study four (4) groups of newborn Holstein calves (n=24) were evaluated after being treated as follows: Group 1 (Negative control), Group 2 (Investigational Veterinary Product (IVP) 1 – Oral supplement containing nucleotides, vitamins, essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, pre-biotics and trace-minerals), Group 3 (IVP 2 – Oral supplement containing nucleotides only at concentration and dosage equal to IVP1) and Group 4 (IVP 3 - Parenteral glucocorticoids). Results of the study indicated that: Pre-colostral Serum IgG titres – After titration of the serum the anti-BVDV results showed no difference between the study groups. All calves recorded a SP ratio of zero value (0.00 ± 0.2) indicating that they had not been nursed by their mothers prior to the start of the study. This was an entrance requirement for the calves to be enrolled into the study. Apparent Efficiency of Absorption % (AEA%) – Literature shows that an AEA% result of between 20%-30% is good and 35% is excellent. The AEA% recorded for this study fell within this range although there was no statistically significant difference shown between the groups. In spite of a strictly controlled study protocol, 7 of the 24 calves (29%) still suffered from FPT in this study. The result falls within the range of 19% - 37% reported on United States of America (USA) farms by Doepel and Bartier in 2014. Serum cortisol - When compared to the control group, there were no statistical significant difference evident for group 2 and group 3. However, the difference between the Glucocorticoid – Group 4 and the control and other groups was statistically significant (P = 0.0001; table 12) at the various time intervals. It was also evident that the inclusion of parenteral glucocorticoids (group 4) may have assisted in prolonging the natural “gut closure”. Gut closure – a positive 2 point linear regression forecast line indicated an increasing trend in IgG absorption post-24 hours for group number 4 whilst groups 1, 2 and 3 each had a negative 2 point linear regression forecast line (figure 23). Weight / ADG (D42) - Group 2 showed a statistically significant increase in mean D42 weight (P = 0.0042) of 59.167 kg ± 3.545 kg when compared to the other study groups and compared to the control group (P = 0.0227). A comparison of the relative increase in mass of groups indicated that Group 2 efficiently achieved this result with a statistically significant ADG of 0.536 kg (P = 0.014) compared to the other study groups and compared to the control group (P = 0.022). In addition, weight / FCR – FCR was calculated for all groups as follows: G1 – 4.000 kg, G2 - 2.593 kg, G3 – 2.703 kg and G4 - 3.012 kg feed required for the production of 1 kg meat. The results indicated that the group 2 feed input was the most economical followed by groups 3, 4 and control respectively. In conclusion, it is evident that a nutritional supplement containing nucleotides, vitamins, trace- minerals, essential fatty acids, essential amino acids and pre-biotics may contribute significantly to important economic indicators such as weight gain, ADG and FCR on a commercial dairy farm. / Environmental Sciences / Ph. D. (Environmental Science)

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The pressure on the world’s natural resources is increased by an expanding global population. The majority of the growth is expected to take place in Africa and Asia. This creates the need for sustainable agricultural practices. To sustain food security, the limited natural resources must be utilised efficiently to optimise agricultural productivity. Conservation agriculture (CA) is one of the most holistic sustainable agricultural practices yet. It reduces environmental degradation, and concurrently it could enhance farm profitability. The practice of CA is able to improve food security while sustaining the environment for the benefit of future generations of both consumers and producers. A large proportion of the commercial grain producers in the Western Cape have adopted CA to varying degrees. A purer form of CA practice is continually pursued to realise its full benefits. Adoption has taken place in the absence of any policy support framework directed to CA, and thus, has been market driven. The reasons for and rates of CA adoption in other regions of the world differed, but was mostly successful, which highlights the driving forces behind adoption of CA in the Middle Swartland. The physical/biological benefits of CA are well known. The financial implications of the various systems within CA, at farm-level are still unknown. This study implements trial data from Langgewens experimental farm to evaluate the financial implications of various farming systems over an extended period. Farm systems are complex, consisting of numerous interrelated components. A whole-farm budget model is developed within a systems approach to compare various farming systems designed within CA principles. A trustworthy whole-farm model providing an accurate representation of a real life farm requires insight across many scientific disciplines. Multidisciplinary group discussions are used to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge. To serve as a basis for comparison, the whole-farm model was based on a typical farm within the Middle Swartland relative homogeneous farming area. Trial data on crop rotations and tillage systems from Langgewens experimental farm served as starting point for the research. The data was fitted for use in financial analysis and as input to the typical farm model. A key role of the inter-disciplinary expert group was to ensure that data and the model design accurately reflect the underlying physical/biological processes of CA. The financial evaluation of the various farming systems showed that conventional agricultural practices of monoculture and deep tillage are financially unsustainable. Farming systems under conventional tillage returned negative net present values (NPV) and an internal rate of return on capital investment (IRR) lower than the real interest rate. This implies that investment in conventional tillage will ultimately lead to financial losses. The financial benefits of CA are directly related to improved soil health, lower weed and pest stress and improved yields. The CA farming systems were less susceptible to variations in external factors, highlighting the resilience of the system that incorporates crop rotation and no-till. The farming systems operated under conventional practices are expected to be unsustainable over a long-term period of 20 years. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Opsomming Die druk op die aarde se natuurlike hulpbronne word verhoog deur ʼn groeiende wêreld populasie. Die meeste van die groei word verwag in Afrika en Asië. Dit skep die nodigheid vir volhoubare landboupraktyke. Om voedselsekerheid te volhou moet die beperkte natuurlike hulpbronne doeltreffend benut word om landbouproduksie te optimeer. Bewaringslandbou is die mees holistiese volhoubare landboupraktyk tot op hede. Dit verminder omgewingsdegradasie terwyl boerderywinsgewendheid kan verbeter. Die praktyk van bewaringslandbou is in staat om voedselsekuriteit te verbeter terwyl die omgewing onderhou word tot voordeel van toekomstige generasies van beide produsente en verbruikers. ʼn Groot gedeelte van kommersiële graanprodusente in die Wes-Kaap het bewaringslandbou teen verskillende intensiteit aangeneem. ʼn Suiwer vorm van bewaringslandbou word deurlopend nagejaag om die volle voordeel daarvan te benut. Die aanneming van bewaringsboerdery het sonder regeringsbeleid plaasgevind en was dus markgedrewe. Bewaringsboerdery is in ander wêrelddele vir verskillende redes aangeneem, maar was meestal suksesvol. Dit beklemtoon die beweegrede vir die aanneming van bewaringslandbou in die Middel Swartland. Die fisies/biologiese voordele van bewaringslandbou is wel bekend. Die finansiële implikasies van verskillende stelsels binne bewaringslandbou op plaasvlak is nog nie bekend nie. Hierdie studie gebruik proefdata van Langgewensproefplaas om die finansiële implikasies van verskillende boerderystelsels oor die langtermyn te evalueer. Boerderystelsels is kompleks en bestaan uit interafhanklike komponente. ʼn Geheelplaas begrotingsmodel is binne ʼn stelselsraamwerk ontwikkel om verskillende stelsels wat binne bewaringslandboubeginsels ontwerp is, te evalueer. ʼn Geloofwaardige geheelplaasmodel wat ʼn akkurate weerspieëling van realiteit verskaf benodig insig van verskeie wetenskaplike dissiplines. Multidissiplinêre groepbesprekings is gebruik om die gaping tussen die verskillende dissiplines te oorbrug. Die basis vir vergelyking wat gebruik is, is ʼn tipiese plaas in die relatief homogene boerderygebied van die Middel Swartland. Proefdata van verskillende gewasrotasie- en bewerkingstelsels is as die vertrekpunt vir die studie gebruik. Die data is pasgemaak vir finansiële ontledings en om te dien as inset vir die geheelplaasmodelle. ʼn Kern rol van die interdissiplinêre ekspert groep was om te verseker dat die data en die model-ontwerp die onderliggende beginsels van bewaringslandbou reflekteer. Die finansiële evaluasie van die verskillende boerderystelsels wys dat konvensionele landboupraktyke met monokultuur en diepbewerking nie finansieel volhoubaar is nie. Boerdery stelsels onder konvensionele bewerking genereer ʼn negatiewe netto huidige waarde en ʼn opbrengs op kapitaal investering wat laer as die inflasie vlak is. Dit beteken dat investering in konvensionele uiteindelik tot finansiële verlies kan lei. Die finansiële voordele van bewaringslandbou is direk geassosieer met verbeterde grondgesondheid, laer onkruid en plaag-druk en beter opbrengste. Die bewaringslandbou boerderystelsels is ook minder blootgestel aan veranderinge in eksterne faktore wat die gehardheid van die stelsels wat gewas-wisselbou en geenbewerking inkorporeer, beklemtoon. Die boerderystelsel onder konvensionele praktyke sal na verwagting nie volhoubaar wees oor ʼn langer periode van 20 jaar nie.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is based on the personal four-year journey of the researcher in an attempt to develop an off-grid, sustainable self-sufficient livelihood and habitation on a 1 000-square metre piece of rural land in the heritage mission village of Suurbraak, Western Cape, South Africa. This single case study attempts to embody a comprehensive antithesis to the current rural settlement approach implemented in South Africa. The approach is philosophical, applying Hegel’s “determinate negation” conception of reality, as dialectic between a conception of “thesis” as global, scientific and regulated resulting in large-scale agriculture, poisoning of nature and inappropriate low-cost housing and its “antithesis” as grounded, philosophical, healthy subsistence habitation on the actual land. This study, shaped by a literature review, proposes a concept coined ‘niche settlement’, comprising four focus areas as regards sustainable self-sufficiency: an owner-built dwelling from local materials, farm produce for consumption and self-medication, rain and energy harvesting, and taking responsibility for waste. In order to validate the case study contextually, an action research methodological approach was adopted. This began with a field study to interview marginal small-scale farmers, enriched by a land-use survey in the Suurbraak agri-village, in order to clarify the determinants for successful subsistence. These were land availability, proximity of land to homestead, appropriate scale, access to water, enabling legislation, and access to inputs and labour. The critical nature of these determinants is then shown as regards the niche settlement case study. The interplay of Swellendam Municipality regulations reveals contradictions that entail that the above determinants are not facilitated. This threatens a vulnerable two-century old agrarian heritage. The ensuing dialectic between the researcher and municipal officials who - when confronted by the contradictions - undertook to revise certain zoning decisions that threatened the viability of niche settlement approaches. The determinants may prove fertile ground for further research as criteria to shape rural settlement policy with respect to land use, particularly given the need to factor in the looming global recession, the food crisis and peak oil. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is op die vier jaar lange persoonlike reis van die navorser self baseer. Dit behels 'n poging om 'n kwart akker stuk grond in die landelike erfenis sending-dorp van Suurbraak, in die Wes-Kaap Provinsie in Suid-Afrika te bewoon en daarop ‘n off-grid, volhoubare en selfversorgende bestaan te ontwikkel. Hierdie enkele gevallestudie poog om 'n omvattende antitese te beliggaam tot die benadering tot landelike nedersetting soos tans in Suid-Afrika geïmplementeer. Die benadering is filosofies, en pas toe Hegel se "beslissende weiering" konsepsie van die werklikheid, as dialektiek tussen 'n opvatting van die "tesis" as: globaal, wetenskaplik en gereguleerd wat grootskaalse landbou, die vergiftiging van die natuur en lae-koste behuising tot gevolg het en sy "antitese": gegrond, filosofies en gesonde bestaansboerdery op die grond. Die dialektiek kontrasteer die tesis op 'n makro-en kollektiewe vlak en die antitese op 'n mikro-en persoonlike vlak, wat aanleiding gee tot 'n "sintese", waaruit nuwe antwoorde ontstaan in die beslissende ingebed, eerder as in algemene teoretiese abstraksies. Kritiese oplossings lê vlak versteek in die mikrokosmos detail of in die konteks. Dit wil sê, is gedetermineerd vermom en vereis 'n metodiese en gefundeerde benadering wat nóg weke nóg maande, maar jare eerder van geduldige navorsing verg om te bemag. Die Hegeliaanse metode soos gebruik beklemtoon dat dit onwaarskynlik is dat "begrippe" met hul kontekstuele "standaard begrippe" sal ooreenstem, maar in die proses van aanpassing word eindelose antwoorde uit die fynere detail van bepaalbare werklikheid opgetel. Hierdie antwoorde, wanner van toepassing, het die potensiaal om antitetiese manifestasies van die werklikheid in werklikheid te verifieer; die mikro is in staat om die makro te verklaar deur middel van 'n proses van die verwesenlikte waarheid. Hierdie studie, deur 'n literatuuroorsig toegelig, stel 'n konsep geskep as "nis nedersetting” voor. Dit bestaan uit vier fokusareas wat betref volhoubare self-genoegsaamheid: 'n eienaargeboude woning van plaaslike materiale, eie plaasprodukte vir verbruik en selfmedikasie, die oes van reën en energie, en die neem van verantwoordelikheid vir afval. Ten einde die gevallestudie kontekstueel te waarmerk, is 'n aksie-navorsing metodologiese benadering ingeneem. Dit het begin met 'n gedokumenteerde veldstudie waarin onderhoude met marginale kleinskaal boere gevoer is en is verryk deur 'n grondgebruik-opname in die Suurbraak agri-dorp, ten einde die determinante vir 'n suksesvolle bestaansboerdery uit te lig. Dit het gelei tot 'n dieper begrip van wat die sukses van soortgelyke nis projekte bepaal: die beskikbaarheid van ’n (grond-)perseel, bewerkbare grond naby die woning geleë, toepaslike skaal, toegang tot water, bemagtigende wetgewing en toegang tot insette en arbeid. Die kritiese aard van hierdie determinante word met betrekking tot die gevallestudie getoon. Die wisselwerking van die Munisipaliteit Swellendam se regulasies openbaar teenstrydighede wat behels dat die bogenoemde determinante nie gefasiliteer is nie). Dit is teleurstellend deurdat dit 'n kwesbare twee-eeue oue agrariese erfenis bedreig. Die daaropvolgende dialektiek tussen die navorser en munisipale amptenare wat - gekonfronteer met die teenstrydighede geopenbaar in wetgewing en regulasies met betrekking tot die erfenis, grondgebruik en sonering - onderneem het om sekere besluite wat die lewensvatbaarheid van die nis nedersetting benaderings bedreig het om te keer, manifesteer sodoende as 'n sintese. 'n Verdere voorbeeld van sintese is die voorstel dat die belangrikste determinante effektief toegepas kan word as kriteria om vorm te gee aan die landelike nedersettingsbeleid met betrekking tot grondgebruik, veral gegewe die behoefte om die dreigende wêreldwye resessie, die voedsel-krisis en piek olie saam daarby onder sig te neem.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis explores the importance of an appropriate understanding of ethics in sustainability transitions. Through a conceptual analysis, it finds that the dominant understanding of modernist ethics is unsuitable to the contexts of contingency in sustainability transitions, and that the participatory understanding of ethics as a complex system presents a far more adequate approach to the ethical complexity of socioecological systems. In particular, the strategy of 'practising provisionality' is suggested, which understands the process of ethical decision-making as a process of social learning. This argument is further supported by a critical reflection on the food system context. The present dangers and future uncertainties of sustainability transitions are issues of incredible complexity. Socioecological interactions can have unpredictable impacts on our ability to the needs of both current and future generations, like realising a sustainable food system. Moreover, there are difficult decisions that we also to make in such dilemmas, like the extent of natural resource exploitation, where normativity plays a large role. This means that these complex issues are also ethical issues. The importance of understanding ethics in sustainability transitions is, therefore, of great importance, since we will want to believe we are making the 'right' choices in these changing contexts. However, the understanding of ethics that dominates traditional scientific thinking and academic inquiries represents a paradigm of thought that is insensitive to complexity of socioecological systems, and is therefore, inadequate in addressing the ethical complexity of sustainability transitions. In the context of food systems, this is demonstrated in the linear emphasis on food production that dominates the ethics of realising sustainable food systems. This thesis argues that a more appropriate way of thinking about ethics in times of contingent contexts and socioecological change would have to account for complexity. In an acknowledgement of the complexity of ethics, it is argued that every decision has elements of moral consideration, and that there is also no way to know objectively whether the respective decision was morally 'right' or 'wrong'. Such an understanding of complex ethics would, therefore, emphasise the importance of recursively reasoning through every ethical decision to address any reductionisms of complexity; adopting an attitude of modesty and openness towards dialogue, and adopting a student mentality of social learning that would improve upon one's complex ethical reasoning. Subsequently, the paradigmatic shift of a complex approach to ethics is more adequate in understanding ethics in sustainability transitions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die belangrikheid van 'n toepaslike begrip van etiek in volhoubaarheidsoorgange. Die bevinding van hierdie konseptuele analise is dat die oorheersende begrip van modernistiese etiek ongeskik is in die volhoubaarheidsoorgang konteks van gebeurlikheid en dat die deelnemende begrip van etiek as 'n komplekse sisteem 'n baie meer toepaslike benadering is tot die etiese kompleksiteit van sosioekologiese sisteme. Die strategie van 'praktiese voorlopigheid' word in die besonder voorgestel. Dit sien die proses van etiese besluitneming as 'n proses van sosiale leerwyse. Die argument word verder ondersteun deur die kritiese refleksie op die voedselsisteem konteks. Die huidige gevare en toekomstige onsekerheid van volhoubaarheidsoorgange is geweldige ingewikkelde strydvrae. Sosioekologiese interaksies kan onvoorsiene impakte hê op ons vermoeëns om die behoeftes van beide huidige en toekomstige generasies aan te spreek, soos om volhoubare voedselsisteme te laat realiseer. Verder is daar moelike besluite wat geneem moet word tydens sulke dilemmas, soos die mate waartoe ons natuurlike bronne geeksploiteer word, waar normativiteit 'n groot rol speel. Dit beteken dat hierdie komplekse strydvrae ook etiese strydvrae is. Die belangrikheid van die begrip van etiek in volhoubare oorgange is derhalwe van groot belang, aangesien ons wil glo ons neem die regte besluite in hierdie veranderende kontekste. Die begrip van etiek wat die traditionele wetenskaplike denkwyse en akademiese navrae domineer, kom egter voor as 'n paradigmiese denkwyse wat onsensitief is ten opsigte van die kompleksitiet van die sosioekologiese sisteme, en dus tekortskiet in die hantering van die etiese kompleksitiet van volhoubare oorgange. In die voedselsisteem konteks word dit gedemonstreer in die liniêre klem wat op voedselproduksie geplaas word, wat die etiek van die realisasie van voedselsisteme domineer. Hierdie tesis redeneer dat 'n meer paslike denkwyse omtrent etiek in tye van gebeurlike kontekste en sosioekologiese veranderinge sal moet rekenskap gee van kompleksitieit. In die erkenning van die kompleksiteit van etiek, word dit geredeneer dat elke besluit 'n element van morele oorweging het, en dat daar ook geen manier is om objektief te weet of die respektiewe besluit moreel 'korrek' of verkeerd' is nie. So 'n begrip van komplekse etiek sal, dus die belangrikheid van konstante redenering in elke etiese besluitneming beklemtoon, om enige reduksionisme van kompleksiteit aan te spreek. Dit geskied deurmiddel van 'n houding van beskeidenheid en oopheid tot dialoog, en die aanneming van 'n studente mentaliteit van sosiale leerwyse wat 'n komplekse etiese redenering kan verbeter. Gevolglik, is die paradigmatiese verskuiwing van 'n komplekse benadering tot etiek meer paslik in die begrip van etiek in volhoubaarheidsoorgange.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Approximately three out of four people in developing countries such as Namibia live in rural areas. The majority of these rural poor’s livelihoods depend directly or indirectly on agriculture. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design agricultural programmes that focus on rural communities in order to reduce incidences of poverty. Although the Namibian Government invests in the agricultural sector, hunger for both humans and animals were evident in 2012. The starvation situation was worsened by high food prices, compounded with a high unemployment rate that meant the majority of the population could not afford to pay for food. Evidence shows that Namibia is a net food importer; meaning that less local food production is taking place. Therefore, the government is trying to reverse the situation of relying on imported food, by enhancing local production, and one of the ways of achieving this goal is through the Green Scheme Programme. The research problem of this study is defined as follows: “An evaluation of the Green Scheme Programme: A case of the Kalimbeza Rice Project”. The study commences by exploring the literature on the role of the state in improving the socioeconomic status of its citizens. Many developing countries have weak private sectors; therefore, governments remain with the responsibility to spearhead development. With unrestrained unemployment, poverty and inequality, state-led development is the solution in uplifting the socio-economic status of people, especially the rural poor. Since the rural poor depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, it is necessary for Government to devise Sustainable Livelihood programmes in the sector, which many people rely upon for survival. Reducing incidences of rural poverty calls for Sustainable Livelihood programmes that the Namibian Government came up with, such as the approximately N$ 1.2 billion per annum Green Scheme Programme. This is an irrigation programme that aims at increasing agricultural production, contribute to the Gross Domestic Product, promote food security, create jobs and promote skills development. The study sought to establish whether the Green Scheme Programme is effective in achieving its intended, and at times, unintended goals. The Kalimbeza Rice Project, under the Green Scheme Programme was chosen as a case study. Evidence from the study shows that employment creation took place, because many locals have secured temporary jobs at the farm, and the salaries earned have had a positive impacts on their lives. Food security has not been fully achieved, as only about 25 per cent of the total farm area is cultivated yearly. Finally, the study suggests that there is an urgent need for the Green Scheme Programme and all its projects to speed operations in order to achieve the country’s Vision 2030. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ongeveer drie uit elke vier mense in ʼn ontwikkelende land soos Namibië is woonagtig in landelike gebiede. Die meerderheid van landelike armes se inkomste is direk of indirek afhanklik van lanbou aktiwiteite. Dus, is daar ʼn dringende behoefte aan lanbou ontwikkelingsprogramme wat spesifiek fokus op landelike gemeenskappe om sodoende die voorkoms van armoede te verminder. Alhoewel die Namibiese regering belê in die lanbousektor, was lae vlakke van voedselsekuriteit vir beide mens en dier nogsteeds sigbaar in 2012. Die kroniese hongerte situasie in Namibië word grotendeels verger deur hoë voedselpryse. ʼn Hoë werkloosheidsyfer dra ook daartoe by dat die meerderheid armes nie voedsel kan bekostig nie. Navorsing toon dat Namibië ʼn netto invoerder is van kos. Dit beteken dat Namibië minder plaaslik voedsel produseer. Gevolglik, probeer die Namibiese regering die afhanklikheid op ingevoerde voedsel verminder deur die verbetering van plaaslike produksie vermoëns. Een van die maniere wat hulle gebruik om dit te bewerkstellig is deur die regering se Green Scheme Program. Die navorsingsprobleem van dié studie word as volg gedefinieer: ʼn Evaluering van die Green Scheme Program: Die Kalimbeza Rice Project as gevallestudie. Die vertrekpunt van dié studie begin deur die verkenning van literatuur wat spesifiek handel oor die rol van die staat in die verbetering van die sosio-ekonomiese status van sy burgers. Baie ontwikkelende lande het swak of klein privaat sektore, dus bly regerings verantwoordelik om ontwikkeling moontlik te maak. Ongebreidelde werkloosheid, armoede en ongelykheid noodsaak staat geleide ontwikkeling as die enigste oplossing vir die opheffing van die sosio-ekonomiese status van mense, veral landelike armes. Die feit dat landelike armes grotendeels afhanklik is van landbou vir inkomstes en oorlewing, is dit nodig vir die regering om ʼn Volhoubare Lewensbestaan Program te ontwikkel in die sektor, waarop baie mense aangewese is vir oorlewing. Die vermindering van voorvalle van landelike armoede kan toegeskryf word aan die Volhoubare Lewensbestaan Program wat deur die Namibiese regering geïmplementeer word, soos die ongeveer N$ 1.2 biljoen per jaar Green Scheme Program. Dit is ʼn besproeiingstelsel program wat verhoogde lanbouproduksie ten doel het, as ook bydra tot die Bruto Binnelandse Produk, bevordering van voedselsekuriteit, werkskepping en die bevordering van vaardigheidsontwikkeling. Dié studie sal poog om vas te stel of die Green Scheme Program effektief is in die bereiking van beoogde doelwitte, en by tye, die bereiking van onvoorsiene doelwitte. Die Kalimbeza Rice Project, as deel van die Green Scheme Program, sal dien as n gevallestudie. Getuienis van die studie toon dat werkskepping wel plaasgevind het, omdat baie plaaslike inwoners tydelik in diens geneem is op die plaas, en die salarisse ontvang het alreeds ʼn positiewe effek gehad op hul lewens. Voedsel sekuriteit is nog nie ten volle verwesenlik nie, omdat slegs 25% van die totale plaas oppervlakte onder verbouing is. Gevolglik, dui die studie daarop dat daar ʼn onmiddelike behoefte bestaan vir die Green Scheme Program en al sy onderskeie projekte om sodoende pogings te versnel in die bereiking van die land se Visie 2030.

This thesis compares conventional agriculture and Ecological Recycling Agriculture (ERA) in terms of their environmental and socio-economic effects. Environmental effects include greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, but this analysis focuses on nutrient losses. Socio-economic effects include production, costs and benefits at macro, firm and household level. Comparisons were made at regional (Baltic Sea), national (Swedish) and local (community/municipality) level. At regional level, the main challenge is to make agriculture more environmentally friendly and reduce nutrient losses, while maintaining food production. At national level, the challenges are to shift the product mix towards more vegetables and less meat and to address the geographical division between animal and crop production. At local level, the challenge is to achieve sustainable environmental, economic and social rural development. At regional level, the empirical findings were scaled up to create three scenarios. In one scenario, agriculture in Poland and the Baltic States was transformed to resemble the Swedish average structure and resource use, which gave increased nitrogen and phosphorus surplus and substantially increased food production. Two other scenarios in which agriculture in the entire Baltic Sea area converted to ERA gave reductions in nitrogen surplus and eliminated the phosphorus surplus, while food production decreased or remained stable, depending on the strategy chosen. At national level, the environmental effects of different production methods, transport and different food baskets were compared. A household survey was performed to construct an alternative food basket, which was high in vegetables, low in meat and high in locally produced organic food compared with the average Swedish food profile. It was also 24% more expensive. Food basket content was found to be as important as production method in reducing environmental effects. Local production and processing was less important. At local level, an importer and wholesaler of organic fruit and vegetables and a group of environmentally concerned consumers were studied. The business was found to be resilient, i.e. well-suited to adapt to turbulence, and with a history of being innovative. / I den här avhandlingen jämförs konventionellt jordbruk med ekologiskt kretsloppsjordbruk. Jämförelsen görs med avseende på miljöeffekter och socio-ekonomisk påverkan. Av miljöeffekterna är fokus på läckage av växtnäring men utsläpp av växthusgaser samt energianvändning studeras också. Till de socio-ekonomiska effekterna räknas effekter på produktionsvolym samt kostnader och nyttor på såväl samhälls- som företags- och hushållsnivå. Jämförelsen görs på regional (Östersjöområdet), nationell (Sverige) och lokal (Järna/Södertälje kommun) nivå. På regional nivå är den stora utmaningen att omvandla jordbruksproduktionen i miljövänlig riktning och att minska närsaltsbelastningen samtidigt som produktionen hålls uppe. På nationell nivå är en utmaning att ändra produktionssammansättningen mot mer vegetabilier och mindre kött samt att minska den geografiska uppdelningen av djurhållning och spannmål. På lokal nivå är utmaningen att uppnå en hållbar landsbygdsutveckling ur miljömässigt såväl som ekonomiskt och socialt perspektiv. Resultat: på regional nivå beräknas miljöpåverkan och påverkan på livsmedelsproduktion i tre olika scenarier. Enligt ett scenario omvandlar Polen och de baltiska staterna sina jordbrukssektorer efter samma struktur och resursanvändning som ett genomsnittligt svenskt jordbruk. Det resulterar i att överskottet av kväve och fosfor i jordbruket ökar med 58% respektive 18% samtidigt som livsmedelsproduktionen ökar betydligt. Två andra scenarier där jordbruket i hela Östersjöregionen ställer om till ekologiskt kretsloppsjordbruk resulterar i reduktion av kväveöverskottet från jordbruket med 47-61% samt att fosforöverskottet elimineras. I de här scenarierna skulle livsmedelsproduktionen minska eller vara i princip oförändrad beroende på vilken strategi som väljs. På nationell nivå jämförs miljöpåverkan av olika produktionsmetoder, av transporter samt av olika matkassar. En hushållsstudie genomfördes i en grupp miljömedvetna konsumenter för att konstruera en alternativ matkasse. Matkassen innehöll en stor andel grönsaker, en liten andel kött och mycket lokalt och ekologiskt producerad mat jämfört med en genomsnittlig svensk matkasse. Den var även 24% dyrare i inköp. Det visade sig att miljöbelastningen påverkades väl så mycket av matkassens innehåll som av produktionsmetod. Lokal produktion och förädling var inte lika betydelsefullt. På lokal nivå studerades en grossist och importör av ekologiska frukter och grönsaker samt en grupp av miljöengagerade konsumenter (hushållsstudien ovan). Semistrukturerade intervjuer användes för att studera företaget, som visade sig vara resilient, det vill säga väl förberett för att klara turbulens på marknaden. Företaget karaktäriserades av ekonomisk stabilitet och en tradition av att vara innovativt. Ett exempel är Ekolådan, den första helt ekologisk hemleveransen av frukt och grönsaker i Stockholmsområdet. I den studerade regionen (Södertälje kommun) är efterfrågan på ekologiska livsmedel – från såväl hushåll och företag och andra organisationer som kommunen själv – hög jämfört med övriga Sverige. EU:s utvidgning innebär en möjlighet till förändrad förvaltning av Östersjön och jordbrukssektorn. En omställning i stor skala till ekologiskt kretsloppsjordbruk skulle leda till miljöförbättringar. En hållbar förvaltning av Östersjön, något som överenskommits inom ramen för HELCOM, kan inte uppnås samtidigt som jordbruksproduktionen maximeras i länderna runt Östersjön. Jordbruket orsakar betydande externa kostnader. Betalningsviljan för en förbättrad Östersjömiljö är stor vilket motiverar investeringar i ett miljövänligare, hållbart jordbruk. Medlemmarna i HELCOM, däribland Sveriges regering, har såväl ekonomiska som miljömässiga incitament att utnyttja möjligheten som Polens och de baltiska staternas EU-medlemskap innebär. / <p>QC 20160523</p>