Using Qualitative System Dynamics Analysis to Promote Inclusive Livestock Value Chains: A Case Study of the South African Broiler Value Chain
Livestock value chains globally are increasingly dualistic, with integrated market-leaders co-existing with comparatively disadvantaged small producers who, nevertheless, support rural livelihoods and food access, and can also contribute to more resilient supply chains. The South African broiler val...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.670756/full |
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| author | Soledad Cuevas Garcia-Dorado Soledad Cuevas Garcia-Dorado Kevin Queenan Bhavani Shankar Bhavani Shankar Barbara Häsler Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi Gregory Cooper Rob Slotow |
| author_facet | Soledad Cuevas Garcia-Dorado Soledad Cuevas Garcia-Dorado Kevin Queenan Bhavani Shankar Bhavani Shankar Barbara Häsler Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi Gregory Cooper Rob Slotow |
| author_sort | Soledad Cuevas Garcia-Dorado |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Livestock value chains globally are increasingly dualistic, with integrated market-leaders co-existing with comparatively disadvantaged small producers who, nevertheless, support rural livelihoods and food access, and can also contribute to more resilient supply chains. The South African broiler value chain provides a highly illustrative case study. The purpose of this study is to identify potential leverage points for policy intervention to support small and emerging producers in the South African broiler value chain, and to discuss the strengths and limitations of system dynamics approaches to promote inclusive food value chains. This study develops a causal loop diagram (CLD) based on semi-structured stakeholder interviews and policy documents. The main challenges, key variables and causal relationships between them are systematically identified. Variables are coded, generalised and graphically represented, and entry points for intervention and their links to existing policies are mapped. The challenges faced by smallholders in the context of our study can be characterised, using a CLD, as a set of interlinked and reinforcing dynamics which perpetuate existing disadvantages and reinforce duality in the value chain. Key policy entry points have been identified that could be targeted by a coordinated policy package, including: Direct support for infrastructure investment and input access through grants, subsidies or other policies; credit and liquidity provision for day-to-day expenses; creation of aggregation mechanisms for both inputs and outputs; regulations or initiatives that directly target the relationship of farmers with the commercial segment to improve access to day-old-chicks and, finally, training in business and technical skills. Although most of these interventions have been addressed at some point, implementation has been fragmented, failing to fully consider their complementary nature, thus undermining effectiveness. Existing approaches to consensus building and stakeholder participation in system dynamics research can present challenges when it comes to engaging with complex policy processes and issues of conflict of interest that are relevant in the context of smallholder promotion and equitable food systems, but there are promising avenues for addressing. Despite some methodological challenges, we find that there is considerable scope for system dynamics approaches to inform policy for smallholder promotion, even in contexts characterised by complex policy processes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T22:43:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f37a42f51c144bedba9ad24cf21cb5bf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-581X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T22:43:38Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-f37a42f51c144bedba9ad24cf21cb5bf2022-12-21T21:29:51ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2021-08-01510.3389/fsufs.2021.670756670756Using Qualitative System Dynamics Analysis to Promote Inclusive Livestock Value Chains: A Case Study of the South African Broiler Value ChainSoledad Cuevas Garcia-Dorado0Soledad Cuevas Garcia-Dorado1Kevin Queenan2Bhavani Shankar3Bhavani Shankar4Barbara Häsler5Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi6Gregory Cooper7Rob Slotow8SOAS University of London, London, United KingdomLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, London, United KingdomDepartment of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College (RVC), University of London, London, United KingdomSOAS University of London, London, United KingdomDepartment of Geography, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United KingdomDepartment of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College (RVC), University of London, London, United KingdomSchool of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaSOAS University of London, London, United KingdomSchool of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaLivestock value chains globally are increasingly dualistic, with integrated market-leaders co-existing with comparatively disadvantaged small producers who, nevertheless, support rural livelihoods and food access, and can also contribute to more resilient supply chains. The South African broiler value chain provides a highly illustrative case study. The purpose of this study is to identify potential leverage points for policy intervention to support small and emerging producers in the South African broiler value chain, and to discuss the strengths and limitations of system dynamics approaches to promote inclusive food value chains. This study develops a causal loop diagram (CLD) based on semi-structured stakeholder interviews and policy documents. The main challenges, key variables and causal relationships between them are systematically identified. Variables are coded, generalised and graphically represented, and entry points for intervention and their links to existing policies are mapped. The challenges faced by smallholders in the context of our study can be characterised, using a CLD, as a set of interlinked and reinforcing dynamics which perpetuate existing disadvantages and reinforce duality in the value chain. Key policy entry points have been identified that could be targeted by a coordinated policy package, including: Direct support for infrastructure investment and input access through grants, subsidies or other policies; credit and liquidity provision for day-to-day expenses; creation of aggregation mechanisms for both inputs and outputs; regulations or initiatives that directly target the relationship of farmers with the commercial segment to improve access to day-old-chicks and, finally, training in business and technical skills. Although most of these interventions have been addressed at some point, implementation has been fragmented, failing to fully consider their complementary nature, thus undermining effectiveness. Existing approaches to consensus building and stakeholder participation in system dynamics research can present challenges when it comes to engaging with complex policy processes and issues of conflict of interest that are relevant in the context of smallholder promotion and equitable food systems, but there are promising avenues for addressing. Despite some methodological challenges, we find that there is considerable scope for system dynamics approaches to inform policy for smallholder promotion, even in contexts characterised by complex policy processes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.670756/fullsmall producerssystem dynamic analysispolicy and institutional actionslivestockvalue chains |
| spellingShingle | Soledad Cuevas Garcia-Dorado Soledad Cuevas Garcia-Dorado Kevin Queenan Bhavani Shankar Bhavani Shankar Barbara Häsler Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi Gregory Cooper Rob Slotow Using Qualitative System Dynamics Analysis to Promote Inclusive Livestock Value Chains: A Case Study of the South African Broiler Value Chain Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems small producers system dynamic analysis policy and institutional actions livestock value chains |
| title | Using Qualitative System Dynamics Analysis to Promote Inclusive Livestock Value Chains: A Case Study of the South African Broiler Value Chain |
| title_full | Using Qualitative System Dynamics Analysis to Promote Inclusive Livestock Value Chains: A Case Study of the South African Broiler Value Chain |
| title_fullStr | Using Qualitative System Dynamics Analysis to Promote Inclusive Livestock Value Chains: A Case Study of the South African Broiler Value Chain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using Qualitative System Dynamics Analysis to Promote Inclusive Livestock Value Chains: A Case Study of the South African Broiler Value Chain |
| title_short | Using Qualitative System Dynamics Analysis to Promote Inclusive Livestock Value Chains: A Case Study of the South African Broiler Value Chain |
| title_sort | using qualitative system dynamics analysis to promote inclusive livestock value chains a case study of the south african broiler value chain |
| topic | small producers system dynamic analysis policy and institutional actions livestock value chains |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.670756/full |
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