AES4701 Assignment 1 (ANSWERS) Semester 1 2025 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED

Well-structured AES4701 Assignment 1 (ANSWERS) Semester 1 2025 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED. (DETAILED ANSWERS - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED!)... QUESTION 1 [60 marks] 1.1 Describe the FIVE (5) important contributions of agriculture in the structural transformation of developing countries. Give ONE (1) practical example for each variable. (20) 1.2 Compare the variables of physical quality of life of selected countries in sub- Saharan Africa in Table 1.5 in learning unit 1. Choose one country that you would prefer to relocate to in SADC, East- and West Africa. Provide motivation for your answer (s). (10) 1.3 Discuss the negative impact of agricultural and rural development on biodiversity loss and pollution. Give at least TWO (2) practical example from your country, region or area to support your answer for biodiversity loss and pollution. (10) 1.4 Choose any agricultural or rural development project in your area or at work and answer the following questions: 1.4.1 Describe the project in detail, including its activities. (5) 1.4.2 Explain how the project has improved the livelihoods of the beneficiaries and surrounding communities. Give at least FOUR (4) practical examples to support your answer. (10) 1.4.3 Explain the contribution of the project to transformation in the surrounding communities. Give at least TWO (2) practical examples to support your answer (5) Downloaded by Corona Virus () lOMoARcPSD| 4 QUESTION 2 [40 marks] 2.1 Read the case study below and then answer the questions that follow. KwaMabhida village is situated beside the Tugela River in the Drakensberg mountains in KwaZulu Natal province in South Africa. The village has adequate access to agricultural land after their land restitution claim was approved by the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development in November 2020. Because of that, most families in the villages have purchased livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) since the grazing land has increased. The land claim has brought relieve for unemployed youth in the community because livestock farmers and abattoirs in the village have created jobs for skilled and unskilled people. Household food security in the village has improved significantly because of the agricultural activities that started in the village post-land restitution claim. Again, over 50% of the households in the village started rearing livestock for income generation because there is sufficient land for grazing after their ancestral land was reclaimed in 2020. A survey conducted by the Department of Employment and Labour in 2023 showed that poverty was reduced by 30% in Kwa-Mabhiza because of land reform-related projects in the village. Despite the successes that occurred in KwaMabhida since the land was given to the community, conflicts have erupted in the village because of overgrazing and deforestation. High stocking rate has led to the loss of extinct plant species that were conserved by the government. Because of overgrazing has occurred, some farmers have opted for feedlots and adoption of livestock breeds that require less grazing. In addition, the use of supplementary feed such as urea, molasses, cereal grains, protein seeds, and others has increased significantly since the conflict about overgrazing started. Stock theft is also rife in the village because increased number of livestock has attracted thieves from the surrounding communities. The high demand for live animals by the local butcheries has also contributed to stock theft. 2.1.1 Which agricultural and rural development model(s) were implemented by farmers in KwaMabhida village? Give examples from the case study to support your answer. (12) 2.1.2 What is the social and environmental impact of the land restitution claim in the community of KwaMabhida? Give examples from the case study to support your answer. (22) 2.1.3 Which agricultural transformation initiatives occurred in the village? (6)