Thesis title: The role of information and communication technology in improving food safety in KwaZulu-Natal. The outcome of this study highlighted important factors to consider when assessing the impact of ICT on food security. This study uses the five key constructs from Rogers Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory, Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory and the technology acceptance model (TAM) to develop a model to better understand the role of ICT in food security in KwaZulu-Natal to understand.
The study also proposes the statement that ICT adoption in food security is associated with culture, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of the ICT innovation. Although the literature indicates many studies related to ICT adoption and diffusion, the role of ICTs in food security has not been studied in detail. A further gap in the literature highlighted that there were no recent studies that investigated specific ICTs such as GIS and Knowledge Management Systems and their role on food security.
Identifying constructs that influence ICT adoption in food security among small farmers in KwaZulu-Natal. The development of a proposed theoretical model for understanding diffusion and adoption of ICTs and their role on food security.
- Introduction
- Background and Context
- The Study Constructs
- Problem Statement
- Research Questions
- Sub Questions
- Research Objectives
- Research Methodology
- Relevance of The Study
- Structure of the Thesis
- Thesis Write-Up Convention
- Conclusion
It is such food insecure regions, with their increasing trends in hunger and continued decline in access to arable land (Figure 1) and poor crop yields as identified by Bruce and Pickett (2014), that have bring calls for food safety to the center. stage of the world agenda. The methodology followed in this study is described in section 1.7 and the significance of the study in section 1.8. The sub-Saharan region in Africa is considered to be one of the regions in the world whose inhabitants are highly malnourished.
The primary aim of this thesis is to identify constructs that are predictive of the adoption and diffusion of ICT among small farmers and will assist in understanding the role that ICT plays on food security in KwaZulu-Natal. To contribute to the scarce literature on ICT4D from an African perspective with a specific focus on food security and to the growing debate on the role of ICTs in food security. The study is divided into four phases that link to specific chapters of the thesis (Figure 2).
Phase one consists of the literature review of various concepts that form the research scope, e.g. This chapter explains the research in terms of the context of the research.
- Introduction
- ICT for Development (ICT4D)
- Understanding ICTs
- Defining Development
- The Role of ICTs in Rural Development
- ICT Adoption and Diffusion
- Digital Inclusiveness
- Technological Leapfrogging
- ICTs and Globalisation
- ICT for Agriculture
- Understanding Food Security
- ICTs and Food Security
- Global ICT Trends for Food Security
- ICTs for Food Security in Africa
- ICTs for Food Security in South Africa
- ICTs for Food Security in KwaZulu-Natal
- The Smallholder Farmer
- Gender Inequalities in Smallholder Farming
- Indigenous and Institutional Knowledge
- Culture
- Accessing Markets
- Information Access and Decision Making
- Smallholder Farmer Literacy
- Rural Extension
- Conclusion
Knowledge and information have been identified as a key factor in reducing food insecurity (Yaghoobi & Sarani, 2011), this is another factor that underlines the importance of using ICTs in food security. As the benefits of ICTs are well researched, little research has examined the role that ICTs play in food security within an African context. The World Bank (2008b) emphasizes the importance of small farms in increasing productivity levels in the agricultural sector which in turn has the potential to stimulate economic growth in other sectors of the economy.
It is in an effort to stimulate increased productivity of smallholder farmers and thereby reduce food insecurity that ICTs are being incorporated into agricultural practices. The study will assist planners and policy makers by providing insights and information on the role ICT plays in relation to food security. The study also aims to contribute to the achievement of the newly adopted United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17, focusing particularly on the goals of goal 17 for technology.
The approach the research will take in relation to the study's goals and how the study will achieve the goals. The chapter ends by giving the reader a brief explanation of how the thesis will be presented from chapter to chapter.
Introduction
Theoretical Frameworks
- The Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI)
- Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
- Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Model
Proposed framework for determining the role of ICT adoption in Food Security in
Conclusion
Introduction
In the previous chapter, the researcher discussed several theoretical frameworks of interest for this study and detailed the reasoning behind their selection and then the theoretical framework used in this study. In this chapter the researcher describes the research area and the sample collected, an outline of the research paradigm adopted, instruments for data collection, an account of the data preparation, data collection and processing and the methods used to the research questions in chapter one.
The Nature of the Research
Description of the Sampling Frame and Study Area
- Geographical Location, Socio-Economic/Socio-Institutional Characteristics
- Vulnerability Classification
Research Design
- Research Philosophy
- Research Approach
- Research Strategy
- Time Horizon
Research Techniques and Procedures
- Ethical Considerations
- Sampling Technique and Sample Size
- Pilot Study
- Methods of Data Collection
- Research Questions
- Research Instrument
- Data Analysis
Limitations
Conclusions
After completing the survey instruments and all administrative requirements, data collection followed. Sekaran and Bougie (2010) support the use of survey technique to achieve explanatory and descriptive objectives. The different layers of the research onion are identified in “Figure 24 to the stage of data collection and analysis.
Another principle that underpins this philosophy is the assumption that the researcher is independent of the study. H0: The nature of the social system in which smallholder farmers exist does not affect ICT diffusion in iLembe District Municipality. H1: The nature of the social system in which smallholder farmers exist influences ICT diffusion in iLembe District Municipality.
The deductive approach allowed the use of survey technique for data collection and the use of questionnaires as data collection instruments. Two questionnaires focused on smallholder farmers (the farmer questionnaire and the HFIAS questionnaire) and the third focused on advisors. Cronbach's alpha test affects the integrity of the research methodology used, especially the data collection instrument.
The results regarding the reliability of the instruments were also increased by using a five-point Likert scale in the surveys. As mentioned earlier, due to the vulnerability of the smallholder farmer, it was difficult to obtain an accurate number of smallholder farmers in iLembe District Municipality. The smallholder questionnaire was then converted into the local language of the research area (Isizulu) by a language practitioner.
The use of simple random sampling within groups and the categorical nature of the data allowed the researcher to formulate hypotheses for each sub-research question (1-5). The purpose of this questionnaire was to determine the level of food insecurity of small farmers. The researcher then went on to discuss the research design with the help of the research onion by Saunders et al.
Introduction
A Profile of the Smallholder Farmer and Extension Officer under Study
- Hypothesis Testing
- The Smallholder Farmer
- Reliability Analysis
- Testing For Significant Differences
- Gender Representation of Smallholder Farmers
- Area where Farmer Grew Up
- Age Range of Smallholder Farmers
- Years of Experience in Farming of Smallholder Farmers
- Education level of Smallholder Farmers
- Frequency of Travel to Big Towns/Cities of Smallholder Farmers
- How frequently do Smallholder Farmers visit Extension Officers
- Overview of Food Security Status of Smallholder Farmers in iLembe District Municipality
- Marginally Food Secure Smallholder Farmer Households
- The Extension Officer
- Gender Distribution and Type of Farms Serviced by Extension Officer
- Area Where Extension Officers Grew Up
- Age of Extension Officer
- Extension Officers Experience in Farming Activities
- Education of Extension Officer
- Extension Officer Frequency in Supplying Reading Materials to Smallholder Farmers
- How often do Smallholder Farmers visit offices of Extension Officers
- Effectiveness of Information Provided in English
- The Extent of Farmer Dependency on Extension Officer
Motivation for ICT Adoption and Diffusion Amongst Smallholder Farmers
- Willingness to adopt new communication media for accessing farming information
- Willingness to adopt new communication media for sharing farming information
- Smallholder Farmer Communication Media of Preference
ICT Innovation Decision
Perceived Attributes of Innovation
- Relative Advantage
- Compatibility
- Complexity
- Trialability
- Observability
Nature of the Social System
- Norms
- Change Agents
- Type of Innovation Decision
- Communication Channels
Culture
Perceived Usefulness
Perceived Ease of Use
An analysis of ICT Variables with Food Insecurity levels amongst Smallholder Farmer
An analysis of specific ICTs and their role in Food Security
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and its role in Food Security
- Testing for Significant Differences
- Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) and its role in Food Security
- Testing for Significant Differences
- Use of ICTs in Knowledge Management Practices
- Factors in adoption of ICTs in the application of Knowledge Management Practices
- Knowledge Management System (KMS) Preference
- Areas in which Knowledge Management System (KMS) are used
- The Extent of Traceability Systems use
- Traceability Tools of Preference
- Extent of Early Warning Systems and their role in Food Security
- Testing for Significant Differences
- Ranking of Early Warning System
Validation of the proposed model
Conclusion
Introduction
Revisiting the research
Summary of Key Contributions of the Study
- ICT Adoption in Food Security
- Culture and ICT Adoption amongst Smallholder farmers
- Smallholder farmer and Extension officer ICT adoption
- A Proposed Model for the Adoption of ICTs in Food Security
- ICT variables and Food Insecurity in KwaZulu-Natal
- Age, Gender and Smallholder farmers ICT adoption for farming practices in KwaZulu-Natal
Limitations of the study
- Limited Local Language Vocabulary (Translation)
- Time constraints
- The proposed model variables
Suggestions for future research
- The Proposed Theoretical Model
- Communication Channels of Smallholder Farmers in the Diffusion of Technology
Conclusion
