Department of Food Science

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Browsing Department of Food Science by Author "Bakasa, Clinton"

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    Modelling the environmental, social, and economic implications of using fruit pomace as an alternative livestock feed resource: a system dynamic modelling approach
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04) Bakasa, Clinton; Mudavanhu, Shepherd; Sigge, G. O.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Food Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study assessed the joint dynamic environmental, social and economic implications of utilising wine grape pomace as an alternative livestock feed in South Africa. The specific study objectives were met using a systematic approach that was done through a 3-pronged research process consisting of a detailed literature review, a qualitative analysis and individual synthesis of information and the construction of a qualitative system dynamic model in the form of a causal loop diagram. This was done using the Vensim PLP software, in order to explicitly show the complexity, interactions between the modelled systems variables and the corresponding feedback loop relationships. The study results showed that the estimated amount of grape pomace produced ranged between 248 720 and 304 941 tons per annum. This shows that if wine grape pomace was to be exploited as an alternative livestock feed through incorporating it into commercial feed, there is a significant amount of it to serve as a feedstock for commercial livestock feed formulations. The research study also showed that the benefits of using wine grape pomace as a livestock feed in cattle and sheep by far outweigh the shortcomings posed by this type of fruit pomace. Lastly, the complexity associated with producing and using wine grape pomace as an alternative livestock feed was explicitly illustrated (in the form of a causal loop diagram), explained and discussed. The qualitative model developed explicitly illustrated the inter-relationships between the joint dynamic environmental, social and economic implications of producing and using wine grape pomace as an alternative livestock feed in South Africa. The insights coming out from this study could potentially assist decision makers in the future to come up proactive policies and initiatives that are tailored to encourage the commercial utilization of this waste by-product as a feedstock for commercial livestock feed.