Browsing by Author "Gibson, William Adriaan"

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    Agro-ecological and Conservation Agriculture principles to assist large-scale dryland sugarcane farmers in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands South region to improve soil quality
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03) Gibson, William Adriaan; Haysom, Gareth; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Average sugarcane yields over the past four decades in some regions of the South African sugarcane industry have reached a plateau or are declining. One of the reasons for sugarcane yield decline is soil degradation. The aim of this research was to ascertain if Agro-ecological and Conservation Agriculture principles could assist large-scale dryland sugarcane farmers to improve soil quality. The research questions were designed to determine the perspectives of researchers and the targeted group of sugarcane farmers’ on soil quality and how they engaged with the topic. A further objective was to ascertain what sugarcane farming practices were recommended and implemented to improve soil quality and whether they conformed to Agro-ecological or Conservation Agriculture practices. A third objective was to investigate whether Agro-ecological and Conservation Agriculture practices could contribute towards the development of a management system to help sugarcane farmers improve soil quality. An extensive literature review was undertaken. The main topics researched were soil degradation, soil quality, sugarcane yield decline, Agro-ecology and Conservation Agriculture. Four case studies were conducted in the Midlands South sugarcane region. Four preselected large-scale dryland sugarcane farmers were interviewed on-farm using a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. These sugarcane farmers had already implemented various sugarcane farming practices to improve soil quality. The questionnaire was designed to capture the farmers’ practices, perspectives and soil quality improvement needs. All the interviewed farmers wished to improve their soil quality. They requested more information on the topics of soil degradation, soil quality improvement practices and requested practical soil health monitoring tests. The farmers mainly implemented farming practices that practically fitted their farm system and did not require large capital outlays. Whilst a large volume of research has been conducted on sugarcane soil quality, no literature was found directly associating Agro-ecological or Conservation Agriculture farming systems with sugarcane soil management in South Africa. Many potential sugarcane farming practices that improve soil quality were documented. Those practices that conformed to Agro-ecological and / or Conservation Agriculture principles were identified. A key principle of Agro-ecology is that ecological relationships and beneficial interactions must be promoted within the farming system. A key principle of Conservation Agriculture is that it will only work optimally if all the technical aspects are implemented simultaneously. The proposal is made to adopt site specific farming practices that have multiple soil quality benefits and are synergistic or complementary to existing practices. Three key aspects of Agro-ecology and Conservation Agriculture that may improve sugarcane soil quality were identified from the research. Soil organic matter should be conserved and enhanced, biodiversity should be promoted and ecosystems should be protected and enhanced. It is proposed that when farmers decide which soil quality improvement farming practices to implement they should consider the impact these will have on the above three factors. A sustainable soil quality management system, based on Agro-ecological and Conservation principles to improve sugarcane soil properties is proposed. Practical research will need to be conducted to test this hypothesis.