Exploring the role of digital technologies in creating sustainable value chains using circular economy principles for small-scale agripreneurship in South Africa
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Authors
Ntoyanto-Tyatyantsi, Nonceba
Issue Date
2024-05-29
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Small-scale agripreneurs , Circular economy , Digital technologies , Value chains , Food security , Resources based-view , Natural resource based-view , Oosomashishini abasakhasayo kwezolimo , Imveliso yezoqoqosho , Ubuchephweshe bedijithali , Iinkqubo zemveliso , Ukhuseleko lokutya , Ingcamango esekelwe kwimithombo , Ingcamango esekelwe kwimithombo yendalo , Osomabhizinisi abancane kwezolimo , Ukusebenza komnotho , Ubuchwepheshe bedijithali , Imikhiqizo yezolimo , Ukuvikeleka kokudla , Ukubheka ngokwezinsiza , Ukubheka ngokwezinsiza ngokwemvelo , SDG 1 No Poverty , SDG 2 Zero Hunger , SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth , SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Alternative Title
Abstract
Food security is a critical global concern, specifically in Africa, where hunger is increasing. Food waste and spoilage are major problems throughout agricultural value chains. The agricultural sector plays a crucial role in dealing with the growing global food insecurity crisis. However, climate change is exacerbating extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and heat waves, which threaten crop and livestock yields in Africa and reduce productivity.
Given this context, the study aimed to explore innovative strategies, particularly through small-scale agripreneurship. It focused on integrating digital technologies and circular economy principles into these ventures to enhance productivity, sustainability and food accessibility. The study also examined the challenges posed by resource constraints, knowledge gaps and climate change on agricultural productivity, which collectively undermine the sector's effectiveness and growth.
The study employed a qualitative research methodology, specifically a phenomenological research design. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Content analysis was applied to the data from interviews and focus group discussions with small-scale agripreneurs, agro-processors and industry experts in South Africa. Through rigorous data analysis, patterns and themes were identified, highlighting the potential of digital technologies and circular economy principles to establish efficient and sustainable agricultural value chains. As a result, the study fills a significant knowledge gap by examining how digital technologies can alleviate food insecurity, reduce unemployment, and enhance socio-economic and environmental well-being. It highlights the transformative potential of digital technology and circular economy principles to improve small-scale agripreneurship in South Africa, despite challenges, such as limited financial and technical resources.
The study introduces an innovative framework that combines digital technologies with circular economy principles, based on the theoretical frameworks of Resource-Based View (RBV) and Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV). The framework aims to enhance the competitiveness of small-scale agripreneurs and address inefficiencies in the value chain, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The proposed framework emphasises key elements for sustainable small-scale agripreneurship: government support, collaborations, infrastructure, digitalisation, and value chain creation. The findings highlight that government support is essential for developing policies that offer financial aid, training, and incentives for sustainable practices. Moreover, robust collaboration among agripreneurs, government entities, universities, and the private sector are essential for fostering a supportive ecosystem.
The study significantly contributes to the research on promoting sustainable food production systems in Africa, and offers practical recommendations for policymakers, industry practitioners and academia. Future research should focus on the potential of digital technologies for circular economy practices and assess the effectiveness of support programs and policies that promote their
Ukhuseleko lokutya yinkxalabo ephezulu kakhulu kwihlabathi jikelele, ngakumbi eAfrika, apho indlala ihlala isanda khona. Ukumoshakala nokonakala kokutya yingxaki enkulu kuyo yonke imveliso yezolimo. Icandelo lezolimo lidlala indima ebalulekileyo ekuqubulisaneni nengxaki yokunqongophala kokutya kwihlabathi jikelele. Nangona kunjalo, ukutshintsha kwemozulu kwandisa iimeko zemozulu ezimbi kakhulu ezifana nembalela, izikhukhula kunye nobushushu obugqithisileyo, nto leyo ebeka emngciphekweni isivuno sezityalo nemfuyo kwaye inciphisa imveliso eAfrika. Ngokwa le ntsusa, olu phando belujolise ekuphononongeni izicwangcisoqhinga eziveliswe ngokutsha, ngakumbi kushishino lwezolimo lwabakhasayo. Olu phando belukwajolise ekudibaniseni ubuchwepheshe bedijithali kunye nemigaqo yemveliso yezoqoqosho kwezolimo kula malinge ukuphucula imveliso, ukuzinza kunye nokufikelela ekutyeni. Olu phando lukwaphicothe imingeni ebangelwa kukunqongophala kwezibonelelo, umsantsa wokungabi nalwazi kunye nokutshintsha kwemozulu kwimveliso yezolimo, ethi ngokudibeneyo ijongele phantsi ukusebenza ngempumelelo nokukhula kweli candelo. Olu phando lusebenzise isikhokelo sophando sophandontyilazwi, ngokukodwa uyilo ngokwamava oluntu kwezentlalo. Idatha iqokelelwe ngodliwanondlebe olunzulu kunye neengxoxo ezijolise kumaqela athile. Uhlalutyo lokuqulethiweyo lusetyenziswe kwidatha yodliwanondlebe nakwiingxoxo ezijolise kumaqela oosomashishini bezolimo abasakhasayo, abavelisi beemveliso zolimo kunye neengcaphephe kwicandelo lezolimo eMzantsi Afrika. Ngohlalutyo olucokisekileyo lwedatha, kuye kwachongwa iipatheni kunye nemixholo, egqamisa ukukwazi kobuchwepheshe bedijithali kunye nemigaqo yemveliso yezoqoqosho ukuseka iinkqubo zemveliso yezolimo ezisebenzayo nezizinzileyo. Ngenxa yoko, olu phando luvala umsantsa obonakalayo kulwazi ngokuphicotha ukuba ubuchwepheshe bedijithali bungakuphelisa njani ukungakhuseleki kokutya, bunciphise intswelangqesho, kunye nokuphucula intlalontle yezoqoqosho nokusingqongileyo. Olu phando lugqamisa ukukwazi kobuchwepheshe bedijithali kunye nemigaqo yemveliso yezoqoqosho ukuzisa utshintsho ekuphuculeni kushishino lwezolimo olusakhasayo eMzantsi Afrika, nangona kukho imingeni, efana nokunqongophala kwezibonelelo zemali nezobuchwepheshe. Olu phando lwazisa ngesikhokelo esitsha esidibanisa ubuchwephese bedijithali nemigaqo yemveliso yezoqoqosho, esisekelwe kwizikhokelo zethiyori zeNgcamango eSekelwe kwiMithombo (iRBV) kunye neNgcamango eSekelwe kwiMithombo yeNdalo (iNRBV). Esi sikhokelo sijolise ekuphuculeni ukukhuphisana koosomashishini bezolimo abasakhasayo kunye nokujongana nokungasebenzi kakuhle kwemveliso yezolimo, ukukhuthaza iinkqubo ezizinzileyo kwezolimo. Esi sikhokelo siphakanyiswayo sigxininisa imiba engundoqo kumashishini ezolimo asakhasayo azinzileyo: inkxaso evela kurhulumente, intsebenziswano, iziseko ezingundoqo, idijithali, kunye nokudalwa kweenkqubo zemveliso. Ezi ziphumo zigqamisa ukuba inkxaso evela kurhulumente ibalulekile ekuqulunqeni imigaqonkqubo ebonelela ngenkxaso yemali, uqeqesho, kunye nokukhuthaza iinkqubo ezizinzileyo. Ngaphezu koko, intsebenziswano ebuqilima phakathi kwabasebenzi bezolimo, amaqumrhu karhulumente, iiyunivesithi, kwakunye necandelo labucala ibalulekile ekukhuthazeni inkxaso kwezendalo. Olu phando lunegalelo elibonakalayo kuphando lokukhuthaza iinkqubo zemveliso yokutya ezizinzileyo eAfrika, kwaye lunikeza iingcebiso ezisebenzayo kubaqulunqi bemigaqonkqubo, iingcali kwezoshishino nakwizifundiswa. Kufuneka uphando lwexesha elizayo lugxininise ekukwazeni kobuchwepheshe bedijithali ukusebenziseka kwiinkqubo zemveliso yezoqoqosho kunye nokuhlola ukusebenza kweenkqubo nemigaqonkqubo yenkxaso ekhuthaza ukuhlanganiswa kwazo kwimifuziselo yezoshishino ukudala uqoqosho olukwaziyo ukumelana nobunzima noluzinzileyo.
Ukuvikeleka kokudla kuyinto ebaluleke kakhulu emhlabeni jikelele, ikakhulu e-Afrika, nokulapho indlala idla lubi khona. Ukunakala kanye nokumosheka kokudla kuyinkinga enkulu ngokwayo yonke imikhiqizo yezolimo. Umkhakha wezolimo udlala indima ebalulekile ekubhekaneni nenkinga yokuswelakala kokudla emhlabeni jikelele. Kodwa-ke, ukuguquguquka kwesimo sezulu kunomphumela ongemuhle impela lapho singabala khona isomiso, izikhukhula nokushisa kwelanga ngokweqile, nokubeka engcupheni isivuno sezitshalo nemfuyo e-Afrika kuphinde kunciphise umkhiqizo. Uma sibuka le ngqikithi, ucwaningo luhlose ukuhlola amasu amasha okusebenza, ikakhulu ekubhekeni amabhizinisi amancane ezolimo. Lapha kugxilwe ekuhlanganiseni ubuchwepheshe bedijithali kanye nemigomo yezomnotho kulezi zinhlelo zokuthuthukisa ukukhiqiza, ukusimama kanye nokutholakala kokudla. Ucwaningo luphinde lwahlola izinselelo ezidalwa ukuswelakala kwezinsiza, yigebe phakathi kolwazi kanye nokuguquguquka kwesimo sezulu emikhiqizweni yezolimo, okulimaza ngokuhlanganyela ukusebenza ngempumelelo nokukhula komkhakha. Lolu cwaningo luqoqe ulwazi ngokusebenzisa indlela yokucwaninga iqophelo, okube yindlela engajwayelekile ukusetshenziswa. Idatha iqoqwe ngezinkulumongxoxo ezijulile nokuxoxisana namaqoqo abantu. Lapha kuye kwahlaziywa okuqukethwe kusetshenziswa idatha evela ngokwezinkulumongxoxo nokuxoxisana kwamaqoqo ngokosomabhizinisi amancane kwezolimo, amakhiqizi bezolimo kanye nochwepheshe bezimboni eNingizimu Afrika. Ngokuhlaziywa kwedatha enzulu, kuye kwahlonzwa izindlela nemiqondo engasetshenziswa, ukugqamisa amandla obuchwepheshe bedijithali kanye nemigomo yomnotho ukuze kusungulwe imikhiqizo yezolimo esebenza kahle. Ngenxa yalokho, lolu cwaningo ludlala indima ekuvaleni igebe elibalulekile kwezolwazi ngokuhlola ukuthi ubuchwepheshe bedijithali bungalekelela kanjani ekuvikeleni ukudla, ukunciphisa ukuntuleka kwemisebenzi, kanye nokuthuthukisa inhlalomnotho kanye nenhlalakahle kwezemvelo. Lolu cwaningo lugqamisa amandla okuguqula ubuchwepheshe bedijithali kanye nemigomo yomnotho ukuze kuthuthukiswe osomabhizinisi abancane bezolimo eNingizimu Afrika, nakuba kunezinselelo okubalwa kuzo, ukuntuleka kwezinsizakusebenza zezezimali nezobuchwepheshe. Lolu cwaningo lwethula uhlaka olusha oluhlanganisa ubuchwepheshe bedijithali nemigomo yezomnotho, ngokususela kuhlaka lwetiyori Yokubhekwa Ngokwezinsiza (RBV) kanye Nokubheka Ngokwezinsiza Ngokwemvelo (NRBV). Lolu hlaka luhlose ukuthuthukisa ukuncintisana kosomabhizinisi abancane bezolimo kanye nokubhekana nokungasebenzi kahle kwemikhiqizo yezolimo, ukukhuthaza izindlela ezisimeme zezolimo. Uhlaka oluhlongozwayo lugcizelela iminxa ebalulekile ekusimameni kwezosomabhizinisi amancane bezolimo: ukwesekwa kukahulumeni, ukusebenzisana, ingqalasizinda, ukwenziwa kwedijithali, nokwakheka kwemikhiqizo yezolimo. Imiphumela igqamisa ukuthi kubalulekile ukwesekwa nguhulumeni ekusunguleni izinqubomgomo ezihlinzeka ngosizo lwezezimali, ukuqeqeshwa, kanye nokukhuthaza izindlela ezikahle zokusebenza. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kubalulekile futhi nokubambisana phakathi kwabalimi, izinhlangano zikahulumeni, amanyuvesi, kanye nezinkampani ezizimele ukuze kukhuthazwe uhlelo lokweseka ubudlelwane bemvelo. Lolu cwaningo lunegalelo elikhulu ocwaningweni lokuthuthukisa izinhlelo ezisimeme zokukhiqiza ukudla e-Afrika, futhi luhlinzeka abasunguli bezinqubomgomo ngezincomo ezisebenzayo, kanjalo nabasebenzi bezimboni kanye nezifundiswa. Ucwaningo olulandelayo kufanele lugxile emandleni obuchwepheshe bedijithali ekuqhamukeni nezinqubo zomnotho kuphinde kuhlolwe nokusebenza kahle kwezinhlelo zokweseka nezinqubomgomo ezithuthukisa ukuhlanganiswa kwalokhu endleleni yokusebenza kwebhizinisi ukuze kwakhiwe umnotho ozinzile noqinile.
Ukhuseleko lokutya yinkxalabo ephezulu kakhulu kwihlabathi jikelele, ngakumbi eAfrika, apho indlala ihlala isanda khona. Ukumoshakala nokonakala kokutya yingxaki enkulu kuyo yonke imveliso yezolimo. Icandelo lezolimo lidlala indima ebalulekileyo ekuqubulisaneni nengxaki yokunqongophala kokutya kwihlabathi jikelele. Nangona kunjalo, ukutshintsha kwemozulu kwandisa iimeko zemozulu ezimbi kakhulu ezifana nembalela, izikhukhula kunye nobushushu obugqithisileyo, nto leyo ebeka emngciphekweni isivuno sezityalo nemfuyo kwaye inciphisa imveliso eAfrika. Ngokwa le ntsusa, olu phando belujolise ekuphononongeni izicwangcisoqhinga eziveliswe ngokutsha, ngakumbi kushishino lwezolimo lwabakhasayo. Olu phando belukwajolise ekudibaniseni ubuchwepheshe bedijithali kunye nemigaqo yemveliso yezoqoqosho kwezolimo kula malinge ukuphucula imveliso, ukuzinza kunye nokufikelela ekutyeni. Olu phando lukwaphicothe imingeni ebangelwa kukunqongophala kwezibonelelo, umsantsa wokungabi nalwazi kunye nokutshintsha kwemozulu kwimveliso yezolimo, ethi ngokudibeneyo ijongele phantsi ukusebenza ngempumelelo nokukhula kweli candelo. Olu phando lusebenzise isikhokelo sophando sophandontyilazwi, ngokukodwa uyilo ngokwamava oluntu kwezentlalo. Idatha iqokelelwe ngodliwanondlebe olunzulu kunye neengxoxo ezijolise kumaqela athile. Uhlalutyo lokuqulethiweyo lusetyenziswe kwidatha yodliwanondlebe nakwiingxoxo ezijolise kumaqela oosomashishini bezolimo abasakhasayo, abavelisi beemveliso zolimo kunye neengcaphephe kwicandelo lezolimo eMzantsi Afrika. Ngohlalutyo olucokisekileyo lwedatha, kuye kwachongwa iipatheni kunye nemixholo, egqamisa ukukwazi kobuchwepheshe bedijithali kunye nemigaqo yemveliso yezoqoqosho ukuseka iinkqubo zemveliso yezolimo ezisebenzayo nezizinzileyo. Ngenxa yoko, olu phando luvala umsantsa obonakalayo kulwazi ngokuphicotha ukuba ubuchwepheshe bedijithali bungakuphelisa njani ukungakhuseleki kokutya, bunciphise intswelangqesho, kunye nokuphucula intlalontle yezoqoqosho nokusingqongileyo. Olu phando lugqamisa ukukwazi kobuchwepheshe bedijithali kunye nemigaqo yemveliso yezoqoqosho ukuzisa utshintsho ekuphuculeni kushishino lwezolimo olusakhasayo eMzantsi Afrika, nangona kukho imingeni, efana nokunqongophala kwezibonelelo zemali nezobuchwepheshe. Olu phando lwazisa ngesikhokelo esitsha esidibanisa ubuchwephese bedijithali nemigaqo yemveliso yezoqoqosho, esisekelwe kwizikhokelo zethiyori zeNgcamango eSekelwe kwiMithombo (iRBV) kunye neNgcamango eSekelwe kwiMithombo yeNdalo (iNRBV). Esi sikhokelo sijolise ekuphuculeni ukukhuphisana koosomashishini bezolimo abasakhasayo kunye nokujongana nokungasebenzi kakuhle kwemveliso yezolimo, ukukhuthaza iinkqubo ezizinzileyo kwezolimo. Esi sikhokelo siphakanyiswayo sigxininisa imiba engundoqo kumashishini ezolimo asakhasayo azinzileyo: inkxaso evela kurhulumente, intsebenziswano, iziseko ezingundoqo, idijithali, kunye nokudalwa kweenkqubo zemveliso. Ezi ziphumo zigqamisa ukuba inkxaso evela kurhulumente ibalulekile ekuqulunqeni imigaqonkqubo ebonelela ngenkxaso yemali, uqeqesho, kunye nokukhuthaza iinkqubo ezizinzileyo. Ngaphezu koko, intsebenziswano ebuqilima phakathi kwabasebenzi bezolimo, amaqumrhu karhulumente, iiyunivesithi, kwakunye necandelo labucala ibalulekile ekukhuthazeni inkxaso kwezendalo. Olu phando lunegalelo elibonakalayo kuphando lokukhuthaza iinkqubo zemveliso yokutya ezizinzileyo eAfrika, kwaye lunikeza iingcebiso ezisebenzayo kubaqulunqi bemigaqonkqubo, iingcali kwezoshishino nakwizifundiswa. Kufuneka uphando lwexesha elizayo lugxininise ekukwazeni kobuchwepheshe bedijithali ukusebenziseka kwiinkqubo zemveliso yezoqoqosho kunye nokuhlola ukusebenza kweenkqubo nemigaqonkqubo yenkxaso ekhuthaza ukuhlanganiswa kwazo kwimifuziselo yezoshishino ukudala uqoqosho olukwaziyo ukumelana nobunzima noluzinzileyo.
Ukuvikeleka kokudla kuyinto ebaluleke kakhulu emhlabeni jikelele, ikakhulu e-Afrika, nokulapho indlala idla lubi khona. Ukunakala kanye nokumosheka kokudla kuyinkinga enkulu ngokwayo yonke imikhiqizo yezolimo. Umkhakha wezolimo udlala indima ebalulekile ekubhekaneni nenkinga yokuswelakala kokudla emhlabeni jikelele. Kodwa-ke, ukuguquguquka kwesimo sezulu kunomphumela ongemuhle impela lapho singabala khona isomiso, izikhukhula nokushisa kwelanga ngokweqile, nokubeka engcupheni isivuno sezitshalo nemfuyo e-Afrika kuphinde kunciphise umkhiqizo. Uma sibuka le ngqikithi, ucwaningo luhlose ukuhlola amasu amasha okusebenza, ikakhulu ekubhekeni amabhizinisi amancane ezolimo. Lapha kugxilwe ekuhlanganiseni ubuchwepheshe bedijithali kanye nemigomo yezomnotho kulezi zinhlelo zokuthuthukisa ukukhiqiza, ukusimama kanye nokutholakala kokudla. Ucwaningo luphinde lwahlola izinselelo ezidalwa ukuswelakala kwezinsiza, yigebe phakathi kolwazi kanye nokuguquguquka kwesimo sezulu emikhiqizweni yezolimo, okulimaza ngokuhlanganyela ukusebenza ngempumelelo nokukhula komkhakha. Lolu cwaningo luqoqe ulwazi ngokusebenzisa indlela yokucwaninga iqophelo, okube yindlela engajwayelekile ukusetshenziswa. Idatha iqoqwe ngezinkulumongxoxo ezijulile nokuxoxisana namaqoqo abantu. Lapha kuye kwahlaziywa okuqukethwe kusetshenziswa idatha evela ngokwezinkulumongxoxo nokuxoxisana kwamaqoqo ngokosomabhizinisi amancane kwezolimo, amakhiqizi bezolimo kanye nochwepheshe bezimboni eNingizimu Afrika. Ngokuhlaziywa kwedatha enzulu, kuye kwahlonzwa izindlela nemiqondo engasetshenziswa, ukugqamisa amandla obuchwepheshe bedijithali kanye nemigomo yomnotho ukuze kusungulwe imikhiqizo yezolimo esebenza kahle. Ngenxa yalokho, lolu cwaningo ludlala indima ekuvaleni igebe elibalulekile kwezolwazi ngokuhlola ukuthi ubuchwepheshe bedijithali bungalekelela kanjani ekuvikeleni ukudla, ukunciphisa ukuntuleka kwemisebenzi, kanye nokuthuthukisa inhlalomnotho kanye nenhlalakahle kwezemvelo. Lolu cwaningo lugqamisa amandla okuguqula ubuchwepheshe bedijithali kanye nemigomo yomnotho ukuze kuthuthukiswe osomabhizinisi abancane bezolimo eNingizimu Afrika, nakuba kunezinselelo okubalwa kuzo, ukuntuleka kwezinsizakusebenza zezezimali nezobuchwepheshe. Lolu cwaningo lwethula uhlaka olusha oluhlanganisa ubuchwepheshe bedijithali nemigomo yezomnotho, ngokususela kuhlaka lwetiyori Yokubhekwa Ngokwezinsiza (RBV) kanye Nokubheka Ngokwezinsiza Ngokwemvelo (NRBV). Lolu hlaka luhlose ukuthuthukisa ukuncintisana kosomabhizinisi abancane bezolimo kanye nokubhekana nokungasebenzi kahle kwemikhiqizo yezolimo, ukukhuthaza izindlela ezisimeme zezolimo. Uhlaka oluhlongozwayo lugcizelela iminxa ebalulekile ekusimameni kwezosomabhizinisi amancane bezolimo: ukwesekwa kukahulumeni, ukusebenzisana, ingqalasizinda, ukwenziwa kwedijithali, nokwakheka kwemikhiqizo yezolimo. Imiphumela igqamisa ukuthi kubalulekile ukwesekwa nguhulumeni ekusunguleni izinqubomgomo ezihlinzeka ngosizo lwezezimali, ukuqeqeshwa, kanye nokukhuthaza izindlela ezikahle zokusebenza. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kubalulekile futhi nokubambisana phakathi kwabalimi, izinhlangano zikahulumeni, amanyuvesi, kanye nezinkampani ezizimele ukuze kukhuthazwe uhlelo lokweseka ubudlelwane bemvelo. Lolu cwaningo lunegalelo elikhulu ocwaningweni lokuthuthukisa izinhlelo ezisimeme zokukhiqiza ukudla e-Afrika, futhi luhlinzeka abasunguli bezinqubomgomo ngezincomo ezisebenzayo, kanjalo nabasebenzi bezimboni kanye nezifundiswa. Ucwaningo olulandelayo kufanele lugxile emandleni obuchwepheshe bedijithali ekuqhamukeni nezinqubo zomnotho kuphinde kuhlolwe nokusebenza kahle kwezinhlelo zokweseka nezinqubomgomo ezithuthukisa ukuhlanganiswa kwalokhu endleleni yokusebenza kwebhizinisi ukuze kwakhiwe umnotho ozinzile noqinile.
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Abstracts and key words in English, Xhosa and Zulu