A Systems Analysis and Conceptual System Dynamics Model of the Livestock-derived Food System in South Africa
Global food production systems are currently under scrutiny, in particular the health, nutrition, and environmental impacts of livestock-derived food (LDF). Despite South Africa’s recent socioeconomic transformation and increased per-capita LDF consumption, the triple burden of malnutrition persis...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Lyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food Systems
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
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| Online Access: | https://foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/854 |
| _version_ | 1797720521900556288 |
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| author | Kevin Queenan Nafiisa Sobratee Rashieda Davids Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi Michael Chimonyo Rob Slotow Bhavani Shankar Barbara Häsler |
| author_facet | Kevin Queenan Nafiisa Sobratee Rashieda Davids Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi Michael Chimonyo Rob Slotow Bhavani Shankar Barbara Häsler |
| author_sort | Kevin Queenan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Global food production systems are currently under scrutiny, in particular the health, nutrition, and environmental impacts of livestock-derived food (LDF). Despite South Africa’s recent socioeconomic transformation and increased per-capita LDF consumption, the triple burden of malnutrition persists. Policy responses to such complex problems often fail because of linear thinking with short-term goals. However, a systems approach helps identify root causes, feedback mechanisms, potential unintended consequences, and opportunities for integrated, durable solutions. Participation in the systems-thinking process improves stakeholder understanding and buy-in. Our participatory workshop facilitated the development of a systems map for South African LDF, identifying key system elements, linkages, and nexus points. The latter included climate change, land access and management, livestock management and productivity, farming systems, food safety, policy articulation, agricultural knowledge, and income. Based on these findings, and an overview of related literature, we produced a conceptual system dynamics model of the LDF system. We identified key variables and causal relationships, vicious and virtuous loops, system archetypes, conceptual stock and flows, and links to Sustainable Development Goals. The LDF system is complex and dynamic, with a dominance of commercial enterprises across agriculture and food retail, presenting barriers for small and medium-scale individuals. Other key elements relate to population growth and urbanization, land access, deregulation of international trade, climate change vulnerability, feed production limitations, and food safety. Our work provides a unique reference for policymakers, identifying the need for deep structural change, highlighting the possible unintended consequences, and thereby mitigating the risk of system destabilization. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T09:20:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eb8b7cb9efda489fb9dbdc67f0e92a48 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2152-0801 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T09:20:45Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | Lyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food Systems |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
| spelling | doaj.art-eb8b7cb9efda489fb9dbdc67f0e92a482023-09-02T14:34:07ZengLyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food SystemsJournal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development2152-08012020-08-019410.5304/jafscd.2020.094.021A Systems Analysis and Conceptual System Dynamics Model of the Livestock-derived Food System in South AfricaKevin Queenan 0Nafiisa Sobratee1Rashieda Davids2Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi3Michael Chimonyo4Rob Slotow5Bhavani Shankar6Barbara Häsler7Royal Veterinary CollegeUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal and University College LondonSchool of Oriental and African StudiesRoyal Veterinary CollegeGlobal food production systems are currently under scrutiny, in particular the health, nutrition, and environmental impacts of livestock-derived food (LDF). Despite South Africa’s recent socioeconomic transformation and increased per-capita LDF consumption, the triple burden of malnutrition persists. Policy responses to such complex problems often fail because of linear thinking with short-term goals. However, a systems approach helps identify root causes, feedback mechanisms, potential unintended consequences, and opportunities for integrated, durable solutions. Participation in the systems-thinking process improves stakeholder understanding and buy-in. Our participatory workshop facilitated the development of a systems map for South African LDF, identifying key system elements, linkages, and nexus points. The latter included climate change, land access and management, livestock management and productivity, farming systems, food safety, policy articulation, agricultural knowledge, and income. Based on these findings, and an overview of related literature, we produced a conceptual system dynamics model of the LDF system. We identified key variables and causal relationships, vicious and virtuous loops, system archetypes, conceptual stock and flows, and links to Sustainable Development Goals. The LDF system is complex and dynamic, with a dominance of commercial enterprises across agriculture and food retail, presenting barriers for small and medium-scale individuals. Other key elements relate to population growth and urbanization, land access, deregulation of international trade, climate change vulnerability, feed production limitations, and food safety. Our work provides a unique reference for policymakers, identifying the need for deep structural change, highlighting the possible unintended consequences, and thereby mitigating the risk of system destabilization.https://foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/854Food SystemsSystems ThinkingSystem DynamicsLivestock-Derived FoodAnimal Source FoodSouth Africa |
| spellingShingle | Kevin Queenan Nafiisa Sobratee Rashieda Davids Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi Michael Chimonyo Rob Slotow Bhavani Shankar Barbara Häsler A Systems Analysis and Conceptual System Dynamics Model of the Livestock-derived Food System in South Africa Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development Food Systems Systems Thinking System Dynamics Livestock-Derived Food Animal Source Food South Africa |
| title | A Systems Analysis and Conceptual System Dynamics Model of the Livestock-derived Food System in South Africa |
| title_full | A Systems Analysis and Conceptual System Dynamics Model of the Livestock-derived Food System in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | A Systems Analysis and Conceptual System Dynamics Model of the Livestock-derived Food System in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Systems Analysis and Conceptual System Dynamics Model of the Livestock-derived Food System in South Africa |
| title_short | A Systems Analysis and Conceptual System Dynamics Model of the Livestock-derived Food System in South Africa |
| title_sort | systems analysis and conceptual system dynamics model of the livestock derived food system in south africa |
| topic | Food Systems Systems Thinking System Dynamics Livestock-Derived Food Animal Source Food South Africa |
| url | https://foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/854 |
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