- Short title of Research Project: Lack of provision for basic services in selected areas of KwaZulu-Natal Province [Multi-disciplinary] (Not registered – proposal submitted for ethical consideration and project registration).
Aim:
The aim of the study will be to investigate the status of provision of basic services (water, sanitation and refuse collection) as well as understand the consequences of the lack of access to basic services in selected areas by farm dwellers (two communities based at Wartburg (UMshwathi Local Municipality); one community based at Mooiriver (Mpofana Local Municipality); and one community based at Platberg (uMnambithi Local Municipality) and one person based at Ashburton (Msunduzi Local Municipality) in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Details of Research: Potential Impact/s
- Research Report to be submitted to Legal Resources Centre (LRC).
- Explore and describe the current access to water services by farm dwellers in the study communities;
- Explore and describe the current condition regarding sanitation in the case of the farm dwellers in the study communities;
- Explore and describe the current condition regarding the collection of refuse in the case of the farm dwellers in the study communities;
- To understand and evaluate the portable water quality in the study communities through an experimental design.
- To identify the chemical constituents of the water in the study communities.
- To assess and evaluate the availability of the water resources in the study communities.
- Explore and understand the hardships suffered by farm dwellers in accessing water in the study communities;
- Explore and understand the hardships suffered by farm dwellers in accessing sanitation services in the study communities;
- Explore and understand the hardships suffered by farm dwellers in accessing the collection of refuse in the study communities;
- Explore and understand the danger and consequences of the lack of access to basic services (water, sanitation and refuse removal) in the study communities;
- Explore and understand the hardships suffered by farm dwellers in accessing sanitation services in the study communities;
- Explore and understand the hardships suffered by farm dwellers in accessing the collection of refuse in the study communities;
- Explore and understand the danger and consequences of the lack of access to basic services (water, sanitation and refuse removal) in the study communities;
- Short title of Research Project: Interfacing indigenous knowledge systems with modern systems.
Aim:
A multidisciplinary project on Interfacing indigenous knowledge systems with modern systems. A project that has been awarded the KZN Technology Transfer Fund (TTF) from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA) and lead by Prof U Kolanisi (Consumer Sciences). This project is developing a nutritive fortified Amaranthus cruentus L biscuit/s to for improved food security and an enhanced nutrition security of all households.
Details of Research: Potential Impact/s
- The commercialisation of the nutritive fortified Amaranthus cruentus L biscuit/s (food products).
- Technology transfer
- Short title of Research Project: Commercialization and Domestication of Indigenous plants in Northern Coastal KwaZulu Natal
Aim:
Domestication of Ancylobotrys capensis, Saba comerensis and Landolphia kirkii plants species for commercial production & potential of harvesting Mopane worm on Marula tree in uMkhanyakude District, Northern KwaZulu-Natal. A Project funded by NRF and lead by Prof G.E. Zharare.
- Managing Agricultural Biodiversity & Climate Variability with Emphasis on Drought: Towards Land Degradation Neutrality
Aim:
Assessing farm vulnerability to climate risks and the extent of practising Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) by farm households in the Eastern Cape Province. A project that will be done in collaboration with the University of Fort Hare – Risk & Vulnerability Science Centre (RVSC) and the concept has been approved for funding by ACCESS.
Details of Research: Potential Impact/s
- To describe the socio-economic characteristics of farm households in the study area/s.
- To quantify/estimate the level of vulnerability to climatic risks by farm households in the study area/s.
- To determine and assess the factors influencing the level of vulnerability to climatic risks of farm households in the study area/s.
- To investigate the risk-coping strategies to climate variability by farm households in the study area/s.
- To determine and assess the factors influencing the adoption of risk-coping strategies to climate variability by farming households in the study area/s.
- To explore and describe the extent of the practice of Climate Smart Agriculture by farm households in the study area/s.
- To explore and understand the benefits associated with the practice of Climate Smart Agriculture by farm households in the study area/s.
- To determine the barriers/constraints to the practice of Climate Smart Agriculture by farm households in the study area/s.
- To determine ways of promoting the practice of Climate Smart Agriculture by farm households in the study area/s.