Commercial agriculture in the Swartland : investigating emerging trends towards more sustainable food production

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis was to determine whether or not examples exist of commercial grain farmersin the Swartland region of South Africa moving away from high-external-input agriculturalproduction systems towards production systems based on ecologically restorative partnerships withsoils and other natural systems. The research also sought to understand why these farmers werechanging their approach to farming, as well as investigating the specific technologies and practicesthey were implementing in order to achieve these changes. In addition, the thesis also consideredthe theoretical implications of these changes on food security in the Western Cape.Three research approaches were employed: qualitative case studies of seven progressive farmers inthe region; a literature review; and an analysis of secondary data. Throughout these threeapproaches, Swilling and Annecke's conceptualisation of a multifaceted global polycrisis was used asa conceptual reference point. This was done with the intention of providing an agricultural analysiswhich looks beyond the farm gate and takes cognisance of the broader socio-ecological issues whichaffect and are affected by agriculture.The research identified seven farmers who are shifting towards lower-external-input productionmethods, which focus on enhancing beneficial partnerships with natural systems. The on-siteinterviews and observations revealed that the degree to which these seven farmers were alteringtheir practices varied significantly. However, four key technologies and practices were identified asbeing common to all seven farmers: the use of legume rotations, reduced tillage, new styles ofplanters and increasing farm size.With regard to food security, the research suggested that current changes in these farmers'agricultural practices could assist in keeping food prices and food production levels more stable infuture, compared to production using high-external-input practices previously employed by thefarmers. The potential improvement in production stability was shown to result mainly fromimprovements in soil health, as these improvements give crops increased resilience to unfavourableweather conditions, greater disease-resistance and improved vitality. The potential improvement inprice stability stemmed predominantly from increased input-use efficiency and the utilisation ofnatural fertility and pest-management practices which were less susceptible to monopolistic inputsales structures, international shortages and the increasing cost of fossil fuels.Due to the small size of the case study sample and the fact that this research focussed specifically onfarmers who were considered progressive, the findings presented in this thesis cannot be viewed asrepresentative of the larger agricultural region. The intention was rather to establish the positivechanges currently underway, in order to provide useful pointers for similarly beneficial changes to beimplemented elsewhere.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University