Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This thesis explores the adoption of sustainable farming practices among large-scale land users in South Africa’s Albany thicket biome, a region facing significant environmental challenges. The need for farming practices that mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon and restoring soil health – known as carbon farming – is crucial. However, the success of these sustainable practices depends on the decision-making of local land users, which is shaped by uncertainties such as economic pressures, climate variability, and the evolving political landscape in South Africa. In navigating these uncertainties, future narratives can provide valuable direction for decision-making. This study applies Vignoli et al.’s (2020) narrative framework to examine the future narratives of land users in the thicket biome. Through semi-structured interviews with twelve participants, these narratives were analysed to understand how they guide complex decision-making. The research identifies three future narratives: ‘keep the fight and innovate the business’, ‘leave the fight but keep the farm’, and ‘the future of the family farm (probably) ends with me’. Experiences, constraints, expectations, and aspirations shape these narratives. Additionally, the study’s findings show that environmental factors significantly impact future narratives and thus the adoption of carbon farming practices, highlighting the need for policies that align with farmers’ realities. This thesis contributes to understanding how integrating ecological awareness with economic and social factors can drive sustainable agriculture.