Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With the inception of precision farming techniques during the last decade, agricultural
efficiency has improved, leading to greater productivity and enhanced economic
benefits associated with agriculture. The awareness of health risks associated with
food borne diseases has also increased. Systems such as Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Points (RACCP) in the USA and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in
Europe are trying to ensure that no food showing signs of microbial contamination
associated with production techniques are allowed onto the export market. Growers
participating in exporting are thus being forced to conform to the requirements set by
international customers.
The aim of this study was to compile a computerized record keeping system that
would aid farmers with the implementation of GAP on farms, by making use of GIS
capabilities. A database, consisting of GAP-specific data was developed. ArcView
GIS was used to implement the database, while customized analyses procedures
through the use of Avenue assisted in GAP-specific farming related decisions. An
agricultural area focusing on the export market was needed for this study, and the nut
producing Levubu district was identified as ideal.
By making use of ArcView GIS, distinct relationships between different data sets
were portrayed in tabular, graphical, geographical and report format. GAP
requirements state that growers must base decisions on timely, relevant information.
With information available in the above-mentioned formats, decisions regarding
actions taken can be justified. By analysing the complex interaction between datasets,
the influences that agronomical inputs have on production were portrayed, moving
beyond the standard requirements of GAP.
Agricultural activities produce enormous quantities of data, and GIS proved to be an
indispensable tool because of the ability to analyse and manipulate data with a spatial
component.
The implementation of good agricultural practices lends itself to the use of GIS. With
the correct information available at the right time, better decisions can promote optimal croppmg, whilst rmmrrnzmg the negative effects on the consumer and
environment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gedurende die afgelope dekade het die gebruik van presisie boerderytegnieke tot
verbeterde gewasverbouing gelei, wat verhoogde produktiwiteit en ekonomiese
welvarendheid tot gevolg gehad het. 'n Wêreldwye bewustheid ten opsigte van die
oordrag van siektekieme geasosieer met varsprodukte het ontstaan. Met die
implementering van Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) en Good
Agricultural Practices (GAP), poog die VSA en Europa om voedsel wat tekens van
besmetting toon van die invoermark te weerhou. Buitelandse produsente en
uitvoerders word dus hierdeur gedwing om by internasionale voedselstandaarde aan te
pas.
Hierdie navorsing het ten doel gehad om 'n gerekenariseerde rekordhouding stelsel
daar te stel wat produsente sal bystaan tydens die implementering van GAP, deur
gebruik te maak van GIS. 'n Databasis gerig op die implementering van GAP is
ontwerp. ArcView GIS is gebruik word om die databasis te implementeer, waarna
spesifieke navrae die data ontleed het om sodoende die besluitnemingsproses te
vergemaklik. 'n Landbou-area wat aktief in die uitvoermark deelneem was benodig
vir dié studie, en die Levubu distrik was ideaal.
Verwantskappe tussen datastelle is bepaal en uitgebeeld in tabel-, grafiek- en verslag
vorm. Die suksesvolle implementering van GAP vereis dat alle besluite op relevante
inligting gebaseer word, en met inligting beskikbaar in die bogenoemde formaat kan
alle besluite geregverdig word. Deur die komplekse interaksie tussen insette en
produksie te analiseer, was dit moontlik om verwantskappe uit te beeld wat verder
strek as wat GAP vereistes stipuleer. Deur die gebruikerskoppelvlak in ArcView te
verpersoonlik is die gebruiker nie belaai met onnodige berekeninge nie.
Aktiwiteite soos landbou produseer groot datastelle, en die vermoë van GIS om die
ruimtelike verwantskappe te analiseer en uit te beeld, het getoon dat GIS 'n
instrumentele rol in die besluitnemingsproses speel. Deur middel van beter
besluitneming kan optimale gewasverbouing verseker word, terwyl die negatiewe
impak op die verbruiker en omgewing tot 'n minimum beperk word.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/53440 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Schreiber, Werner |
| Contributors | Zietsman, H. L., Phil, M. A. D., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies . |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 60, 15, [6] p. : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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