The role of development planning for food security in the sugar industry of KwaZulu-Natal
Date
2019
Authors
Mkhwanazi, Sinenhlanhla Princess
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The challenges of development planning for food security are analysed, using the case
of the sugar cane industry of KwaZulu-Natal as a crop producing unit of analysis for
the study. The impact analysis of climate and environmental changes appear to be
detrimental to crop production. This has affected output and thus the sustainability of
food production and security. The research methodology engaged experts in the field
of sugar cane farming though questionnaires, books and journal articles. The analysis
of data used a mixed methods approach. This assisted in identifying the current driving
forces in the sugar cane industry as an agricultural crop producer. The identified trends
were in line with global trends, identified as anthropogenic threats of a deteriorating
environment which intimidates the global food production system.
The research findings revealed that the existing planning methods used by the sugar
cane industry focused on short term and production planning, limiting the analysis of
the driving tools of food production and crop farming. To further engage the findings,
the research analysed the identified trends and further applied future research
methods of Scenario Planning as the proposed development planning tool. This
applied method of forecasting assisted in identifying and projecting mitigating methods
for acute threats that arise as the driving trends, such as climate change, the
environment and the evolving of population dynamics. The research objective and
anticipated outcome is to develop a food production system that is resilient and
adaptable to the changing climate and agricultural environment.
This research is a fundamental contribution to the development of methodology for a
proposed policy strategy and framework because it demonstrates the possibility of the
development of a food production system that is resilient and adaptable. This
translates into informing forecasting methodology, which is projected through strategic
policy development for the desired future outcomes. This presents an opportunity for
further research and contribution to sustainable methods that develop agricultural
systems and protect human security against food insecurity.
Description
Research presented for the degree of Masters of Management in
Public Policy to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management of the University of the Witwatersrand, February 2019