Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (ETDs)

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    The role of digital technologies in enabling subsistence farming in rural KwaZulu Natal
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Zulu, Mamakhethe; Magida, Ayanda
    Food security has grown in importance over the years, ranking among the world’s most pressing issues. High food demand has led to poverty, yet sustainable food production methods have proven effective in reducing it. Because of both macro and micro environmental factors, the adoption of digital technology in agriculture have recently had a significant impact on the global landscape. Digital technologies are assisting in meeting the increasing need for sustainable food production on a worldwide scale. This has been achieved by incorporating several digital technologies such as robotics, automation, sensors, Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics into agricultural processes to maximize crop yields, lower emissions, and optimize farming inputs. By allowing the traceability of goods and processes, this can enable transition from hard human labour to continually automated processes and thus improving agricultural productivity. This study aimed to investigate how digital technologies can enable subsistence farming in KwaZulu Natal. A qualitative approach was adopted for the research, thirteen participants who were subsistence farmers were interviewed using open ended questions. Thematic approach was used to analyse the findings. The findings revealed that adoption of digital technologies was still in its infancy stages, and this was attributed to socio-economic factors such as lack of digital skills, lack of capital to purchase and maintain farming technologies, access to reliable power sources and water. Incorporating technology into farming practices could lead to innovative farming in the rural communities of KZN who still practice conventional farming methods. By applying digital farming technologies, farmers can obtain precise and up-to-date observations on several factors impacting their yield, including plant health, soil quality, meteorological conditions, and the prevalence of pests and diseases. Digital technologies assist agricultural The role of digital technologies in enabling subsistence farming in rural KwaZulu Natal iii producers and academics to make better judgments by analysing the findings. Data obtained can enhance productivity, cut expenses, and oversee resources. Though unevenly, Southern Africa has been rapidly going digital. But the revolution that digitisation promised has not yet materialised in the food and agriculture sectors. Even if these technologies may still be in their infancy in Southern Africa, policymakers must have a forward-thinking mindset to foster an atmosphere that encourages the usage of digital solutions. Encouraging regulations, infrastructure, expertise, and government assistance will be critical in building the foundational elements required to enable DT in agriculture to flourish. It is important not to undervalue the importance of straightforward, useful, and relevant digital tools in African agriculture, particularly when interacting with farmers in rural arears.
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    Exploring the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to reduce production loss on farms in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mukumela, Mukandangalwo
    Production loss has been a longstanding hinderance to farmers that not only impacts the quality of harvest and quantity of yield but the profitability they are able to realize. The literature emphasizes the current state of agriculture in South Africa, the impact of production loss in the food production process, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and the adoption of technology in agriculture whilst the study aims to explore the use of UAVs to reduce production loss on farms in South Africa. Qualitative research was the chosen strategy, and seven research participants were interviewed through semi-structured interviews conducted online and field observations at a Forestry operation utilizing drones in Mpumalanga. The findings of the study highlight that the adoption of UAVs has the potential to reduce production loss on farms in South Africa with participants expressing optimism in drone technology to address losses through a more data informed view of farms, enhanced efficiency, and improved on farm practices. Factors that are either driving or limiting adoption of drones have been identified for future agricultural stakeholders to consider. The study’s findings contribute to agriculture and modernization in the industry by helping researchers and stakeholders develop an understanding of the various uses of drones and their role in improved efficiency and increased productivity on farms. The managerial implications stemming from the study suggest that a focus should be put on small-scale farmers who sit at the bottom-end of the adoption curve, issues related affordability should be addressed through government incentives and subsidies which will help reduce the upfront costs of adopting drone technology, improve farmers skills and knowledge as farmers need education and training on the effective use of drones and the benefits of drones and promote entrepreneurship which will directly lead to new innovations in software and hardware, more affordable drones, and value creation for agricultural end-users of UAVs.
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    Participation of previously disadvantaged people in the export of agricultural commodities
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Makgale, Joas Moabi Seatile; Vanyoro, Kudzaiishe; Wotela, Kambidima
    South Africa’s agricultural industry is dualistic in nature and has been for decades. This structure has ensured that only a few are able to enjoy the profits from the industry. The main objective of the current study is to interrogate the barriers that previously disadvantaged people face in participating in the export of agricultural commodities in South Africa’s agricultural industry. This is done with a focus on grain crops and the chosen area of study of Rustenburg; a town located in Moses Kotane Local Municipality (MKLM) in the North West province. Data was collected from 30 respondents who are previously disadvantaged grain crop farmers. The data were analysed using thematic data analysis. The findings of the study indicate that there are existing barriers to entry in the export market that particularly affect previously disadvantaged groups. These barriers include lack of knowledge as well as high levels of illiteracy, which disproportionately affects aging farmers. The study finds that the major barrier to entry is the structural set-up of the value chain, which enables commercial farmers to profit from the labor of the smallholder farmers. Smallholder farmers are heavily in debt and can barely earn a profit from their farm produce. To address these challenges, the research proposes a business venture model that will ensure that smallholder farmers are included in the export markets and concurrently scale themselves up into commercial farmers. The research also proposes the establishment of shared storage infrastructure in rural communities and owning machinery and equipment throughout the municipality. This would require a facilities management company to assume a custodian role to ensure proper management and administration of the business.
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    The Role of Philanthropy in Women Development through Food Security
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Makhubele, Thandi; Qobo, Mzukisi
    Food insecurity remains one of the critical issues for countries in the African continent. According to Pérez-Escamilla, (2017, p. 1), “food insecurity occurs when people do not have access to nutritious food and where food production is inadequate.” Most of the world’s rural population relies on agriculture for its livelihoods and to bolster their local economies (The World Bank Group, 2020). Small-scale farmers are the backbone of the agricultural sector in most rural areas. They (Small-scale farmers) provide access to food for vulnerable groups, including women and children (Misselhorn & Hendriks, 2017). Meanwhile women are the most affected by food insecurity, even though they are the main contributors to food production in most Sub-Saharan countries (Doss, 2018). Women in rural areas, in particular, rely on agriculture to fight food insecurity and to participate in local economies. In South Africa, small-scale women farmers ranked lowest in income accumulation, equal access to food production resources such as land and markets and financing (Sishuba, 2019). For this reason, government subsidies and philanthropic support are crucial for engaging women and assisting them with resources that can allow them to have equal access to land, resources, skills, and finances as their male counterparts. This research investigated the intersection between and among philanthropy, food security and women-owned initiatives in the agricultural sector in Limpopo. The study focuses on small- scale women farmers in the Vhembe and Capricorn districts in Limpopo, the two regions that are popular for large scale farming in South Africa. The research sought to answer the question; ‘what is the contribution of philanthropy to women development in the agriculture sector?’ A qualitative research approach was employed to explore the role of philanthropic organisations in women development, particularly in the agricultural sector in Limpopo. Two questionnaires through an online survey were used as the main methods to collect primary data . Forty seven (47) respondents were targeted. Of these, twenty four (24) were small scale farmers while twenty three (23) were drawn from philanthropic organisations operating in South Africa
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    An evaluation of black crop farmers facing economic difficulties in the Mpumalanga province
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Makukule, Matrix Kulani; Larbi, Lee
    Black crop farmers continue to play a key role in South Africa’s agriculture. However, they have been faced with a lot of challenges. The objective of this study was to investigate the obstacles that stood in their way, the types of crops that they raised, and the potential solutions to their predicament. The study used qualitative research methodologies and was based on a sample of farmers from the province of Mpumalanga. These farmers were interviewed, and the responses were analysed in terms of their quality. Because they did not have appropriate access to lands, agricultural financing, and technical help, the findings imply that black crop farmers were impoverished. Land reform, equal access to agricultural finance, and technical assistance were some of the recommendations made
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    The application of the internet of things in the South African livestock farming
    (2020) Mhlongo, Thuthuka T
    South Africa will need to increase its food supply by 50% by 2050, catering to an estimated population of seventy-three (73) million. In Quarter four (Q4) of 2019, the agriculture sector employed 885 000 people in South Africa and continues to play a vital part in job creation in the rural areas. There are 35 000 registered commercial farmers in South Africa, with 40% made up of field crop farmers while 60% comprises livestock farming. However, South African livestock farmers (producers) need to continuously deal with the changing environmental, social and economic factors that require innovative methods to ensure the sustainability of livestock production income. While the livestock farming sector needs to contribute towards the food security agenda, livestock farmers continue to deal with challenges related to predation of livestock and a surge in livestock theft. South Africa has realised the importance of the fourth industrial revolution as its potential to propel the country to the new age of digital prosperity. The advances in digital technologies have seen the emergence of new and complementary business models transforming many industries. Digital platforms such as the Internet of Things are poised to provide solutions to some of the most complex cross-industry challenges. In South Africa, there is an emergence of innovative data collection methods such as big data analytics and IoT currently being used for field crop and livestock monitoring, giving rise to precision farming. While IoT promises potential business value generation, recent studies show that IoT applications are confronted with challenges resulting in a handful of IoT projects deemed successful. The study explored the determinants that affect the Internet of Things (IoT) application in South African livestock farming. First, it evaluates the technical factors that play a role in the implementation of IoT; secondly evaluates the nontechnical factors and assesses the positioning of IoT solutions to customers (livestock enterprises) by IoT service providers as means for business value generation. Drawing from these different viewpoints, (1) technology, (2) user, and iv (3) the business aspect of IoT, the Design Thinking Framework was used to provide guiding principles that may be utilised to facilitate the application of IoT in South African livestock farming. This qualitative study followed the snowballing sampling approach to conduct telephonic interviews with IoT experts. The data was collected from a saturated sample size of 13 participants who posed local and international exposure in IoT application and livestock farming. Furthermore, a sizable group out of the 13 subjects were livestock farmers interviewed for triangulation purposes.