Food (in)security is often looked at on a macro scale (such as on a country scale), leading to neglect of food (in)security issues that occur on a micro scale. The aim of this study was to investigate issues of hunger and food security on a micro scale, particularly at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus (UKZN-HC).
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
- Problem Statement
- Rationale of the Study
- Aim and Objectives
- Main Research Question
- Subsidiary Research Questions
- Summary of Research Procedures
- Organisation of the Study
- Conclusion
Identify and evaluate the various food safety strategies that were implemented at the university between 2006 and 2015. Evaluate the impact of internal policies on the food safety approaches that were implemented at the university between 2006 and 2015.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW
Theoretical Framework
Power is also central to the food sovereignty framework because it gives people the power to influence their approach to food security. The power to influence approaches to food security is one of the fundamental aspects explored in this study.
Review of Literature
- Background and Conceptual Clarification
- The Impact of Food Security Strategies Implemented at Tertiary Institutions in
- The Impact of Internal and External Policies in the Decision Making of Food Security
- The Impact of Hunger on Health and Academic Performance of
- Challenges Associated with Food Security in Tertiary Institutions
Therefore, different universities in the developing and developed countries have adopted different food security strategies to curb student hunger. In previous years, dining halls were an important part of college food security and the graduation rate was relatively high (Mooreville, 2006). More recently, the University has moved to the cash transfer method, in the form of NSFAS financial support and bursaries, as the main approach to food security.
This appears to be a common trend in food security strategies that have been implemented in developing and developed countries as students are not being involved in the decision-making process. The influence of internal and external policies on the decision-making of food security strategies in the university Strategies in the university. There appears to be a lack of clarity as to which policy should dominate university food safety decisions.
The extent to which food security is prioritized in achieving quality education in macro policies (such as the Sustainable Development Goals) affects micro policies (such as the NFAS policy).
Conclusion
In addition to this, Ross (2010) argues that one cannot focus on just one challenge when addressing food security, as there is a complexity of issues to look at. Therefore, there must be a holistic approach to address all the challenges associated with food security. A common cause of inflation in food prices is climate change associated with heavy rain and drought.
StatsSA (cited in Viljoen, 2016) hints that food prices increased by 5 percent in 2015 due to the drought that disrupted agricultural production. According to the South African Crop Estimates Committee (cited in Viljoen, 2016), the country's grain harvest fell by approximately 25 percent in 2015. As a result, food grain had to be imported from different countries and the cost of food miles had to be included, resulting in higher food prices.
Although there was an increase in food prices, the financial assistance the students received remained constant and the effects of inflation were even worse for students who did not receive financial aid or bursary grants.
Approach to the Study
Design of the Study
Sampling Procedure
15 students who studied at the university between 2006 and 2015, therefore snowball sampling was used to select the sample group. This form of sampling is also known as chain referral sampling, where the researcher approaches a few individuals from the target population and the selected sample units then act as informants to identify other relevant individuals (Welman, Krauger, & Mitchell, 2005). In selecting the sample for this study, the researcher identified a few individuals who studied at UKZN-HC between 2006 and 2015 and they were used as informants to identify other relevant individuals.
This was an effective sampling approach for this study as the researcher was able to access students from diverse backgrounds. This made the data collected very informative as the participants' perceptions were generated by people from different backgrounds. The proper procedure for obtaining permission to work with the students was followed and the gatekeeper's permission to interview the students was granted.
In order to adapt to the lifestyle of the students, the researcher arranged meetings before each interview.
Data Collection Methods
Closed questions are often criticized for limiting the respondents; they limit the participants to give a detailed analysis of the topic under investigation. As the interview guide was developed months before conducting the interviews, this allowed time to conduct pilot interviews to determine if the questions would help to achieve the aim of the research. Some of the questions were changed as they appeared or were leading, and simple concepts that participants would understand were used.
This document was very useful as it informed the participants about the rationale, the purpose of the study, the procedure that would be followed during the interview, the duration of the interviews and the different support mechanisms available to the participants if they had a experienced an emotional breakdown. . When the purpose of the interview was explained to the participants, the nature and purpose of the research was explained and the participants signed consent forms and received a document that provided them with information about the research. The format of the interview was explained, participants were informed that the interview would be conducted orally and they were provided with an information document which helped to further inform them about the procedures of the research.
Participants were informed that the interviews would take approximately 20–30 minutes and were given contact information for the researcher and the researcher's supervisor, even if they wished to make further contact with them at any time.
Validity, Reliability and Rigour
Credibility ensures the reliability of data and it can be done to check whether the research findings captured what happened in the context of the study, and whether the researcher produced what they intended to investigate (Pitney, 2004: 26). A peer review of the research processes used in this study was conducted by the supervisor and other internal research experts, and confidentiality was maintained throughout the process. A member check refers to providing the participants of the study with the results or the interpreted data so that they can verify their input, adds Pitney (2004:27).
After all data was collected and interpreted, study participants were given the opportunity to read the information and this helped generate accurate information. Conformability helps to eradicate the researcher's influence on their perception of the data, thus generating rich data that cannot be manipulated by external factors. As mentioned above, a member check refers to the participant's verification of the information.
According to this researcher, member checking can facilitate data storage.
Application of Ethical Principles
It also allows participants to clarify to the researcher that the researcher's descriptions and interpretations are accurate (Pitney, 2004:27). A copy of the transcribed data will be provided to the supervisor, and the true identity of the participants will remain anonymous. In achieving this principle, the researcher provided a platform where participants could comfortably express their views on the research, whether pessimistic or positive.
The possibility that this would happen was explicitly mentioned to avoid false expectations among the participants. In addition to these principles, participants were also asked to sign a consent form that included the rules, benefits, limitations, and informed participants of the purpose and nature of the study (Bless, Higson-Smith, and Sithole, 2013). According to Haggerty (2004), it is important to develop a written consent form (to be signed by the participant), which can serve as proof that the participants participated in the study voluntarily and without coercion.
This can also protect the researcher from being accused of misconduct by the participants (Haggerty, 2004).
Conclusion
There were no challenges during data collection because the researcher developed proactive strategies to contain them before they emerged. Techniques such as adherence to ethical principles, information document and consent document were used to reduce potential limitations. Ethical principles served to reduce harm and violation of participants' rights, the information document helped to provide information and clarity about the purpose and nature of the research to the participants, and the consent document had to be signed by each participant as an indication. that they voluntarily participated in the study.
In addition, a plan was made to take care of any students who became emotional during the interviews.
FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATION
- Subjective Meanings of Food Security and Hunger
- Health and Nutrition
- Food Self-Sufficiency
- Background of Individuals
- Food Preference
- The Government’s Role
- Being Hungry
- Lack of Money
- Students Misbehaving due to Hunger
- Impact of Food Security Approaches in Hunger Reduction
- NSFAS
- Challenges of NSFAS
- No University Owned Approaches
- Inappropriate Ways of Accessing Food
- Feeding Schemes as an Approach
- Challenges of Feeding Schemes
- Impact of Policies on Food Security
- Power to Influence Food Security Decisions at the University
- Food Security as a Priority
- Influence of Hunger on the Academic Performance
- Food and Academic Performance
- Underperforming
- Challenges with Achieving Self-Sufficiency
- Managing Own Finances
- Peer Pressure and Stigma
- Conclusion
This participant believed that agriculture is one approach to food security that should be adopted as a method of food security. The background of individuals was therefore important when it came to food security among students. I think other students at the university understand food security in the way that food is provided.
According to the food sovereignty framework, people should be the key decision makers in their food security approaches. It has been argued in the above sections that there is a direct link between food security and education. Moreville (2006) stated that one of the factors that has led to a shift in the food security approach in the university is the unique food preferences that students have.
Many of the participants asserted that there was a correlation between food security and students' academic performance. As shown in the previous section, there was a correlation between food security and student performance. Another issue that was identified as a challenge to achieving self-sufficiency in university food security was time.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Discussion
- Realisation of Objectives
Other respondents indicate that the university does not have its own food security approach. Many respondents indicated that food security is a necessity for students to achieve good academic performance. Other approaches to food security are stigmatized and some students experience some form of marginalization by their peers.
Impact of internal policies on food security approaches implemented at the university between. What are the challenges to achieving self-sufficiency in food security at Howard College. From the time you arrived at the university to 2015, do you think there have been changes in food security approaches at UKZN-HC.
What was the impact of external and internal policies on the food security approaches used at the university during. What are the challenges associated with achieving food security self-sufficiency in UKZN-HC. The purpose of this study is to assess the way in which university students access food and the impact of different food security strategies implemented at the university during this period.
Conclusions
