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Journal Article
A socio-ecological and post growth rural households’ food security and sovereignty status in rural areas of Mpumalanga, South Africa
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Abstract: The aim of the study is to assess rural household food security and sovereignty status at Nkomazi Local Municipality. The study is informed by the post-growth theory, with careful consideration of the social-ecological embedment and politically engaged market activity informed by peasant modes of production and distribution. The significance of both theory and action, translating theory into action and subjecting activity to critical-theoretical scrutiny must be highlighted in the search for post-growth futures. Food Sovereignty Movements are a great illustration of this type of activity. The data was collected from 383 households, 4 key informants from Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and 3 key informant from Nkomazi Local Municipality, using a mixed-method research approach, namely convergent parallel approach. Two research designs were employed, namely phenomenology and a non-experimental design (correlational). The research's paradigm is pragmatic, using both inductive and deductive reasoning to properly analyse the concepts of food security and sovereignty from a realist and interpretive standpoint. The study triangulated both qualitative and quantitative data by drawing on these different data sources. Data was analysed through thematic and statistical analysis. The closed-ended data (quantitative data) was coded, moved to code sheets, transferred to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, and then transferred to a computer program called Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. Therefore, the study considered a 24-hour recall, and the findings shows that 79% of the households rely on local foods to ensure variety in their diet each day. This agrees with the findings from key informants who indicated that households follow a more condensed and focused value chain. Consequently, participants hinted that some of the household's produce is typically sold in informal markets in rural locations and urban areas. Therefore, a T-test was run to check the association between food production, security, and sovereignty. The significance difference was found to be less than p< 0.005, the study did not accept the null hypothesis, that reflected that there was no statistical deference between the variables. This shows that there is a significant difference between food security and sovereignty when considering food frequency (the number of meals per day) and occurrence (the number of accidences) at household level. In order to examine food security at household level the study examined the correlation between indigenous food production, food security and sovereignty. The results showed a significance level of p<. 001 which indicates that there is no significant difference for both variables, with a degree of freedom at df= 2. Hence the null hypothesis was rejected. Therefore, the study recommended the incorporation of indigenous and pioneering knowledge systems on food production practices to ensure further development.
Citation: Ngwamba, M.P. and Nojiyeza, I.S. 2023. A socio-ecological and post growth rural households’ food security and sovereignty status in rural areas of Mpumalanga, South Africa. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, 16(12), pp.61-72.
Publication Place: Canada
Other: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4672048
Journal Title: OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development
Journal Issue / Part Number: 16 / 12
Peer reviewed: Yes
International Conference: issn
Keynote / Plenary: issn
In Proceedings: issn
ISSN: 1923-6662 (online)
Other: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4672048
Publisher: Ontario International Development Agency
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