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Stakeholder perspectives for information and communication technologies (ICTs) for sustainable food systems in South Africa: challenges, opportunities and a proposed ICT framework

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Abstract

Leveraging the potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has been identified as a promising avenue for sustainable food systems transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In this study we use stakeholder perspectives to critically explore the interface of ICTs, food systems and sustainability in South Africa. Through 31 expert interviews with the main stakeholders at this interface, we identify the key benefits of ICTs in this context such as improved market access for small-scale food producers, increased consumer awareness, enhanced transparency along value chains, decreased food waste and shifts to agroecological farming. However, challenges such as high internet data costs, low digital literacy among small-scale food producers, access to funding and reliable information, shortage of software developers for development initiatives, and corporate misconduct pose significant barriers. Our results show that major opportunities enhancing the development and uptake of ICTs for food system sustainability include creation of reliable funding mechanisms for ICT development, reducing ICT and connectivity costs, and developing cohesive policy frameworks for the use of ICTs in food system interventions. Our findings highlight the need for multi-stakeholder initiatives and government support to overcome these barriers and harness the power of ICTs for sustainable food systems. The study culminates in a proposed ICT framework that reflects the priorities identified by the respondents, offering a roadmap for future research and policymaking.

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Notes

  1. ICTs comprise of a wide variety of electronic methods to share or store data (FAO, 2018). For the purpose of this paper, we consider ICTs as any electronic communication device or application such as mobile phones, computer and network hardware, software, the Internet, or satellite systems, as well as the numerous services and applications associated with them such as distance learning and videoconferencing (Schiliro & Choo, 2017).

  2. In this context adopting practices such as converting byproducts of the food industry into value added products can contribute to more circular food systems that are at the same time more sustainable, economically efficient, and environmentally safe (e.g., convert waste such as molasses and citrus peels into value added products) (Fahmy, 2017; Fahmy & Mobarak, 2009).

  3. Many SSA contexts are characterized by both the large prevalence of undernourishment and obesity due to rapid dietary transitions, especially those unfolding in urban centers throughout the continent (Bakhuluma-Ncube, 2018; Christian & Dake, 2022).

  4. ICT frameworks are distinct to individual ICTs (e.g., apps, software) in that they can serve very diverse overarching functions such as to (a) evaluate the incorporation of ICT into different areas and domains, (b) plan, implement and manage ICT systems and services, (c) use ICTs to achieve organizations’ goals, (d) manage ICT effectively, (e) provide data safety and data security, and (f) understand the complexity of managing ICTs (DLGSC, n.d.; OECD, 2021). There is no uniform definition in the academic literature of what constitutes an ICT framework, but some commonly identified characteristics include (a) a structured approach, (b) a set of guidelines, standards, and best practices, (c) a systematic method, (d) a responsible and sustainable use, (e) a set of essential components, and (f) a set of security and safety protocols (ISSA, n.d.; DLGSC, n.d.).

  5. Many South Africans live in poverty, which predisposes them to food insecurity, malnutrition, and disease (Tydeman-Edwards et al., 2018). Overall, about 10.5% of South African households were vulnerable to hunger in 2017 (Statistics South Africa, 2019) and 27% of children are stunted (UNICEF, 2021). Approximately 63,4% of the households that experienced hunger in 2017 were in urban areas (Statistics South Africa, 2019).

  6. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a regional economic community comprising 16 member states. These countries are Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The mission of SADC is to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development.

  7. Between 2001 and 2015 the national government largely failed to provide an effective and up-to-date ICT policy that effectively addressed the interconnected nature of the ICT environment, with ICT implementation subsequently experiencing various policy, leadership and administrative problems including outdated ICT policy frameworks, weak political leadership, lack of coordination, and overlapping roles among institutional players (Mosehlana, 2018).

  8. Here we understand qualitative content analysis as “a research method for the subjective interpretation of the content of text data through the systematic classification process of coding and identifying themes or patterns” (Hsieh & Shannon, 2005: 1278). We understand that a theme “captures something important about the data in relation to the research question and represents a level of patterned response or meaning within the data” (Gray, 2014: 609), and answers questions such as why, how, in what way or by what means (Erlingsson & Brysiewicz, 2017).

  9. Expert in digital marketing and social media content for Greenpeace.

  10. Internet data pricing is controlled and monopolized by big mobile network operators (e.g., Telkom, Vodacom, MTN, Cell C), while access to free Wi-Fi areas is very low.

  11. In our opinion, and considering the current challenges for the food system (Sect. 3.2) and ICT adoption (Sect. 3.3) in South Africa, in such PPPs the private sector should assume significant financial, technical, and operational risk in the project (Pierce, 2021). Furthermore, it will be necessary to uphold a pro-poor agenda and prevent corporate misconduct through appropriate checks and balances. Currently, the Public Finance Management Act (1999) plays a crucial role in regulating such PPPs, requiring approval from the National Treasury at different levels to prevent corporate misconduct (National Treasury Republic of South Africa, 2019). However, this Act might require substantial revision to properly regulate ICT-related PPPs considering that it was drafted before the expansion of the internet and ICTs.

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Acknowledgements

Robert Massimo Alfonsi acknowledges funding from a University of Tokyo Fellowship. Alexandros Gasparatos acknowledges the support of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) for a Grant-In-Aid of Young Scientists (A) (17H05037). The authors would like to thank the stakeholders who participated in the research interviews for their time and valuable information.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Program in Sustainability Science - Global Leadership Initiative (GPSS-GLI), The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa City, 277-8563, Japan

    Robert Massimo Alfonsi

  2. Department of Geography, University of the Free State, QwaQwa Campus, Kestell Road, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa

    Merle Naidoo

  3. Media Relations Section, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan

    Merle Naidoo

  4. Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI), The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan

    Alexandros Gasparatos

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  1. Robert Massimo Alfonsi
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Robert Massimo Alfonsi: Conceptualisation, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Software, Writing—Original Draft. Merle Naidoo: Formal analysis, Writing—Review & Editing. Gasparatos Alexandros: Writing—Review & Editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Robert Massimo Alfonsi.

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Alfonsi, R.M., Naidoo, M. & Gasparatos, A. Stakeholder perspectives for information and communication technologies (ICTs) for sustainable food systems in South Africa: challenges, opportunities and a proposed ICT framework. Environ Dev Sustain (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-04838-5

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