https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/25 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:02:31 GMT 2026-04-06T00:02:31Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/880 Title: Towards sustainable agriculture: The opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in agricultural advisory services. Authors: Sithole, Moses Zakhele.; Agholor, Azikiwe Isaac.; Msweli, Nomzamo Sharon; Morepje, Mishal Trevor. Abstract: Economic growth, employment creation and resilience of businesses and industry in the 4th Industrial Revolution which is intertwined with climate change realities depends much on the implementation of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The agricultural sector is no exception to these developmental realities. That is to say, the sector is equally compelled to implement AI in almost all the stages of agricultural production. From the cultivation of crops to transportation of the products to the target markets or the public. These will include having farmers and Extension Services implementing AI for crop yield detection, soil nutrients and moisture contents, climatic conditions predictions, milking and harvesting as well as weeds, pests and diseases identification and management. This paper explored the opportunities and challenges of AI in the implementation of Agricultural Advisory Services (AASs) for Sustainable Agriculture. These were achieved through extensive literature review which comprised of a conceptual framework for the implementation of AI in the AASs. The findings show the leveraging benefit of AI in the production costs among farmers, increase in farm productivity, and ease of access of AASs which was always almost a mission to achieve, especially, in the developing countries. Therefore, it is recommended that the relationship between youth participation in the agricultural sector and the implementation of AI and Digital Technology in the sector be explored, with the impact of the implementation of AI in the sector and the contribution of the sector towards developing countries’ Gross Domestic Products (GDPs). The ethical implications of AI in AASs and the Agricultural Sector as a whole must be explored to unveil issues that may hamper the future acceptance of these digital skills and innovations. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/880 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/536 Title: Efficacies of pervious concrete and zero-valent iron as reactive media for treating acid mine drainage. Authors: Shabalala, Ayanda. Abstract: Batch reactor tests using pervious concrete (PervC) made at 0.27 water/cement ratio by mixing granite aggregate and Portland cement CEM I 52.5 R were performed to compare the use of PervC versus zero-valent iron (ZVI) for treatment of Acid Mine Drainage(AMD). The removal rates for Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, Mn, SO4 and Cu were greater for AMD samples that were treated with PervC reactive media relative to those treated with ZVI. The pH-driven metal precipitation and adsorption of precipitates onto the surface of PervC and gypsum by-product are the main mechanisms of removal of metals from AMD. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/536 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/522 Title: Perceptions on the constraints to agroforestry competitiveness: a case study of agrosilviculture community growers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, South Africa. Authors: Dube, Zakheleni Palane. Abstract: Agroforestry is a land-use system that includes the use of woody perennial, agricultural crops, and animals in combination to achieve beneficial ecological and economical interac tions for food, fiber, and livestock production. However, limited understanding, incorrect information, and a negative mindset could hinder the competitiveness of this practice. This case study of agrosilviculture community growers attempts to explain the grower’s con straints to agroforestry competitiveness by analyzing their agroforestry perception. Hence, the study was aimed to document grower’s perception on the constraints to agroforestry competitiveness in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. Quantitative and qualitative designs were used as a questionnaire written in English, and stakeholder’s discussion and field observations were part of the data collection. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 182 agrosilviculture community growers from 30 villages. Data was coded, captured, and analyzed using SPSS. The results indicated that the production factors, demand conditions, related and supporting industries, government support, chance, and quite a few community growers indicated that the market was causing a decrease in agroforestry competitiveness as the majority of growers strongly agreed and agreed respec tively. The results further indicated that firm strategy, structure, and rivalry were not causing a decrease in agroforestry competitiveness as the majority of growers strongly disagreed and disagreed. In conclusion, identified community growers’ perceptions are in line with some of the researcher’s field observations, and it is thus recommended that stakeholders should take note of the constraints identified by the agrosilviculture community growers in an attempt to increase agroforestry competitiveness in South Africa. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/522 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/520 Title: Embracing water smart agriculture for optimal agricultural production in selected areas of Bushbuckridge, South Africa. Authors: Agholor, Azikiwe Isaac.; Sithole, Moses Zakhele. Abstract: Agriculture plays an important role for income generation, economic growth, and employment for majority of people. Agricultural production has become the very means of alleviating poverty. In pursuit to meet the growing demand for food to sustain the ever-growing population, the need to salvage farming and farm productions from extreme climate events using water smart practices remains paramount. The conservation of water resources for a water-scare country, such as South Africa, is important for agricultural development. Water-smart agriculture aims at addressing issues associated with water availability, water use efficiencies as well as water conservation for optimal production. The study was conducted in Chochocho, Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, South Africa. The aim of the study was to examine the adoption of water smart agriculture, and to determine the water use efficient practices employed by farmers in the study area. Random sampling method was employed, and data was collected using structured and semi-structured questionnaires as well as focus group discussion. Furthermore, the descriptive and inferential statistics were used to explain responses from respondents and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 27) software was used for the analysis. The study found that farmers’ adoption of water smart agriculture practices was hinged on several heterogeneous variables. The study recommends amongst others, the need to conserve water for agricultural production, and water infrastructural development for local food security must be improved. Additionally, water demand and supply management issues must be addressed. Description: Please note that only UMP researchers are shown in the metadata. To access the co-authors, please view the full text. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/520 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z