Data collection and analysis

In my data collection I was guided by three principles of data collection as stated by Yin (1994: 4). These principles are as follows:

i) Use of multiple sources of evidence: In this regard I had to go beyond triangulation to crystallisation as suggested by Richardson (2000:934). Yin (1994:4) argues that triangulation searches converging findings from different sources which increases validity. Richardson (2000:934) argues that triangulation is based on the assumption of a fixed point or object that can be triangulated. The argument is based on the recognition that this world is “far more than three sides”. She goes on to reinforce the argument that the “concept of crystallisation will enable us to shift from seeing phenomenon as fixed, rigid, two dimensional object towards the idea of a crystal, which allows for any infinite variety of shapes, substance, transmutations, dimensions and angles of approach” (2000:934).

Therefore the concept of crystallisation allowed for a complex and deeper understanding of the natuurboerdery farming approach. “Crystals grow, change and alter, but are not amorphous” (Richardson, 2000:934). This is supported by Nieuwenhuis (2006:81) who says that the emergent reality is not a result of measurements but “…emerges from the various data gathering techniques and data analyses employed and represents our own reinterpreted understanding of the phenomenon”. My findings were those which crystallise from the data collected from different sources collected by different methods to add to trustworthiness. This is confirmed by Nieuwenhuis (2006:81) that the crystallised reality is credible to the readers of our collected and analysed data and enables them to see the emerging pattern.

ii) Creation of a case study database: I used the suggestion by Hofstee (2006:56) that planning in primary research is essential. I created a database of all the information collected and observed which I used for final report writing as a reference source. This database contained notes of observed information, documents gathered, tabular numeric data from archives, and narratives from interviews, which were open-ended answers to the research questions.

iii) Maintaining a chain of evidence: My aim was to continuously link between initial research questions and the case study procedure and the circumstances of the evidence I

was collecting (Yin: 1994:4). I was guided by the fact that in qualitative studies data collection and analysis are not separate processes. According to Nieuwenhuis (2006:81) it is an ongoing, cyclical and iterative (non-linear) process. This enabled me to employ the criterion of saturation of data23.

“Data analysis consists of examining, categorising, tabulating, or otherwise recombining the evidence to address the initial propositions of a study” (Yin, 1994:21). There is consensus that data analysis for case studies is one of the least developed aspects in case study research methodology (Yin, 1994 and Tellis, 1997:11). To overcome this challenge in-depth data analysis involved the use of appropriate techniques. This included mind mapping to reduce data and categorise it into themes, practices, trends and relationships for easier understanding. The data was interpreted by extracting meaning and integrating data from various sources so as to build knowledge and understanding of natuurboerdery in scholarly and practical ways which enabled the drawing of conclusions from findings and giving recommendations (Nachmias and Nachmias, 1996:294; Brynard and Hanekom, 1997:48-55; and Mouton, 2001:108-109). The actual process is further explained in the following section.

3.5.1 Presentation of findings, conclusions and recommendations 

The main aim of this research was to provide a deep understanding, and clear description of the whole natuurboerdery farming approach. The findings and conclusions were presented and drawn out respectively with this in mind and informed by literature on sustainable agriculture and farming systems. As such Chapter Four presents the whole of

natuurboerdery as a distinguished farming system.

Ikerd (1993:1) suggests that a farming system is “an overall approach to farming reflecting goals, abilities, resources and circumstances pertinent to the farm operations - all of which result in decisions concerning the composition and operation of these human made systems”. Smithers et al., (2002) add that farming systems are largely defined by their main inputs, practices and products which include pest, disease and nutrient       

management, crop selection, land cultivation, utilisation and allocation where the farmer is the focal point and decision maker. Many authors (Allen and Starr, 1982; Izacs and Swift, 1994; Weber, 1996) agree and conclude that farming systems are comprised of subsystems at smaller scales of aggregation and exist as part of larger systems in a hierarchical fashion.

Based on the above theories or definitions I adopted the definition of natuurboerdery24 and its aim as coined by ZZ2. I also maintained the five health aspects25 or subsystems developed by Nzanza (2009) which are incorporated into the natuurboerdery farming approach. Based on my observations, interviews, understanding of agricultural systems, knowledge and experience from developing the natuurboerdery checklist and compliance criteria I had to figure out, group and fit the farming practices, techniques and methodologies into their respective health aspects or subsystems to come up with the conceptual framework of the natuurboerdery farming approach indicated in Chapter Four. I then used this framework to describe the practices of natuurboerdery farming approach to meet research objective two26.

Prior to defining natuurboerdery and describing its associated practices a brief overview or ZZ2 company profile was provided as prologue to enhance understanding of the discussions and descriptions which follow. This was extracted and refined from the company website. After this it was necessary to first discuss the reasons and route of ZZ2’s conversion from conventional agriculture to natuurboerdery farming approach to answer research objective one27 and followed by the definition of natuurboerdery and its associated practices. The former was compiled based on an unpublished document by van Zyl et al and PowerPoint presentations derived there from and also interviews with three       

24 _{An approach to commercial farming that aims to harness the laws and energies of natural ecosystems for}

health and sustainable crop production without sacrificing the benefits of technology and science.

25 _{Agroecosystem health, soil health, plant health, food and human health.}  26 _{To describe the principles and practices of natuurboerdery farming.}

27 _{To investigate the reasons and processes of converting from conventional farming to natuurboerdery}

key sources (namely Tommie van Zyl, Johhan Noffke and Piet Prinsloo as indicated in Appendix B to C) and informal discussions and interviews with long serving ZZ2 farmers. Lastly, changes due to natuurboerdery were presented to meet objective three28 and these were grouped into technical and strategic changes, ecological and environmental changes, social changes and benefits and economic and production benefits and changes. This was important to ascertain the sustainability of

natuurboerdery as suggested by Harrington (1992) that comprehensive sustainable

agriculture systems must include ecological, social, economic and ethical dimensions. This was mainly informed by interviews from the above named key informants.

Conclusions and recommendations were drawn up from my own understanding of agricultural sustainability and sustainable development and supported by the literature review in Chapter Two. This was also based on constructive and critical analysis and also using induction29 and deduction30 as described by Anneke (2008).