An investigation of natuurboerdery (natural farming) approach : a ZZ2 case study

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to provide the first in depth description of the natuurboerderyfarming system as developed and adopted by ZZ2, a privately-owned farming conglomerate in South Africa. Natuurboerdery aims to increase agricultural productivity and sustainability while maintaining environmental integrity to contribute to overall sustainability. A case study research design using multiple sources and techniques for data gathering was applied to investigate the reasons for and process of converting from conventional farming tonatuurboerdery, describe the principles and practices of natuurboerdery farming and document the changes and benefits realised by conversion. It was established that ZZ2 converted tonatuurboerdery farming due to the challenges associated with conventional methods of farming. The main challenges ZZ2 experienced were recurrent pests and diseases which were becoming difficult to control with inorganic pesticides, large decreases in yields and unsustainable production outputs or returns to support production costs mainly due to the escalating cost of inorganic pesticides and fertilisers. ZZ2 also became aware of the growing customer demand for healthy food produced by ethically accepted methods while minimising environmental degradation. A conceptual framework was developed to describe the natuurboerdery farming system, based on five principles or health aspects: agro-ecosystem health, soil health, plant health, food health and human health. All of the practices developed and adopted by ZZ2 were described and classified in terms of this framework. Natuurboerdery integrates the use of inorganic fertilisers and organic soil amendments for soil health and plant nutrition; inorganic pesticides, fermented plant extracts from herbal plants with insecticidal properties, EM products, compost teas and biological control agents for plant protection. The conversion to natuurboerdery resulted in changes and benefits which were described and classified under: strategic and technical, economic, social and ecological and environmental. The main findings were that soil health has improved, soil organic carbon levels have increased, the use of inorganic products for plant nutrition and protection has decreased with significant cost savings, yields have risen, water availability has increased and energy spending has been reduced. The conclusions drawn from the research findings indicate that natuurboerdery is neither organic nor conventional farming which indicates that inorganic and organic inputs are compatible in sustainable farming systems. Thenatuurboerdery farming approach is a potentially sustainable farming system which works with nature. Areas for further scholarship, research and recommendations have been identified to improve the sustainability of natuurboerdery.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University