Understanding the links between smallholder farmers and retailers of meat and vegetables in Mthatha, Mqanduli, Port St Johns and Tsolo, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Qaula, Nyaniso
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Farms, Small
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Agric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18823 , vital:42811
- Description: It is commonly accepted that one of the challenges faced by smallholder farmers is lack of ‘access to markets’. This is especially so against the backdrop of the supermarket revolution, which is widely understood to give advantage to large-scale farmers at the expense of smallholder farmers. Given that supermarkets are now well established even within South Africa’s former homelands, it would seem that even smallholders based in these areas are at a disadvantage. The purpose of this study is to delve deeply into the market access of smallholder farmers, and to do so specifically across a large area of the former Transkei where supermarkets are well established and where there are also a range of other types of retailers. The study seeks to understand the links between smallholder farmers and diverse kinds of food retailers of meat and vegetables in and around the towns of Mthatha, Mqanduli, Port St Johns and Tsolo in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. For each of these sites, the study estimates the share of purchased fresh vegetables and meat that ultimately originates from smallholder farmers within the former Transkei, as opposed to large-scale farmers further afield. The findings suggest that smallholder farmers account for about 24% to 40% of fresh vegetables, and 3% to 13% of meat. The difference between vegetables and meat seems to relate to the fact that smallholder farmers account for a reasonably large share of the fresh vegetables sold by at least some supermarkets, whereas smallholder livestock farmers are largely unable to sell to abattoirs, whether because of the standards imposed by these abattoirs (including the one in Mthatha), or because of the cost of transport. The differences between sites appear to be a function of several factors, including differential market size and resource endowments. The study further sought to identify the advantages and disadvantages that the different types of retailers experience in procuring from smallholder farmers, and also identify the advantages and disadvantages that smallholder farmers experience in supplying different types of retailers. The advantage of working with smallholder farmers is that smallholder farmers can even deliver on Sundays, unlike other suppliers that refuse to work during weekends. The disadvantage is that smallholder farmers are not producing consistently therefore it is hard to rely on smallholder farmers for supply of produce. The advantage that smallholder farmers experience in supplying different types of retailers is that they get their cash right away after delivering the produce. The challenge that smallholder farmers experience when supplying food retailers is that some of the supermarkets will see the sample and order large quantity, however on the day of delivery they will complain and say it is not the good quality so the farmers must reduce the selling price. The study suggests the strategy that could be used by farmers to access the market, which is to enhance knowledge of market skills and negotiation skills.
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- Date Issued: 2020
Rural household dietary diversity and food security in Raymond Mhlaba local municipality
- Authors: Mnukwa, Minentle Lwando
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Food security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17282 , vital:40872
- Description: In order to formulate or implement relevant food security programmes in rural areas, it is important to have a deep understanding of the food security status of rural households. Accordingly, this study was conducted to assess the food security status of rural households in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. The study also sought to identify the socio-economic characteristics that influence household food security status. The research relied on primary data. Primary data were collected by using a structured questionnaire, which covered both demographic features of respondent households, and their recent food consumption patterns. The household survey was conducted among 272 participants of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. Statistical tools employed in this study included both descriptive and inferential statistics. The main descriptive statistics used were frequency tables, means and percentages in relation to a number of demographic characteristics and food security indicators. The main indicator of food security/insecurity used in the study was the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). After calculating the HDDS for each household, households were defined as either food secure or insecure depending on whether their HDDS was above or below the average HDDS. A logistic regression model (binary or dichotomous) was then used to identify socio-economic factors that influence some households to have above-average rather than below-average food security levels. The Binary logistic regression model revealed that four out of eight variables included in the model were significant in explaining the variation in the food security situation of households in the study areas, namely age of household head, education level of household head, household income and household size. Of these, the first three were positively associated with aboveaverage food security status, while household size had a negative association. A Tobit model was further used to identify the determinants of the household dietary diversity score. The exact same variables were significant from the Tobit analysis, and in the same manner.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The residuality of agriculture and the time dimensions of rural employment in South Africa
- Authors: Ngqwala, Sixolile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Rural poor -- Employment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16985 , vital:40806
- Description: There has been increasing recognition in the past few decades that rural households in developing countries are not limited to the agricultural sector, but also depend on other, nonagricultural activities. Rural households are understood to pursue multiple livelihood strategies which involve juggling different economic pursuits as a means of reducing risk and maintaining options. In South Africa, the importance of multiple livelihood strategies is widely appreciated, on the other hand there is a common perception in policy circles that agricultural development can become an important route out of poverty, for instance as part-time small-scale farmers become larger and more commercialised. The purpose of this dissertation is to attempt to better understand the relationship between households’ participation in agriculture and nonagricultural activities. The point of departure is the observation that there is a great deal of flux into and out of agriculture in a way that is difficult to understand in terms of prevailing theories and frameworks. The study makes use of four waves of data from the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS), and employs a variety of analytical approaches, including transition matrices, multinomial logistic regression, and panel data econometric models. The findings are mixed. In the one hand, there is evidence that households enter agriculture as other income sources become available, and leave agriculture again when those sources dry up. On the other hand, there is also evidence that participation in agriculture compensates for the absence or loss of other income sources, in which case agriculture can be thought of as a ‘residual’ sector that is activated when other options fail.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Assessing the implementation and effects of the Fetsa Tlala Food Initiative Programme in achieving its vision of eradicating household level food insecurity in Lukhanji Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Njara, L I
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Households -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10476 , vital:35484
- Description: Declining agrarian activities in significant parts of the country, even in the subsistence sector, has meant that access to food is increasingly a function of household cash income, hence low-income households experience inadequate access to food. Over 12 million people in South Africa are vulnerable to food insecurity. Since 2013, substantial efforts and large sums of money have been devoted to poverty reduction through government’s Fetsa Tlala Food Production Initiative. Fetsa Tlala was conceptualised as an integrated government framework that seeks to promote food and nutrition security and to address the structural causes of food insecurity, which continue to perpetuate inequality and social exclusion. The main objective of this study is to assess the implementation and effects of Fetsa Tlala. The specific objectives include: to measure the direct and indirect benefits of Fetsa Tlala; to assess the cost-effectiveness of the programme; to evaluate the model of the programme using a social systems approach; and to assess the implementation approach of Fetsa Tlala. A cross-sectional study was carried on a sample of 70 households and four Fetsa Tlala projects in the Eastern Cape. Households were selected using the simple random sampling procedure. Structured and semi-structured interviews using questionnaires were conducted. The research objectives were analysed using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Among the quantitative approaches used was a micro simulation exercise, which was performed to help understand the cost-effectiveness of the programme. The results show that the business model of the programme is not built with sustainability in mind and the systems approach was ignored when designing the programme. Furthermore, the cost of the programme outweighs its benefits. This study recommends that the programme should take into account human development and build a needs-based approach going forward. Further recommendations are that the government should target relevant partners, and prioritise agricultural insurance, infrastructure and agro-processing.
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- Date Issued: 2018
The contribution of small-scale fisheries to rural livelihoods and food security : evidence from Hamburg, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Budaza, Nwabisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small-scale fisheries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Fishery management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10338 , vital:35396
- Description: Small-scale fisheries are known to provide food and income to millions of people around the world, but their role and existence is often ignored in development planning. The growing human demand for animal protein has become one of the foremost world challenges for which aquatic organisms have a significant role to play. In South Africa, small-scale fisheries have been recognized since the end of Apartheid, but the extent of the contribution of the sector to rural livelihoods and food security is not well understood. Using data drawn from a sample of 80 fishers in the coastal community of Hamburg, Eastern Cape, this dissertation presents an assessment of the contribution of small-scale fisheries to rural livelihoods, income and food security. The primary data were collected from the fishers using a structured questionnaire and non-probability sampling. The data were analysed with the assistance of descriptive techniques and a few simply statistical tests. The results of the study indicate that fishers in Hamburg catch a wide range of fish, which include wild kob, octopus, spotted grunter, white/black mussel cracker and white steenbras. Fishers in the study area are not solely dependent on small-scale fisheries for their livelihoods, income and food security, but generally supplement their welfare payments with fishing in order to sustain their livelihoods. About 78percent of the surveyed fishers depend on government grants, including old age grants, child support grants and social care grant. In terms of employment, 15percent of the surveyed fishers are casually employed, while 6percent are formally employed on a contract basis. Although they are not only dependent on fishing, nevertheless fishing is an important source of livelihood, income and food security. About 37percent of the fishers harvest marine resources for home consumption, while 7percent harvest solely for income, and 56percent harvest for both home consumption and income. Income generated from fisheries is approximately R935 per month and is used to buy food, electricity, fishing equipment and other household needs. The findings from this research underline the need for interventions such as coordinated institutions, improved infrastructure, improved monitoring and enforcement systems, as well as improved access to permit/fishing rights for sustainable use of marine resources.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Inter-generational dynamics of smallholder farming households : a case study of family farms at Bumbane and Emagaleni villages, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Sixoto, Wandisile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Family farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Agric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7886 , vital:30791
- Description: This research investigates the inter-generational dynamics of smallholder farming households and their implications for the future of agriculture in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The study was conducted in two villages, of which one, Bumbane, is in Amahlathi Local Municipality, and the other, Emagaleni, is in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. The study was mainly qualitative in nature, and involved semi structured, in-depth interviews with small-scale farming households. In particular, interviews were conducted with both youth and elders in the same households, so as to deeply understand the inter-relationships between the two. The study established that there is an age-based hierarchy in most farming families whereby the household head is ‘in charge’ and allows little input from or discretion of his/her adult children. For example, most household heads are not comfortable sharing decision-making authority with adult children, which alienates these adult children. This is the case even though household heads are keen to transfer their knowledge to their children, and hope that their children will one day take over the farming. The discord between household heads and their adult child is one of the reasons why the youth tend to dedicate little of their time to helping out with the farming. On the other hand, the youth are also discouraged from agriculture by other factors, such as production constraints and poor access to markets These intergenerational dynamics may pose a threat to the future of family farming in these and similar communities. The paper concludes that, in as much as household heads learnt agriculture through a participatory approach, there is a necessity to change the strategy and emphasise motivating young adults through farmers’ days and other gatherings that may serve as an inspiration. Alternatively, elders need to be coaxed to adopt a more thoughtful approach to engaging their adult children in agriculture that has a better possibility of encouraging their participation in agriculture rather than discouraging it. The participatory approach must not be the only option, since females do not get the opportunity to be motivated as most of the talks happen on the field.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Qualitative assessment of the performance and challenges of the recapitalization and development programme : the case of Buffalo City metropolitan municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Maka, Loquitur
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mentoring--South Africa--Eastern Cape Land reform--South Africa--Eastern Cape Agricultural assistance--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Agricultural Extention
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11619 , vital:39090
- Description: The Recapitalization and Development Programme (RADP) is a tool which seeks to provide black emerging farmers with the social and economic infrastructure and basic resources that are required to run a successful agricultural business. The RADP’s objectives include: to increase production, to guarantee food security, to graduate emerging farmers to commercial farmers and to create jobs opportunities within the agricultural sector. But above all, the unstated objective of the RADP is to revive failing land reform projects. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the RADP, specifically looking at land reform beneficiaries in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Qualitative research was conducted in the form of seven in-depth case studies of RADP-supported land reform projects, together with interviews with four RADP mentors and three government officials. Some of the challenges in the farms before RADP funding was received included: little or no income, high mortality rate of livestock, and lack of skills. The study revealed that the RADP funds contribute to making a difference to the beneficiaries’ activities and provide the necessary infrastructure and equipment for sustainable commercial production. Even though there were mostly positive responses from the beneficiaries, some were dissatisfied with their mentors because the feel that some mentors do not understand their role and responsibilities. Most beneficiaries who appreciated the mentorship programme seem to be older people. However, the impact as mentioned by the mentors is not sustainable due to the short duration of support by the government both in terms of the mentorship and financial support to the projects.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of the farmer field school approach on small-scale vegetable farmers' knowledge, agency and production in Alice, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Apleni, Asanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8187 , vital:31873
- Description: This study investigates the impact of the Farmer Field School approach on the knowledge, agency and production of small-scale farmers. Farmer Field Schools were devised in the 1980s by the Food and Agriculture Organization as a form of adult education in agriculture. It is a group-based approach in which a facilitator meets with farmers on a regular basis and sets in motion a process by which farmers ‘learn how to learn’, both from themselves and from one another. However, it remains an open question whether the Farmer Field School approach could be a solution to South Africa’s abiding problem of weak agricultural extension. Early in 2015, the University of Fort Hare and the Nkonkobe Farmers’ Association initiated a number of study groups in the Alice area, based largely on Farmer Field School principles. The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of the Farmer Field School approach on small-scale farmers’ knowledge, agency and production, focusing on home gardeners. The study was conducted in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in Alice of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The research consisted of a survey of all the study group participants involved with home gardens, including some who joined the groups in 2015 but left in 2016. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs were used. Findings from this study have shown how participation in the study groups modelled on the FFS approach can improve the knowledge and skills of home gardeners, while also enabling them to produce significantly larger quantities of vegetables, and even a marketable surplus, albeit from a small base. In order to make more people to join, more incentives should be made available. Such incentives should be made available only to “kick start” the FFS study groups and take heed in prevention of dependence.
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- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of grade 12 students' attitudes towards agriculture as a career choice in Nkonkobe municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Ndema, Tenjiwe N
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Career development -- South Africa , Agriculture -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26592 , vital:65661
- Description: In South Africa there is a perception that the youth, particularly black youth, lack interest in agriculture as a career. The youth are perceived to be more drawn to white collar jobs, because they believe that these jobs are more pleasant and better paying. The literature moreover suggests that the youth perceive agriculture as dirty work which is more appropriate for uneducated or illiterate people. The main aim of the research was to analyse Grade12 students’ attitudes towards agriculture as a career choice in Nkonkobe Municipality. Students from four high schools were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and the total sample size was 100. Based on the results, about one third of students have a favorable perception of agriculture as a career choice, which is more than what had been expected based on the literature reviewed. Both students from non-agricultural schools and agricultural schools possess a positive attitude towards agriculture. They indicated that agriculture offers a lot of financial gain, is not necessarily associated with poverty, nor is agriculture widely regarded as a last resort for those who have failed in other careers. Moreover, they believe that agriculture is as important as other sectors. However, of those learners who indicated an intention to pursue agriculture as a career, only 1 % specifically wished to become a farmer. The others rather wanted professional careers within the agricultural sector, such as veterinarians, agricultural economists, and so forth. Their interest in agriculture as a career related in large measure to a desire to live in a rural area and work with their hands; however this did not extend to actual farming. , Thesis (M Agric) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2016
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- Date Issued: 2016